Elementris, Exposure, Eruption Box set: The Vangeretta Curse Series

by Christina Mobley

  As she reached the flower covered arch, a soft breeze lifted her hair and set the white feathers dancing. She felt as if she were pure sensation as the white silk caressed her skin. Aunt Avalene lifted her veil and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Ava,” she whispered as she turned and walked away. Ava moved to take her place beside Alec and slipped her arm through his, liking the cool feel of his soft white shirt against her warm skin. Every animal on the island was gathered on the beach; birds filled every tree, and butterfly’s floated on the breeze above them. The beach was filled with people from all over the world; each wielding an Element. They had been planning this moment for months and now every detail had somehow come together.

  Ava felt like her heart had swollen in her chest. She had no fear. What they had was real, meant to be, and they both wanted it. She had control of her power and everything she’d ever dreamed for herself was hers, right here, right now, in this moment.

  Hazeltrouph stood on the platform in front of them. He cleared his throat and lifted his hands up over his head. “Children of the Element, we have gathered here today to celebrate a beautiful union. For the first time in our known history two decedents of the original five families come together in marriage. The Stone and Vangeretta families will be forever united.” He smiled down at them.

  “Ava Vangeretta, do you take Alec Poseidon Stone as your husband, your life mate, your soul mate?”

  Ava blinked fast to keep tears from falling as she looked at Alec and replied, “I do.”

  “Alec Poseidon Stone, do you take Ava Vangeretta as your wife, your life mate, your soul mate?”

  Alec smiled at Ava, his green eyes bright against his dark skin, “I do.”

  Hazeltrouph nodded his head, “I now pronounce you husband and wife!” He gripped Alec’s shoulder, “Son, you may kiss your bride.”

  Alec stepped forward and pulled Ava into his arms and then came his kiss. Ava closed her eyes as his warm lips moved over hers, feeling a sudden rush as his tongue met hers. She felt her heart pound as he deepened the kiss and gripped the small of her back with his strong hand. Behind them the crowd cheered. The birds sang, and the animals howled and screeched with happiness. As the kiss ended, Ava slowly opened her eyes, reluctant to let the moment go. All around them feathers floated in the wind. Aunt Avalene had passed them out to everyone. Each feather carried a different blessing or charm. Alec took her in his arms and lifted her from the ground. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he ran through the feather storm and into the castle.

  Alec effortlessly carried her through the archway and up the staircase. He stopped in front of the doorway to her room. He paused there and looked down at her. “I love you, Ava. You are my heart.”

  “And you are mine, Alec. I’ll always love you.”

  He opened the door with a flip of his wrist and set her down in the room. She kept her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes. She’d never imagined the stranger she’d met in darkness and danger would one day be her husband. She’d been drawn to him even then, linked even. Since that day, that link had grown into an unbreakable bond. It was an animal-like bond; possessive, feral, and very powerful. Even short separation affected them emotionally, sometimes even physically. She knew no matter how many years passed she would always feel what she felt now, and she craved it down to her bones.

  …Brea…

  “Whoa!” Lyssa exclaimed as she and Brea walked into the ballroom. Tables covered in snowy white cloths held teardrop-shaped vases that overflowed with wild roses. White silk danced in the warm air that blew in through the open windows. Vines draped the bottoms of each window and flowed down either side of the large fountain that dominated the far wall. Brea looked around, “They set it up just the way I planned.”

  “They did. It’s perfect!” Lyssa said.

  Brea took a quick look around and smiled. Then, winking at Lyssa, she brushed her shoulder and said, “I know. I’m awesome!”

  Lyssa laughed, “You are something, Brea.”

  “There’s my girl.” Thomas said, suddenly appearing behind them. He wrapped his arm around Lyssa, forcing a little squeal out of her.

  She turned and pushed playfully against his chest, “You scared the crap out of me!” she said, laughing as she slid her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest.

