When Aric spoke again, his tone was softer. “Why would you think that?”
“Because we’ve been living together for five years and you never asked.”
“I wanted to ask you to marry me the day you graduated from college,” Aric replied. “My father talked me out of it.”
I scorched James with a look. “Why?”
“I think I’m going to leave you two alone,” James said, slinking toward the door.
I didn’t bother to watch his escape. Instead, I focused my shaky attention on Aric.
“Dad said you weren’t ready to get married,” Aric answered, sighing as he perched on the end of our bed. “I told him I was going to ask you anyway, but he told me if I did ask you and you said no we would never get our relationship back on track. I was afraid, so I waited.”
“I … but … .”
“Would you have said no?” Aric’s eyes were keen as they bored into me.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “That seems so long ago. I can’t ever see myself saying no to you, though.”
“Then I’m really sorry,” Aric said. “I should have followed my heart – and my gut – back then.”
“That doesn’t explain why you didn’t do it later.” I wasn’t ready to let go of all of my suspicions. If I did that, I would have no one to blame but myself.
“What my father said kept haunting me,” Aric explained. “I love you so much, but I was worried you would say no and we would never be able to get back what we lost if you did.”
“Oh.”
“The other night when Paris started grilling us about it, I realized that I was being an idiot,” Aric said. “For the first time, I saw your face and realized you wanted it, too. There’s nothing in this world that can tear us apart. I believe that. Marrying you will only make us stronger. That’s why I asked Dad to bring the ring. I hid it in the safe because I didn’t want you stumbling across it one day when you were snooping.”
“I don’t snoop.” There wasn’t a lot of energy behind the words. “I thought … .”
“I know what you thought,” Aric said. “You’re an idiot. I don’t want anyone else. I won’t settle for anyone else. You’re it for me.”
“What about kids?”
“What about them?”
“I’m not sure I ever want them, and even if I do at a certain point … they won’t be full wolves,” I said.
“Zoe, I don’t care about that,” Aric said. “If it’s only you and me for the rest of our lives I’ll be happy. I’m not working myself into knots about kids we may never have when I already know I can’t live without you.”
I took an uncertain step toward him and he opened his arms so I could sit on his lap. He pushed my hair from my face so he could watch me, while my eyes remained glued on the ring.
“Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to get married?” Aric asked after a few moments. “That would have saved us both some grief.”
“I thought you would ask me if you wanted it.”
“Why else?”
“For the same reasons you didn’t ask,” I admitted. “I was terrified you would say you didn’t want to marry me, and then we could never return to the life we built.”
“You’re a smart woman, Zoe Lake, but you’re stupid a lot of the time,” Aric said. “From the moment I saw you, you’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
I rested my forehead against his cheek as I fought to contain my tears. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. You’re still an idiot.” Aric shifted so he could kiss my forehead.
I lifted the ring. “Does this mean we’re engaged?”
Aric took the box me from and shifted me off of his lap. I thought he was going to get down on one knee right there and put us both out of our misery. Instead, he snapped the box shut and shoved it back into the safe. “No.”
My heart stuttered. “What?”
“We’re not engaged,” Aric said, closing the safe door and twirling the dial.
“You don’t want to marry me? But you just said … .”
“I’m going to marry you, Zoe,” Aric replied, his eyes serious. “You’re not getting that ring now, though.”
“Why not?”
“Because you ruined my proposal,” Aric said, his face twisting. “I had a big night planned. You eavesdropped, and you ruined it. Now you have to wait until I can surprise you.”
“You’ve already told me your plans,” I protested. “I want my ring.”
“You can’t have it until I have my big proposal moment,” Aric shot back, immovable. “I love you, and I’m sorry you’re upset, but you’re not taking that from me.”
“But … .”
“I love you more than anything in this world, Zoe,” Aric said, moving in front of me so he could grab the front of my shirt and lift me to the balls of my feet so we were eye to eye. “You’re not getting your ring until I get my big proposal moment, though. I can’t have that until this is taken care of. So, until then, you’ll have to settle for my love and the promise that I’ll make a big deal out of it when I propose.”
Aric kissed me softly and then lowered me to the ground.
“But … .”
“Are you ready to make dinner?” Aric asked. “I’m starving.”
“I want my ring.”
“You’ll get it. I promise.” Aric moved toward the door. “You’re not getting it tonight, so you might as well let it go.”
“This sucks!”
“Just think how happy you’ll be when I embarrass you with my proposal and you finally get to wear the ring,” Aric suggested, walking through the door.
I followed him, flabbergasted. “This is not how this was supposed to go!”
“I love you, too,” Aric called back to me, unruffled. “Come on. We have cake. That will make you feel better.”
What just happened here?
14
Fourteen
I was still irritated about the ring the next morning. Aric seemed more relaxed – and I was happy for him – but my stomach was in knots. Leave it to me to ruin my own happily ever after.
