“Forever isn’t easy to quantify.”
He kissed her once more then loosened his embrace. “Where’d you pick up that term?”
“I’ve dabbled with the mathematics books you added to Lisette’s library. But Sheena will have to tutor me. I’m at a complete loss when it comes to calculus.”
“Think of all the time you’ll have to learn it.”
“That’s an advantage to living for all of eternity.”
He crooked a brow. “There’s just one?”
She swatted playfully at him. “Teasing, remember?” Then a thought seemed to occur to her. She gnawed her lip a mom
ent and asked, “How can you be sure I’m immortal now? I don’t feel any different.”
Releasing her, he stepped up to the ledge of the church and tugged on her hand so she joined him.
“You’re not going to push me over the edge in order to test this, are you?”
“Of course not.” Holding her hand, he said, “Be still and listen.” He gave her a few seconds then asked, “What do you hear?”
“Birds chirping.”
“Beyond that.”
She concentrated harder. “Tree limbs brushing against each other in the breeze. The stream of water that’s broken through the ice trickling downriver. Voices.” Her eyes narrowed. “No, just one voice. Near my cottage. Tanner? He’s wondering where I went without Walker’s horse. But…he’s muttering.”
“Your senses are heightened.”
“Yes.” Her gaze swept the clearing on the opposite riverbank and the woods beyond. He watched her closely. “I can see farther. Hear more acutely. And now I feel…a little strange. Your hand.” Her eyes dropped to where their fingers were entwined. “Your touch is even more electrifying.”
“Now you know what I feel every time I’m with you.”
Her gaze lifted to connect with his again. “I feel…incredible.”
“Just remember,” he warned, though he kept his tone light. “You’re invincible against a normal human. But not necessarily a slayer or a vanquishing spell. Or another demon. You’ll be harder to kill, but not impossible.”
“I’m definitely not invincible. Sheena pointed that out the other night.”
“Keep it in mind. Although…” He reached for his dagger with his free hand.
She looked taken aback. “You’re not going to stab me in the heart, are you?”
He laughed at her jest, remembering their first encounter of this nature in the library. “Trust me.”
Raising their twined hands, he shifted his hold on her so he exposed her palm. Then he slowly dragged the blade over her flesh. It split and blood oozed, as it had in the past.
She gasped. “Was that really necessary?”
“What do you feel?”
Her brows knitted. “It hurts but… Not the way it did the last time.”
“So your threshold for pain has increased.”
As had her healing powers. Within seconds, the blood absorbed into her skin and the wound healed completely. Not a scar to be seen.
Snatching her hand from his, she stared at the perfect skin. “That’s unbelievable. I’ve never healed that quickly.”