  He laughed, “Come on. I want to spin you around a few times.”

  “Are you kidding? I’m so sore from training to be a Clutch Guard that I’m doing good to stand, much less dance!”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll do all of the work.” He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned.

  She smiled back at him then looked at Brea, “I give up. I guess I’m going to go get dragged around the dance floor for a while. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  “Okay,” Brea said, turning her attention back towards the ballroom. She was smiling as she walked through the center of the room to the table up front. She slipped into her seat and watched as people began to file in. She couldn’t help but look for Shawn. There were more people here than she’d expected. So many people had come for Ava’s wedding. Brea was always amazed at how many people were born of the Element. Aunt Avalene came through the door and the other four in her circle entered right behind her. They moved through the crowd and took a seat at the large table with Brea. Aunt Avalene gripped a tissue in her left hand and touched Brea’s shoulder as she sat down, “Can you believe it, Brea?” She touched the tissue to each of her eyes. “Our Ava married, and all this...” She gestured at the large room and all the people in it.

  “I know. It’s crazy!” Brea said, her thoughts taking her back to the day she’d met Ava on the bank of the St Mary’s. She’d instinctively known that Ava was special and Brea smiled as she remembered the day that Ava had shared her secret. Brea stood with everyone else as Alec and Ava made their entrance. Cheers echoed around the room and tapered off as they reached the dance floor. Their faces were flushed with happiness. Brea loved the way Nisca and Aunt Avalene had done Ava’s hair. She still had the cool vine braid on top and the white feathers danced in her long red hair. She watched as Ava self-consciously rested her hand on the small bump that Nisca had worked so hard to hide, then smiled as Alec pulled her into a kiss. Everyone cheered again as the music started. As Alec twirled Ava around the floor, Brea felt tears gather in her eyes. They had fought for their love and won. Brea had been there through it all and couldn’t be happier for her best friend.

  She scanned the room, looking for Shawn. He stood with four other Clutch Guards at the back of the room. He was easy to spot, even across the room, since he was larger than most of the Clutch Guards, and definitely the most scrumptious. His blonde hair fell messily in different directions and just screamed for someone to run their hands through it. His faint smile did not quite meet his eyes; his sadness never far away even during such happy times as this. Brea wanted to be the one to change that.

  Before she could lose her nerve, she stood up and headed towards him. As she crossed the room, the dance floor filled. Shawn still hadn’t noticed her. Her eyes however, were locked on him. The last trip home had left an empty feeling inside her. Shawn had definitely found a way through her walls. Even though she teased him all the time and had shot him down more times than she could count, he had found a way in. Brea didn’t trust anyone, except Ava. That was Shawn’s favorite line. “Trust me, girl.” More times than she could count she had told him, “I trust two people in this world. One is me, and the other ain’t you, buddy.” Shawn never gave up though. He took her relentless teasing well, and was the only guy she had ever met who could keep up with her slightly distorted sense of humor. After everything she’d watched her mom go through, she had been determined not to get sucked into a relationship.

  Shawn could have had any girl he wanted, but he had built some walls also. It was only recently that he had started to lower them and let Brea inside. He’d told her all about his twin brother, Scott, and how he relived the day he died al
most every night in his dreams. Shawn had been damaged by his brother’s death, but Brea was damaged herself. She still carried the bruises from her childhood, even though physically they had faded years ago.

  He glanced past her, not noticing her in the crowd. Brea hurried ahead, her blood rushing and her hands trembling. Shawn had a way of looking at her that turned bone to liquid. She had missed that and wanted to experience it again.

  She moved around two people dancing and looked up as Thomas laughed and gripped Shawn’s shoulder. Shawn smiled, but his smile still didn’t quite meet his light blue eyes. She wiggled her way through a large cluster of people. The music floated in the air and the low murmur of a hundred different conversations filled up the large room. She took a breath as he finally looked at her. He smiled widely, and this time the smile did reach his eyes. He reached out towards her and Brea grinned, then faltered as Bianca moved past her and Shawn took her hand and pulled her to his side.

