Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1) (20 page)

I was furious. “What the hell?”

Even in my current state I couldn’t lash out at Aric. Instead I vented the building magic and cringed as the greenhouse at the back of property exploded, millions of shards of glass cascading to the ground.

“Let it go,” Aric said. “Let the anger go. Teague and Quinn are dead. We’re done here.”

I wasn’t sure I could let it go. Aric had stolen my vengeance.

I pushed the power out again, this time aiming it at the mansion. The roof burst into flames, and as it did the strain in my chest lessened. I pushed another burst of power out, this one aimed at the shed to my left. It ignited into a ball of flames.

Aric never flinched.

That’s when, in the reflection of a far-off house window still untouched by my anger, I caught a glimpse of myself. There was something wrong with my face. That’s when it hit me: My eyes were black.

“Baby, please,” Aric pleaded. “It’s done. You don’t need to do anything else. You’ve won.”

“I … .”

Aric took a step toward me.

“Aric, be careful,” Paris warned. “She’s … different.”

“She’s not different,” Aric snapped. “She’s my Zoe. She’ll always be my Zoe. Come back to me, baby. I need you.”

Tears burned my eyes, and before I realized what was happening, I reached forward, my fingertips brushing the spot above his heart. Aric didn’t hesitate. He dragged me into his arms, holding me tightly as my head rested against his chest.

“Let it go,” Aric murmured. “Let it all go.”

I could hear his heart, the steady beat doing what it always did, and calming me. The anger fled, letting the magic diminish, and my body lightened as I gave in and let him love me.

After a few minutes, Aric tilted my head up. I could see the relief on his face. “There you are.”

“Are my eyes normal again?” I was trying not to cry.

“They are.”

“Are you afraid of me now?”

“Never.” He was so adamant I couldn’t help myself. I burst into tears, sobbing as he pulled my body against his.

“I’m sorry.” My voice was ragged and weak.

“It’s okay.”

Aric held me, rocking me back and forth until the tears subsided. I was back, even though I still felt weak, and we had forever in front of us.

“I want my ring.”

Aric chuckled, the sound catching me off guard. “Let’s go home,” he said, sighing. “I can’t hear about that ring one more time.”

“I want the dinner you promised me, too,” I added, wiping my eyes on his shirt.

“I think I can make that happen,” Aric said, motioning for my parents and Paris to follow as he led me out of Quinn’s burning compound. “How does prime rib and seafood sound?”

“I want cake, too.”

“You’re going to milk this for days, aren’t you?” Aric didn’t sound upset at the prospect.

“Just until I get my ring.”

“Oh, let it go, Zoe!”

T
wenty-four hours
and one uncomfortable motel stay later we were home.

“I’ve never been so happy to be anywhere in my entire life,” I admitted, slipping my hand into Aric’s as he led me to the edge of the property. I had no idea where we were going, but with the house full I was more than happy to get a break.

Because my parents didn’t have a house and it would take months for their new one to be built, Aric invited them to stay with us. Mom was eager – and Dad was reticent because he was convinced we fornicated everywhere – so they were entrenched in one of the guestrooms.

Paris was in the other. I had no idea how long she would stay. She didn’t show signs of leaving, and part of me didn’t want her to. We needed time together if we were to smooth the rough edges of our friendship.

That left James on the couch. He didn’t openly complain, but I could tell he was aggravated. Even though he didn’t say the words, I knew he was hanging around to see whether I manifested more powers. Since burning down the compound, though, absolutely nothing had happened.

Aric was observant without being pushy. I didn’t blame him for worrying. For now, we watched the situation and took things day by day.

“What are we doing out here?” I asked.

“I’m shutting down the security fence,” Aric replied, moving to the wooden beam at the corner of our property and lifting the metal cover that hid the code panel.

“Are we going somewhere?”

“No.”

“Why are you disabling the security then?”

Aric glanced at me, his face unreadable. “We don’t need a security system,” he said. “I’m done locking you in.”

I was confused. “Are you saying you want me to go?”

“Don’t ever ask anything like that again,” Aric snapped, making a face. “I’m saying that I’m done isolating you. It was a mistake, and it wasn’t fair to either of us.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You’re the strongest person I know, Zoe,” Aric said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I love you so much that I tried to wrap you in cotton and hide you from the world because I was convinced someone would try to take you from me.

“That wasn’t fair to you,” he continued. “You need room to breathe.”

“Are we moving? I don’t want to move. I love this house.”

Aric chuckled. “I see that rush of smarts you got from the book didn’t last,” he said, tapping my forehead. “We’re not moving. We’re just not hiding any longer. If people want to come here and find us … well … I pity them. They won’t like what they find.”

I licked my lips as I considered what he said. “People are always going to come for me, aren’t they?”

“I think it’s a distinct possibility,” Aric conceded. “I’ll always be here with you, though. Anyone who comes after you would have to be an idiot given what you did at Quinn’s compound. Trust me. News of that will spread like wildfire in certain circles.”

“Do you think that will be enough to keep us safe?”

