“I’m happy with whatever I can get. I guess I kind of expected this. It’s not always going to be rainbows and unicorns.”

  The acceptance of her duty brought pride to my heart. In just the few weeks since our Convergence, Zoe had grown tremendously. Now if we could only stir her memories.

  I was determined to give Zoe the best holiday an immortal could have.

  “Maybe when things settle with the Eternals and such, we can take a real vacation? No distractions.”

  “Of course.”

  “Okay, so now will you tell me where we’re going?”

  “No.” I kissed her forehead.

  A moment later, the plane began to propel down the runway.

  “You’ll be okay.” Zoe held back a chuckle. “It’s not like we can die if this thing crashes.”

  “I’m not afraid.” I grumbled.

  Though I was certainly making mental reminders never to fly again.

  “So two weeks. Training. Do you have that set up, too?”

  “Yes. We’ll work a few hours each day, in between breaks, and I will teach you how to use your powers the best I know how.”

  “So are there training facilities where we’re going?”

  “The world is our training facility. You did bring your dagger this time, yes?” I widened my eyes and gave my most serious expression.

  “I did.” She slapped her thigh. “Sophie rigged me up with a handy holster, so I’m armed and dangerous. Especially since I have no clue what to do with the thing. I got lucky with Lilith.” She scoffed. “Well, I don’t know if luck is really the right word for it.”

  “Relax, love. I’ll train you on proper technique with your dagger, and we’ll begin creating bridge winds, practicing communicating, breaching thoughts, and listening to each other. Among other gifts you may not realize you have. Such as healing.”

  “What?” She leaned up, narrowing her eyes.

  “What?”

  “Healing.”

  “Yes, we heal each other when we’re injured.”

  “How do you expect to teach me to heal you?”

  I stared quietly.

  “Oh no.” She shook her head. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “Of course you are. How else do you think you’ll learn to heal me?”

  “No, you aren’t serious.”

  “Yes, I am. I take your training very seriously.” I admonished. “I’m going to work you hard.”

  “You promise?” Zoe tilted her head, grinning. “Sounds like fun.”

  “I promise to reward you for your hard work afterward.” I leaned in. “But there is much work to be done. There are perks to training with your Gemini, that’s true. But you have clearly forgotten the training methods I use with Firstborns. I’m never their chosen trainer. And I doubt I’ll be yours.” I pinched her chin. “But if you work hard, I’ll make it up to you.” I kissed her. “Every evening. That—” I kissed her again, slow and measured. “I promise.”

  Zoe returned her cheek to my chest and closed her eyes, a sweet smile pulling at the corners of her pink lips. Her breathing slowed, as did her heart, slowing mine with it.

  Our hearts synced. Beating in time, together.

  I set my chin on her head, and she nestled closer, drifting off to sleep.

  Her steady heart soothed my nerves as I stared out the window, eventually joining her in rest once the plane settled into a routine, and I could finally take a breath.

  ~

  “Ciao, amore.” I kissed her lips. “Benvenuti a Villa Adams.”

  “While that was sexy and sounded incredibly romantic, I have no idea what you just said.”

  “Welcome to Villa Adams,” I chuckled. “This is our home.”

  “No way.” She bounced up and down as we stood in front of our villa hidden deep within the island of Capri, Italy.

  After Zoe admitted she preferred jumping bridge winds, I gladly created one to forgo the helicopter ride it would have taken us to get here from where our jet landed in Naples.

  “It was advantageous that you prefer bridge wind travel, as this home is only accessible by foot.”

  “What?” She narrowed her eyes. “No way.”

  “Yes… Way.” I chuckled. “There are no roads into our estate. Only porter services, though the walking distance into the village is not far. Twenty minutes or so from the Piazzetta.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yes, the original foundation has been here thousands of years. Though we recently had the home rebuilt. Sometime in the 1800s, but we chose to keep its access as it was. Remote, little chance of unwanted guests.”

