Gemini (17 page)

I suppose I could understand how Zoe felt with Elijah. Though they never formed any romantic relationship, they were always close, both in this world, and in Aravot. It made sense she would carry some of that with her when he was the one who protected her in this life.

Loyalty was one of Zoe’s greatest strengths. She took care of what was hers.

Zoe approached me, her smile and warmth offering new hope for our relationship. She put her arms around my waist, and I tugged her close, then she set her cheek against my chest.

My heart began to thump with the voracity of a wanton boy.

"You scared me last night." Phoebe laid her head on Zoe's back. "I’d die if anything happened to you."

Zoe turned toward Phoebe and pulled her into a hug, then stood back. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Phoebs. I don’t want you to go."

"Don’t worry about me.” Phoebe smiled. “You need to eat something. You haven't had a thing since, when? Yesterday? It's five o'clock. I got your fave, beef and broccoli with rice and extra fortune cookies." Phoebe sauntered to the table and picked up two white boxes.

Julian and Nathaniel moved from their places and ushered us over to sit.

"I wasn't sure what you liked, Cade, so I got some extra of everything else. Help yourself." Phoebe motioned to the seat next to Zoe.

Julian held out his chair for Zoe, and she slid into the seat. He pushed her chair into the table and set her food before her.

I sat beside her and sifted through the other containers on the table. Sweet and sour chicken, and Crab Rangoon. The best part of being on the earthly realm was the food.

The rest of the Firstborns stood, cleaned their food from the table, and left us alone.

A short time later, Raz came into the kitchen. "Are you ready? We have much to discuss."

“I think so.” Zoe stood and grabbed my hand.

I liked this new Zoe.

Everyone had gone except Raz, Julian and Nate, who sat in seats by the fireplace. The balcony was open, and the sun was setting over the harbor.

It had become a picturesque evening in Chicago. I understood what Zoe loved so much about the view, though I hadn’t much time to know it.

We sat on the couch together. Zoe pulled her feet up and settled beside me.

Nathaniel smiled at Zoe and tipped his head to her. "Good to see you awake. This is strange, that you don't recognize us."

"It's weird for me, too." Zoe shrugged.

"Nate and Julian will be staying in Chicago until the Convergence is complete. I sent the Firstborns home to rest for the night," Raz said. "They’ll meet here, first thing tomorrow morning to begin. Julian and Nate have made arrangements for a training facility. You need to train yourself, Zoe."

"I do some kick-boxing. I think I can handle more training though. I don't want a repeat of yesterday with your ex-
demon
. So." Zoe sat up straight. “Tell me how this works. My decision to be with Cade. What happens?"

"Once you Eternalize, Michael and Gabrielle will meet with you to see your heart has chosen Cade. We proceed into the Eternal City, and the Intention Ceremony is held with the Archangels. The Convergence is initiated. When you’re ready, your souls Converge—your Twin Souls become one, and the bond cannot be broken. You then have until your twenty-second birthday to settle your affairs on this realm, have a honeymoon as humans call it, and then return to Aravot for the final Convergence Ceremony, at which time your souls are reunited as one, and the bond cannot be broken. Then you continue your duties.”

"So I have until my twenty-second birthday? I don’t have to leave yet?" A glimmer of hope crossed her expression.

“Well—” Raz narrowed his eyes. “Technically.”

She smiled and exhaled loudly. Color rose to her cheeks. “Then what?”

"Then the Tree is replenished, and Aravot is safe once more."

"So we can stay here until my birthday?”

“Why would you want to stay?” Raz began inspecting her thoughts.

“What if I need more time?" Zoe's shoulders stiffened, and her gaze drifted between Raz and me. “You said I have until I turn twenty-two, right? To tie up my affairs. That’s what you said.”

“Once you Eternalize and the Intention Ceremony has been performed, you’ve given your oath to return to your duties as Genesis. While there is a brief amount of time to tie up loose ends, it’s more so you can spend time with Cade. Not to focus on earthly wants.”