  Stunned, Brea stopped. Suddenly everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. There was no noise and all that was left was the sound of her blood whooshing in her ears. She watched as Shawn pulled Bianca onto the dance floor, ran his fingers through her hair, and kissed her. He had walked right past her, and had never even seen her standing there in the crowd. Brea felt her insides bunch up and burn. Tears welled and she swallowed really hard as she turned towards the door. She hurried out of the room, desperate to get out before the tears could burst from her eyes.

  Once outside, she ran towards the Brooden. White feathers still danced in the wind and the afternoon sun caused the ocean and the sand to glisten. She stared out over the water as she tried to come to grips with what she had just seen. Then she began to gather her strength. Her back stiffened, and her hands clenched to stop their shaking as she lifted her chin and wiped away her tears. She had learned how to bury her emotions as a child in order to protect herself; that would stand her in good stead now. She would not allow anyone to see how vulnerable she was right now.

  She didn’t realize that anyone was near until she heard Ava say her name softly, “Brea?”

  She turned to look at Ava, “Yeah?” She replied, trying her best to form a smile. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I came to check on you,” Ava said cautiously. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m good.” Brea managed a smile, but felt the pain pull at the corners of her mouth, “I just needed a breather, it’s so loud in there.”

  Ava took a breath, “You saw them, didn’t you?”

  “Who?” she croaked out, knowing exactly who Ava meant; Shawn and Bianca. It was painful to link their names together. It just didn’t sound right.

  Ava touched her shoulder, “I heard about it right before the wedding. I had no idea. I tried to tell you when I was getting dressed, but Aunt Avalene came in and I couldn’t.”

  “I’m fine, Ava. It’s not like we were really together or anything. I mean I can’t blame him and we only see each other a few times a year anyway. Whatever.”

  Ava put her arm around her, “I’m so sorry, Brea.”

  “No,” Brea said, pulling back. “You go back in there and enjoy your day. I am fine.” She blew out a breath, “Big whoop. Whatever.”

  “Are you sure?” Ava asked, knowing her too well to let the lie go unchallenged.

  “Yeah.” She forced a smile, “Let’s get you back inside. It’s your wedding day and I’m ready for a big piece of cake.”

  Ava linked her arm through Brea’s, “It’s okay to be upset, Brea.”

  “I’m not upset!” Brea snapped, struggling to hold on to her composure.

  “Okay, got it. You’re not upset,” Ava said slowly, “but, if you want to talk…”

  “I know, but I’m good,” Brea said, smiling with everything in her. “Now come on. It’s time for you to cut that cake!”

  Brea stabbed a piece of cake and twisted the fork around in her hand as she watched Shawn and Bianca sway on the dance floor. It took everything she had not to run over there and scratch Bianca’s eyes out. Shawn glanced up as if he could feel her eyes on him. He looked away quickly when his eyes met hers. Bianca laughed at something he said and looked at her. Brea felt her body jerk in reaction. Bianca knew! Brea’s thoughts raced, “Everyone knew about our thing, whatever it was. Even though it wasn’t officially anything, it was something! He even used some of his leave time to visit me in Florida, and now, suddenly, it’s him and Bianca?” Brea shook her head and looked away to keep from running at them.

  Just after midnight, everyone on the island stood together with handfuls of flower petals. Thomas and Lyssa stood to Brea’s left and Shawn and Bianca were to her right. “Everyone all coupled up,” she thought as she took a sip from the wine bottle she held in her hand. As Alec and Ava came down the dock everyone tossed their flower petals. They laughed and ran together towards their boat. Brea waved and shouted, “Have fun and miss me bunches!!” She pressed her fingers against her lips and slung her arm out, “Mwah, Mwah.”

