Power

by Theresa Jones

  I couldn’t tell, but I desperately hoped he felt the same. Otherwise it would be completely inappropriate the way we sat there staring at each other. I thought, for the briefest moment, he was going to kiss me. I don’t know if it was just wishful thinking, but I could swear it looked like he was leaning closer to me – the heat increasing as the distance between us decreased.

  My eyes flickered from his eyes to his lips and then back again. I couldn’t help it, but in that moment when I released his eyes, he regained some semblance of control and instead of kissing my lips, he kissed my head once again. He rested his forehead against mine to catch his breath and whispered, “Good bye, Allison.” Then he stood and left my room, leaving me empty, alone and wanting more.

  ***

  We spent the rest of the week just hanging out at the house. My mother’s house was in a small town, but in every direction there was a large city, and the bigger the city, the more danger. Thankfully, no bombs had gone off yet and Texas was pretty rich in many natural resources so I knew it was better here than most places. I felt safer knowing that she really was ok, and that it was not nearly as bad as it could be compared to the visions that Damien had sent to me.

  We talked for hours and hours, and we all three slept together in my mom’s bed. She had taken the entire week off of work, claiming a terrible sickness, which was more than believable with all the food poisoning. It was an amazing week. (Minus the first day, the three days I was out, and all the bad stuff in the world.) And it was exactly what I had needed.

  It was a vacation from training, from disaster and destruction, from the Rising and the Order… from everything. I told mom all about David and my crazy feelings for him that I could hardly even explain, and she told me that it wasn’t wrong or bad to care for David. She knew, better than anyone else, that Alex and I had grown apart. He was focused on work and money instead of us.

  David was different. He was gorgeous of course, but also trustworthy and strong, dependable and powerful. He was funny and kind. He was everything I ever wanted.

  When we arrived back at the Compound, it really did feel like I was returning home. Though it had been difficult to say good bye to my mom again, and she and Samantha both cried, I was ok with it. I knew what I had to do. I knew the power I possessed, and I knew that Damien would stop at nothing to destroy the world. It wasn’t just about me and my family anymore. And if I really was The Descendant, the one that was destined to stop the Rising, well then I had fate on my side.

  We were welcomed home with a party; the dancers were in attendance, with Sharon at the head, along with the group of people we always ate with in the cafeteria and basically everyone who lived in my hallway. Rick was there, with a few of the men he worked closely with, I think some of them were in the Council. Everyone had come out, even some people that I didn’t really recognize, everyone except Mark. We danced and laughed and talked throughout the night. Children went to bed by 10 at night, and the adults were all gone by 1am. Sharon, David, Rick, and I were the only ones who remained.

  Rick came up to me, he hugged me closely, and I had the strangest urge to call him dad. He had taken on a very father like place in my life, just as he had once before, and though I used to resent him for it, I didn’t any longer. I was thankful for him and his presence in my life. Thankful for everything he had done for me. He kissed my head and told me how happy he was for me to be back and how proud he was of me, before he left for the night.

  David was next. I felt like he had something he wanted to say to me, but he only hugged me tight, making me feel lightheaded and leaving me wanting more. He kissed my cheek, which was way better than my forehead, causing it to turn even redder than my normal rosy color and promised to see me in the morning. I had a strong urge to ask him to stay with me all night, but unfortunately that would be inappropriate. So I told him good night as well and tried to not look as flustered as I felt.

  Sharon stayed and sat on my couch. This was the first time since I came back that I realized there was something wrong with her. She wasn’t her normal cheery self.

  “I missed you so much, you have no idea!” she blurted as she grabbed my hand and encouraged me to sit next to her.

  I sat as I said, “I missed you too, Sharon.” I hugged her closely. Then I sat back and voiced my concerns. “Are you ok? Did something happen while I was gone?” It was obvious as we sat together now, and I felt guilty for not noticing it sooner. And then I felt even worse that I had obviously just been too preoccupied to notice it.