“Well, that doesn’t mean it
can’t
happen though, right? What if there were things I still wanted to do? I’m not saying I wouldn’t do the Genesis thing, too, but what if I wanted to do both? Just for a little while. Till I turn twenty-two. I’d promise to be done by then. Ready to be full-on Genesis.”

Zoe was negotiating with Raz for time. I’d never witnessed her do that before. There was more she was withholding.

"Once you've Eternalized, your memories will return, and you’ll develop your full powers. I believe you’ll no longer harbor any ill feelings toward this."

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Zoe sat back. Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms across her chest. "Who are Michael and Gabrielle?"

"They’re the Elder Angels of the Council," Raz said. He sat beside her. "You call them Archangels. They play a role in Aravot and will know your heart when you're ready to proceed."

Her gaze fell to her hands, and she spun the Ring of Chayah on her finger.

"What's wrong?" Raz's lips turned down.

"How will they know my heart if I don't know it myself?"

I placed my arms around her, and pulled her to my chest. "The only way to break down this wall is to spend time with me."

Raz began to speak, but drew silent at my concern.

"I need one-on-one time with her. No distractions. This will never work unless she gets to see me for who I am and gives her heart a chance to heal from all she’s succumbed to this incarnation."

Raz nodded in understanding at our silent conversation.

"Agreed. What do you want to do?"

I nodded toward Zoe, and Raz understood.

"Maybe if we had some time together. Will you consent to going away with me for a while, get to know me again?"

She stared at me for a minute and pursed her lips. "I have work. I can't go anywhere far. At least not for more than a few days."

"It’s important, Chayah. For us, and our future. I promise, I won't take you long, and we can return at any time. When do you return to work?"

"I work Wednesday through Saturday."

"Let's say we leave Saturday after you’ve finished at the lounge. Just you and I go away until you must return. Please," I implored. "Give us a chance."

"Okay." She sighed.

"It's settled," Raz said. "Until then though, you need to train with the Firstborns and spend time with Cade."

"I need to go home." She rose to her feet. "It's getting late, and I don't want to bother you any longer.”

I stood and pushed her hair from her eyes. "You cannot go home, love. It’s not safe there."

“Are you serious?”

“I’m afraid so.”

She put her hands on her hips and stared at the floor.

"Perfect."

Zoe

Lake Michigan was beautiful at sunset. Shades of pink and orange spread across the harbor as the setting sun glimmered off the water.

I leaned against the grey steel railing and stared out over the lake, hoping to find the strength to embrace what my life had turned into. Over the past three years, I’d made a real home here in Chicago.

Giving it all up would be the hardest thing I’d ever done.

The realization of what was about to take place over the next year was hard to swallow. I would have to give up the stage—a life I loved, and I’d have to leave the only place I truly belonged. All for a man I hardly knew and a past that was lost to me, but one I was expected to accept.

Cade was growing on me, though. His beautiful iridescent aura grew brighter when I was near him. When his pulse quickened, it thrust my own into a frenzy. When his piercing blue eyes gazed into mine, it felt like I was the only girl in the world.

And his kiss.

My heart raced. I brushed my fingers against my lips at the memory. I closed my eyes, remembering his velvet touch. I missed it. Missed him, although he was just feet away.

I was doing my best to keep cool. I really did want to spend more time with Cade, but all this was so new to me. Despite my resistance, I knew how I felt, and I knew what my heart wanted, but the stubborn part of me—the human part—still wanted more.

A career and life I could clearly never have.

When I agree to go to Aravot, if I’m not ready, will Michael and Gabrielle know my heart? Will they recognize the fear I can’t bring myself to admit to Cade—that this wall I’ve built might be indestructible?

I wish I knew.

Could I fake my way through this? I never was a good liar. Even Lilith saw right through me when I tried to play off my feelings with her.

The only solution was to accept my fate.

This was what my soul had been destined for—whether I, the Zoe of this life, wanted it or not.

My only choice was to trust in fate and grow to love Cade for the man I knew he was.

I could see myself loving him, though. Kissing him for the rest of Eternity, Holding him in my arms, his body beside mine. His warmth radiating inside of me.

