Chapter 25

Ree scooted her stool closer to the kitchen island and used her fingertip to pick up the chip crumbs on her plate. Paden threw the butter knife he was using into the sink and closed the mayonnaise jar.  He dropped onto the stool next to her and took a big bite out of his sandwich before snagging the pickle off of her plate.

“They turned her intended into a Dark One?” Ree said for the twentieth time. It was horrible to think of how that long-ago girl must have felt. One moment they were going to be married, the next he was trying to suck her life away. Had he been so in love with that previous Alastriana that even being changed hadn't killed his feelings?

“At least you don't have to worry about that with any of us,” Paden said between bites.

“What do you mean?” Curiosity made her turn to face him. Soft shadows highlighted the planes of his face as he finished chewing a mouthful of sandwich.

“They can't turn a Guardian. Once the change was ignited it meant we couldn't become a Dark One.”

“What about before the change?” Spinning her plate around with her finger, she tried to not look nervous.

“Well, they’re attracted to the people that have the gene, but they usually just drain them.” Shrugging, he took another bite of his lunch.

“How do you know that?” Ree stood up and put her plate in the sink. “I know nothing. No one tells me anything.”

“Well, I guess they think you have other things to worry about.”

“I have everything to worry about.” Leaning on the counter, she picked at the edge of her shirt. She swallowed the lump in her throat when she thought about everyone being put in danger. She couldn't stand that it was because of her.

“Hey,” Paden moved toward her and squeezed her shoulder. “It isn't your fault we're in this mess.” She shrugged his hand off and turned away from him. “Please don't do that.”

“Do what?”

She wiped her nose on her sleeve and hoped her voice didn't sound hoarse. His hand touched her shoulder again and gently turned her toward him.

“Don't shrug me away.” His eyes were dark and serious. “I know you’re mad at me, but don't push me away.”

“You know what? Just stop, Paden. There is no reason to pretend I am anything other than an obligation to you. You made it clear you’re only my friend because you made a promise to Tristan. I get it. That doesn't mean you have to tell me everything is going to be okay.”  She started to turn away again, but he tightened his grip on her.

“I didn't say that was the only reason I was your friend. I just…” He looked down and then back into her eyes. “I thought you understood. If I care too much, then I can't take care of you like a sister.” He swallowed but didn't look away.

Sniffing, she looked up at him with confusion in her eyes.

He sighed and smiled a little. “Ree, you are so beautiful. Do you know that? It makes it impossible to think of you as I should. But I’m trying to keep my promise. I'm supposed to take care of you like a sister. I don't think Tristan would appreciate it if I did what I want to do.” His cheeks colored a little, and he looked down at the ground. “God, I'm so lame.”

“What makes you think his sister would appreciate it?” His face looked horrified, so she smiled to let him in on the joke. “Really, you think I’m beautiful?”

“Very.” His fingers were gentle as they brushed the hair out of her eyes and lingered on her cheek. Unconsciously she leaned into his hand and sighed. Several moments passed while they stood like that, still and lost in their thoughts. Carefully, she raised her hand and laced her fingers through his. Leaning down he rested his forehead against hers, and her heart thumped in her chest. A small smile played along his lips and she blushed.

“You can hear that, can't you?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Not fair,” she whispered. Lifting their entwined hands, he placed her palm on his chest. The warmth of him flowed up her arm, leaving a wave of heat behind. Standing very still, blood rushing in her ears, she could feel his heart beating under her fingers. When she shifted closer to him the rhythm spiked, and it was her turn to smile. “I thought you were convinced I was just a kid.”

“I don't want to notice you aren't a kid. I don't want to break my promise, Ree. But I want…” He swallowed audibly, his heart thudding under her hand.

Tilting her head so their noses brushed, she edged closer to him. When his hand moved to her waist, electric shocks radiated out from his fingers to wash over her body.

“What do you want?” she asked quietly, her voice husky.

“I just want you.” His lips skimmed over her cheek and then moved slowly to her mouth. He pulled back just a little and looked into her eyes, so many emotions in his expression. Not wanting for the moment to pass, she placed her free hand on the back of his neck and titled her head upwards in invitation. His warm lips brushed over hers gently and his hand tightened on her waist.  His breath was warm and his lips were gentle but purposeful as he tested the waters.  When his lips parted hers for a deeper kiss she moaned gently. Never could she have imagined it would be like this, with fire racing under her skin. His fingers on her waist softly massaged small circles, making her shirt bunch up and he brushed the skin of her waist. Her breath caught, and his hand slid under her shirt onto the small of her back. Their kiss took on a new intensity, her body desperate to be as close to his as possible.

