I tap the toe of my boot on the floor in frustration. “Why won’t you let us do this for you? If it weren’t for Ethan, I never would’ve discovered that Fate was real and stalking me. I never would’ve been able to make him back off. Ethan can help you, Dad. Let him.”
My dad’s attention snaps to Ethan. “Can you do this without Nara?”
Ethan lifts his shoulders, then lets them fall. “I’ve never been able to see Fate. Only Nara can see him.”
“I’m sure Fate just loved being discovered too.” My dad’s sarcasm is heavy as he fists his hands on the bed.
“He resents you so much, Dad. All those lives you’ve saved in the past, all those fates changed. I want to be a part of your life, but he’s not going to stop threatening our family unless you make him stop like I did. With Ethan’s help, I faced Fate not long ago and made him back down from my daily life. Please, can you do this for me?”
My dad looks directly at Ethan. “I can tell by your expression you aren’t happy. Is Nara at risk when she’s interacting with Fate in your dream world?”
Ethan nods. “Yes, she is. Fate wants her out of his way.”
“Ethan!” I round on him, angry that he said too much.
He turns a hard expression my way. “I’m not going to lie, Nara. You know I don’t like this idea any more than your dad does.”
“That’s it. End of discussion.” My father folds his arms, then looks at his sister. “Sage, I don’t want you and Nara driving back so late in this weather. Why don’t you two check into a hotel tonight, then you can both head back to Blue Ridge tomorrow morning.”
“So that’s it?” I throw my hands wide, my body tense. “You’re going to walk back out of my life again just like that?”
Sadness creeps into my dad’s expression. “It’s not what I want, but just because Fate has a name hasn’t changed reality. This is how he punishes me.”
“But all you have to do is face him down.”
“Your life isn’t worth risking, Nari. Fate is just waiting for one more chance to finally take you from me. Otherwise, all that I’ve sacrificed for you and your mother has been for nothing. How can you not understand that?”
Because my heart screams louder than my head, I want to yell at him. Instead, I square my shoulders and say, “Goodbye, Dad.” Then I grab my coat and storm out of the room.
I refuse to look at Ethan as I walk behind my aunt down the hall and into the elevator. Now that she knows the truth, there’s no way she’ll give me that crystal I asked her to bring. My chest hurts and it’s hard to breathe. It feels as if everyone is against me.
As we reach the parking lot, Ethan says, “Ms. Collins, Nara didn’t get to eat dinner. I’d like to take her to get some pizza if that’s okay.”
My aunt glances my way, her lips twisting. I can tell she feels bad that I’m upset with my father and with Ethan. “It’s up to you, Nara.”
The last thing I want to do is sit in the hotel room with my aunt and listen to her lecture me about trying to save my dad and about how I shouldn’t leave things out when asking for her help. That’s one painful conversation I’d rather avoid as long as possible, even if it means having a silent dinner with Ethan.
I nod. “I didn’t eat, so yeah, pizza sounds good.”
“Do you want us to bring you anything?” Ethan asks my aunt.
“I’ve already eaten, thank you.” Glancing up and down the street, she says, “It looks like they’ve cleared the roads, but be back before midnight in case they get icy. I’m staying in the Hamilton Inn a couple miles from here on Sycamore Street. I’ll make sure they have a key for you at the front desk.” Looking at Ethan, she asks, “Where are you staying?”
He shrugs. “I planned to head back tonight.”
My aunt shakes her head. “That’s not a good idea. The snow is moving toward Virginia. You can stay in our room. I’m sure we can get them to bring in a cot. If your brother has an issue with it, I’ll talk to him.”
Ethan smiles. “Thanks, Ms. Collins. Samson’s out of town for a few days for work, so it’s not a big deal.”
Ethan’s car is cold. I rub my hands back and forth, trying to get warm as we head away from the hospital. I’m so frustrated with Ethan I don’t even know where to begin, so I just keep my mouth shut and stare out the window. He navigates through so many streets that I’m lost after the first five minutes.
