“I’m glad you came.” I said, laying my head on his shoulder.
“Because I got you the best birthday present ever?” He teased.
“No.” I laughed. “I’m glad I got to spend the end of my birthday with you.”
“So am I Sara. So am I.”
I held on to him a little tighter, hoping the night would never end.
Flutter
Nineteen
The Falls
Adan
“I guess I should have expected you to follow her.”
Her Watcher stood in the open doorway. The look on his face told me he was clearly not happy by my presence, and not just by the fact that I was standing here right now. Of course, he had heard about the incident with Scott and I in the woods, so he had known about me being in town for a while. He hadn’t sought me out, but that didn’t mean he was okay with the situation.
I didn’t know how much he knew about my duty toward Sara, hell I didn’t even know everything, but something told me that Andres probably didn’t know much more then I did. It really sucked walking around with someone covering your eyes all the time, and that’s exactly what the council was doing.
“How long have you known I wasn’t Nicholas?” I asked.
“Since I found Sara on the ice. There is only one person who causes Sara to react like that.”
“I needed to make sure she was going to be safe.”
It was probably more out of habit, but at my words, Andres took a step out, bringing him onto the porch, he glanced up and down the street. His paranoia was contagious, and I made my own sweep of the block. Once we had surveyed the neighborhood, Andres turned his attention back to me, shutting the door behind him.
“I’m her Watcher; it’s my job to make sure she is safe. I think you need to remember what your job is.”
“Do you know what my job is?” I challenged.
He was silent.
“I didn’t think so. My job is to help the Princess.” And that was partly true.
“When the time comes.” He corrected. “You’re only going to make this harder on her.”
I couldn’t argue with that. I haven’t even won the ongoing fight with myself over the same exact thing. Instead I had agreed to disagree.
“I can’t help it. I can’t stay away from her.”
He didn’t say anything to that, and I was sure he had been able to feel the connection I had to Sara. If Aaron could feel it, there was no reason to think that Andres couldn’t feel it as well.
“You haven’t told her anything, have you?”
“Of course not, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t suspicious.”
“She wouldn’t have any reason to be suspicious if you hadn’t taken it upon yourself to become involved with her.”
“You can’t seriously believe that. I may have added to it, but I certainly wasn’t the cause of it.”
“I’m not ready for her to know right now.”
“I don’t understand, what is stopping you? You’re only delaying the inevitable by keeping her in the dark. You’re ruining her trust in you, not to mention you’re relationship. Keeping her unaware of her past and future is doing more harm then good. She needs to be able to defend herself, and not just physically. You and I both know she is strong enough to handle this.”
I could tell by the tension in his jaw and the narrow in his eyes that he wasn’t too thrilled by my ‘do the right thing’ speech. It wasn’t my place to be telling him how to take care of Sara, but I had a hard time explaining that to the rebellious part of my brain.
“You may think you know what you’re talking about, but listen to me, your highness, when it comes to Sara, I make the decisions whether you agree with them or not. Maybe I don’t know the full extent of your part in Sara’s life, but I do know that it has nothing to do with what she knows, and when she is suppose to know it. There is a plan, and that plan does not include you.”
He turned to open the door, but my words stopped him.
“She is starting to use her influences.” I blurted.
He didn’t turn to face me again, but he twisted his head, glancing toward me over his shoulder, and waited for me continue.
“She doesn’t realize that she is doing it, but she is getting stronger, and if she doesn’t learn how to control her abilities, you know what will happen to her. If you think she doesn’t realize she is different, you’re only fooling yourself. You need to tell her. The sooner the better, because there is one more thing…”
“Well?!” He asked impatiently when I didn’t say anything.
“She’s started to Shimmer.” That warranted a bigger reaction from him.
Turning he looked at me, his eyes narrowing. “When?!”
“In the mountains. She was pulling me in a Trance, it happened for only a few seconds, but it’s only a matter of time before it happens. Do you want that to happen without her knowing what’s going on? It will terrify her!” I demanded.
He stood there for a minute, turned and then pushed the door open, stepping halfway inside the house.
“Sara!” He hollered. Looking back at me, he spoke so only I could hear. “I will be the one to tell Sara where she comes from and what she is.”
I nodded and he disappeared into the house. Seconds later, Sara appeared in the open doorway, and my heart kicked violently against my chest. If I hadn’t been instantly concerned by her appearance, I would have forgotten how to breathe. Even though it happened every time, I still was surprised by the force of her affect on me. It didn’t matter that it had only been a few hours since I had seen her last, the second she had filled that doorway the world around me began to spin out of control. The sight of her had nearly brought me to my knees. The longer I was around her, the stronger our connection grew, and I was starting to question if that was a good or bad thing.
“Adan,” she said, almost breathlessly, and I knew she was feeling the same thing that I was. “What are you doing here?” she glanced behind her, pulling the door closed, but not shut. Her fingers were still wrapped around the handle of the door, and she fidgeted with it nervously.
