Among The Cloud Dwellers (Entrainment Series) by Giuliana Sica Read Free Book Online Page B

thought. I’m often prone to random mind-wandering, especially during uncomfortable or stressful situations. But was I really nervous?
    I splashed cold water on my face. I looked in the mirror and realized that none of my previous names had come up in the regression. I was Porzia, with my face, my personality, my flaws, and my baggage of timeless memories. To try to be any of those women would mean to regress literally, in this life and perhaps acquire more baggage. To try to find Xavier would mean limiting my choices in partners to somebody that fit his profile.
    Wrong.
    It meant I had embarked on a quest of self-discovery, to learn to love myself—including my magic powers—and ultimately merge again with my true love. That’s what Evalena meant.
    Good luck, I silently mouthed to myself in the mirror. But the awareness of sharing a time-defying bond with someone flared through a secret part of my soul I had no idea I owned and filled it up for the first time in ages. Warmth radiated from my navel outward like a spreading aura, heating my body from the inside out.
    I bowed my head in acceptance and secretly smiled as I chose to take my second wayward step and walked back to my seat self-consciously, musing that I might actually glow in the dark. I wished I had a volume knob to turn it down.
    The movie screen flickered azure lights against the seat.
    Gabe was still asleep. I adjusted myself sideways against his chest, kicked the slippers off, and closed my eyes. I snuggled my face against his chest, brushing the softness of his T-shirt with my cheek, and inhaled musk and spice. His heart, beating strong and steady beneath my ear, comforted me.
    *
    I woke up to his hand smoothing my hair. I usually don’t fall asleep on airplanes.
    We had crossed the Pacific and were following the Australian coast toward Melbourne, now less than a couple of hours ahead according to the video screen.
    Gabe got up, gently readjusted me on the seat, and covered me with the blue blanket.
    With a hand, he wiped sleep off his face and quickly combed his hair back. “I’ll be roight back,” he whispered.
    I watched him walk away. I wanted to sleep more, but they were turning the lights on and I could smell coffee.
    Ahhh . . . coffee.
    Gabe came back as I struggled with the blanket; it insisted on wrapping itself around me. I must have looked a mess. He didn’t seem to notice, just balanced two cups of coffee in one hand and peeled me out of the blanket, making it look like the easiest thing in the world. Then handed me coffee—sweet, creamy coffee.
    How did he know?
    “I never sleep like that.” His eyes held a spark of involuntary admission. “You’re an unexpected, precious gift, Porzia. I know it’s hard to believe, but I think you understand.”
    Gift? I kind of liked that. I nodded.
    “I’ll ask the flight attendant to seat us together on the next flight home,” he invited. “So you can hold my hand again.”
    I laughed.
    Once we landed in Melbourne he waited for me to clear Customs, and we walked to catch the other plane hand in hand. So I ended up next to him all the way to Adelaide.
    As we settled back in our seats he took my hand in his again and held it until the end of the flight.
    Maybe he really is afraid of flying, I mused.
    “Clark is picking me up at the airport. Have you got a lift to the winery? I could drive you up there if you need me to, I’m sure he won’t mind,” he offered.
    “Clark?”
    “Clark’s my father. I’ve taken to calling him by his first name. He told me it makes him feel way too old to have a son my age.” He winked mischievously.
    “How old are you?” I asked suspiciously.
    “Thirty-six. And you?”
    “Thirty,” I smiled. “I’d love to meet Clark, but I’ve got a ride to the winery. Thank you for offering.”
    “How long will you be up there? Have you got a number I can ring you?” He reached for his wallet and handed me a business card. “That’s my work number roight