  She looked down, took a few deep breaths, then looked back up at me. She had tears forming in her eyes threatening to spill over as she said, “Mark is dead.”

  My mind screamed questions, but I tried to hold back and not harass her with them. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! What happened?” as I asked, I reached for her and held her hands in mine, trying anything I could to comfort her.

  “He was found in his quarters the day you left. He had Rising power all over him. He had been hiding it from us all.” She wasn’t really making much sense, and she was crying pretty heavily. Her mascara ran down her cheeks, and she wiped her nose on a napkin. I reached out to her and held her close to me as she cried on my shoulder, soaking my shirt. I thought Rising members couldn’t enter the Compound, so everything she said made little sense to me.

  She mumbled between sobs, “I am so sorry, Allison. I had no idea. No one did.”

  I didn’t understand at all what she was talking about. Why would she think she had to be sorry? It was her brother who died, not mine. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I..”

  But she cut me off and leaned away from me to look me in the eyes, “No, Allison. I am sorry!” she demanded. Then she just kept crying. I didn’t try to argue anymore, I just held her and tried to comfort her.

  We sat like that for awhile before her tears stopped and she apologized some more. She stood up to leave and said, “Is it still ok if I keep Sam tomorrow? I mean, I’m assuming you are going to be training again, right?”

  “Yes, of course, Sharon! She missed you so much.” She smiled; I knew she had missed Sam too. “And, yes, I will be training still.” She nodded and then left. I still didn’t understand what that was all about. Maybe she was in shock.

  I went back to my room to stretch out on my fluffy bed. Cuddling in the heavy covers and smelling the power in the Compound all around me, I knew I was home.

  If someone had told me three months ago that I would be here and would have gone through what I had, I would have thought they were insane. I never would have believed it. I still had trouble believing it, even after having lived through it. I thought about everything that had happened. I thought about coming here, about Samantha dancing, about training, and about David. I thought about the way he looked, and the way he smiled. The way his eyes lit up when he was proud of something I did, and the way he smiled when he saw me. I thought of the way he held himself when he walked, so strong and sure, and the way you could see his muscles through his shirt. I thought of the way those muscles felt when I hugged him, and the way he smelled, that heady scent that made my knees go weak. I thought of the way he often placed his hand on my back and how I wanted him to touch me in more places than that.

  I stood, realizing I wouldn’t be able to sleep after having those thoughts. I wrote Sam a note.

  Went for a walk. Be back soon. Go back to bed. Love you.

  -Mom

  Though she was not even six years old yet, she could read very well for her age. She started reading when she was three, and she recently just started chapter books. I knew she would have no problem reading my note, but I really didn’t expect her to wake at all.

  I wrapped my robe around me, left our quarters, and went into the hallway. Not really having a clear destination in mind, I just wondered around aimlessly. I thought about going to the Hall to practice, but decided against it. I had already spent so much time there and starting tomorrow I would be in there every day again. I went to
the elevators, still thinking about David, when I finally figured out where I was going to go. I pushed the button to take me up. I would go to the meadow.

  Chapter 15

  Discovered Truths

  I stepped outside into the fresh air. The sky was cloudless, and I could see all the stars. I walked to the pond and thought about putting my feet inside. It was summer, but we were high up in the mountains and the wind was chilly; so I decided against taking my shoes off and dipping my feet in the cold water. I snuggled my robe closer around me as I felt a small breeze. Being surrounded by massively tall cliffs, one would rarely feel a breeze out here, but when you did, boy was it cold. I sat leaning against a tree and looked out over the pond.

  I didn’t hear him come up behind me, but I could sense him. I turned around as he greeted me the same as he always did, “Good morning, Allison.”

