The wind whistled loudly in her ears, making it greatly difficult to hear anything beyond the mixing roars of the engine. However, her heightened senses opened a window that allowed her to hear a cacophony of heartbeat and pounding pulses, each drumming a different rhythm.
Among the incessant and chaotic melody, she was able to make out one that hummed at a quick but steady pace. She closed her eyes and let herself get lost in it. Images of Julian flooded her mind, eliciting memories of his hungry kisses and fervent touches. It made her smirk, timidly turning to face him and offering him a broad, excited grin.
"Are you ready, darling?" she shouted over the noise, watching him nod vigorously.
"I could barely contain myself!" he answered, his eyes reflecting the truth of his words. "You better be careful, sweetie! I'll be right behind you!"
Solana bit back a snort, amused at the series of emotions that played in her husband's expression.
"Don't worry about me. I'll see you down there, darling!" With that, she leaped off the plane, feeling the rush of air tugging at her clothes and hair as she plummeted toward the earth in rapid speed. She spread her arms wide, enjoying the sensation of just falling.
A few moments later, she heard a scream—a distinctly overly excited one. Julian had jumped after her, as promised. She glanced up just in time to see him fumbling with his parachute, his face a mask of panic as he tugged at the cord over and over.
Solana watched his face go white with fear, realization probably dawning on him. She had wanted to wait a bit more before helping him out. But her conscience didn't allow her to do so.
Humming, she angled herself toward him, zipping through the air like a missile. Solana reached him just as he was on the verge of losing his head with frustration and hysteria, his body trembling with sheer terror. "Hey! I'm here! I got you!" she yelled, grabbing him by the waist and tugging at her own parachute.
The sudden jerk of it deploying sent them both swinging in the air, their descent slowing dramatically. Julian clung to her, his face buried against her shoulder, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps.
"God, Solana!" He muttered, still gripping her tightly as if his life depended on it—which, to be fair, it did.
Solana couldn't help but laugh at his obvious distress. "Quite the rush, isn't it?"
Julian pulled back, his face pale but alive with adrenaline and disbelief. "You... You saved me," he stammered, eyes wide. "But that wasn't supposed to—"
"Supposed to what?" She asked innocently. It made her curious to see if he'd have the courage to actually admit his crime right there in mid-air, where he was currently at her mercy.
"Nothing," Julian chuckled. "I got nervous. I thought I was going to die. You saved me. It's a lot to process."
"Well," Solana purred seductively. "I can't have you dying on me when we're on our honeymoon now, can I?"
He pursed his lips, planting a soft, sweet kiss on hers.
"That would be a shame. I have no plans of making you a widow too soon."
Solana smiled, kissing him back. "No, that won't be right," she hugged him fiercely, humor in her eyes. "It will be hard to find someone as adorably doting as you, my love. So, no, I can't allow you to die on me. Ever."
—
Back on solid ground, Julian's legs wobbled as he stumbled away from the landing zone. Solana, on the other hand, landed gracefully. She thanked the personnel in charge before catching up with him, sensing his distraught.
She followed behind him silently, watching his stiff, almost mechanical gait, his shoulders hunched under the weight of what just happened. His hands occasionally clench and unclench at his sides, wrestling with questions he had no answers to.
Whistling, Solana playfully nudged his shoulders, "Are you alright?" she prodded.
"Yes," Julian answered, clearing his throat as he adjusted his expression, reaching for Solana's right hand. "I was just processing what happened with the parachute."
Solana pressed her lips together, fighting back the snark reply that passed her thoughts. If her husband were to read her mind, he would know that everything he had done so far was all in vain. But she didn't and couldn't tell him that.
"Misfortunes happen, darling. But you didn't die. As long as you have me, I assure you, you can never die," she promised. As a response, Julian squeezed her hand tight. This made Solana smile, fully aware that he was still on edge. She mindlessly licked her lips, anticipating what he might be planning next.
Squeezing his hand right back, Solana urged him to walk a bit faster toward the waiting car. The sun was about to set and she had wanted to be back at the resort they rented before dark. The thought made her mentally roll her eyes. After all, she was the most dangerous thing you could find under the moonlight. But Julian didn't know that—and she intended to keep it that way until the very end.
Upon reaching the vehicle, her smile turned wistful as she turned to her husband. "Julian," she said, her tone deadly serious. "I think we should have a talk tonight. Over dinner."
This made the latter freeze, uncertain where Solana was going with that discussion. "A talk?" he echoed, his voice an octave too high as he tried to read her expression. Solana wanted to console him, seeing his brows furrowed in worry and confusion. But toying with him seemed only fair in exchange for what he had been trying to accomplish.
"Mm-hmm." She uttered, studying the outline of his face and his dark, stormy eyes. After several minutes of tense silence, she let out a heavy sigh before continuing. "There's something I need to tell you."
Julian's Adam's apple bobbed nervously. "Okay," he answered, taking hold of Solana's hand and bringing it to his lips, masking his agitation. "Whatever that is about, my love, nothing will ever change between us. Please remember that."
Solana nodded, listening to his heart drumming an unsteady rhythm.
'Liar.'