Chapter 57:

I know, I know, it's unbearably short but with my recent life schedule and time I wanted to at least post something to remain consistent even if it meant cutting a small chunk out of a very long chapter.

I'll make up for it :-)

"Are we going to flit like last time?" Erin asked hopeful.

Larten looked her over. Again. The dress allowed her shoulders and collar bones to show; he wanted to trail them with kisses allowing his lips to feel how soft and heated her skin was. Her face was framed in loose waves and curls, eyes lightly shimmered, lips a deep brick red.

Larten had his white shirt on with the top couple of buttons undone, black vest with red detailing, black pants, and his standard red cloak. Erin had made the comment that she always liked seeing him in his cloak. It had definitely stroked his ego and he couldn't keep a proud grin from his face as he bowed to Erin stating how lovely she looked as well.

"You can't flit! Not in that dress! How did you manage that last time!? You can't just hike it up and go! It's too short!"

Erin shrugged. "It worked last time. No one is going to see, Brigid."

"But it'll wrinkle!" Brigid kept pestering.

"So, he'll just carry me in his arms then. Problem solved. Besides, flitting is totally worth it."

"I want to flit. Why haven't I gotten to yet?" Brigid pouted.

Larten sighed. "I will take you soon."

"Yesss, suh-weet! You're the best." Brigid punched him gently on the arm.

Larten narrowed his eyes at her but she took no notice.

"Alrighty then, I think it's time you kids got out of here. Got your clutch? Coat?"

"Yes, and yes. Nothing crazy while we're gone." Erin warned, Larten helping her put her coat on.

Brigid widened her eyes innocently. "When have I ever?"

Erin yelled a 'bye' as she and Larten walked out of the front door. It was biting cold, snow still everywhere. Larten glanced down at her shoes.

"Don't worry, I won't slip. I am a high-heel master. Besides, in town everything will be shoveled and not many slick spots." Erin said smiling at him putting his thoughts at ease. It was still disconcerting to him how she could know what he was thinking at times. He knew she couldn't truly read his mind but her psychic precognitive and empathic flashes, blips, (whatever) were not always his favorite. It made him feel vulnerable. But he should just throw that word out of his vocabulary from now on while he was with Erin and Brigid. They knew him. And, in a deep place, it made him feel good to be known. And loved without any real reason other than that he was just, well, himself. There were no expectations or demanded reciprocity. Except in the bedroom, he thought to himself.

His thoughts were broken when Erin threw her arms around his neck indicating she was ready to go. Larten quickly swooped her into his arms. There was that excited spark in her eyes she got when flitting.

"Let's go, let's go! And go fast!"

Larten smirked.

"Hold on."

Larten came to a halt in the same back alley they had stopped in when they had gone out for Erin's birthday.

Larten let Erin down who immediately went to smooth her dress down under her coat. She ran her fingers through her hair trying to tame it a bit from it blowing in the wind. She popped out a small mirror from her clutch to look it over.

"Perfect. Remember last time when I had that French chignon and Brigid sprayed it with so much hairspray flitting didn't even misplace a strand?" Erin laughed.

"Yes. I remember." Larten smiled as he offered her his arm.

"Any specific plans Brigid told you to do?"

Larten shook his head. "No. My challenge is to learn spontaneity."

Erin gave a loud laugh.

"Okay, well, we'll both have to help each other in that category."

They locked eyes, Larten leaned down to kiss her. When they broke apart, they slipped out of the alley and became lost in the crowd.