  I chuckled, “I guess it is morning already.” He offered his hand and helped me stand. I took it eagerly, and went straight into his arms. He didn’t pull away. If anything, he held me closer. It reminded me of the morning when I thought he would kiss me. After that morning he had distanced himself. But over the last few days he had gotten back to normal. He had even kissed my head and my cheek on a few occasions. Tonight I wanted more, though I was a little afraid to risk it. What if he started acting all weird again?

  I breathed in deeply, allowing his scent to fill my nose and my lungs. He nestled his head into the crook of my neck and I could feel the scruff from his beard scratch my cheek as he started to breathe deeply as well. I could feel his breath tickle my neck and it sent shivers down my spine. It made me pull him closer still. I could feel his muscles touching mine, and I could feel the heat emanating from him, warming my skin through my clothes.

  My heart started beating faster, and I felt my face flush with anticipation. He pulled away, just enough to look me in the eyes. I stared back into his, allowing him access to my soul, hoping he could see how desperately I needed him. I didn’t hold back at all.

  Before I could even react his lips were on mine. The heat that I had felt when he kissed my cheek, was like a lit match compared to the forest fire I felt now. Every inch of my body was deliciously ignited.

  This kiss started very slow. Tentative. Wary. Unsure.

  But as my lips parted, allowing him full access to me, things changed. He deepened the kiss. His arms pulled me closer to him, wrapped around my back, and held me firm.

  He tasted like heaven on earth. My arms were all over the place. On his face, on his neck, then down to his back. I couldn’t get enough of him. I couldn’t touch him enough, or smell him enough. Or… taste him enough.

  This felt right. Like the ultimate goodness. My body tried to inch closer, but it appeared we couldn’t get any closer. His chest was warm and hard against mine, and fit perfectly, as if we were two pieces to a puzzle.

  I started getting light headed, but really, who needed to breathe when you could be kissing instead?

  Unfortunately, I think David needed to breathe, so he pulled away and rested his head against mine. His arms held me firmly in place, right against him. All my insides were gooey and soft, and all I could think about was the way his lips burned against me.

  I tried to steady my breathing. It was pretty embarrassing how heavy it was, coming out in gasps of warm air. My heart was beating erratically and so hard it felt my body could barely contain it.

  “I need to tell you something,” he said, his voice deeper than normal, husky. It made my stomach flip. “I have been trying to not feel this way, and I would understand if you don’t feel the same. And I apologize if this causes you any discomfort… I know you just lost Alex, but I cannot pretend any longer. I cannot keep this from you anymore.” He almost growled those last words at me.

  My hope increased and my heart beat faster still; I felt like it would pound right through my chest. My skin was prickly and on edge with anticipation. My breathing came in gasps and I waited anxiously to hear what he had to tell me, hoping with all my might he could possibly feel the same as I do!

  “I love you, Allison. My love for you continues to grow every day. I love you so much more than I can even explain. And when I thought I might lose you, when you called to me and felt such fear, I decided I would never again try to distance myself from you. I will be here when you need me for whatever you need me for. You are my world.”

  Normally, a woman waits for the man to kiss her, especially after the kiss we just shared. But at his declaration, I just couldn’t help myself. I lifted myself onto my tip toes and threw my arms around his neck, pulling his face closer to mine. I kissed him with everything I had, letting my love for him flow through me and into him.

  He pulled me closer, not letting my lips leave his. We kissed passionately, our want over flowing. This kiss was already different than the last. It was stronger, fiercer. His lips parted mine immediately, and I breathed in his scent, tasting him on my tongue. My breathing sped, as did my heart. It swelled with the knowledge that he loved me back.

  I felt the heat of his hand through my shirt as he pulled my body closer to him. I heard him moan my name, and the sound made me want him more. My hands were tangled in his hair, and I didn’t think I would ever let go. However, this time I had to catch my breath, so I pulled away slightly. I looked up into his eyes and they were burning with a deep passion, the deep green sizzling just below the surface of his rich hazel.

  I figured I should let him know how I felt, just in case that kiss didn’t give me away completely. “I love you too! I’m so glad you decided not to try and stay away because I don’t think I could let you. I hope you never stay away!” I was almost whispering; the kiss had made me thoroughly short of breath.

