Helix by Viola Grace

limp. She had to act fast. She had no idea how long his species could be without air and felt like an idiot for not asking.
    She hauled him upward until the blades of light caressed her and darkness reached for him.
    “You want him? Take him!” she used all of her might and threw Nero into the clutches of the dark star.
    She watched him soar away from her and a ball of dark energy form and approach him rapidly. His body jerked violently when the power struck him, and suddenly, he was hurtling back toward her.
    “Shit.”
    She flew toward him, matched his pose and then flew backward, letting his body strike hers and slowing it at a measured pace. His body was alive with energy, but his eyes were closed.
    Harmony wrapped him in her arms, ignoring the harness. She held him tight and flew them right into the restoration centre. Zipping through the halls, she concentrated on picking the right tank for him. The tank that she had so recently occupied.
    With quick motions, she removed the harness, stripped off his clothing and carefully lifted him, easing him into the oxygenated liquid that would allow him to heal.
    With nothing left to do, she sat and watched.
    His body was not burned as hers had been. It took thirty-six hours, but eventually, he thrashed and his brilliant eyes opened. He surged out of the tank with grace, carefully making his way down the steps.
    She blinked at him. “How do you feel?”
    His voice was not his own when he spoke. “ Amazing. I understand the fascination with taking an Avatar. I can speak, think and move just like the fallen do. It is wonderful. ”
    “Hello, dark star.” She sat at Nero’s desk and watched the stranger in his body walk around and pick things up.
    “ Greetings, avatar of the light. Are you enjoying your new status? ” Nero’s mouth showed his amusement.
    “The flying is entertaining, but you know why he gave in to you at last.”
    “ Of course. He wants you. I have no objection; in fact, I am relieved with just a touch of curiosity. His memories of your time together are quite heated. It is a wonder you didn’t set the bedding on fire without benefit of the touch of a star. ” He chuckled.
    “When are you going to let Nero come out again?”
    “ When I have finished learning this physical world. ” He beckoned her. “ Come here and kiss me. ”
    “What?”
    “ My price for returning him to control. I wish for you to kiss me. ”
    It was weird. It was a very familiar body but not a familiar mind. “Are you serious?”
    “ Do you want him back? ”
    “Yes.”
    “ Then, kiss me. ” He held his hand out to her, his naked body gleaming in the light. “ I want to know what it feels like first hand. ”
    She slipped her hand in his and the heat almost made her moan. It must have been the changes in her because that would have been enough energy to blister her before. He leaned his head toward hers, and she brushed her lips against his. She teased him with tiny strokes of skin against skin, finally licking and parting his lips with her tongue.
    He cupped the back of her head with his hand, and his mouth came down on hers with savage familiarity. She held onto his hair as they ravaged each other, and when they finally parted, they were both panting.
    She grinned into Nero’s eyes. “Glad to have you back.”
    “He is still in here, watching.”
    “She is watching as well, but she wants to experience the physical world and is content to let me lead. He seems a little pushier.”
    Nero grimaced. “He is. Now, teach me to fly.”
    She laughed. “Fine. Go put some pants on.”
    He looked down and his cheeks darkened. “I felt so warm, I didn’t realise.”
    “Are you in a hurry to fly?”
    “Why?”
    She removed the tunic and trousers she had retrieved from her quarters. “I thought you might want to give some attention to physical experiences.”
    Harmony pressed him back against an exam bed, and he obligingly sat down, reclining when she prodded him. Her