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Prologue - Chapter 6

As Nira awoke she realized she was curled up on her mat next to Mikael, her hands were holding onto his arm as if she were afraid he would leave her. Looking up, she noticed that he was awake and looking at her. “I'm sorry I fell asleep on you. I didn't realize I was that tired. I hope I didn't do anything embarrassing while I slept like drool or snore.”

“You were beautiful,” Mikael murmured as he stared into her pale lavender eyes.

Nira found herself getting lost in his beautiful eyes as she reached up and caressed his face. Tentatively she pulled him down to her as she leaned up and placed her lips on his in a soft kiss. She felt Mikael as he immediately stiffened before wrapping his arms around her and holding her close as he deepened the kiss.

After many long moments he pulled away from her lips and asked somewhat breathlessly, “Why did you do that? I am Daemoni and cannot change. This form is as a demon in your writings. It is not handsome, it is terrifying and many would say ugly.”

“It is not ugly! I kissed you because I wanted to, because my heart wanted to. Did you like it?”

“Very much,” Mikael murmured before kissing her again.

After a long time she sighed as she sat up and said, “I didn't want to bring it up yesterday because we were having so much fun, but I have to head back down to the village today. I'm out of food and I have to check in or my father and others will worry. I also must strengthen the realm veil.”

“I know, I can only hope that you will return. You bring me a measure of peace and happiness I've never felt before. Galena says that what I'm feeling is the beginning of love. Do you think that is what this is, Aera?”

“Well, it'd be fast, which is why I haven't let myself acknowledge it's what I'm feeling. My dad always says he knew immediately that Helen was his soul-mate so I say if Galena thinks that is what it is, who are we to say differently,” Nira shrugged.

“Hmmm...” Mikael muttered before taking her face in his hands and kissing her again, before pulling away. “Yes, I definitely feel something. You?”

“Do it again,” Nira smirked and when he did she added, “Definitely! You?”

Kissing her again, while she giggled, he replied, “Definitely.” He kissed her a final time, deepening it so that she was left breathless.

Suddenly a scream ripped through the air as a woman that reminded Nira of Morticia Addams suddenly appeared in the cavern. She wore a long black evening gown with long straight black hair and pale skin. Her black eyes contained a level of fury and hate that sent a chill through Nira. Mikael immediately stood up and put himself in front of her when he snarled, “Mother.”

“You dare to leave the Dark Realms in this form to consort with a human,” she spat at him. “You are forbidden to leave the Dark Realms.”

“Since when? I broke no law, no rule and I may 'consort' with whomever I please. Look at your choice.”

“Your insolence will get you death.” Innara sneered at him with disdain.

“You can't kill me,” Mikael laughed at her.

“I never said it would be death for you,” Innara screeched as she suddenly threw a powerful ball of black magick at Nira.

Blocking the hit by quickly turning his back, Mikael said to Nira, “I will distract her, grab your phone and run!”

“But...”

“I will find you, just run and do not return! Do not worry about the veil. I will make sure Damian takes care of it. Just go, please!” Mikael pleaded with her as he pulled her up before planting a quick kiss on her lips. Turning back to his mother he growled, “You dare to attack her, to kill her? She is mine and you will not take her from me!” Mikael snarled as he moved to attack his mother.

Suddenly a big flash threw Nira back and as she slowly got up, she realized she was closer to the entrance of the cave than she had been. Her phone in hand, she ran and kept running, tears flowing freely down her face, until she arrived at the village. Her heart was nearly pounding out of her chest as she looked back towards the cave. She worried over Mikael. Was he ok? What was that flash? What had Innara done?

Taking a deep calming breath, she quickly dialed her father on her phone. When he answered she said, “I need an extraction immediately.”

“What has happened, Nira? Why do I hear tears in your voice? Are you crying? What happened?” Darius asked with worry.

“It's a long story. Just come get me please.”

“Of course. Come home and we will talk,” Darius said calmly. “I'm sorry for whatever happened, Nira.”

