by Mari Arden
A cliff.
Our cliff, a small part of me whispers. He pulls onto the side of the road and we park. I open the door, letting my feet touch the gravel. A small smile plays on Pax's face when he sees my expression. "No one will disturb us here. Well, except for some birds."
"That should be okay," I laugh.
We start walking, and it feels natural to slip my fingers through his. There's something special about this place. It makes me feel freer. Pax's fingers grasp mine lightly and his thumb tickles the middle of my palm. It sends awareness through every part of me, and I fight the urge to shiver. Soon we reach our spot. Snow still covers the ground so Pax takes off his coat and spreads it on the snow.
"You'll get cold," I protest.
"I have a sweater underneath."
The surface area of the coat is small so Pax and I are sitting with our whole sides touching. Out of habit, I put my head on his shoulder and he puts an arm around me, letting it hang limply over the curve of my shoulder.
"It's just as beautiful in the winter," I sigh. The skies are a clear blue. I can actually feel the warmth of the sun. If I close my eyes, I might even believe it's spring.
"Yeah." Pax looks down into my face. "You want something to eat?"
"You made Paninis?" I ask in surprise.
"Not really." He pulls something from his sweater. It's a small bag of Twizzlers.
"Random."
He shrugs. "I bought it for one of the kids at the hospital. He didn't finish it."
My face softens. "How are the kids?"
"Good. Some are doing better than others. I've had a lot of time to visit them lately. They really help me put things into perspective." He turns to me. "Sometimes you just need a little reminder, you know?"
I know. I take a deep breath, watching it appear and fade in the wind. "I never got a chance to thank you. For everything. For believing I was worth pursuing. For showing me how beautiful the love between a man and a woman can be. For never giving up, even when I gave you every reason to." I turn my face toward his. His green gaze is intense and searching. "I want to apologize," I whisper. "I don't- I'll never be okay with what you did with Alaina. I don't think there's a reason on earth that will make that excusable." A picture of them kissing flashes into my mind. The familiar pain is there, but it's a dull ache now. Soon, the picture is replaced with Pax's face and the feel of his presence when I woke up in the hospital.
"You know Grandma always said I was a survivor," I continue. "I understand what that means now. It means making it through something, and ultimately coming alive in the end." I shake my head, biting my lip. "But… that’s not enough. Not anymore,” I confess softly, thinking about everything that’s brought me to this point. “I want to live, Pax. And it means being strong. It means not letting what happened in your past overshadow your future. It means being able to look behind you and not letting it stop you from going forward."
I turn to face Pax, our bodies so close I feel him when he breathes. "I want to move forward, Pax. I hate what you did, but I hate the thought of not having you in my life more," I admit. "I don't want one action to destroy everything we’ve built together."
"What are you trying to say?" he asks slowly.
I take the plunge. "I love you. I love you," I repeat, saying it louder. "Our love should be stronger than our past. It should be strong enough to make our future." I lean in closer, letting my mouth drift closer to his. "You're my one, Pax," I whisper. "You're my one leap of faith…"
He grins, smiling so broadly that it takes my breath away. "…and I'll always be here to catch you."
He kisses me. I sigh when I taste him, wondering how I could have gone so long without his warmth. He pulls me closer, and my hands squeeze his back. We stay like that, each person holding the other up, until the sun starts its descent. Then we get up holding hands, loving the feel of our bodies together.
"Ready to go back?" I ask.
"No." He holds my hand tighter. I look at him in confusion. "I'm ready to go forward." He glances at me then down at our intertwined hands. "Together."
I go on tiptoes to kiss him. "Together."
THE END
* * *
Do you enjoy paranormal fantasies? Turn the page for an excerpt of my book, "Flame", the first book in my Young Adult series, "Fireborn".
FLAME
A Fireborn novel
Some secrets change your life forever.
Have you ever felt invisible? I do. Everyday. I can't get close to anyone, and people can't get close to me. Everytime I feel a friendship beginning, something inevitably happens, and I become invisible again. Unseen. Ignored. It's been a part of me for so long that it's hard to imagine anything different.
