Chapter 18: Xavia

                                    

                                          
*Grace's POV*
As I stood before my mate in my true Archangel form, the look on her face told me she loved everything she was seeing. I was wholly accepted by her, and it made me want to get even closer to Xavia, in all sense and meaning of that word. I, too, wanted to see her true form, and without actually asking her about it, she began to change. I felt it happening; her power was rising incrementally... just by that feeling alone, I was eager and stunned. I knew she was intensely powerful, but I didn't know how much until I realized she hides a lot of it away for some reason. 
I'll ask her about that one day. 
The reveal was gradual, and part of me wondered if she was teasing me. However, I eventually surmised the meaning behind her slower speed; she was nervous, and it made sense. I had just felt something similar, and though I was eager to see everything she was, I wasn't going to rush my mate. I quickly glanced at Raziel, who silently observed us; I wondered what might be going through his mind. 
She had the demonic form of a couple of animals merging into what looked like velvety, smooth, pitch-black skin. I knew everything I would see would only make me want her more. Her transformation began at her dragon feet, connected to perfectly-sized werewolf legs. I saw her long tail that reached the ground; it curled a little between her legs, which told me she was still very scared. Part of me wanted to frown at that, but I wouldn't show that kind of expression; she needed my reassurance more than anything, and... If what I was seeing was anything to go by, she honestly had nothing to worry about. 
I find her demonic side so sexy. 
Throughout her body, rippled animalistic muscles and her hind legs were strong, especially in Xavia's torso area. Those abs... As her body continued to change, her dragon-style wings emerged from her shoulder blades, and they stretched, extending the size by double her height. To finish the transformation, I saw two sets of horns emerging from her skull, one above her ears, which swirled through her long jet-black hair, almost tracing her back. That pair stopped above her pelvic bone, and the second set of horns came out from her temples. Those that went upward appeared to be mirrored 's-shaped' with their base being thicker. The top portion that curled to the sky narrowed to a very sharp point. Her arms and claws looked so strong and protective; they proportionately matched the size of the rest of her body. 
When my mate finally finished shifting into her demonic form, she still kept her eyes closed, and they were closed tightly. Not only that, but the way she kept clenching and unclenching her jaws and fists told me how utterly nervous she was. It dawned on me that her fear was because of how I might look at her. I understood where that worry came from, and all she needed was my reassurance. All her life, Xavia was told she was nothing but pure evil and that she wouldn't ever find love or be happy. Everything her father told her was untrue, and I had to prove it to her. 
I am more than ready to do so. 
"Xavia... don't be afraid of me or my reaction..." I paused, placing my hands on either side of her face, adding additional comfort I knew she needed at that moment. I already loved doing this with her, touching her in this loving way... it was perfect. With my voice barely above a whisper, I promised, "I am right here. I'm not going anywhere... Please, look at me." 
The last part of my sentence was barely finished when my mate listened to me, her eyes opening, revealing those fantastic black depths again. Instantly, I smiled; I stared at her and didn't move a muscle. I needed her to see that I wasn't going anywhere. When Xavia was ready to speak, she did, and in doing so, revealed she also had top and bottom incisors as she said, "You're still here?"
I nodded and let my thumbs graze her cheeks, feeling her velvety soft skin, which made my smile widen. Her black eyes held so much emotion that I was caught up in them; I felt myself starting to get emotional. Then, I stated firmly, "I'm not leaving you."