Page 52 of Frost and Fate
This had all happened in seconds. Creedin hadn’t even fully left his seat when her left hand released the flames. They filled the cave with a blinding blue light. Though the heat was intense, Nova felt no effects. Similar to how the ice did not chill her, the flames left her skin unburnt and unscathed. Those not protected by her icy wall were not so lucky. She could hear screams of pain and terror. Bodies ran frantically through the cave, their flaming limbs flailing in the air. Nova had to sidestep as a panicked Collector ran blindly past her. The blue flames had engulfed him and she knew he wouldn’t be standing much longer. Where was he?
Where is Creedin?
She tried to make out his form through the fire, but there was too much commotion. The charred bodies were beginning to fall still and she couldn’t tell one victim from another. Sweat poured from her brow as she struggled to maintain the balance between fire and ice. Silver hairs clung to her face and neck. The strain of calling on both of her powers simultaneously was substantial. It caused her breath to labor, her muscles to burn, and her limbs to tremor and ache.
Something hot and sticky began to run down her nose and from the corners of her eyes.Blood.Every passing moment felt like an eternity. Every time she wanted to give up, she thought of the lycans and allies who were counting on her to keep them safe and alive. When the screaming finally subsided, she drew back her fire. Charred bodies lie all about the cavern. The smell was unbearable. As soon as she dropped her ice-wielding hand, the thick wall melted and then vanished. The periphery of Nova’s vision began to turn black. The last thing she saw were figures running toward her. She tried to hold on, to make sure Darren was okay, but exhaustion overtook her and she succumbed to the darkness.
* * *
Nova slipped in and out of consciousness. She could hear voices above her. There were several times when she tried to open her eyes, or move her lips to speak, but the fatigue kept her floating in the dark. The next time Nova lifted back to awareness, she could feel things were different. Soft sheets caressed her back and legs. The sound of a monitor beeping greeted her adjusting ears. As she began to tentatively move, she realized there was a warm hand within hers.Darren!
Her eyes sprang open. A chair had been dragged next to the bed. A sweetly sleeping Darren sat within it. His eyes fluttered under their lids. He was curled up in what must have been a truly uncomfortable position for someone his size. She let out a soft laugh and his eyes opened, too. Oh how she’d missed that honey-fire gaze.
“Nova?” Darren leaned forward, taking her hand in both of his. “I’ll get Dr. Sawyer.” He planted a quick kiss on her fingers, and then headed out the door. He returned promptly with the good doctor in tow.
“There she is!” Dr. Sawyer smiled. “You’ve been resting for quite a while. Though I’ve never experienced it, I’m sure wielding not one, but two types of Celestial powers is quite the exhausting task.”
Nova chortled. “Understatement of the year.” Her voice sounded dry and scratchy. Darren grabbed a cup of water from the nightstand and allowed her to slowly drink.
He turned to the doctor. “What now?”
Dr. Sawyer placed a hand on his shoulder. “The good news is, despite the fatigue and dehydration, she’s perfectly healthy. You can head home as soon as she feels able to walk.”
Nova sat up. Now that the residual sleep had worn off, she felt great. “Honestly I feel perfectly fine!” She threw her legs over the side of the bed.
Darren frowned in concern.
“Thank you for the care, Doctor,” she said, and then to Darren, “Let’s go home.”
* * *
Although Nova was perfectly capable of walking, Darren had insisted he carry her the whole way there. To Nova’s surprise, they didn’t head to her apartment, they went to his. “I have a surprise for you.” Darren’s honey-fire eyes glittered. He opened the door and Nova walked inside. She began to notice little decorations, familiar pieces of furniture, and paintings. She walked into the bedroom and saw the closet full of her clothes. In the bathroom, she found the antique silver hairbrush.
Turning to Darren she asked, “Did you move me into your apartment?”
“Our apartment,” he corrected. Nova’s heart felt like it was going to burst. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Nova, I want to spend every moment of my life with you. I want us to live together here, raise our family here—”
Nova’s mind flashed back to the argument they’d had about children. “Darren, I didn’t mean it!” She placed a hand on either side of his face. “I would never consider lycan children to be monsters. I was only worried that if we have Celestials, they’ll never know peace.”
Darren stroked a tender finger down Nova’s cheek. “I understand. I know you’re afraid, but I’m confident we can handle anything the universe throws our way, together.” Nova moved to speak again, but was caught off guard as Darren dropped down to one knee. He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. “Nova Studer”—her heart swelled—“I promise to love you forever, even if you continue to surprise me with deadly hidden superpowers.” Despite the tears of joy running down Nova’s face, she found herself laughing. “Will you please do me the unimaginable honor of becoming my wife?” He popped the box open to reveal a shimmering simple silver band with a breathtakingly sparkly marquise diamond. “It was my grandmother’s ring.”
Nova was so overwhelmed with happiness, she could barely find the words to speak. Eventually she threw herself into his arms. “Yes, yes!”
He slipped the ring onto her finger. She gazed down lovingly at it. Darren stroked her hand. “Though we may have to get the witches to enchant it. I don’t know if antique rings are immune to extreme fire and ice.”
This made Nova laugh out loud. “I’ll try to be on my best behavior until then.”
Darren raised an eyebrow. “Best behavior? With me around?” He drew her into his arms and dropped a kiss on her lips. She sighed into his mouth. They shared another softer kiss. Each time Nova was in Darren’s embrace, all the problems of the world seemed to fade away. Heat spread through her as their lips began to meet each other more urgently. Darren’s tongue snaked into Nova’s mouth and she buried her hands in his dark hair. She returned his kiss with a fervent passion. Their mouths devoured each other. It felt like they hadn’t kissed in years. Darren began to slide a warm hand under her shirt.
Nova abruptly pulled away from him, taking a step back. “As romantic as this moment is…” She looked down at herself. “…I am in desperate need of a shower.”
Darren chuckled. “Fair enough.”
She frowned at him. “You look pretty dirty too.”
He obviously took her meaning. His honey-fire eyes began to glow. He slowly backed her up and into the bathroom. They didn’t stop walking until they entered the shower. Darren reached overhead and turned the faucet on. Nova shrieked as the cold water hit them, but it quickly heated up. They stood there, soaking wet, with their clothes and all. Darren slowly began to peel the layers of clothing from Nova’s body. The sensation of the hot water hitting her bare skin made her body tingle all over. Darren bent down to take a nipple in his mouth. He sucked on the bud as it hardened beneath his affections.
Even through the steamy water, Nova could feel heat rush between her thighs. Darren moved lower, dropping down to his knees. Strong hands pressed Nova back up against the cool tile wall. He lifted her right leg up and over his shoulder, allowing himself deeper access to her core. Darren looked up at her for an exhilarating moment, honey-fire eyes burning fiercely, before his tongue began its tantalizing assault. The moment he made contact with her skin, she cried out and threw her head back in ecstasy.
