Arrow's Wind (The Healing Touch): The Elemental Realms

by Gina Manis

  “Wow!” I say speechless, and then it occurs to me that she wants to go out. “You want to… go out? Have a drink?”

  She shakes her head at me and lifts her arms, moving from side to side. “Ah, you want to go dancing?”

  She nods at me now, and I chuckle as I close the door behind me, locking it once more. “All right then, but I need a bath first. I can’t go in this with you dressed like that.”

  She nods at me and reaches for the door, but I lean against it, “Where are you going?”

  She points to me and the tub, then to the door, and I shake my head. “No, you are staying here with me. I told you, you are not leaving my sight.”

  Her mouth gapes open slightly, and I reach up, closing it for her, “You go over there and pull out one of those books of yours or eat some of your pie but, you are not leaving this room.”

  I can see her turning red now and love it. “Go on now.”

  She turns from me slowly and fiddles with her bag as I go over and start the water. I sit down on the edge of my bed and remove my boots, not daring to look back at her to see what she is doing. I stand up and remove my shirt, dropping it to the floor. It is quiet behind me, and I am curious to know if she is watching me.

  I walk over to the tub and test the water to see how cold it is. Unlike Jenna, I was born and raised in the mountains, and warm baths were not something we always did up here. Being from a warmer climate, Jenna needs it, so I never say anything about her heating her water.

  I undo my pants and hope she is watching me. I hope she is curious enough about me to do so. After seeing her undress for me the other night, I am almost sure she is. I can practically feel her eyes on me as I lower my pants over my hips. Jenna doesn’t make a sound.

  I step into the water and turn sideways as I lower myself down into it. I hear Jenna gasp then as she has to have gotten a glimpse of my hard erection. The cold water gives me some relief to my heated flesh.

  “Ahh,” I vocalize as I lay back in the tub. I am more than pleased that Jenna is watching me. She has said in the past that she finds me attractive. I hadn’t teased her like this before, but only because I always thought it would scare her. I know she isn't afraid any more of me, even in the nude. Still, I am not sure where to go or how far to take things with her.

  My thoughts are that when she is ready, she will be able to speak to me again. Whatever keeps her silent also keeps her away from me. I just hope soon, she will let me in.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Jenna

  Was it normal for a man to be that size? It isn’t like I have never seen one before, but my memories of them in the past never caused me pleasure before. Seeing Arrow, I mean, glancing his… private areas, they seemed large to me.

  I had been looking at his backside, admiring the toned flesh of it and his nicely shaped legs—something I had done before in his well-fitted pants. I had been transfixed on him there when he pivoted and gave me a whole new view. I turned away sharply at first but then looked back again; only it was gone as he sank into the tub.

  I turn back to my book, trying not to think of what I saw. I want to be close to him and know that I will have to accept that part of him. The vision of us in bed together comes to mind again. I am sure it wasn’t just a dream, but that it actually happened. Bran had been with me in the beginning, encouraging me to move forward with Arrow. To give in to my needs and desires.

  In the beginning, Bran often spoke in my dreams of Arrow, but it has become less so. He admitted he had deeper feelings for me than he should and that we shouldn’t. Since then, Bran has pushed Arrow at me again. I trust him and know he does so for me, but I long for more with Bran, too.

  It is strange to me that I seem to be falling in love with two vastly different men. Arrow fills my days and Bran my nights. I know I may never see Bran again, and it saddens me. My future is more and more with Arrow every day, and I don’t mind. He is a wonderful person, and I am lucky I am with him.

  Still, I have my dreams with Bran, and he has always been true to his word. I haven’t had a nightmare since I met him, and he comes to me every night. In some ways, he is always with me.

  I feel my past is finally slipping away too. It is no longer in my daily thoughts, and Arrow is a big part of that. His kindness and patience have always made me feel safe with him. I don’t know how long we have been together now, but it had been early spring when I left Star Kingdom. Now, the weather is changing to colder weather again, and it is fall. Maybe six full moons. Has it really been that long? To me, it only feels like maybe two moons.