“Funny. You looked happy to see me.” I teased her. “I think we can do a little better then ‘what are you doing here?’ don’t you?”
She blushed and I had never seen anyone wear so many shades of red before.
“Now that’s something I can work with,” I took a step closer to her, and I could feel the sparks burning in response, “but I still think we can do better.”
I moved until we were only inches from each other, and wrapped my hand around the arm that still held the door handle. My fingers caressed the smooth skin of her elbow, before creating a trail down her arm and toward her wrist, leaving a track of invisible electric ribbons across her skin. My hand closed around her and I pulled the door shut, bringing her body against mine.
Her breath caught and then rushed out. I couldn’t tell if I had been the one to shudder first or if she had, but it didn’t really matter because we both absorbed the tremble equally.
“Much better.” I whispered.
“Yeah, if you don’t like having the ability to breathe!” She pointed out.
“He shrugged. “Breathing is overrated.”
I rested my free hand on the frame, pushing us up against the door, and trapping our hands behind her.
She smiled. “You’re such a dare devil.”
I laughed. “Don’t worry, I know mouth to mouth.” She smirked. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”
“I like to be prepared.”
“Have you been in many situations where you’ve needed to use mouth to mouth?” She asked coyly, staring at a point just shy of my eyes. I knew what she was asking.
“Never. So you could see how I’m dying to try out my skills.”
She pulled back, but only a little bit. “Wait, you think I’m going to let you try out your never before used ‘skills’ on me?”
“Let? Now you’re underestimating
the depth of my persuading skills.”
“I could die if you do it wrong.”
“Do I look like the kind of guy who could do it wrong?”
She shook her head. “I set myself up for these questions.”
“You really do. I think you do it on purpose,” I leaned in closer, until I could see every shade that made up her beautiful hazel eyes, “but I like it.”
“Your ego continuously surprises me.”
“What I heard: ‘I find you devastatingly irresistible’.”
She laughed. “I give up. I’m infatuated.”
“Now was that so hard?”
“Your turn.”
“Oh, I’m definitely infatuated.” I said seductively, and watched the color stain her cheeks.
“I meant what are you doing here so early?” She glanced up and down the street.
“Who are you looking for?” I controlled the urge to go into protector mode.
“No one.” She said softly, but I could feel the switch in her emotions. “I just had the strangest feeling that we we’re being watched.”
I tried to focus, hoping to pick up on whatever she was feeling, but I couldn’t sense anyone near by. There was nothing that suggested a possible threat to Sara, but I kept my guard up and tried to distract her. Distracting her was the fun part.
“I’ve come to kidnap you for the day.”
Her attention was back to me and I could feel she had momentarily forgotten whatever had distracted her.
“Kidnap me?”
“Yep. Today you’re all mine. Do you think you can handle it?”
“Now who is underestimating who?”
“Just making sure you’re up for the challenge”
“That sounds an awful lot like a dare.”
“Does that mean you’re accepting?”
Her lips puckered to one side, as she pretended to think about it for a minute, and it was all I could do not to lean in and kiss her.
“You’re on.”
I smiled at her, and I could hear the acceleration of her heart. “That’s my girl. How long will it take you to get ready?”
“Fifteen minutes?”
“Sounds like a plan. You go get ready. I’ll wait for you out here.”
She nodded, and I could see the excitement flaring inside her eyes. She turned into my arms to open the door. I inhaled deeply, and because I couldn’t stop myself, I stopped her.
“Wait, do you smell that?”
She stopped, and I could tell she was trying to pinpoint a smell. “No, what is it?”
I smiled as she whispered the words.
“I’m not sure. It smells like…”
I trailed off, leaning into and sniffing the air around her. Leaning over, I pressed my face into her neck, letting my nose trail down the side of her neck, enjoying the sound of her gasp. I led a trail down the soft curve of her neck and along her collarbone before I finally lifted my head. Her eyes were bright and shiny when they met mine, and she was taking in small puffs of air.
“Lavender?” I asked, and tried to control my own reaction.
“Yes.” It was almost inaudible.
“I like it.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll meet you out here in fifteen?”
She nodded, still looking a little dazed, and disappeared into the house. I punched a fist into my open hand and walked off the porch.
Today was going to be fun.
Sara
“Won’t you just give me a tiny hint?”
I had been begging him for clues to where I was being kidnapped since we had pulled out of Flagstaff city limits, but he wasn’t budging. I had a lot of confidence that if he was ever caught by an opposing enemy, any vital information would be safe with him.
I was turned in my seat, legs curled under me in the tiny passenger seat, giving Adan my most intimidating stare down while he drove down the smooth freeway to our unknown destination. The pleasure he was getting from keeping it a surprise told me no matter how much I begged and pleaded, he was going to stick with the suspense.
“Only a tiny hint?” he asked, and my face instantly brightened, and I had to retain a squeal of pleasure.
“Yes!” it came out a little more enthusiastic then I meant it too.
