Page 59 of Shattered Illusion

With a tighter grip than necessary on her shoulders, I push her away at arm’s length, even though I’d rather tug her in closer. Tears well up in her beautiful eyes, and her bottom lip quivers, making me feel like the biggest asshole in the world.

“Goddess, I want you to use that imagination of yours and pretend like this is the first time you’ve ever been to the city. It’s me and you, and we’re exploring it together. Think of it like a vacation to somewhere new. Can you do that for me?”

Indecision wars in her eyes, but oh so slowly, the shakes start to subside. Her breathing evens out, and like the goddess I know she is, she stands a little taller. A little braver.

Fuck. It’s a glorious thing to watch Bailey work to overcome her fears.

“I can do it. Just…” she nibbles her bottom lip, her eyes darting around every time a loud noise erupts from nearby, “don’t leave me. I…I don’t care if you have to follow me to the bathroom.” She shudders, that bravery there a minute ago starting to dissipate.

“Nope.” I cup her cheeks, trying to infuse every protective instinct I have into her. “Don’t do that. Don’t let that win. You came out of that relatively unscathed, and you’ll go back to the academy tonight safe and sound. I’ll make sure of it. Deal?”

She slowly nods her head, and a lock of hair falls in front of her face. I tuck it behind her ear, trailing my fingers across her delicate cheek. Unable to help myself, I lean in and steal another kiss. Another mind-blowing kiss that only further cements the fact that she’s my soulmate. My other half. I feel so much lighter now that I’ve told her; I don’t feel like I have a massive secret weighing me down.

Bailey makes the sweetest sigh when our lips brush, and I just want to bottle it up and keep that sound forever. But if I play my cards right and she accepts what we are, I’ll get to hear it for the rest of my life. And I can’t wait.

My arm finds its place on her shoulder, and I guide her out of the small alleyway we landed in, right into the heart of the city. Passersby ignore us, going on about their own business. It’s just a little bubble Bailey and I are living in; no reason for anyone to pay much attention to anything we’re doing. Granted I catch a few people staring, but that’s only because of what I am. Being the only demigod to live in this area, it seems people think they have the right to gawk. But I brush them all off, keeping my eyes on my mate. My beautiful goddess.

“You’re doing amazing, you know that?” I murmur, leaning down to kiss her crown. “What do you want to do first? Are you hungry? You should be since it looks like you need a good ten cheeseburgers before a stiff wind blows you over.”

My words earn a laugh, another sound I want to keep for myself.

Bailey smacks my chest, her cheeks glowing a rosy hue. “Yeah, yeah. I know. Just,” she pauses to look up at me as I navigate us around other people meandering the sidewalks, “please don’t ask questions. I’ve been avoiding Thaddy because of it.”

Thaddy?

My brow raises as I peer down at her, chuckling as her cheeks turn even darker.

“Thaddeus. Professor Winterton. Whatever.” She waves her hand, seeming to brush off her last comment. The nickname she has for her professor.

Is it possible she’s found another mate and just doesn’t know it? Looks like I’ll be looking into a Mr. Winterton when we part ways. Let’s just hope this one is better than the last professor. Or he’ll receive the same treatment as the other.

“So prey tell, goddess. Why would you be avoiding Thaddy,” I coo his name, “because you need a few cheeseburgers?”

“Dammit, Luka. I just said don’t ask.” She shakes her head, but there’s no hiding the smile on her face.

“Fine,” I grumble, not happy she won’t tell me, but I’ll get it out of her. Eventually. “So, gorge ourselves on cheeseburgers first, or do you want to do a little shopping?”

“Hmm…” Bailey taps her fingers to her chin, looking around at everything nearby. The longer we’re here, the more comfortable she seems to be getting, which means we’re on the right track to getting her out of those walls. “Shopping?” She peers up at me with those big, beautiful pink eyes, and there’s no way I can say no to her. Even if I loathe the idea of it.

But it’s for her. And I’d do anything for her.

“Anything you want.” She grins, one that’s even bigger than any others I’ve seen today. “So… where to?”

“What about there?” She points across the street, and I follow the direction, tripping over my own damn feet when I realize where she wants to shop.

Aly’s Lace. The freaking ultra posh lingerie store.

Bailey giggles, dancing away from me so I don’t take her down, too. “Kidding, kidding.” Her hands go up in placation as she shakes her head.

If she thinks I’m not holding her to this shopping trip, she’s dead fucking wrong. I’d have to be stupid to let an opportunity like this pass by.

“Oh no, goddess. There’s no getting out of it.” Her eyes widen, then she oomphs as I throw her over my shoulder, smacking that pert ass of hers before checking traffic and making my way over to the store.

“I was kidding, Luka!” Bailey squeals, little fists of fury pounding into my back.

“I’m not. You want pretty panties, we’ll get you pretty panties.” I say the words much louder than necessary, knowing those around us hear every word.

My goddess groans, her little arms attempting to wrap around my waist from behind. They don’t reach across my abs all the way, and it's really telling how much smaller than me she is.

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