  “We could walk.” She glanced up at the hazy sky. “Though it seems like the weather won’t agree with us.”

  “Yes, it is the winter season. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it here in September as I had hoped.”

  She let out a sigh.

  “No regrets, love.” I pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “As I was saying, it is technically winter, but the temperature often stays in the fifties, though it seems unseasonably warm today. Nothing like a Chicago winter. If you would like a day at the beach, we can always jump a bridge someplace warm.”

  “You know what?” She took my arms, wrapping them around her waist and leaned into me, setting her hands on my cheeks. “I don’t care where we are. I just want to spend some time alone with you. Just us. As long as we’re together, geography is irrelevant.”

  She leaned in, kissing my lips softly. Gently.

  “Agreed.”

  “It’s not so bad today.” She smiled. “You’re right, definitely nothing like Chicago.”

  “It’s warmer than usual for this time of year. Let’s go around back.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her along. “The main entrance is on the second floor, but we can enter down here.”

  “How many floors are there? It looks pretty big.”

  “Three.”

  We walked around to the back of the estate, the yard complete with heated outdoor pool, sauna and Jacuzzi tub. The grounds were lovely, covered in Mediterranean vegetation. Agave and olive trees, grape vines and fruit trees that weren’t yet in bloom.

  “What’s that? Out there in the fog?” She pointed out toward the sea.

  “That, love, is Mt. Vesuvius. The Gulf of Naples over there, and the Amalfi Coast.”

  “Wow, you can see everything out here. This place is freaking amazing. I hope it warms up a little while we’re here, though it’s not really that cold. I can handle this kind of winter. No snow, right?”

  “No snow. Much rain, though.”

  “Eh. Warm rain can be fun.” She winked.

  “Let’s get you inside.” I led her inside our villa.

  It looked nothing like the last time I was here. The European Eternal team agreed to renovate the inside to resemble more modern décor so Zoe would be comfortable. They did a marvelous job.

  “You know, I’ve never been out of the country before.”

  “You, my love, have crossed the entire planet. Perhaps this visit will spark some memory.” I kissed her forehead. “Come.”

  I ushered her ahead and dropped our bags. Pushing my hands into my pockets, I leaned against the door frame, allowing Zoe to inspect our former home.

  “I can’t believe this was ours.”

  “We keep homes from each incarnation, remember? I suppose you would say, it’s our custom?”

  She turned around and smiled. “Our thing. You mean it’s our thing.”

  “Yes, that.”

  “So wait.” She narrowed her eyes. “You mean we met here before? Like, in another life?” Her expression grew wide.

  “Your second rebirth. It was our most romantic incarnation. It’s also when you fell in love with the sea. Given all that’s transpired recently, I felt a holiday here would perhaps bring back some wonderful memories for us both.”

  She put her arms around my neck, and I held her waist.

  “I’m sorry. For everything I ever did or said that almost screwed this up.”

  “Stop apologizing, love. I adore you.”

  She pushed up to her toes and gave me a quick kiss. “So. Where’s our bedroom?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  I pointed to the staircase. “There is one room on this floor, two above us on the first, and a suite on the second. This is built more like a compound than a single partner home. Each floor is accessible from outside, without having to enter the main. We can use whichever room you’d like. Feel free to choose one.”

  She grazed her finger over my nose, then turned and ran up the stairs.

  “Cade. Get up here. I picked one.”

  I chuckled. Grabbing our bags, I went up the stairs and met her on the second floor. The entire floor was a large suite.

  Somehow, I knew she would choose the suite. We’d shared many wonderful memories here.

  “You’ve totally rocked this vacay already. This place is off the charts. Hey, what’s out here?” She opened the French doors leading to a rooftop panoramic terrace that overlooked the whole of Capri. “Oh my god, Cade. This is breathtaking. You’ve got to see this.”

  Everything about Zoe was adorable. She was bounding through the villa like a young child. So curious. Delighted. I looked forward to the following weeks alone with her, being able to give my Gemini a holiday of her dreams before walking back into the duties that would soon follow.

