A Home for Misfit Monsters

Chapter 14 - Hell Has A Price

Ezra waited for Rhia in the living room after he showered and healed his mangled bones from her exquisite take down of him. His heart simmered from the way she handled herself in battle. He was worried after her panic attack that she wouldn't be able to overcome her fear of the hunters which he imagined would be his brother's go-to tactic against her, but she didn't falter this time and she rose from their mental attacks like the unwavering goddess he knew her to be.

"I haven't seen you love struck like this since the first time you met my little goddess," Gia said, materializing before him with a knowing grin on her face. "She's stolen your heart again, hm?"

"She's always had my heart," Ezra said, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been watching you these past few days and I heard you and Rhia are going on a little date." She grinned, swirling around him. "I came to offer you some advice."

"What kind of advice do you have?"

She leaned into his ear. "Your bond must be as strong as it was before. So, tell her the truth, Sae'tänezyrian. Let her see all of you again."

"Gia!" Rhia's mother exclaimed as she and Callie floated down the stairs to greet their ancestor. "What a surprise!"

Ezra's heart clenched as he looked up at Rhia, walking down the stairs behind them. His gaze trailed over her braided hair twisted in a half crown around her head while the rest of her locks flowed down her back over her sultry black peplum top that accentuated the curve of her breasts and leather pants that hugged her thighs. He gulped as he eyed the red stiletto heels on her feet. She was truly everything.

Rhia bit her crimson red lip as she slid a hand to her hair. "I feel weird without my horns now."

Ezra smiled, taking her hand. "You look beautiful either way."

"Yes, you do. Now go on, you two. Enjoy your evening," Rhia's mother said, shooing them to the door.

"Mm, yes. Go get lost in the night like you used to," Gia said, winking at Ezra. "You need to cherish this time together."

"Alright, we got it," Rhia said, laughing. "But is there a reason you're here, Gia? Did you need to tell us something?"

"No, my dear," she said, sliding a hand to Rhia's cheek. "I just wanted to check on your progress, but I can speak to your coven about that. Enjoy your night. We won't wait up."

Ezra took a deep breath of the crisp autumn air as he and Rhia walked outside. He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck as he looked down at her. "So, where would you like to go?"

"I don't know. Somewhere quiet where we can chill, I guess?" she said, looking down at her shoes. "But I'm suddenly rethinking these heels. I forgot we have a mile walk to the car."

"There was a restaurant we passed on our way here. We can try that place," he said, slipping his arm around her waist. "And we don't have to walk. We're gods, sweetness. We can fly."

A smile lit up her features, and Ezra's heart simmered. "That's true," she said, floating off the ground. "Shall we?"

"Let's go," he said as they flew up above the trees and Ezra cloaked them from any watchful eyes as they glided across the sky to the small Italian restaurant on the sleepy back road.

"I'm not sure I'll ever drive again," Rhia said as they floated down to the ground on the edge of the forest across the road from the restaurant.

"You always did like to fly," Ezra said, threading his fingers through her as they crossed the road. "I'm pretty impartial to it. I actually prefer to drive when I'm above ground."