Lost in Paden, nothing else in the world existed but this moment for Ree. She had wanted him – to touch him – for so long the relief of finally kissing him was almost painful. He pulled away from her mouth and she made a sound of distress, but he simply moved to nuzzle her neck before placing delicate kisses on her cheek and forehead. Then he was back, his lips soft and hungry for hers. The edge of the counter pressed into her back as he leaned into her, but she didn't care; only touching Paden mattered. His heart was pounding under her fingers with an intensity she hadn’t known she could inspire. Somehow through the fog her mind noted that their heartbeats matched; they beat in unison. While wrapped in his arms, she had found the one place she truly belonged.

Someone cleared their throat from the door way, and Ree jerked her head back, startled. Paden’s face was a war of emotions. Shock, pleasure, and guilt washed off of him in waves. His breathing was heavy, and he obviously took a moment to compose himself before responding.

“What do you want, Roland?” asked Paden.

Ree's eyes widened and blood rushed to her cheeks. She peeked under Paden’s arm to see the Dark One leaning nonchalantly against the kitchen door.

“Sorry to interrupt this beautiful moment, but Sophie is looking for Ree. She was supposed to come back for her training.” His smirk was firmly in place and Ree suspected it was one of his personal defenses. Somewhere in her heart she knew it was her fault his walls were up in full force. “And we still have weapons training tonight. If you feel up to the challenge, that is.”

Paden turned away from Ree; his back was stiff and his stance was angry. She stepped away from the counter, sad such a beautiful moment was ending on such a sour note.

“What does that mean?”

“It means, that if you are finished acting like a horny teenager we have work to do.” Roland drew himself up to his full height.

“That is not what I was doing,” Paden snapped.

“No, I get it. You were just capitalizing on what I started earlier, hmm?”

Ree sucked in her breath, her face on fire. A deep growl vibrated through Paden's shoulders and he threw himself across the counter. There was only a moment of hesitation before Ree erected a wall between them with her power.

She hadn't seen Roland move, but he was pressed against the energy, staring at Paden with disgust. “Don't try me, young one. You aren't ready yet.”

Paden snorted and looked at Ree over his shoulder. She knew what he wanted, and she wasn't about to give it to him. Shaking her head, she faced Roland and did her best to look stern and commanding. She had to do something to stop the situation before it escalated.

“We’ll be out in a minute, Roland. If you see Sophie on your way to the training room, tell her I’ll be there soon.”

Roland's mouth dropped open for a moment and then he chuckled. He stepped back to the doorway and leaned against it.

“Alastriana, you aren't quite ready to lead this little group, so forgive me for not obeying. I promise to behave, but I must take the young blood with me,” he replied. To his credit he didn't sound snide or condescending. “Besides, I am thinking you don't have enough time for a private conversation. I can hear the others coming this way right now.”

Even without enhanced hearing the sound of the others running through the hall was hard to mistake. They rushed past the Dark One and barely stopped short when they saw the glimmer of the power in front of Paden.

“What's going on?” Bryce demanded. His eyes darted between Paden and the Roland, obviously sensing that was the real problem.

“It was nothing. A misunderstanding,” Ree said blithely. She dropped the power and walked toward the door, doing her best to not meet anyone’s eyes. “Sorry I upset everyone. I have to meet up with Sophie for my training.”

“I’m already here.” Sophie said walking into the room. Other than the dark circles under her eyes, there was nothing to announce she had fed Roland a short while ago. “And I'd like to know what is going on, as well.”

Ree knew she looked like a deer caught in headlights; she could even feel her palms start to sweat when everyone focused on her.

“The young lady was angry at me for making jokes. No harm done as long as she will accept my apology.” Roland bowed his head at Ree.

“Ree?” Melanie asked quietly. Her eyes held a thousand questions. Ree shook her head to try and deter any more questions. She faced Roland and gave him a forced smile.

“I accept your apology Roland.” He held out his hand to shake and she responded in turn, only to have him brush a kiss over her fingers instead. There was a soft growl from behind her, and she silently begged Paden to behave. It was upsetting enough that Roland had witnessed her first kiss. She didn't want to have to give anyone else an explanation of what had happened. Some secrets a girl should get to keep for herself.

She glared at Roland and walked out of the room to forestall any more questions. She could hear the others following her out of the kitchen, but she refused to look behind her to make sure Paden and Roland were with them.