  I gazed out at Zoe as her chin lifted, and she rose to her toes, leaning over the rail to inspect the island around us.

  The sun began to break through the clouds, turning this into a wonderful day. I hoped that being back in Capri, a place our lives had changed so long ago, would bring back some wonderful memories for her.

  It certainly did for me.

  “Cade, have you arrived safely?” Raz’s voice invaded in my mind.

  “What do you want, Raz? Did I not make myself clear? This had better be important.”

  “It is, I apologize. Since you left yesterday, much has happened.”

  “Is anybody hurt?”

  “No.”

  “Dead?”

  “No.”

  “Then handle it. I mean it. No interruptions. Zoe deserves this.”

  “I wouldn’t reach out if this weren’t important.”

  I growled. “Fine. What is so important that it can’t wait?”

  “We’ve learned some things about the girl who attacked Chayah in Chicago.”

  “This is what’s so important? Really, Raziel.”

  “The girl is a Fallen, and she’s trying to regain her wings.”

  “And why is this important enough to disrupt us?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  I scoffed.

  “You’re not sure but chose to interrupt our holiday regardless?” I growled under my breath, trying to keep this from Zoe. “I’m losing my patience, Raziel. Let me remind you. Unless you’ve a serious issue, do not contact me. Unless I contact you. Do you understand?”

  “Cade. While you train, you must have Zoe focus on her intellectual gifts. Her visions, using them to our advantage. If she’s blocking them and you out, I believe it’s subconsciously intentional. She needs to be trained to avoid it. Your gifts are not grounded the same way, you aren’t qualified to train her. Please. Consent for me to come. One day, that’s all I ask.”

  “What are you doing?” Zoe turned around, her expression lit with something youthful. Content.

  “Just admiring the stunning view.” I stepped forward and reached for her, pulling her into my arms. “Capri is known for having the most glorious views in all of the western world. I, however, beg to differ.”

  She grinned. “I don’t know, the sun is out now, and it’s pretty spectacular.”

  “Yes, love. It is. But my view.” I tugged her close. “Right here. Is the most glorious view of all.”

  “You’re such a charmer.” She giggled. “This really is amazing. I can’t believe we actually lived here.”

  “Well yes, but it’s been remodeled since then with modern conveniences.”

  “So what do you have planned for us while we’re here?”

  “There’s much to do. We’ll take a few tours. We can go onto the mainland, explore the sights of Italy. The food. I’m also going to take you shopping. Italy has wonderful shopping districts. You must get some new clothes to fit your beautiful new body and impeccable style.”

  “Mmm.” She narrowed her eyes, smiling. “I think I want to get you out of yours.” Her hands wandered down to my waist and pulled up my T-shirt.

  “Tsk. Tsk.” I admonished her, setting my hands over hers.

  “What?”

  “What’s our deal?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “What deal? I never agreed to anything.” She smirked.

  “While I’d love nothing more than to get you out of these clothes, we first have work to do.”

  “Pfft.” Her fingers sneaked under my shirt, slowly pulling at it.

  I stopped her hands from roaming and clicked my tongue. “Now, now Zoe.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine. What are we going to do first?”

  “For starters, let’s have a conversation.”

  She pursed her lips at my internal thoughts. “About what?”

  “Was that clear or muffled?”

  “Clear, mostly.” She wrinkled her nose. “I think.”

  “We must practice. At first, communicating while we’re together, then while we’re apart. Especially when you’re not expecting it, so we know we can speak when necessary.”

  “So what other gifts do I have?”

  “There’s healing. As you know, we cannot completely regenerate on our own any longer.”

  “Yeah, why is that?” She took a step back, leaning against the railing that overlooked the sea.

  “Our souls have Converged.” I moved beside her, leaning on my elbows. “We’re incomplete without the other.”

  “Literally?” She narrowed her eyes.