I was a full-on boyfriend virgin, never having even kissed a guy before Cade. At least not a real, passion laced kiss.

I saved that passion for my music.

Maybe I could share some of it with Cade. The only option was to try—whether for us, or for the souls that would someday find their lives—something I’d been lucky enough to have many times over.

My gaze returned to the harbor as I struggled to grasp this new perspective on my life.

The sun had dipped below the skyline, and the lights of the pier now lit up the night sky.
So beautiful
. I really would miss this.

Cade stepped beside me, hands in his pockets. His lips were pressed together and his expression said,
Sorry I killed your kitten
.

I had made my decision, and it was time to claim what was mine, what my soul had claimed so long ago. There had to be something to all of this if Zoe 1.0 kept coming back for more, and I needed to figure out what that was.

Chicago was my present, but Cade.

Cade was my Eternity.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Exhaling slowly. I stepped up in front of him and pulled his hands from his pockets.

His gaze fixed on mine as I wrapped his arms around my waist then put my hands on his cheeks.

"I'm attracted to you, Cade.
So.
Attracted. I can't deny that. But this wall." I sucked in a breath. "It wasn't built in a day, and I need time. But—” I exhaled. “I’m ready to try. To make this work.”

He briefly closed his eyes, then covered my hands with his and kissed my forehead.

“Thank you, love. For giving us a chance.” He took my arm and traced the scars beside my Gemini mark. “This has been a harrowing incarnation for you. And it breaks my heart. But I’m certain once you embrace this life and our love— everything will change. I promise.”

Cade took my hands and led me inside. He sat on the piano bench, and I sat beside him.

I stared at the instrument before me.

Mine.

Pieces of my former lives had been scattering through my brain lately, like vague memories. Nothing concrete, but enough that my instincts understood. Unfortunately, the memories were never enough. I still didn’t get it.

"Will it be like it used to, or do I go on like we just met?"

"Your memories will gradually return, and you’ll feel normal again."

"Normal?” I let out a sarcastic laugh. “What does that even mean?” I sighed. “I’m immortal. An updated version of the original female. Eve 2.0. What about that is normal?”

“It’s our normal.” He placed his hands on my cheeks. “I know this is confusing. So for now, focus on us. Our love. Nothing else matters.”

I ran my hands through his hair and pushed it to the side so I could drink in his soulful eyes.

His aura grew brighter.

The beating of my heart synced with his, and picked up its pace.

“Chayah.”

Cade’s nickname sent tremors through me every time he spoke it. He said it with such tenderness. Reverence, like I was the only one who existed in his world.

“You, Zoe. Are the very best part of me,” he whispered against my lips and set his palms on my cheeks, firm yet gentle. Possessive. “I love you.”

He inched closer and pressed his lips to mine. Consuming, yet delicate. Passionate.

My pulse spiked, became erratic and unchained.

He loves me.

A current of heat pulsed through my limbs. Shivers raced from my chest to my toes. Every nerve came to life with his declaration—one I had suspected—but to hear the words, sent my heart into a tailspin.

Cade’s kiss enraptured me in a way, I suspected, only a true Gemini would understand.

Cade’s unspoken words penetrated my mind…

“I will always choose us, Chayah.”

His pledge drove me to the edge.

I was ready to fall in love.

My arms circled his waist of their own free will. I slipped my hands beneath his T-shirt, and set my palms on his stomach. Traced the lines of his taut muscles as they quivered beneath my fingertips.

Cade brushed his hands over my shoulders, slid them up and gently grasped the back of my hair. Tilted my head to the side.

“Chayah.” His kisses danced up my neck and across my jaw. His teeth gently grazed my earlobe. “I’ve missed you,” He whispered. “Desperately.”

My mind went blank. All the stress and pressure of the past few days drifted away, and my focus aimed solely on Cade—his hands on my sensitive skin. The indulgent whisper of his heated breaths that breezed across my neck.

Cade leaned up, and his gaze stole mine.

“I need you, love.” His tone laced with want, like my body, sent goose bumps sprinting through to my chest. The mere sound of his raspy words woke my soul.