Then the Saguinox arrive, and my life is forever altered. People are fascinated by these beautiful creatures who look and talk like us. They're alluring. Seductive. Intoxicating. And two of them are going to my school. Rhys is everything I shouldn't want, but his eyes are like something from a memory. I can't help but be intrigued. He's the only one who can really see me.
Some secrets you're better off not knowing.
I had been found on a cold winter night with nothing but a blanket, and ashes covering my skin. My mother saved me from death, and took me in with love. But she couldn't save herself. I didn't think heroes were real anymore until the day Kaiden saved me. I couldn't believe in miracles until the day he revealed I was the miracle they had all been hoping for. Deep inside I always knew my past mattered.
I just didn't know my life would depend on it.
EXCERPT FROM "FLAME"
PROLOGUE
"You got the money?" The voice is rough, and unnatural. The skinny man smiles dazedly at him. Cold eyes glare back. A thought crosses his mind that he should be scared, and he feels a slight tremor go through his body. The only thing that keeps him upright is the rush of adrenaline from the E-bomb he had snorted earlier.
He hands the cloaked figure the rolls of Benjamins from his jacket pocket. Fifteen thousand dollars. That's how much his sister had given. There are some hundreds missing that he used to pay off his dealer, but it'd been worth it. He couldn't be standing here with the delivery tonight if he had gotten jumped, now could he? Large hands count the hundred bills, muttering softly. He sees the exact moment the man realizes some money has disappeared. He gulps.
"Hey, man, chill, I can get you the rest later," he attempts to sound cool, but his voice sounds weak, and pleading. In the silence, one thought whispers in his mind: he should've snorted more. His heart's pounding now, but it isn't from the drug. It's from fear.
He peers into the voluminous hood, but the deep shadows make it impossible to see inside. Silence emanates from the cloaked figure like a threat. The skinny man is reminded yet again of how secluded they are from the city. The nearest road is over a mile away, and the cabin behind them looks old and dilapidated. The trees are bare and the ground barren. The winter breath has wiped it all away. Everything about where they are feels desolate and wrong. Even the euphoria from the drug can't hide that.
When the hooded figure speaks, his voice rumbles with tightly controlled anger. "The deal was fifteen thousand and not a penny less."
The smaller man takes a step back. "I don't know what type of deal my sister and her crazy husband made with you, but-"
"The deal," the man repeats again with lethal precision, "was fifteen thousand and not a penny less."
"Hey man," he responds nervously, taking another step back. "You can trust me. I can get you that money back. If you would just wait a few days-"
"Wait?" The dark figure interrupts. His voice continues to be low, but that's more deadly than yelling. The smirk is felt even though the smaller man can't see it. "You don't know who you're dealing with, do you?" The cloaked figure stares hard at him. "In fact, I don't think you know what you're dealing with." That realization makes him chuckle, and the sound sends cold shivers down the other man's spine. Something is very wrong here, he realizes with growing unea
se. Every instinct tells him to flee, but he can't move. It's like his feet are trapped on the ground. Suddenly, a strong hand shoots out, grabbing his neck with force.
"Your sister kept you in the dark about a lot of things, it seems." He is rasping for breath, but the hand is ruthless. "Where is the package?" he asks so softly that the other man almost doesn't hear it.
"B-b-b-ack th-e-re," he pants, his hands clawing at the force that holds his life. "In the car." His large hand squeezes for a second more, taking a perverted delight in the other one's suffering. When he's released, the man falls to his knees, gasping for air. The hooded figure watches him with detached interest.
"Bring it to me," he commands. Then he adds, "If you try to run, I will find you. And you will be very, very, sorry." They both know it isn't an empty threat.
The smaller man stumbles away, terrified. What kind of crap had his sister gotten herself into? But that thought is brushed aside with the nauseating smell of fear. This is the only thing his sister had ever asked him to do, so he's doing it. But after this, he's going to drive far, far away and never look back.