“I think I might know why you lost your dreams.”
Ethan’s comment jerks me out of my sullen state. “Why?”
He glances away from the road. “Didn’t you say that you stopped having your dreams the Saturday night after I left?” When I nod, he sets his mouth in a firm line. “You got them back a few days ago. What changed?”
I squint, trying to remember and then it hits me. “The raven necklace?”
“It must’ve blocked your dreams somehow.” His jaw works as he stares out the windshield. “It’s ironic that the one thing that protected you also blocked you from me.”
“How did it protect me? Do you know now?”
He nods and turns right down a familiar road. “As long as you’re wearing it, a demon can’t possess you.”
“That’s what that Harper demon was talking about when she said I was blocked.” I twist my lips. “And here I thought it was my stubbornness that kept her from possessing me.”
“You’ve got a will of steel.” Ethan snorts. “But I didn’t want to take a chance that you couldn’t naturally block them.”
“You’re calling me stubborn? I’ll bet if I looked up the word in the dictionary, your name would be the second definition, right after Corvus.”
Ethan’s lips quirk. “Guess we both come by this trait honestly.”
“So far, bull-headedness has kept us breathing,” I admit, then sigh. “Speaking of being honest, why didn’t you tell me you had my dreams?”
He rolls his head from one shoulder to the next. “Because Fate is determined to kill you. I care too much to let you put yourself in danger to save someone else.”
I open my mouth to argue with him, but we’ve come full circle and are right back where we started. Only this time it’s about my dad.
Ethan takes a left into a parking lot, the scraped snow crunching under his tires. I look up at the Stars Hotel sign, then back to him. “The hotel restaurant serves pizza?”
He shrugs. “Probably, but I brought you here to talk.”
I fold my arms. “That was when you promised to help me with my dad.”
Ethan murmurs, “Stubborn,” as he reaches over to open the glove compartment. Pulling something out, he dangles my crystal necklace in front of me. “I didn’t trust you not to search my room for it.”
My gaze jerks to his. “You’re going to help me? But you told my dad—”
“I don’t know if it will work.” He captures the crystal in his palm and turns to face me. “But I’m willing to attempt it without you.”
Hope dies in my chest. “But we know the formula that works. What if my dad can’t figure out how to see Fate? I don’t even have to try now. Fate just zaps me into his world.”
Ethan slides his finger down my cheek. “I’ll try to help your dad, but I’m not putting you in jeopardy again. You didn’t feel the panic I felt. I was terrified I’d never be able to wake you.” His jaw sets and he slowly shakes his head, curling his hand around the crystal. “Never again, Nara.”
At least he’s willing to try. That’s something. “I discovered something while I was talking alone with my dad. I know why your name sounded familiar to him.”
His eyes widen. “You do?”
I nod. “My father was the man on the plane beside Samson.”
Ethan expels a disbelieving laugh, then rubs his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “What are the chances?”
I raise my eyebrows. “Guess who walked up to my dad at the airport and told him something would happen and he needed to pay attention?”
“The blond man?” Ethan’
s brow creases. “Who is he?”
“I have no idea, but whoever he is, you and I have both been on his radar for a while.” While we stare at each other in silence, the sight of our breath forming in the car makes me realize just how cold it is. I nod toward the hotel. “Let’s go inside where it’s warm.”
As soon as we walk into the room, Ethan tosses the keycard on the small desk by the door. “I think we should wait at least an hour to make sure your father is good and asleep before heading back to the hospital.”
“I agree. Hopefully that’ll leave us enough time before we have to get back to the Inn.”
Ethan shrugs out of his jacket. “After dealing with those guys who had your dad, I need to take a shower.” He nods toward the coffee table. “There’s a room service menu if you’re hungry. We can talk while you eat.”
Pulling off his shirt, Ethan starts to walk out of the room, but turns back to me. “Danielle admitted that Furiae are a possibility.”
“She did?” I clench my jaw. “How can she willingly do that?”