He wore a big grin when he glanced at me briefly before turning his attention back to the road.
“Fine. We have to drive to get there. There, that’s your hint.”
He tried to control his laughter, but the minute he turned to look at my scowling face he couldn’t contain it, and the sound filled the inside of his ‘car’.
“I fail to see the humor in your cruelty!” I folded my arms over my chest, and made sure I put on a believable pout.
“Come one. It was funny!”
Shaking my head, I looked away to stare out the windshield, giving him the silent treatment.
“Aww come on, don’t be mad. If you talk to me again, I’ll give you an actual hint this time.”
I looked at him, shaking my head. “Wow, and here I was impressed by your willpower. How easily you gave in.”
He laughed. “Well played, well played indeed.”
“I thought so too.” I said smugly.
“Although, I still think I’d stand up against torture.” He said confidently.
“Until they bring out the big guns, you know, pouting teenage girls.”
“Funny, but I’m sure I’ll be okay.”
“Oh, yeah? Why is that?”
“Because you’re the only girl who has ever been able to threaten my otherwise superior willpower.”
I looked away from his heated gaze and picked at one of my fingernails, I didn’t look up at him when I finally broke the silence.
“I don’t know about having a ‘superior willpower’, but I can definitely agree with the rest.”
“Good to know.”
He was smiling, staring contently at the road. I sneaked a peek at him though my lashes and my eyes greedily ravished the precision features of his face. He looked different today and I noted how relaxed he was today, less focused and intense then he normally tried to hide from me. Except his eyes, his eyes always emanated an extreme sense of passion. I fell prisoner to the intensity of the deep blue havens more then once, and I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last time. He managed to touch the edges of my soul with those eyes, each time felt like I was being struck by lightening. My body tingled at my thoughts and I shifted in my seat.
Adan cleared his throat and I was brought out of my thoughts, a slight blush highlighting my cheeks. I half expected him to have caught me staring at him, but he was still focused on the empty road. It was driving me crazy that he wouldn’t tell me where we were going, but I took in the casual way he was dressed - the simple black muscle shirt and shorts - and I didn’t expect anything extravagant. The way he was dressed didn’t appease my curiosity, but decided to take pleasure in the spontaneity of the situation.
“I hope that blush means you see something you like.” He said, his eyes never leaving the road.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I said with as much indifference as I could make believable.
“I bet.”
“You brought your guitar?” Noticing it in the back seat.
He glanced in the back. “Yep.”
“Any particular reason why?” I asked, extremely curious.
“I never know when I might need it.”
“Get a lot of opportunities to break out in a little song and dance?”
“Some, not a lot.” He said causally, “I don’t really dance though.” He confessed.
“Last night?”
“That wasn’t really dancing. That was swaying… with style.”
I laughed. “Some people consider that dancing.”
“Those are the people who can’t dance.”
“I see. So if I ask nicely, are you going to sing me a song?”
“I might.” He glanced at me with a suggestive gri
n. “If you ask nicely.”
“Where did you learn to play?”
“I had a private music teacher growing up; she taught me how to play.”
“Fancy.”
He laughed. “Not really. She was more like a family friend.”
“So does your brother know how to play too?”
“Yes, but not as well as me.”
“Does he agree with that?” I asked skeptical.
“Yeah. With a little bit of force on my part.” He added with a smirk.
We both laughed at that.
“Any other hidden talents I should know about?”
He grinned. “You’re doing it again.”
“What?” I asked, confused.
“Setting yourself up.”
I blushed.
“Have I told you how incredibly cute you are when you blush?” I could feel him giving me a stare down, and I purposely avoided his teasing eyes.
“I don’t blush.” I announced, still staring out the windshield.
He threw his head back, and a deep rumble of laughter erupted from his chest. “Right!”
As his outburst spread through the confines of the tiny car, I felt my face flame, and I touched my cheek to make sure I hadn’t actually caught on fire. When he finally settled down, I dared to throw a peek in his direction, and was surprised to find him staring at me with only a leftover grin from his fit just seconds earlier. I gaped at him, and pointed in the direction of the road, that he was currently disregarding.
“You. Eyes. Road!”
His grin grew, transforming the lines and curves of his face, and deepening the lone dimple on his right cheek. I wanted to reach out and caress it, no, what I wanted to do was kiss it. Just thinking it caused heat to spread throughout the rest of my body, and my heartbeat accelerated, making breathing a chore rather than a birthright. There was something building inside of my chest and quickly spreading to the center of my palms. I turned my hands over and inspected them, half expecting them to be on fire by the intense heat that was radiating off of them. I looked at Adan, but he was watching the road, not seeming to notice what I was going through.
I couldn’t seem to calm my breathing, which only intensified the sensation coursing through my body, and was it my imagination, or did it get insanely bright all of a sudden? I had to squint through the harsh glare coming off the windshield, practically melting my eyeballs.
Flutter (The Discover Series) Page 43