  It doesn’t matter. I know how I feel about Arrow, and I want to be with him. I just want to know that I am ready this time. I don’t want to pull away from him again and hurt him. I don’t think I could bear it if he left me again.

  Suddenly, he is standing in front of me with just a towel around his waist. I gasp and look away as it rides way too low on his hips. “Sorry, I forgot to get my clothes.”

  He reaches for his bag, which I hadn’t noticed was sitting in the chair beside me. “Is your book good?”

  I look down at it and see that I am still on the first page and close it. I sit up, not looking in his direction, feeling a little nervous having him so close with water still dripping off him. He pulls out some clothes and turns away from me as he goes across the room and faces away from me. He undoes the towel, bringing it up to his hair as he dries it, but my gaze falls back down to his muscular back and rear. His bottom half is just a few shades lighter than the rest of him, but that doesn’t take away from his beauty.

  He slips his pants up his legs and covers his behind area, and I finally breathe. I see a mark on his back and am fascinated by it and stand up, walking to him now. Right between his shoulder blades lies what looks like a scar, and I reach up and touch it.

  He jumps at my touch and looks over his shoulder at me.

  “My wings,” he breathes. “The area is extremely sensitive to me, Jenna. You are touching it… I feel it intensely.”

  I remove my hand and step back, realizing I have invaded his space. He spins suddenly and pulls me into his arms, and I gasp in surprise at how he always moves so fast. He is breathing hard as our eyes meet, and I feel a rush of desire being in his arms.

  He seems to snap out of it and turns me loose just as fast. “Give me a minute, and I will be ready.”

  I nod as he reaches for his shirt and slips it over his shoulders. I back away from him, not sure what to do. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me, and I had wanted him to.

  I busy myself putting some of my stuff away, and a few minutes later, Arrow speaks again. “Are you ready to go now?” he asks me as he puts down his comb by the door. I gesture to indicate I am and walk to him. He takes my hand, and we step out together. He doesn’t put my hand on his arm but keeps it firmly in his grasp. We walk side by side, down the stairs, and out the front door.

  Arrow leads me slowly down the walkway, as it is dark now. We don’t walk into the same bar as the last time, but a smaller one, with less space and fewer people. Arrow doesn’t stop but leads me right unto the dance floor and pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly.

  Our gazes lock on each other’s as we sway to the light music. Arrow holds me much closer this time, with our bodies touching, and it is much easier to follow him. I know things are changing between us, and I am glad they are.

  I want to tell him how I feel, but I can’t do that. Not yet, anyway. He holds back, I know, because I can’t speak. I don’t see pity in his eyes now, but a blaze of love and desire. We continue to dance even as the melody surrounding us changes. I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It is vital, just like him and soothing to hear. I am sure my own heart beats with his.

  The music ends and doesn’t start up again. Instead, a man announces they will take a brief break and be back soon. Arrow still holds me but stops us from dancing. His chin rubs against the top of my hea
d and whispers, “Would you like to get a drink?”

  I look up at him and smile, holding up one finger, and he affirms, “Just one then.”

  Keeping my hand, he led us to the small bar where a man stands behind it. I know I have seen him before, but I can’t remember where. He looks up at us and smiles as he wipes the bar down.

  “Evening, Arrow. It is good to see you again,” he says, holding his hand out to Arrow, and he shakes it. “I thought you and your pretty lady were going to dance the night away, drinking nothing.”

  “Give us two pints, Daniel, and I think we would have if the music hadn’t stopped,” Arrow tells him, and the man beams. He looks like he is a kind person. “This is Jenna; she lives with me.”

  “Hello, Jenna. I believe we met before a while back with Katy,” he says, holding out his hand to me. “It's nice to see you again.”

  I look at his kind smile and his extended hand, feeling the urge to accept it. Slowly, I raise my hand to his, grazing the tips of his finger before laying my hand in his palm as he shakes it. I watch my hand in his and don’t feel the discomfort as I have in the past. He lets it go and pours our drinks as I look at Arrow.