“Thank you, Dad. I just need one of your hugs, badly,” Nira said as tears filled her eyes once again.

“Well, you getting multiple of those is a given. I love you, Nira. I know we don't always get along, but I love you deeply.”

“I know, Dad. I'll see you soon.” Hanging up the phone, Nira quickly trudged the rest of the way into town where she found a room to stay in until the extraction team arrived. She texted the information to her father and then laid down on the bed and simply cried. She let out all the crazy emotions flowing through her. She sobbed over not having answers to questions like if Mikael was alright. She sobbed for the pain in her heart and when she could sob no more she slept.

~~~

Days had turned into weeks, and still Nira knew nothing. She refused to go on assignment, she refused to leave her home unless she had to. Helen, her stepmother, said she was in mourning. Maybe, mostly she worried, worried so much it consumed her. The only bit of hope she had was when a strange note had appeared in her room from the person she least expected to ever hear from.

He lives. Much has happened.

Do not give up hope.

~Damian

She hadn't shown anyone the note. She didn't know why but somehow it felt like it was meant for her and her only. Several times she'd wanted to return to the cave but her father forbade it. He didn't want Innara to attack her again or for her to come face to face with her uncle, Mordecai. Darius knew both could lead to her death.

So, she stayed at home. She owned a small bungalow in the hills of Los Angeles where she was surrounded by trees and nature. It wasn't unusual to see deer or other animals in her backyard. It was why she loved it but she would give it all up to see Mikael again. Damian's note gave her renewed hope that she just might see him again. She worried over the “much has happened” part. She wondered what that meant.

With a deep sigh she looked around her home. She needed groceries badly. Getting up off the couch, she pulled her hair up into a messy bun, looked down at her jeans and t-shirt and mumbled, “Good enough.” Grabbing her keys and wallet she left her house and decided to walk to the store. A good walk would renew her soul and she needed that.

After a long walk, she entered the neighborhood store with a smile to the owner. Roaming the aisles she noticed a tall man with black hair with stripes of blue and purple in it. She thought it looked very kewl and reminded her of Mikael's coloring. Up and down she roamed the aisles getting what she needed, periodically seeing the back of the man with the incredible hair. After checking out and paying for her groceries she left the store and headed home.

She’d gone maybe three steps when she heard, “Nira?” in a gravelly voice. Turning around to see who knew her, she was shocked to see the man she had been ogling. To say his front was handsome was to say she had blonde hair. It was a Captain Obvious statement.

“Do I know you?” she asked him. He smiled at her as she noticed his unusually colored green eyes that seemed to almost glow. Something about him was incredibly familiar. “Mikael?” she asked, filled with hope.

“You remember me then,” he smirked at her.

Dropping her grocery bags she ran to him and burying her face in his chest she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight as tears of joy filled her eyes. Inhaling the scent that was uniquely him she felt her soul calm in a way it hadn't since she'd last seen him. When she felt his arms go around her and hold her tightly to him she smiled. Pulling back just enough to look up into his eyes she asked, “How is this possible? The curse.”

“The curse is broken because of you and your love. You saw me, not a monster but me. When I sacrificed my life for you it broke the curse. I'm sorry it took so long for me to come to you. I had to make arrangements. Since my powers had been weakened so much, I made a decision that I needed help with from Damian,” Mikael explained.

“What decision would that be?” Nira asked tentatively, feeling hope rise in her chest.

“I want to be with you, experience this world and life with you. I want to grow old with you. So, I decided to become mortal so that I can make that happen. I love you, Nira. I have since the moment when I first saw you and you weren't afraid of me.”

“Mikael... I... Are you sure? You’ll grow old and die.”

“With you. That is all that matters, no matter how long or how short this life is with you, I’m with you!”

Nira gasped at his words and hugged him tightly before saying, “Kiss me, please. I’ve missed you and your kisses so very much.”

Mikael bent his head towards hers and did exactly that.

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