Thane stood on the edge of the railing, at the ready.
“Your next mission is food for her,” Zacharel said.
“I’m her servant now?”
“No. You are mine.”
A pause. “Why am I not offended by this?” the warrior murmured. “Why am I actually enjoying myself?” White wings threaded with gold exploded into motion, and Thane disappeared in the air. He wasn’t gone long, ten minutes at the most, yet he returned carrying a sack overflowing with breads, cheeses and fruits.
“Thank you.”
A gleam of surprise in Thane’s sapphire eyes, followed by a respectful incline of his head. “Anytime. I think.”
Zacharel rattled off an address. “Make sure the owner is home. If he’s not, wait for him. Once you have verified his presence and I have taken your place, you are free for the rest of the day.”
Another thank-you, and Thane again disappeared.
And just as Annabelle emerged from the bathroom fifteen minutes later, He is home whispered through his head.
He meant to acknowledge the words, and would have, if he hadn’t been struck dumb. He could only stare at Annabelle. The steam formed a cloud around her, creating a dream haze. She had dried her hair, the mass hanging down her arms, straight as a board. Pink cotton clung to lush breasts. I’ve had my mouth on those. The jeans kissed her legs with erotic abandon. He wasn’t sure how he felt about the fact that Thane had nailed her sizes.
She looked so young and fresh, so…innocent. “You like?” she asked.
“More than like. You are beautiful.”
“I can’t take full credit. It’s the pink.”
“It’s the woman.”
Slowly she grinned. “Someone is on his best behavior today.” She glanced at the table piled high with the food, then back at him. “I’m too nervous to eat.”
“You must keep your strength up. I will tolerate no excuses.”
“Sir, yes, sir,” she said with a sassy salute. “And by the way, I take back my best behavior comment.”
“There can be no take backs.”
“Can, too.”
He supposed, now that he’d licked every inch of her, the nature of their relationship would never be the same. She’d tried to warn him; she would never take his orders, and he would just have to like it.
As long as he had her, he would like it.
She picked at the food for half an hour before he grabbed her hand and a banana and led her outside, using an air pocket to shield her from prying eyes. By the time they reached her brother’s home, she’d managed to choke down half the fruit. Not good enough, but it would have to do.
He caught a glimpse of Thane, who was in the process of flying away, when he landed on the porch. Though Zacharel wanted to whisk inside the home, Annabelle insisted they knock and wait for an invitation to enter. Manners. Such a novelty. But Zacharel suspected the brother would not open the door to her, and for that reason, he made sure only his face was noticeable through the windows and peephole by keeping Annabelle hidden.
“Maybe we should go,” Annabelle said, rubbing at the center of her chest.
She did that every time she was nervous. Or scared. Why? “He will not hurt you. I will not let him.”
Her crystalline gaze was grave. “There are a thousand different ways to hurt someone, Zacharel.”
That, he knew well. “There are also a thousand different ways to heal. Trust me in this. Your faith is out there. You said you expect a relationship with your brother to bloom, and you are even beginning to believe it, whether you realize it or not. That’s why you’re here. So, even when it doesn’t look like it’s going your way, continue to believe. If you do not give up, you will see results.”