  I see the surprise on his face and smile at him. He takes my hand and runs his palm over mine as he caresses it.

  “So, what’s it like being home again?” Daniel breaks into our moment and asks Arrow as he sets two cups in front of us. Arrow suddenly lifts me and sets me on the stool as he continues to stand beside me. I feel his warm body press into mine, and it seems only natural now. “I heard there was a fire up close to your place a while ago.”

  “Yes, but we got it out before too much damage,” Arrow tells him and looks at me. “Jenna and I have been fixing up the place, and we came in for winter supplies.”

  “I figured. I thought about making another trip up to Charles and Simon's place. I want to see my nephew one more time before the snow comes. Would you mind me coming over and looking at what you’ve done? I’d like to spend some time and have a pleasant talk with an old friend.”

  “No, not at all,” Arrow says to him, but looks at me.

  “Great,” he says then. “I’ve been thinking of fixing my place up there close to my brothers. Been saving money for about two cycles now. I would like to see about getting some of that fine pine on your lands to build me a house.”

  “I’m sure we can work something out,” Arrow tells him as he sips his drink, and so do I. Daniel seems to think Arrow owns it, but I don’t mind. It wasn’t like I could talk to the man about business, anyway.

  “Expect me before the next moon cycle,” Daniel says and looks back at me. “Jenna, I look forward to getting to know you better. You two have a fine evening, and if you want something else, just let me know.”

  He walks down the length of the bar then and leaves Arrow and me alone. Arrow drinks his pint and looks at me again, “I should have told you by now that your place used to be mine.”

  I am shocked to hear him say this. Why wouldn’t he have told me?

  “I didn’t want you to know before because I didn’t think you would want it,” he tells me softly. “It is yours, I signed it over into your name and everything proper, but people around here, like Daniel, might say otherwise. The land has been in my family's name for a long time.”

  I don’t care about that, but I wonder why he sold his land to me and why so cheap? It was his; he didn’t have to do that.

  “The thing is, Jenna,” he sighs and turns to me. “I’ve always wanted to be with you. I didn’t want you to buy another place. I wanted you to come home with me.”

  I think I get it now, and I am not mad at him. It makes me love him even more. I lean into him and wrap an arm around him as I place the other on his chest, wanting him to know it was okay with me.

  “Arrow! You’re back!” A voice squeals behind us. Arrow tenses, and so do I, as I remember that voice well. “What a pleasant surprise, and I see you brought your little friend, too.”

  “Darla, if you don’t mind, we would like to be alone,” Arrow says to her as he lets me go. I turn on my stool and look at the woman, her face all painted and her dress showing half her bosoms.

  She seems to ignore Arrow now and turns to me, “How are you doing, dear? The last time I saw you, well, you didn’t look so good.”

  I want to tell her to leave us alone, that I know all she did was sprout lies on Arrow the last time we spoke. He is nothing like she said, and I don’t understand why she did it. I don’t like the way she looks at Arrow. Like she wants to climb up him and rip his clothes off.

  “Jenna and I were just leaving,” Arrow says, taking my hand and helping me off the stool.

  “But I just got here.”

  “And that is one reason why,” Arrow tells her, and he tries to lead me around, but she steps in our way.

  “Jenna, dear,” she says, looking at me with a devious grin. “You seem too soft for a big old bear like Arrow here. Would you like a hand in taming him? I don’t think his dominant nature is good for you?”

  I just look at her, and Arrow pulls me by the waist again for us to go around. “Jenna will not talk to the likes of you.”

  “There!” she says, blocking us again. “How about I take you somewhere and show you how to handle such a dominant man? How you can get him to beg occasionally.”

  “Darla, shut up and get out of our way,” Arrow says, becoming angrier with her. “I told you before to stay away from us.”

  “What’s the matter, Arrow? Are you afraid you couldn’t handle both of us? Or that you just can’t handle me?” she says, stepping closer to him, and I push her back. She looks at me in shock as she stumbles. I am surprised that I pushed her, but I don’t like her so close to him. “Well, look at you, showing a little fire now. I can make it worth your while, child. I am an exceptional teacher.”

