Page 165 of Celestial Combat

“Never felt like a tourist in New York City until now,” I muttered, eyeing the massive fir waiting in the center of it all – dark for now, shrouded in shadows and wire.

Kali gave me a look and pressed a mittened finger to my lips. “Shh.Just enjoy it,” she said, leaning into my arm like she was making sure I didn’t drift too far.

I didn’t protest. Her warmth at my side was its own kind of gravity. Though I didn’t appreciate the stuffed toy seal getting more cuddles than me.

A hush fell across the crowd as a deep voice counted down over the loudspeakers – three, two, one – and then the switch was thrown.

The tree exploded into color, light spilling across the ice, the crowd erupting into applause and cheers. Thousands of tinybulbs glimmered like jewels, and reflections shimmered up at us from the slick surface of the rink. It was ridiculous and beautiful all at once – a perfect, over-the-top New York spectacle.

I couldn’t stop a smile from lifting the corner of my mouth.

Kali’s hands cupped my face before I could say anything. Her lips were soft and cold, tasting like cocoa and winter as she pulled me into a kiss that blocked out the noise and the crowd and even the blinding light of that gigantic tree.

And for a long moment under the glow of a hundred thousand bulbs and a sky full of snow, there was nothing in the world but her.

The park was hushed under a soft blanket of snow as we wound our way back up toward the rink, the Manhattan skyline glowing gold and silver through a lattice of bare branches. My breath puffed into tiny clouds as I tugged Zane’s gloved hand, practically skipping across the slushy path.

“You’re sure about this?” he asked, one brow arched, the deep timbre of his voice carrying in the cold air.

I grinned. “C’mon. I thought you liked a challenge.”

The rink was a glowing oval of light nestled between shadowy trees, the ice so smooth it reflected the tall buildings like a glassy lake. Music drifted over speakers – an easy, jazzy version of a holiday song – and skaters spun by in a lazy rhythm.

We laced up our skates on a wooden bench dusted with snow. Zane gave me that cocky half-smile as he stood, towering over me. “Don’t worry, baby. If you slip, I’ll catch you.”

But the moment his blades hit the ice, it was him who wobbled.

I couldn’t help laughing as I glided past him like I’d been doing this forever – years of skating as a kid suddenly rushing back to me.

“Looks like you’re the one who needs catching,baby.”

He tried to skate toward me, arms a bit too stiff, and I grabbed his hands before he toppled.

“Relax,” I urged, skating backward slowly and leading him along. “Bend your knees a little. Loosen up. Let yourself feel the ice.”

He glanced up at me, amusement glinting in his dark eyes. “You sound like me in the gym,” he murmured.

I smirked. “Your turn to take lessons,sensei.”

“That right?” he chuckled, his fingers tightening around mine as we moved together across the ice, his stance slowly growing steadier.

“You know,” I said, breath misting as I circled him playfully, “You’re sexy when you take my orders so .”

Zane gave me a look, his grin mischievous. “I’ll keep that in mind. Maybe you can teach a couple more moves later tonight.”

I bit my lip, bringing my skates closer to press my thighs together. Narrowing my eyes, I took in his cocky reply.

“Think fast!” I squealed, throwing my mitten at him, causing him to almost lose his balance and fall on his ass. “Never lose focus.”

Zane chuckled, advancing at his best speed. “Wait till I get my hands on you…”

And just like that – surrounded by laughter and glowing, golden lights – the city felt small and warm and entirely ours.

An hour or so later, the cold air wrapped around us like a shimmering cloak as we left the rink, my gloved hand tucked into Zane’s pocket and his arm snug around me. Every exhale unfurled into silvery clouds as we walked further downtown and crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, the skyline twinkling like a thousand holiday lights scattered across the water. The cables of the bridge soared overhead, glowing beneath the lamps, and every few steps I’d glance up at Zane and catch him already looking down at me, his face soft and warm despite the chill.

By the time we reached our neighborhood, my cheeks were rosy and my heart felt light. That’s when I noticed the Christmas tree lot tucked into a tiny, snow-dusted corner – an oasis of green, pine-scented branches glowing under strings of warm white bulbs. Trees of every size leaned against wooden racks like sleepy giants.

“Let’s get one,” I said, squeezing his arm.

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