“You gave him his wish,” Asahi softly said.
“Yes, but he knew he couldn’t stay forever. He had left behind too much to live the rest of his days away from his family, and when he asked to return home, I granted him his last wish,” she said.
“I needed him,” Asahi confessed.
“I know,” Aminta said with an understanding smile.
His throat tight at the thought of being torn away from the love of his life, Asahi said, “I never want to return to Earth. My place is with Nali.”
“Do you have what it takes to be a monster, Asahi?” Aminta asked.
He looked at her with a startled expression, then glanced at the adolescent version of his grandfather, standing on the beach holding the shell against his chest. If he could have a wish, would it be any different?
“I wish I was a monster,” he murmured, repeating his grandfather’s words.
“Then, as a gift for saving my life, I grant your wish,” Aminta softly declared.
Asahi was startled when Aminta swept a hand in his direction and gold dust engulfed him. For a moment, he thought of Peter Pan sprinkling fairy dust over Wendy and telling her to think happy thoughts. His thoughts immediately went to Nali. He remembered the flush in her cheeks as she carried him to the cottage, the rush of the wind against his face as she flew, and the beauty of the Isle of the Monsters from the air.
Asahi closed his eyes and wished he had wings so he could fly with her. Memories flashed through his mind–Nali talking with the Trolls, how the Goblins looked up to her, and how she had changed her shape so she could lift them out of the underground cave. He remembered the feel of her skin—hard, yet supple in her gargoyle form. Visions filled his mind of the way the sunlight and moonlight glistened on her beautiful face, her tender smile, the way she teased Ashure, and her tears as she grieved for Pai and the lost Sea Stags.
He loved everything about this world and wanted to be a part of it. He wanted to stand beside Nali as an equal and help her protect the monsters she loved. If he could have one wish, he would want to spend the rest of his life here, with Nali.
As the last thought swept through his mind, a tingling warmth flowed through him and soft feathers brushed against his back. He blinked in surprise when he looked over his shoulder and saw a pair of golden wings.
He looked at Aminta. She gave him a smile and bowed her head. He parted his lips in protest when she faded away.
“Asahi.”
He woke with a start, pulled from the dream. He blinked when he saw Nali lean over him with a worried expression. She caressed his cheek with her fingers.
“Are you alright?” she asked.
“Yes. I—I had a dream,” he replied.
She tilted her head. “A good one?” she inquired, leaning closer to him.
His gaze softened. “I dreamed about you,” he confessed.
She ran her thumb along his bottom lip. “There is a legend that once you’ve experienced the caress of a monster, you’ll never want to leave,” she breathed.
“I haven’t heard that legend before,” he murmured.
She chuckled and rubbed the tip of her nose against his. “That’s because I just made it up,” she teased.
“Well, I believe it,” he replied.
He wrapped his arms around her and rolled them so that he was on top. They fondly gazed at each other. She spread her legs when he pressed his hard cock against her.
“Caress me, Nali, my precious monster,” he requested, pressing forward with a groan of pleasure.
It was dark outside by the time they finally got out of bed, driven by hunger. Nali sniffed the air with delight when she saw the wide variety of food on the table. She would have to thank the House Elves for their thoughtfulness.
“My compliments to your house elves. The food smells delicious,” Asahi commented.
“The Elves are amazing cooks. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving!” she moaned, lifting the lid off one platter.
He chuckled and brushed his fingers along her cheek. She nipped at his knuckles and gave him a wicked smile before lifting a steamed vegetable that looked suspiciously like broccoli to her lips. He took a quick bite of the other side.
“Delicious,” he murmured.
She waved a finger at him. “If you keep that up, it won’t be food we’re eating,” she playfully warned.
He softly kissed her lips. “I look forward to giving you something to eat—again,” he said.
She shook her head. “You are playing with fire, Asahi. Remember that,” she said.
He chuckled, sat down across from her, filled his plate, and began eating. “Speaking of fire, I wonder if Phoenix made it home safely,” he said.
“I could try to find out. I wish we knew more about her,” she confessed.
“Do you think the Goddess’s Mirror would show her to us?” he asked.
“Let us see,” she said.
She waved her hand. The Goddess’s Mirror appeared, floating in the air in front of her. She held the mirror at an angle so they could both see the reflection.
“Goddess’s Mirror, show Phoenix to me,” she requested.
Their reflection swirled and distorted. They studied the scene that appeared in the mirror. Instead of Phoenix, they saw a large wolf standing on his hind legs with a very pregnant human woman in his arms. A small but beautiful cottage ringed with flowers was in the background. It reminded her of this one. They were lovingly gazing at each other while the creature’s hand rested against the woman’s protruding abdomen. The wolf’s form shimmered and changed until he took on a human-like appearance.
“He’s a monster,” she breathed.
“The woman looks like you,” Asahi murmured.
She lifted her hand and touched a