“What are you thinking about?” Aric asked, rolling to his side so he could watch me as I stared at the ceiling.
“Life.”
“Oh, good. You’re feeling philosophical this morning,” Aric deadpanned. “What exactly about life are you pouting about?”
“I think I might be the worst person in the world.”
Aric groaned and pulled his pillow from under his head so he could press it to his face. “Don’t start doing this.”
“I sabotaged your big moment and my chance to get everything I ever wanted.”
“This is not going to work on me, Zoe,” Aric said, lifting the pillow off his face and glancing at me. “You are not going to pout your way to that ring. I want my big proposal. I’m going to get it. I’ve earned it.”
I shifted my eyes to his, hoping they looked appropriately pathetic. “I don’t deserve your love.”
Aric grabbed me around the waist and pinned me to the mattress as he rolled on top of me. He held my arms above my head as I fought against him, but he was too strong, and we both knew it.
He kissed my nose. “You’re not getting that ring until I’m ready to give it to you.”
I pushed my lower lip out. “I need it.”
“I need my proposal,” Aric countered, kissing my nose again. “You get the big piece of jewelry to wear forever. I think I should get my five minutes of glory before then. That’s only fair.” He kissed my left cheek. “I know a wedding is supposed to be about the bride, but the proposal is about the groom. That’s my moment. I don’t care how you try to play me, you’re never going to get me to give it up.” He kissed my other cheek. “I’m the boss this time, missy.” He pressed his lips to mine and gave me a sultry kiss. “Do you understand?”
He was distracting me with his lips. That was never fair. “I want my ring.”
Aric sighed and released my arms
. “This is going to be a long couple of days. You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“I want my ring,” I repeated.
“Zoe, I’m going to give you a proposal story you’ll be able to tell for years,” Aric said. “Doesn’t that count for something?”
“No. Give me my ring.”
“I’m not giving you that ring.”
I reached for his waist and started to tickle him, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he tried to pull away.
“Stop that,” Aric ordered, his face red when he managed to put a few inches between us. “I’m not giving you that ring.”
“I’ll keep doing that until I get what I want,” I warned.
“I think I can put up with your determined fingers.”
I racked my brain for another option. When the sly smile took over my mouth, Aric frowned.
“I don’t even want to know what’s going through that evil mind of yours,” he grumbled.
“I won’t give you another massage until I get my ring,” I threatened.
Aric’s face twisted as he considered the statement. “Are you trying to blackmail me?”
“I want my ring!”
Aric pulled me up so my chest was flush with his and kissed me. “You can’t have it until I say you can.” He dropped me back onto the mattress and climbed off the bed. “I am taking a cold shower. There is nothing you can do to entice me into giving you that ring. Stop trying.”
I watched as he disappeared into the bathroom, another idea forming. I reached to the nightstand on my side of the bed and retrieved my phone. Aric strode back into the room, stopping at the dresser for some clothing.
“I won’t be in there long,” he said. “You can shower when I’m done. Don’t even think of joining me in there, because that’s not going to work either. I don’t care how determined you are. I … who are you calling?”
I pressed my cell phone to my ear. “My mother. When I tell her you won’t give me the ring she’s going to go nuts. I’m giving her your cell phone number if you don’t give me my ring.”
Aric ran his tongue over his teeth as he regarded me. “Is that how low you’re willing to stoop?”
I nodded, frowning when the ringing stopped and the call went to voicemail.
“What is it?” Aric asked, all pretense of teasing gone.
“They’re still not answering,” I said, disconnecting the phone. “It’s been too long, Aric. Even if they were camping … .” I bit my bottom lip.
“Come get in the shower, Zoe,” Aric instructed. “When we’re done we’ll start packing.”
“Where are we going?”
“North.”
“ARE you sure you want to do this?” James asked, helping Aric load three bags into the back of his Ford Explorer. “Why can’t you wait?”
“It’s been too long,” Aric replied, keeping his face even as he glanced in my direction.
I knew what he was thinking. My parents had probably been kidnapped – or were dead. Whoever came after us the night of the attack changed their game plan. They couldn’t get their hands on me, so they grabbed the next best thing and took my only tie to the outside world.
“I sent scouts from the pack to the house,” James said. “They said everything was quiet. Zoe’s parents are probably camping or something.”
“Are you willing to bet their lives on that?” Aric asked, collecting my hand so he could give it a reassuring squeeze. “We’re talking about her parents. It’s not normal for them to be out of touch this long. We’re going.”
“At least leave the book with me,” James suggested. “I can continue my research.”
“We’ve scanned every inch of that book into the computer,” Aric replied firmly. “You have all you need. We might need to trade that book for Zoe’s parents. I’m not leaving it behind.”
“You can’t give that book away,” James ordered. “It’s too important.”
Anger bubbled up and I couldn’t keep it inside. “My parents are important, too.”