  “Literally?” I narrowed my eyes. “I’m unsure—”

  “It’s a figure of speech. It means exactly what it means.”

  “I think so, then. Yes. We now rely on the other to heal completely. Literally.”

  “Does that mean if we’re separate, we can’t heal?” Her eyes grew wide, and I felt her heartbeat pick up it’s pace.

  “Slowly. While we’re both Eternal, we retain human blood. So we bleed. And it means we can still be in an excruciating amount of pain.”

  “I don’t like that.”

  “It’s not pleasant by any means.” I cleared my throat. “But it’s part of being Gemini. And healing will be part of your training.”

  “I don’t like that either.” She pursed her lips. “What else?”

  “You and Raz share many gifts, also. Which is why he was hesitant on me training you. Would you prefer he come?”

  “No,” she blurted. “I love Raz, but I’d rather you train me. I like the idea of learning from you. I kind of feel this weird connection, finally.” She nudged my hip.

  I was concerned for her. Perhaps Raz was right, and he should train her.

  “Not Raz. You and me.” She spoke into my head, then sent me a sly grin, admiring the use of her gifts.

  “You heard me.” I smiled with pride. “You’re learning.”

  She bowed. “Okay. So what else?” She started dancing around the terrace.

  I shook my head and grinned at her adorable romp.

  “We could practice bridge winds.”

  “Why’s it called a bridge wind?”

  “Because it’s a bridge to another plane or realm. And there is wind, so? I’m unsure. It’s just what we call them.”

  “So you create them with your hands and me, with my mind? How is that any different?”

  “We all speak an incantation. Creating the portal is not as different so much as moving to the intended plane. Especially for you. Your intellect is grounded in all you do, so if your mind is not clear, it can be more challenging. We often run into problems when we’re not focusing, as we should be. Which is likely a part of your lack of memories. Your focus is wavering.”

  “Yeah, rescuing you was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. The focus to do it was exhausting. It almost drained me.”

  “That’s why you need rest. Without focus, it’s problematic for you. One way we regenerate is soul projecting.”

  “Mmm.” She leaned on the railing. “We can do that.” She glanced at me. “Maybe we can try to project someplace else this time? Didn’t you say we could leave, go places while we’re projecting?”

  “Yes.”

  I stood behind her, rubbing her neck, massaging out the knots that had taken up there. She was so tense. This incarnation had taken such a toll on her, she needed to relax if she was to properly train.

  “And of course, it would be wise to practice. Especially if you ever need to materialize on the run.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “If you’re being threatened.” I ran my hand over her soft skin, across her neck, tracing lines with my fingertips.

  She tilted her head to the side, eyes closed, releasing a sigh.

  “It’s an easy way for us to transcend planes if need be.” I stared at her glorious curves as I spoke. “Raz is best to train you on some of these things, but I will do my best. Earlier, Raz was asking…”

  Zoe stiffened. Her eyes opened, ceasing her neck massage. “He just can’t let it go, can he?” She exhaled.

  “Raz has been our confidant since the beginning of time. Exactly? As you say?” I nudged her, smiling, trying to improve her temperament. “See?”

  “You mean literally.” She smiled. “You’re so cute.”

  “Raz has our best interests in mind. If he feels he can train you properly, better than I, then I’m apt to agree with him.”

  “If there’s training to be done with him, I can do it later. I want the next two weeks to be just us.” She peered up, eyes wide. “I need the break, Cade. Please. I haven’t whined or complained once since I Eternalized. But we need this.” She inched closer. “I need you. To get to know you.”

  She pursed her lips.

  “But—I think you’re right.” She scowled. “I probably am blocking out visions. I don’t know how to let them in.” She glanced down at her hands, twisting her ring around her finger. “I guess it’s a defense mechanism. I have no clue what I’m doing.” She released a labored breath. “Fine. Call Raz.” She sighed. “After everything with…” A distracted expression rose to her face. “So Lucci. She’s not human?”