He crushes the T-shirt in his hand and brushes his other hand through his hair. “She believes creating a Furia is worth the risk if doing so sends an Inferi to Under for longer.”
“But she’s creating demons, Ethan.”
He sighs. “I told her I won’t be a part of it.”
“So you walked away from the Master Corvus.” I smile, relief flowing through me.
He shakes his head, his expression determined. “I’m still Corvus, Nara. I have a duty to fulfill. In the future before I turn my sword, I’ll look deep enough to know if the Inferi has fully corrupted the person.”
“Does that mean you’ll at least consider talking to the Order?” When Ethan stiffens, I say, “Danielle lied to you about Furiae before. At least this man was honest with me.” When Ethan starts to turn away, I can’t stand that he’s unwilling to consider talking to the man. “He lives in my neighborhood.”
He turns back, his expression unreadable as he stares at me for several seconds. What is he thinking? Just when I start to fidget under his forceful gaze, Ethan walks into the bathroom and shuts the door. Great. Probably not good thoughts. What else does he want to talk about? I wonder as I kick off my snowy boots and set them by the door.
We’d definitely left the conversation hanging in that back hall last night. So much has happened since then we haven’t had a chance to really talk. That’s probably it. He wants to finish that talk. But which part does he want to talk about? Danielle? Corvus? The feather on my back? The Order?
Seeking a distraction, I consider the menu, but food is the last thing on my mind. I begin to pace in front of the huge glass window, then quickly strip off my jacket and toss it on the couch. The room felt warm when I walked in, but now it feels like a hundred degrees. As I drop my sweater on top of my jacket, I’m thankful I’d layered it over a tank top.
Knots form on top of other knots in my stomach as I wait. When my gaze strays past the window, the bright glow outside draws my attention. I stop pacing and turn off the light to stare at the city covered in a blanket of white. Even several stories below it still shines brilliantly in the night. Smiling, I exhale and soak in its calm, tranquil beauty, letting it soothe my nerves. Light flakes of snow start to fall and I get so caught up in watching them that I let out a small gasp when Ethan touches my shoulder.
As soon as I realize his thumb is brushing the feather on my skin, I stiffen and start to turn, but his question makes me pause.
“Are we together?” His fingers splay over the feather, pressing lightly against my skin. “You said you stopped Drystan from kissing you in your dream, but yesterday, when he asked…did you want to kiss him then?
He sounds so tortured. How can he ask me that? “Ethan—”
“I saw the way he hugged you before he left, like he never wanted to let you go.” Ethan swallows. “Does he make you feel the way I do when he touches you?”
I start to shake my head, but inhale deeply instead when he presses an intimate kiss to the feather, his warm lips sending tingles all the way down my back.
“You are mine,” he says right before he nips at the skin on top of my shoulder. As the tiny hairs on my arms rise up and my stomach tumbles in response to his primal branding, another kiss quickly follows, this one lingering and tender, caressing the same spot with moist heat. “I might not know why you have this feather, but I did claim you that night, Nara. With all my heart I wanted that. You’re the light to my dark.” Straightening, he brushes his lips against my temple and chuckles lightly. “I’ll always try to keep you out of the darkness, yet it seems you’ll be the one shining your brilliance on me, lighting my path no matter what.”
“Why didn’t you say this last night?” I ask in a shaky voice.
Chill bumps race along my arms as he slides my tank top and bra straps down at the same time, exposing my entire tattoo. “Your stubbornness tears the insanely protective parts of me in two.” He trails his fingers over the top of the feather, curving his finger around the soft vane. “You have no concept of how incredibly sexy you are,” he continues in a hoarse rasp, sliding his finger right down the middle of the feather. “This intense jealousy makes me want to commit murder half the time, but because of who you are…” He traces the pointed tip of the feather ever so slowly. “You make me want to be worthy.”
Folding his strong hands on my shoulders, Ethan’s warm chest cocoons my back as he bends close, his deep voice washing over me. “What I feel for you goes way beyond any kind of Corvus connection. It’s soulful, Nara.”