  He kissed me again, but just short sweet kisses now. He kissed my lips, just barely brushing his across mine. He kissed my nose, my eyelids, and my cheeks. Then he kissed down my jaw line, following it to my neck. He whispered in my ear, “I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to hear that.” His breath tickled my neck and made me warm on the inside and deep in my tummy.

  I felt like the Grinch when his heart grew three times its size. I was swollen with joy and love. I had thought my life was complete when I had Sam, but now it was officially complete. I could not be happier than I was in this moment. Everything seemed perfect. I forgot about the world, the fights, the wars, and death. I forgot about Damien and my fear of him. I forgot everything except David.

  I reached down and opened his shirt, allowing myself to fully take in all that was David. He had the perfect chest and stomach. His abs were strong and pronounced, just as every single muscle in his body was. I ran my fingertips down from his chest to right below his belly button and he shivered under my touch.

  I looked up then, up away from his chest and into his eyes. I realized in that moment, that things would be okay. Not that having a man would make my life perfect, but rather, I realized the rightness of the universe. That there really was meaning behind everything that happened. I had Samantha at a young age for a reason – so that I could turn in to the strong person that I became. Alex and I grew apart for a reason – so that I would be able to handle his death easier. And Alex was never meant to be my soul mate, this gorgeous creature standing before me was. He was my destiny.

  We stood together, just holding each other. He started to sway back and forth and we danced under the stars.

  ***

  I woke to a knock on the door. I didn’t answer at first; I was not ready to wake up. But a few seconds later, I heard the knock again. Assuming it was Samantha, I begrudgingly said, “Come on in.” I made no effort to get up though. Instead, I rolled over and faced away from the door. “What do you need, Sammy?”

  “I just came to check on you.” I knew this voice, but it definitely was not Samantha’s. This voice brought up images of strong arms and a first kiss. Those memories ignited a passion deep within me and my cheeks warmed as they flushed red again. I turned around and sat up, flashing
him a large smile.

  “Sorry, I thought you were Sam.” I said, stating the obvious. “But you can come in anyways.” I maintained my smile as I spoke.

  He smiled back and walked in. “Sam is with Sharon. Do you have any idea what time it is?”

  “Nope.” I motioned with my arms as I said, “No windows, remember?”

  “You missed lunch. It’s 1:30,” he said, smirking at me. “I’ve been pretty worried about you, but Rick convinced me to leave you alone for a while and let you rest.”

  “I can’t imagine why I would be so tired, it’s not like someone kept me up all night…” I teased and followed with a wink.

  He chuckled once and then sat on my bed. “But you never sleep this late. Are you really ok?” The sincerity of his question was obvious.

  I climbed out of my covers and over to him, he opened his arms and allowed me to cuddle into them. He held me on his lap, like a parent holds a child. I looked up at him, hoping for a kiss, and my wish was granted. As soon as his lips touched mine, my heart took off, and my breath caught in my throat. It was not a kiss like we shared last night; it was just a sweet, good-morning-kiss, but it still had a major effect on me.

  “Yes, I’m great!” I answered, and I meant it. I was happy. I knew that with David’s instruction, we would be able to defeat Damien. My family would be safe – and this time I included him in that too. “I’m sorry I slept late, but I was really tired.” I thought about begging forgiveness, but his smile assured me I already had it. “So, are we training today?” I asked.

  “Yes, we will, but first we need to speak with Rick. Get up and get dressed and I’ll wait for you in the living room.” He helped me out of his arms and stood to leave.

  Seeing him walk away was heart wrenching. I think I was bordering on obsession, and it was pretty ridiculous, but after everything that had been happened, it just scared me to see him walking away. I knew that we were safe here, there was no way Damien or any Rising member would ever come here, but it didn’t make a difference. I commanded, “Wait for me.”