“Of course they are, Zoe,” James said, adjusting his tone. “I wasn’t insinuating your parents aren’t important.”
“They’re more important than the book,” I said.
“Zoe … .”
Aric cut his father off. “We’re taking the book. If it comes down to it, we’re trading it for Ted and Nancy. I don’t care what you have to say. That’s it.”
“Aric, do you have any idea how important that book is?” James asked, trying a different tactic.
“No. You and Paris have been working on it for days. You have no idea whether it’s important,” Aric said. “You believe it’s important. You think it could bring about the end of the world. All we know so far is that it seems to like Zoe – or really hate her – and it allows my soon-to-be fiancée the ability to control the weather.”
I scowled. “I still want that ring.”
“You guys are getting engaged?” Paris’ face was bright as she rounded the corner and tossed her bag into the back of Aric’s truck. “That’s great. I figured that would happen when you pulled your heads out of your rears and realized you were made for each other. When did this happen?”
“Last night,” I replied. “Aric won’t give me my ring.”
“Why not?”
“He says I ruined his chance to propose and he’s not giving up his big moment,” I grumbled.
“That’s kind of sweet,” Paris said. “You can wait for your ring. It’s not the end of the world.”
“Thank you,” Aric said.
“You really shouldn’t torture her, though,” Paris said. “She’s gone through five long years wondering whether you didn’t love her enough to marry her. That has to hurt.”
“Shut up,” Aric said. “You wanted to come with us on this little adventure and I agreed even though I didn’t want to. That means you have to be on my side.”
“I’m on both of your sides,” Paris countered.
“Get in the truck,” Aric ordered, pointing. He glanced down at me. “Stop talking about that ring. I’m going to sell it if you don’t stop badgering me about it.”
We both knew that wasn’t true. I opened my mouth to argue with him but ultimately snapped it shut. I was too worried about my parents to play this game. Once we found them and I knew they were safe, though, all bets were off. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry,” Aric said, grabbing my chin and kissing my forehead. “You’re upset and worried. You can’t help but be obnoxious.”
“I’ll ignore that.”
“Get in the truck,” Aric said, releasing my hand. “It will only take us two hours to get to their house. It’s going to be okay.”
I wanted to believe him. “What if … ?”
“Get in the truck, Zoe,” Aric ordered. “We won’t know anything until we get up there. We’re taking the book. If we have to trade it, we’ll do it. Try not to freak out until we know something.”
I nodded and moved to the side of the Explorer, casting a dark look in James’ direction as I walked past him.
“Zoe, I didn’t mean to upset you,” James said.
“Thank you for helping us,” I said, biting my tongue to keep from saying something ugly. “Lock up when you leave the house.”
I’VE never been a fan of road trips. I know some people find enjoyment in the journey. I’m one of those who care only about the destination.
Aric set a brisk pace for the drive, one that broke the speed limit but didn’t threaten the possibility of police involvement. I was nervous, and after a few lame attempts at conversation Paris let me be and fell asleep in the rear seat.
Aric held my hand for most of the trip, rubbing soothing circles over my knuckles. I couldn’t relax, though. I should’ve been enjoying the fact that we were out of the house and I wouldn’t be trapped in the small location again for at least twenty-four hours.
The closer we got to my childhood home in Barker Creek, though, the more my dread grew. Even though he
didn’t speak about it, Aric could feel it. I caught him shifting in his seat as we crossed the township limits.
“You think they’re gone, don’t you?”
It was the first time I’d spoken in almost two hours. That had to be some sort of record.
“I’m worried, baby,” Aric said, squeezing my hand. “Your parents have never been exactly hands-on, but they usually check in every few weeks. It’s been too long.”
“We should have come up here the night of the attack.”
“We can’t go back in time, Zoe,” Aric said. “You need to hold it together until we have something to go on. Don’t have a panic attack until we have reason to panic. Please.”
“I’m trying.”
“I know you are,” Aric said. “I’m sorry. We should have … we’re almost there.”
I was on the edge of my seat, my hand on the door handle, when Aric turned onto my parents’ street. The sight that greeted us was not what I hoped for. Three police cars idled at the end of the driveway, and police were cutting off traffic as it tried to pass.
We were close enough now that I could see why.
“Oh, my God,” Aric said, exhaling heavily when my parents’ house came into view. It wasn’t a house any longer. The simple country abode where I spent my childhood was a blackened shell, the roof gone and only tiny hints of color peeking through the charred remains.
I unbuckled my seatbelt and jumped out of the Explorer before Aric could bring it to a full stop. I raced toward the house, my heart pounding.
“Mom! Dad!”
Someone grabbed me around the waist to stop me, and I lashed out with my magic, flinging him away. “Mom! Dad!”
15
Fifteen
“Zoe, stop!”
Aric pulled me down from behind as I approached what was left of the house, flattening me on the ground as I screamed.
“You can’t go in there, Zoe. It’s not safe.”
Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1) Page 11