  Ava waved back and then was pulled into a kiss. As everyone shouted and cheered, Brea snuck an unsteady look in Shawn’s direction. When he refused to meet her gaze for the second time, Brea felt her heart crumble. She looked back at the boat, fighting to see through sudden tears. Alec started the boat and as they moved away, thunder boomed and lightning lit the evening sky. As the boat disappeared from view, everyone began to move away from the dock.

  Brea was trying to spot Shawn one more time when she felt someone grab her hand. Shawn! “Come on,” he said.

  She felt a heart pounding sting as she looked at him. Trying to steady herself, she asked, “Where are we going?”

  “To talk,” he said, pulling her along. A rush of anger and confusion swept away most of her buzz. With only a moment of hesitation, she followed him. Shawn used a path spell to clear their way and Brea watched as vines scurried out of their way. She had been around magic a long time now and she should have been used to it, but every time she witnessed this spell, it still amazed her.

  Shawn squeezed her hand as they moved through the woods and, for a moment Brea allowed herself to hope nothing had changed. She knew better though. Moonlight lit their way and the thick fog floating just above the ground made it seem as if they were walking on a cloud. The night air cooled cheeks that had flushed when she realized where they were going. They had done this same thing many times. Their special spot was the waterfall on the other side of the island. Some of the island’s most beautiful features were the views from the high cliffs and luscious green valleys, but, for Brea, this place was the most beautiful. The first time Shawn had taken her there was the night Ava was crowned. They had almost kissed that night, but just before the kiss Brea had chickened out and dared him to jump into the pool of water created by the crashing waterfall.

  After that night they had been back there many times. They dove from the cliffs, explored underwater caves, and had talked for hours while lounging on the damp banks. “Would he bring Bianca here now?” Brea bent forward as they stopped, trying to catch the breath that had been snatched from her at the thought of him bringing someone else to their special place. She stood up straight as images of Bianca in his arms flashed through her mind. Pure, hot, adrenalin raced through her veins, replacing her sadness with a venomous shot of anger, “Why are we out here, Shawn?”

  “To talk.” He climbed to a natural shelf on the side of the cliff then reached down for her, “Take my hand.”

  Brea refused, crossing her arms.

  “Just trust me, g…,” he started to say, stopping as her hazel eyes hardened, “Please.”

  “Fine,” Brea angrily planted a foot against the side of the cliff and Shawn pulled her up. On top, she fell face forward. She lifted her head, “Way to go, Romeo.”

  Shawn shook his head, “Just listen.”

  Brea opened her mouth, trying to think of something to say that would keep him from saying whatever it was he was about to say, but the words wouldn’t co
me. She didn’t want to hear how sorry he was, or even worse, the “I hope we can still be friends,” speech. She didn’t think she could bear it.

  He looked at her for a moment, then looked down, effectively hiding whatever she might be able to read from his eyes, “I was going to tell you, but I didn’t see you and you haven’t written me in a while and after the last time you were...”

  “No sweat, Shawn.” She turned away from him, “I don’t know why you dragged me out here; you could have told me this at the reception.”

  “I wanted to talk to you in private.”

  “Well you have. I know now. Whatever. You’d better get back before your girlfriend gets jealous.”

  “Bianca’s not really the jealous type. I never planned for this to happen, it was like it just hit me and I couldn’t help myself. We spend a lot of time together.” He ran his hand over his jaw, “Look, I want us to stay friends and I don’t want you to be pissed at Bianca because of this.”

  “Screw her!” Brea cut him off, “I never liked her anyway. You know what, Shawn? Screw you too! I don’t need your friendship, or whatever it was, either.”

  Pain radiated across his face. He took a step forward, reached out his hand, and his voice softened. “Brea?”

  She went completely still as his hand brushed her cheek. Shawn always carried a sort of torture in his eyes, but right that second, it was more intense, almost as if he was having some internal battle with himself. “I…,” he started, then shook his head and took a step back, “I have to go.”