Page 44 of Live Like Legends

“Most places are flying compatible, but yes.”

I rubbed my lips together. “Could we do that?” I tugged on his arm, feeling like I wasn’t asking too much.

He dropped his key and in a matter of seconds, scooped me up and cradled me in his arms. He pushed out his wings, their mass causing a slight breeze to pass.

“I guess that’s a yes.” I hooked my arms around his neck and he pushed off of the ground. It wasn’t long before the treeswere nonexistent, and we were right in the heart of the sunset. I remembered being like this with him when we were less familiar with each other, when he was so much more apprehensive around me. I shamelessly flirted as if my life depended on it, but there was something about Nicholas Cassial that made me want to keep pushing his limits.

This time was different though. He was carrying me the same as before, but now his hands were more comfortable with their placement. He squeezed my body closer to his because he wanted to and because he could. He kissed me mid-flight for the hell of it and I didn’t stop him. There wasn’t a dark ripple in sight, but there was a tiny inkling that the next time it happened, it would be bigger and whatever was behind it angrier and more lethal with each pull against the threshold.

I pulled a piece of my hair away from my face as I shook off my thoughts, feeling Nick make a turn and then dip down every so often. We started to descend lower and lower, until I could see foliage and gravel. He swerved around trees and eventually found a solid landing spot near a building I didn’t recognize. He sat me down, making sure I had my balance before making his wings disappear.

Nick held his hand out waiting for me to take it. Our fingers intertwined as he pulled around the building. Something about his place gave me déjà vu, but then it hit me.

“Are we at the North Village?”

“Mmhmm.”

I chewed on my bottom lip. “Are we going to see your dad?”

His shoulders stiffened for a moment before he turned to look at me. “No, contrary to popular belief there are other things in the North Village besides my father.”

The smell of apple and sugar reached my nostrils and my mouth instantly started to salivate. There were a few people walking around, giving him small nods of acknowledgement, butnothing more. The time of day told me that most were probably at home eating with their families and not out gallivanting like we were.

Nick opened the door of the shop with the delectable smells, pulling me towards the counter. A woman with tight blonde curls came out to greet us, but when her eyes found Nick, her smile grew ten times wider. She clapped her hands together and it was like her whole body vibrated with excitement. “Nicholas?!”

Nick gave her a genuine smile as she came around the counter to give him a hug. I backed up, watching their interaction.

The short joyful woman, reared back to look at him. “You never come by anymore. You broke my poor heart you know. Your father comes around telling me all about your adventures, or as much as he can tell me. Ah, he’s so proud of you.” She held his face, placing both her palms on his cheeks and something inside of me wanted his father to just burst in here. I wanted them to have a big cry fest where they both spoke at the same time, but then laughed and admitted that they still loved each other despite the secrecy and separation.

That wasn’t going to happen. I knew that.

She let him go, placing a hand on her hip. “He doesn’t come around much anymore. I’ve been meaning to stop by your house, but that girl, uh, Alex, she always seems to find herself here. Always gets a handful of things for the family. Are you headed there now?”

I muffled my laughter at the turn this had taken.

“Um, no. I’m actually here with…” He looked over at me and the woman followed his eyes. Her dark blue eyes widened as she took me in. It wasn’t out of fear or nervousness. It was out of embarrassment.

“For the love of all that is ethereal, forgive me! I am just prattling on rudely.” She stuck her hand out for me to shake. “I’m Josie.”

“Dani. It’s nice to meet you. This shop yours?”

She gave me a hearty laugh before she made her way back around the counter, grabbing two rectangular paper sleeves and stuffing cookies in them. “She’s all mine. Nicholas has been coming here since he was a boy.”

I raised my eyebrows at her. “Well, it smells amazing in here.”

“Thank you dear.” She handed Nick the sleeves and he started to reach into his pocket, most likely to pay. Josie waved her hands at him. “No, sir. You keep your money and tell your father I said hello.”

Nick gave her a tight-lipped smile and nodded, thanking her. He handed me one of the sleeves as we walked out the door. I waved goodbye to her before I grabbed the cookie, breaking off a small piece and eating it. It melted on my tongue instantly and there were more flavors than I imagined.

“There has to be some kind of magic in here to make this taste this good.”

Nick chuckled while eating his own and shrugged. “I’ve said the same thing, but she has yet to tell anyone her recipe.”

“She’s close with your dad?”

He stuffed another, larger, piece of the cookie in his mouth. He swallowed before answering me. “She treats everyone like family, so yeah I guess you could say that.”

I kept eating until only small traces of crumbs were left, mulling over what I wanted to say next. “You are fully aware you could run into your dad here, correct?”

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