Dayan moved quickly, leaping to his feet, scanning the area outside the house to be certain there was no danger. She glanced back at him over her shoulder, her look frankly sexy. “I don’t think running naked, when I’m built like this” – she turned to give him her profile, her hands coming up to cup her generous, firm breasts – “is a very good idea.”
His body tightened at the sight of a nipple peeking out at him through her fingers. “Then walking naked will have to do, because I like looking at you.” He caught her hand, his fingertips sliding in a caress over her silken skin.
Her eyes moved over his body, a smile tugging at the comers of her mouth. “I see that,” she pointed out, completely happy. She could touch the baby’s mind at will, know the infant was sleeping soundly in the care of the healers while she discovered the exceptional gifts Dayan had given her. She could have it all, experience it all, and she was determined to.
They moved together out the door onto the porch. Dayan tugged her closer, moving her beneath his broad shoulder for protection. “Remember to regulate your body temperature,” he said. Her body was brushing his as they walked together, and their skin become so sensitized, electricity began arcing between them.
Corinne threw back her head, looking up at the night sky, watching the glittering silvery drops rain down from the shadowy clouds above them. A small sliver of moon slipped out briefly from behind a heavy black cloud to shine on the thick stand of trees swaying all around them. Shadows danced, the air was clean and crisp, and the sound of the rain on the vegetation was a musical melody.
She looked down at her bare feet, shocked that she could walk without shoes on sticks and rocks and pine needles. She seemed to glide over the surface, as an animal might, her body instinctively finding the quietest, easiest way to go through the woods. She marveled that she had such a talent. Not only was her body moving efficiently, but her sense of smell had also become acute, and she could see despite the darkness. Information flew in on the wind, almost through her very pores. It wasn’t from Dayan this time; she was receiving it on her own.
She laughed softly, happily, unable to believe she was so alive. That the world around her was so beautiful and new. She was walking faster, listening to her heartbeat, reveling in its strong rhythm.
Dayan allowed her to slip out from under his shoulder, watching her body move, sensuous, enthralling. She lifted her arms again to the moon and dark clouds, her hair wild and rain-slick, her breasts rising as she inhaled sharply to take in the scents of the night. She looked like a goddess, a wild, untamed siren lifting her arms in pagan sacrifice as she turned in a slow circle. “I want to run, Dayan,” she repeated.
“Then we will shape-shift, honey.” Who could ever deny her anything? Dayan knew it would be impossible for him. “Remember what I told you before? It always starts in your mind. You must build a complete picture in your head and hold that image. It is an odd sensation, although not unpleasant. If it frightens you, Corinne, reach for me. I will be with you in your mind at all times.”
Corinne stopped moving, abruptly, swung around quickly to look at him, her eyes wide with excitement. “I’m not afraid. Really, Dayan, I’m not.”
“Picture a leopard.” He did it for both of them, creating the image so she could capture it down to the smallest detail.
She made a little sound, a throaty purring as fur rippled along her arms, as her muscles contorted, her body stretched, and then she was running on all fours, a sleek jungle cat. Her body felt like a well-oiled machine. She ran quickly, reveling in her ability to do so. She had ropes of muscles and sinew. Cushioned paws. Running in this form was unlike anything she had ever experienced, complete and utter freedom. She bounded across the ground, her paws barely skimming the earth. Her pelt kept the rain from penetrating to her skin. Whiskers acted like radar so that she was aware of everything around her. ‘Dayan! This is wonderful!’