He pulls the car door open, and stares at the small box that contains his sister's most precious possession.
It holds a baby.
Her daughter. His niece. The "package" that needed to be delivered. He uses both hands to carry her. She's awake, and staring at him with wide eyes. He met her for the first time a week ago, and in that time he'd grown close to her- well, as close as a person like he could, anyway. He feels a wave of sadness as she cooes to him. He shakes it off, and continues forward to the scariest man he's ever seen. If he hadn't promised his sister, he would've ran with the baby right now, but he doesn't. She had looked desperate when she made him promise. And he loved her, so he agreed.
Crickets and owls are heard in the darkness, but the baby is oddly silent. Maybe she is starting to sense fear. He sure as hell feels it. When he's in front of the man, he can't bring himself to let go of the box. Even through his drug induced haze, he's having doubts about what is happening.
"You owe me four hundred dollars," the cloaked figure finally says after staring at the box he holds.
"What are you going to do with her?" he asks.
"What your sister asked me to do, of course," is the simple reply. The man moves to take the baby, but his own fingers tighten around the crate.
"Where is my sister?" he suddenly asks, afraid. Doubt is plaguing his mind like darts. Maybe if his sister had seen this man she wouldn't allow him to take her baby. He looks dangerous. Before he can say more, the man reaches over to pry his fingers loose. The baby is out of his arms before he can even blink. The large man reaches in with one hand, and lifts the girl into his arms. The empty box is thrown carelessly to the ground. In the darkness there is silence as the cloaked figure stares at her. She is completely still. Warning alarms ring in the smaller man's head.
"Where is my sister?" he asks again. A growl of anger erupts, and the man's arm shoots out once more, clasping his neck. This time the pressure is so intense he sees flashes of light in front of his eyes. The man had been holding back before, but he isn't holding back now.
"Your sister is dead. And you'll be meeting her in hell." The man is literally squeezing the life out of him. His feet dangle in the air, as breathing becomes impossible.
The last thing he sees before his eyes close forever is a bright light, filled with orange flames. When it goes black, he hears the sounds of fire and smells burning flesh.
Then he was no more.
* * *
You can purchase the book here
DEDICATIONS
To my parents who support me in everything I do. You both have taught me what it's like to love unconditionally and strive for my dreams. I'm forever grateful to be your daughter!
To Amanda and Samantha- a girl can't ask for better sisters. Amanda, thanks for always making time in your busy day to listen to me talk for "five minutes" and not complain when it turns into twenty. Samantha, thanks for reading all my drafts and supporting this double life I've started. You're the best! I love you both to infinity and beyond!
To Molly and Amy- the best cheerleaders! Molly, thanks for reading my story and making time to give me feedback. This book is what it is because of YOU! Amy, thanks for always being there and having my back when I need you the most. You two rock!
To my personal life- I've missed you. We'll see each other soon. Maybe.
To Regina Wamba for creating yet ANOTHER gorgeous cover. You are a genius. Know that your creativity is admired, appreciated, and loved.
To Becky from Hot Tree Editing- thank you for doing a phenomenal job with “One”! You’re a rock star!
To all the amazing bloggers and fans out there who support indie authors. You're appreciated, adored, and thanked a thousand times over. You're awesome beyond words. Thank you!
Last, but not least, to YOU for picking up this book. You make the lack of sleep, stress, and hard work all worth it. Thank you for sharing in this journey with me. I promise there will be many more to come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I'm Mari Arden (Mari rhymes with safari). Teacher by day, author by night. When I'm not living my double life I like to hike and try foods from all over the world. Up until recently, I used to be scared of dogs. Even puppies. True story. Now I'm just afraid of anything with more than six legs. I write to soothe my soul and to, hopefully, entertain YOU.
Adventurous? Come join my double life!
http://www.mariarden.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/mariarden
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mari-Arden-author/493749174011347
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6897452.Mari_Arden
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Flame
Excerpt from "Flame"
Dedications
About the Author