Zeev POV
Sands stayed and talked for a while as Harlee fell back to sleep, leaning on me adorably.
"Such frail creatures." Sands tsked.
"Maybe, but the emotions they feel. This love-it's so much different than our own. My heart aches, just thinking about it. It's truly astounding." I squeezed Harlee tightly against me.
Harlee POV
When I woke up again, Sands was gone. I stretched in Zeev's arms and he chuckled.
"Feeling better?" He asked.
"Hmm, yeah." I replied truthfully. "Sands?"
"Sands." He confirmed. "As he told you, one of his duties as Messenger is providing comfort, though that's not what he was here for. I think he liked you."
"Well it was manipulative, but much appreciated." I snuggled into Zeev's arms. "I have the day off." I reminded him. He hummed a response.
"What would you like to do?" I asked.
"Whatever makes you happy." Zeev replied without thought. I laughed.
"That response could get you in so much trouble with the wrong person." I teased. Zeev lifted my chin.
"But that's entirely the thing Harlee-you're far from the wrong person." Zeev kissed me softly and I felt my heart melt.
Zeev POV
"If it's alright with you-I'd like to take you somewhere." I told Harlee after breakfast. "That is, if you had no other plans.." She immediately looked intrigued.
"Is this a secret place, or can I ask where you're taking me?" Harlee asked, placing her chin in her hands and leaning on the counter.
"You can ask-but it'll be more exciting if you don't know." I told her and kissed her on top of the head.
"Well it's working, I'm already feeling excited. Can I have a hint?" Harlee had perked up considerably.
"Hmm... Dress for the outdoors-but bring something warm too." I responded.
"What? Like hiking?" She asked incredulously.
"Yes and no. Where we're going, you can't actually reach by hiking. But you don't want to ruin any good clothing either." I responded. Her face took on a doubtful expression.
"You need wings to get there. Or the ability to move through space, like a being of the Divine or Demonic." I clarified.
"Are you going to fly me somewhere?!" Harlee squealed excitedly.
"Well no, I hadn't actually planned to.." I began as Harlee pouted, "But we can fly the last bit in I guess." I caved under the look. She cheered and raced to the bedroom. I sighed. Even without the Bond, this girl had too much power over me.
Harlee POV
Zeev gripped me tightly and stepped us into a wooded, mountainous area. I heard rushing water somewhere.
"Oh my gosh, is that a waterfall?" I asked and Zeev grinned, adjusting the bag on his shoulders.
"You wanna see?" He teased and I almost jumped up and down before nodding quickly and he laughed. "It's right up here." Zeev led me forward, taking care that I didn't stumble on loose rocks or tree roots. After going through a short patch of forest, we stood on the edge of a rocky, steep bank. Far below us was a wide river and almost directly in front of us a roaring waterfall. It had to be a hundred feet away, but I could feel the mist from where we stood.
"How.. how far does it fall?" I asked, amazed. The droplets cast off at the base created a rainbow and it looked like you could bathe in the colors.
"Oh a few hundred feet or so, but this isn't the ultimate destination, it's just a stop. You said you wanted to fly in, right?" Zeev ruffled my hair.
"Uh.. yes?" I looked at the drop in front of us, afraid he meant that we were headed down. He chuckled and lifted my chin.
"The spot we're headed to is a little higher." He purred, allowing my gaze to fall on the top of the waterfall, still very far above us. I gulped, getting dizzy.
"How?" I stammered and Zeev jerked me forward off the edge of the rock we were on. His body shifted into his Demon Form before mine had even completely left the ground, but the idea of the fall had terrified me and I squealed. Zeev chuckled as I gripped his furry head.
"Please hold that bag tightly Mistress." He purred and I clutched it with one arm through the straps. I was breathing hard as he beat his powerful wings and we rose upwards. I hid my face in his fur with a squeal. Zeev chuckled again. "Harlee look, you're missing it." He said softly.
"I've changed my mind-too high." I squeaked. Zeev opened the link between us more fully.
"I would never let you fall." His words resonated with inarguable truth. This was the promise of a Fallen Angel, an unshakable spoken Contract. I peeked over his neck below us and was stunned at how green everything was.
"Humans have not yet polluted this place." Zeev commented wryly. The waterfall thundered down the side of a cliff into a river that got lost in the trees below. Zeev scared a flock of birds from their perches in the trees, and they zipped by us with a flurry of wings and terrified shrieking. I squealed again and ducked my head to avoid getting hit and Zeev laughed.
"You are right-flying in is much more fun." He said with amusement. I tweaked the fur of his neck and his muscles twitched underneath as he gave a small growl, dipping to the side slightly until I yelped and held on for dear life. Zeev let loose another loud laugh and beat his wings harder still.
Zeev POV
I shifted to my human Form, keeping my wings, letting Harlee momentarily be suspended in midair before grabbing her in my arms and settling the bag around one shoulder. Harlee covered her eyes and then grabbed my neck, letting out a frightened huff. Her arms and legs gripped me tightly and one of her hands dug into the Mark on my neck, hard. I chuckled, but at the same time felt the current zapping within me-the call asking to be obeyed.
"Oh, sorry!" Harlee cried, moving her arm. I laughed again, and kissed her until she couldn't breathe, her body relaxed and I lowered us gently to the ground. She was staring at me with a look in her eyes that made me want to take her right then and there. She blushed as I tucked my wings back.
"No don't-I mean, if it's not uncomfortable for you-leave them?" Harlee reached out a hand and ran a finger up the arch of my wing. I shivered. Well Zeev, learn something new every day, looks like you just found a new erogenous zone. Granted, besides Harlee, I hadn't really let anyone see or touch them before, at least not in a social capacity.. I folded them instead of tucking them away and Harlee grinned, staring at the shimmering gold feathers, I could tell she wanted to touch them again, and I kind of wanted her to also. I shook my head.
"I didn't bring you here to stare at me, silly girl-look." I gestured with my chin. We were at the top and to the side of the waterfall. From here, you could see the mountains surrounding it, how the waterfall fell into a little hidden valley, and how there was nothing around for miles except forest. Behind us there water was damned up, calm and clear until about twenty feet from the edge of the cliff, where it began to fall downwards into an angry tumble over the edge into the waterfall below. Harlee gasped and grabbed my shirt front. She leaned over slightly, arms trembling to look down the waterfall at the valley below.
"The rainbow-it's so beautiful from up here! It looks like the whole valley is hiding it, keeping it a secret just for itself. It's magical! You almost expect to see unicorns!" She laughed delightedly and acted as though she was going to clap like a child, but then remembered where she was and grabbed my shirt again quickly. I hid a smile and hugged her tighter to me. On the ground beside the falls, I spread out a blanket and laid out a few picnic foods and drinks in their containers to keep them free from insects. Then I grabbed Harlee's hand and tugged her towards the still pool of water behind us.