Laughing, Luz holds up her hand. “Go, enjoy yourselves, I got things back here.”
“We will.” I wink.
Cristobal wraps an arm around me, guiding me out of the house with our suitcase in his hands. A man on a mission, his steps are quick and sure. He hurries me out of the house and into the car.
“Are you going to tell me what made you so upset today?” Cristobal asks once we’re on the highway.
His words break a damn. I spill the story, unable to hold back the flow of words, or the tears. By the time I’m done, I’m emotionally and physically spent. I slump in my seat, resting my forehead against the cold glass of the window.
“Do you want to know what I think?”
“No.” My voice cracks. “Right now, I want to think about anything else. Tell me about Spain.”
His alto, descriptive words and the wheels on the road relax me. Beautiful imagery dances in my head. I can see the colorfully tiled walls and feel the bricked walkways beneath my feet as I let sleep take me.
***
I roll onto my back and allow the sunshine to coax me into consciousness. A deep peach ceiling greets my vision. I fought to recall our arrival late last night. Stretching my arms over my head, I embrace the peace that comes with being hours away from all my stressors. Snuggling back into Cristobal, I pull the crisp white sheets up to my chin.
“Morning, reina.” His sleep worn voice makes me smile.
“Morning, mi corazón.”
“Aaah, she’s happy. The endearments have come out.”
I playfully slap his chest. “I know I’ve been tense, but it hasn’t been that bad, has it?”
“Tense is not a powerful enough adjective.”
I prop myself up on my elbow and narrow my gaze.
“And why have I been so tense, dear?”
“The Esçhete Coronation.”
“And?”
“Witch for Hire. New businesses take a lot.”
I scowl. “And?”
“The Court Coronation,” he says softly.
“Uh huh. And all that comes with it.”
“My poor, dove.” His playful tone is a reward in and of itself. He’s loosening up a bit at a time.
“Look who’s finding their sense of humor after centuries.”
He rolls me onto my back, and his lips brush mine. “I’m learning lots of new things.”
I bury my fingers in his hair and pull him down to me. Our bodies meld together, and our connection hums to life.
“I want to show you something,” he whispers.
“I think I have an idea of what,” I say cheekily.
“Here.” He brushes his fingers over my temples. I swallow to moisten my throat. I nod my head, unable to speak. It’s the first time we’ve intentionally connected our memories. “It’s not pretty, but I think you need to see it right now.”