Chapter 42

"How are you doing that?!" I shouted in shock, then got up to touch his wings.

"Well... they're a summon," Zai explained. "It's just a slight alteration in the incantation to change the color. Convincing, right?"

"I thought Afarions' wings were attached."

He laughed and said,

"The Chosen are less restricted than regular Afarions."

The fact that he had feathers was already unique enough. Regular Afarion wings are more like bat wings and serve as a mark of betrayal—for what they are. If removed, the Afarion suffers chronic pain for the rest of their life. They can't make them disappear completely, only shrink them until they resemble two beauty marks. It's one of the easiest ways to identify them.

But like this? He was indistinguishable from a real Infaniyan.

"I also have reasons to visit your planet. You're okay with me coming, right?"

I nodded rapidly.

"I don't want to show up at a party without you! I don't even know why I'm invited… I'd have no one else to talk to. If you couldn't come, I'd rather stay home… and I trust you."

I admitted it earnestly. Zai stared at me for a moment. When he blinked, I felt like I snapped out of a trance. His lips curved into a smile, and I looked away bashfully. That's when he rejoined me on the couch.

"I'm glad you feel that way," he murmured—and in the same instant, his wings vanished, his lips pressed to my neck, and his right arm slid over my shoulder while his left hand moved into my underwear.

"Umm… honey?" I murmured, my voice trembling, somehow still caught off guard by his behavior.

He paused for a moment.

"...You've never called me that before..."

Then he started rubbing me, and I squealed loudly.

"When is the party?" he whispered before sucking on my neck.

I placed my hand on his and clamped my legs shut.

"It's next week," I replied in a squeaky voice.

After my answer, he let me go and stood up to remove his clothes. I quickly closed my eyes.

"What day?"

When he asked, I peeked out at him.

Yep. As expected—he's naked.

I don't know when I'll get used to that. I hope it's soon, because my body can't handle all these chemicals rushing to my brain.

"It's on a Friday!" I yelled.

"Oh, the 17th… We should clear our schedules for that day then."

I nodded, still shivering from all the hormones.

"Snowe… take off your clothes."

I unbuttoned my shirt, still too nervous to look up at him.

"Call me 'honey' again..." he commanded as I stood and dropped my shirt on the floor, then removed my skirt.

"Honey..." I said softly.

As soon as the word left my lips, his mouth was on mine and we were locked in an embrace. Zai picked me up, holding my legs around his waist, and pinned me to the wall.

"Again… but look into my eyes this time."

My mind screamed. Looking into his eyes only made me feel hotter, but I did my best to do as he asked and said in a louder voice:

"I love you, honey."

It was like my words flipped a switch in him. And with each of his thrusts, my mind debated whether I should call him honey every day from now on—or never again.

Zai had me so distracted I forgot to check my social media until the next evening. The remembering was what woke me up.

When I opened my eyes, Zai was sitting next to me in bed, reading a book. He had glasses on again today… I admired him for a moment but avoided talking to him until I checked my phone.

I made a post announcing that my album was set to release soon and included a demo Richard had sent over. I felt excited all over again.

"Good morning, honey," Zai said, closing his book with one hand.

For some reason, that word gave me intense flashbacks and made my heart race.

"Hey, you!" I yelled. He moved closer, reached behind me, and placed his hand on my hip.

"Am I just 'you' today?"

I gulped loudly before replying,

"I h-ho-ho-ho-hope you slept well, Za-za-zai!"

I couldn't help but stutter, and he laughed, pressing his face into my neck, tickling me with his teeth as he whispered:

"Am I just Zai today?"

So I screamed,

"I need carbs!"

He backed up, gave me a long look, then removed his hand from my hip.

"Let's go get you some. We can finish this conversation later."

I don't believe he wants to have a conversation!

Zai made us pizza since it wouldn't take long—and he knew I'd get full fast. I watched him, feeling completely enamored. Then a thought came to me.

"What do you want to do on Infaniya?" I asked.

He placed the pizza into the oven and set a timer.

"You can ask me questions after we finish our talk from this morning."

If he can say that, he can answer me now!

Once the food was done, we ate together silently. I admittedly ate more than he did, but that's normal. I know he doesn't need to eat as often—or as much—and just eats with me so I won't feel alone.

Once I was full, he cleared the table and put the leftovers away. Still no talking.

Then he walked back to me and laid his forehead on mine.

"If you don't want to talk here, you'd better hurry upstairs."

I became flustered and bolted to our bedroom. As soon as I sat down, Zai was already beside me. A thunderclap and a gust of wind came with him—I'd forgotten how fast he was...

I laid back, and Zai moved on top of me. Good thing I decided not to get fully dressed again.

Every time I think I've caught up to his pace, he reveals that he was just holding back.

Once it was time for a break—even though I was a trembling mess—I tried to repeat my question.

Zai seemed to understand me somehow, but that didn't stop him from groping my breasts as he answered.

"There's a person I want to see," he confessed.

"Wh-who..."

I hated how I stuttered every time, but I was shaking too much to stop.

"My… m-mom?"

"...That's one of the people. Yes." He admitted, then smiled slyly.

"I should meet the parent of the woman I love, right?"

His eyes roamed down my body. I looked away from him.

"Do-don't look at me like th-th-that when talking about Mom," I muttered.

"...Heard. But I can't look at you any other way, so... I'll close my eyes."

He shut his eyes, and I started to relax… until he started touching me again, like he could still see me vividly, and sucking on my neck.

"Ahh! Zai!" I moaned before I could stop myself.

He chuckled and pulled away.

"I want to see the place you grew up in with my own eyes… and one day, I'd love to take you to my hometown."

I looked at him—his eyes were still closed, and his fingers twitched. He was waiting for my answer.

"If… it's p-possible and safe, I wi-will go w-with you."

He opened his eyes and smiled at me.

I can barely think of a reason to refuse him… but did I just agree to go to Afaria?! Have I lost my mind?! Shouldn't I ask him more questions?!

All reasoning left my body. I couldn't remember a single one of the questions I meant to ask.

By now, I should've known what that smile meant—break time was over.

We continued until I was so tired I didn't even remember falling asleep. Everything just went black.

When I woke up, there was a glass of water on my bedside table. I rushed to chug it down. I was still feeling the effects of my... time with Zai, but at least I was alone long enough to sort out my thoughts.

I only had ten seconds.

Zai returned to our room, placed a tray of food on the computer desk, and walked over to me.

"How are you, Snowe?"

The way he said my name triggered something. I was instantly turned on—even though I was reasonably tired.

Zai looked down and gave me a smug smile like he knew.

I had to get my question out before he got closer.

"I'm… okay… um… aren't you banished from Afaria?" I asked.

"Yes," he said casually, "but my hometown isn't closely watched. The king rarely leaves the Glass Castle. I've gone back before. I still have cousins and aunts I want you to meet. Old friends too. I want everyone to see my wife—so they can get a sense of how good my life is right now."

I blushed lightly. Part of me is still wary about possibly going there… but if Zai says he'll watch over me, he will. I just need to make sure I stay close to him.

"I want to meet them, too," I said. Then I jolted, feeling his fingers stroking me, and before I could make a sound he was kissing me again. I'll be safe, even on Afaria, because I won't leave his side.