by C. M. Owens
Tallis winced and tightened his grip on me again when Desmond spoke of my weakness being him. I found his lips suddenly locked onto mine as Ayla continued.
"We all felt so protective of her. We felt compelled to trust her and love her from the very beginning. It made everyone incredibly protective, just as the whole light community had been protective of Isis.
"Isis brought unity to all light covens. Everyone trusted her, just as everyone trusts Aria. Without question. Although Desmond was upset by her presence, he never stopped the story that first day. He wasn't scared of her—just the rest of the family. He found himself trusting her before anyone else in the light community.
"It was astounding, really. Such trust led me to Jay and Desmond to Ash. Now it has finally led Tallis to Aria. Tallis questioned centuries-old magical rules just because he felt so connected to Aria. It's a good thing that he did, too."
Tallis kissed me again, and I done sitting down here. Every part of me wanted him more than I ever had. Our intense kiss got a rise out of Jay.
"Okay. This is getting uncomfortable."
Amelia started laughing as she joked, "Well, imagine being in my shoes. You just have to see it. I have to feel it."
Everyone started laughing, including Tallis and me, even though it was a bit awkward. He pulled back and spoke softly while the others started telling each other bye. "I love you."
I smiled bashfully, looking up at him while leaning in closer. It felt so good to hear him say that without his tone being laced with reluctance or guilt. I spoke quietly as I felt the desire to kiss him again.
"I love you," I said with my stupid grin. "Personally, I don't need perfection. I'm good with squandering our first time, just so that we can be together tonight. We can go somewhere else."
He threw his head back and laughed, finding amusement where there shouldn't have been any. I was serious.
"You're absolutely killing me right now." When I pouted, he worked hard—really hard—to stifle his teasing grin before he continued. "I really do want to make it special. Just trust me."
I rolled my eyes. "Fine. I suppose I can wait a little while longer. Just don't think I am going to wait for this as long as I had to wait for a kiss, though."
He snickered while shaking his head. "I won't make you wait that long. I promise. I don't think I could make it that long if I tried."
That was progress.
He took my hand, and we stood up, ready to attempt sleep once more, even though now morning was starting. He spoke gently while caressing my cheek.
"We do need to get some rest. Training will be crazy. There's a lot to do with little time to do it."
I nodded as we made our way back inside and back up the steps.
Tallis's lips brushed mine, and I opened my mouth in invitation for his tongue. He didn't disappoint. I would never get tired of him kissing me that way.
Our fingers laced together as he led me to the room and let me climb into bed first. We lay on the bed, peacefully wrapped in each other's embrace.
He was mine, and that was all that mattered in that moment. I would worry about everything else another day. He loved me and I loved him. Now we could finally be together.
I was enjoying the fire coursing through me. I was able to kiss him any time I wanted to. All of the barricades had been ripped up. He could just love me now. And it felt so wonderful to have him giving so freely.
There was definitely a lot to do. And I was going to be in the center of it all. I think that was what scared me the most. Everyone was counting on me. That was so much responsibility for me to take on.
I was so new to all of this, and I worried I wouldn't be ready. And I didn't want to think about what would happen if I wasn't ready in time. In a matter of hours, it would be time to grow up, but tonight, I could just enjoying feeling lost in the man I loved.
I was going to enjoy every moment I had with him. I was going to get my happily-ever-after, no matter what I had to do.
The End.
Rough Diamonds—Book III—coming soon.