  “Enough, Darla!” Arrow shouts at her.

  “Oh, come on, Arrow. I just want to have some fun with you,” she tells him. “Just think of the things I could show your little friend here. I know you haven’t forgotten all the wild things we used to do.”

  I have heard enough, and if this witch isn’t getting out of our way, then I will make her. I rear back and swing at her face before I realize it, punching her hard in the eye.

  “Aww!” she shouts as she steps back. I step forward, about to hit her again, and Arrow grabs me about the waist and pulls me back against him. Darla looks stunned as she holds one of her eyes. “She hit me!”

  “I believe that is your answer,” Arrow tells her as he hurriedly pushes me around her and out the door.

  “This isn’t over, Arrow!”

  “Yes, it is,” he says, not even bothering to turn around and answer her but continues to lead me out the door as I try to get free from him. I wasn’t done with her yet. Before I know it, he slings me up over his shoulder, carrying me down the street. I can’t shout at him to let me down and instead hit him on the back, but he keeps walking.

  I am so mad at him for pulling me away from her. How dare she say those things to Arrow and me? What kind of person does that?

  “Calm down, Jenna,” Arrow says, swatting me lightly on my behind as he takes the steps two at a time in the hotel. And how dare he tell me to calm down.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Arrow

  I can’t believe Jenna hit Darla! It was perfect because I could never do something like that, even though Darla gets under my skin. Seeing Jenna stand up to her made me proud of the woman on my arm. She would have hit Darla again if I hadn’t pulled her back, and I would have loved to see it, but I didn’t want Jenna fighting with her. I didn’t want her to get hurt.

  I set her down on her feet in our room as I slam the door behind us. She reaches for the door, and I stop her, pushing her against its frame and leaning closer to her. “You’re not going back down there and fighting with Darla, you hear me? She isn’t worth it.”

  She stops f
ighting me and glares up with a heated gaze. “Darla will never stop; it is just the way she is. She pushes people, and if you play her game, she will always find a way to burn you.”

  She shakes her head and at me, and I lift her chin back up and look into her eyes. “I don’t want you near her, you hear? She doesn’t play fair, and there is no telling what she will do. I will not allow you to get hurt.”

  She pushes my hand away and steps around me. I can tell she is angry about Darla, but I feel she is also somewhat mad at me. Maybe it is time I tell her about my past and why I don’t want her around Darla.

  Turning around, I lean up against the door and watch her pace the floor. “I married Darla when we were still just kids ourselves. We were young and happy then.”

  She looks at me now, and I watch as she sits down on the edge of the bed, waiting for me to continue. “The first few cycles were wonderful for us. Darla got the pox when she was young, and we realized she couldn’t have kids. At first, she blamed me, not accepting the fact, and started inviting other men into our bed to get her pregnant. It hurt, but I let her do it. Some part of me hoped it was my fault and that she would become pregnant and be happy.”

  I move away from the door and sit down in the one chair. “As time went by, I told Darla it had to stop, but instead of doing that, she invited women to my bed. We were both young still and… I will not lie and say I didn’t enjoy it for a time. But it wasn’t the life I wanted us to live. Darla, on the other hand, changed. She craved being with others and watching me with women. It became some twisted game for her.

  “When I confronted her and told her again no more… she started slipping things in my drink and food. The need from them was too much to deny. On my twentieth birthday, she did this with something different, a drug that had me spinning so bad I still can’t recall the night very well. I don’t even know how many women I was with.”

  I am ashamed to tell Jenna this but need to get it out. “I divorced Darla after that night, but she wouldn’t stop. I think she always loved me, but she just couldn’t control herself anymore. I left for Star Kingdom soon after, to get away from her and because I wanted to know more about myself. My wings had developed a few cycles into our marriage, but none of my family had them. My father and mother knew little and told me that most guardians live among the Fire elements in Star Kingdom. So I went there to learn more, but I never shared what I was with anyone but Thomas. He told me not to because the king was looking for my kind. He told me to leave and never return, but I couldn’t. I had already met you.”