My legs tremble as he turns me around and cups my face. “You are my existence, my sustenance, my every breath. I don’t know how else to tell you how much I love you.”
I inhale to calm my rushing pulse, then clasp his wrist and kiss the tattoo there. “I love you too. I never stopped, you know.”
Ethan snorts and lightly kisses my nose. “Could’ve fooled me.”
I flatten my palms against his chest and curl my fingers over the smooth, hard surface. I smile and tease, “I mean, who would pass this up?” Sliding my hand down and around his waist, I step close and trail my fingers up and then down his thick back muscles. “Or this?”
He inhales deeply, but doesn’t move as I step back to run the tips of my fingers around the waistband of his jeans. I glance up at him and smile. “And definitely not these.” I bite my bottom lip as I leisurely trace every single deep indention between his well-defined abs with my thumbs.
By the time I reach the hip muscles that dip into the top of his jeans, Ethan’s expression has lost every bit of lightheartedness. His nostrils flare and his hands flex on my shoulders, slight pressure pushing against my skin. Heat sparks in his eyes, his body poised, a taut bow ready to snap.
When his hand shakes as he touches my bottom lip, pulling it free of my teeth, the teasing melts from my gaze and I slide my hand up his chest, cupping my palm over his thumping heart. “This is what matters to me, Ethan. I love your heart. It’s fully worthy. I’m in awe that no matter how dark things seem, you always find a way to the light. I just want to be together. The rest will work itself out.”
His hand falls over mine at the same time he steps close and captures my mouth in a crushing, passionate kiss.
I slide my hand free and wrap my arms around his neck. Straining close, I kiss him with every emotion that has built for him during all we’ve been through.
Ethan groans against my mouth, his tongue tangling with mine as he wraps his arms tight around me, crushing my ribs with this strength. I press against him, pushing higher on my toes, wanting more.
Cool air touches my belly as he starts to pull my tank up, but then suddenly we break apart. Ethan has stepped back. I’m confused as we stare at each other in the darkness. Then I notice his chest rising and falling in rapid succession and his hands clenching and unclenching by his sides.
He’s waiting for me to move forward.
Reaching for the he
m of my shirt, I start to pull it over my head. I don’t get very far before I’m being scooped up in his arms and he’s kissing the curve of my breast above my bra.
I giggle that he’s taking advantage of the fact I’m struggling to get my shirt off. “Patient much?” I mumble before I finally free myself.
“I’m definitely out of that,” he says in a dry tone.
I don’t know how he manages it, but Ethan holds me with one arm, while he rips the cover completely off the bed. Then we fall together on top of the white sheet.
Sighing happily, I wrap my arms around his neck. Ethan slides his thigh between mine and buries his face in my throat, lightly nipping my shoulder.
“Why are you still wearing pants?” I whisper in his ear.
He runs his nose along my chest, his hand moving to my bra clasp. “Because we only have a little bit of time before we have to leave.”
Just as he unsnaps my bra, my arms cinch tight around his neck. “What? I’m not taking off my pants if you aren’t.”
He lifts his head and cool air teases my exposed breasts as a dark, sensual smile tilts his lips. “That’s because I’m going to take them off for you,” he says right before he dips his head and heat consumes my breast with the aggressive pull of his kiss.
Fierce pleasure jolts from my chest down to my belly. I dig my toes into the mattress and curve into him, whimpering through the sensations shooting to every nerve ending.
Reaching between us, I try to find his jean button, but Ethan chuckles and captures my wrist. Before I can use my other hand, he pulls both my arms above my head. Holding my wrists captive in one hand, he runs the fingers of his other hand down my chest and along my ribs, caressing my skin before trailing his warm mouth to my other breast and applying the same torturous pleasure.
“Ethan,” I pant and move under him.
“You’re so sweet.” His voice is rough and deep as his palm moves slowly down my stomach. “I can’t wait to taste every part of you.”
Destiny, YA Paranormal Romance (Brightest Kind of Darkness Series, Book #3) Page 30
