Page 66 of Tainted Hearts

After two very long goodbye kisses, I head upstairs with my bag.

I can’t help but stop and watch Abby for a moment when I see her standing by the door, the sunlight streaming through the window, making her glow.

She’s gorgeous. I’m so lucky to be one of her mates, and I hope I get to show her that on this trip.

As if she can feel me watching, she looks over at me and my heart starts to race as her lips form a smile. “Hey. All ready?”

“Yup,” I say, holding up my bag and walking over to her.

“I didn’t know what to pack, so I packed for all types of weather.”

“Sorry about that.” I blush as I run a hand over my short curls. “I just wanted it to be a surprise as much as I could. If there’s something you need but didn’t bring we can get it there.”

“Okay.” She smiles. “And where is there?”

“Nice try.” I laugh and open the door. She follows after me, down to the packed Jeep.

I open her door, taking her bag and tossing it in the back with mine.

When I get in and start up the car, Abby bounces in her seat.

“Sorry. I’m just so excited.” She grins as we head down the driveway.

“Really?” I ask, casting a look over to her.

“Yes! Of course, silly. I’ve been dying to get you alone and do this, just us.”

“Me too.” The nervous feeling inside me settles at hearing that.

Turning on the music, I smile as Abby hums along to whatever song is on the radio. When we pull up to the portal warehouse, Abby stops and sits up, looking around. “We're at the portals?”

“Yes.” I pull up and into the warehouse.

“We’re leaving earth?”

“Is that okay?” I can feel the panic within me starting to rise again.

“Yes!” She laughs. “Oh my god, what realm are we going to?! I’ve only been to Earth and Hell, this is going to be so exciting.”

I let out the breath I was holding and chuckle. “Thank god you're okay with that.”

We pull up to one of the portals. A security guard approaches the window.

“ID please.”

I give him my ID, he looks it over then at me, back at the ID again. “Destination and how long will be you gone for?”

“The Empire of Falerin and for forty-eight hours, starting when we get there,” I state. He nods and waves us through.

“You're taking me to the fairy realm! For two days!” She's bouncing in her seat as I drive us toward the portal. “I’m going to the fairy realm. This is so cool! You're the best!”

I’m shocked when she leans over and kisses my cheek.

This girl, she’s everything. And now I’m not so worried about this being a stupid idea. The smile on her face right now is everything.

“A few things before we enter. It takes a little while longer to pass through with a car. When it’s just you, it takes seconds, but with a car it’s minutes.” Abby nods. “And, you're going to need this.” I grab a winter coat out of the back seat and hand it to her. “It’s going to be pretty snowy this time of year.”

Her eyes widen, filling with tears, and I pray it’s happy tears. “I get to see snow?”

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