“I’m not sure that anything will truly keep us safe,” Aric said. “Isolating us didn’t work. It took something from you. It took your friends from you. I love you dearly, but we can’t be everything to each other twenty-four hours a day. We both need to breathe … and stretch … and occasionally take a walk without the other hovering.”

“So you’re taking down the fence.” I pursed my lips as I watched him punch in the code. Once the invisible barrier was down, we both watched the dense underbrush for a few moments before turning back to the house. “It feels different, doesn’t it?”

“We’ll get used to it,” Aric said, lifting our joined hands to kiss my knuckles. “I’ve decided we’re pretty adaptable.”

“You might be, but I’m set in my ways.”

Aric smirked. “Speaking of that, it’s Friday night.”

“I noticed.”

“What do we usually do on Friday nights?”

“Get naked and drink wine in the hot tub,” I replied, not missing a beat.

Aric winked and suggestively inclined his chin in the direction of the hot tub.

“We can’t do that,” I said, scandalized. “My parents and your father … not to mention Paris … are up in the house. They’ll see us.”

“They’re all out for a very expensive dinner – which I paid for, by the way,” Aric said. “We have three hours, and I want to put them to good use.”

I was impressed. “How did you manage that?”

“I told them we needed a night to ourselves, and they graciously agreed,” Aric said, the fingers of his free hand combing through my hair. “We’ve spent a lot of time together the past week, but very little of it has been quality time. That’s what I want tonight.”

“Sold!” I rolled up to the balls of my feet and kissed his cheek.

“Good,” Aric said, rubbing his nose against mine. “Why don’t you run up to the house and pick a bottle of wine. I will get the top off the hot tub and turn on the bug lamp. I know how you hate bugs.”

“I hate bees more.”

“Let the bees go,” Aric warned. “I’m not joking about those bees.”

“Yes, sir, my lord.”

Aric smirked. “Go the get the wine, Trouble.”

I shot him one more smile and then scampered in the direction of the house. Inside, the eerie quiet washed over me. I’d almost forgotten what solitude felt like. It was going to be a long couple of months sharing the same roof with my parents. If Aric’s hands wandered too much, I worried my father would chop them off.

I grabbed two bottles of wine – I hoped it was going to be a really good night – and then headed toward the hot tub. It was dark, so I kept my attention trained on the ground so as not to trip.

“You’d better be naked,” I said. “I’m not messing around. If we’re both not naked in exactly thirty seconds I’m going to pitch an absolute fit.”

Aric cleared his throat, causing me to lift my eyes expectantly. The spectacle in front of me wasn’t what I expected. In the five minutes I’d been gone, he’d managed to light almost a hundred tea lights. They glowed, lighting the area, as they flickered around us.

Aric was on his knee in the middle of the lights, a familiar jewelry box in his hand. Instead of sweet emotion on his face, though, he was laughing.

“You’re doing it now?”

“He’s doing it now,” Mom said dryly, causing me to snap my attention to the shadows next to the hot tub.

Mom, Dad, James and Paris stood there – Mom and Paris dabbing at their eyes as they fought tears. They watched us with bright eyes and sentimental smiles. That meant … . “Oh, crud. They heard all the naked talk, didn’t they?”

“No matter what, I need you to never change,” Aric said, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

“I did it again,” I complained. “I ruined your proposal. I’m never going to get that ring, am I?”

“You’re getting it right now, Zoe,” Aric said. “This might not be the proposal I planned, but somehow it seems fitting.”

I turned to him expectantly and extended my hand. “Give it to me.”

Aric held up a finger to still me. “I still get my moment,” he said. “Don’t even think about rushing me.”

I sighed, feigning frustration even though my heart pounded with unveiled excitement. I couldn’t believe he was doing this in front of people.

“Zoe Lake, I knew from the moment I saw you that I wanted you,” Aric said, and I could tell he’d given his words a lot of thought. “You were beautiful … and you were sarcastic … and you were unattainable. The more I thought I couldn’t have you, the more I wanted you.

“We have been through a lot,” he continued. “There were times I wasn’t sure we would make it. There were times I was convinced you would walk away because I didn’t deserve you.”

A lump formed in my throat. “I … .”

Aric shook his head. “You always get to talk, Trouble,” he said. “This is my chance. Shut your pretty mouth.”

I frowned but did as instructed.

“I don’t know what our future holds, but I know I can never have true happiness without you,” Aric said. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted, and you’re all I’ll ever want. That is my pledge to you. So, Zoe Lake, will you do me the great honor of being my wife?”

I pictured this moment so many times in my head I thought I knew how to answer. The moment was so overwhelming, though, all I could do was nod as I started to cry.

“Don’t do that,” Aric protested. “Why are you crying?”

“She’s crying because she’s happy,” Paris said, smiling broadly. “Don’t you know anything?”

Aric scowled. “I know I thought she’d be smiling when she got this ring,” he said. “Crying was never part of the fantasy.”

I pushed my hand out, watching as he slipped the ring on my finger. It was a perfect fit, and as the moon hit it just right, I knew our future would sparkle as brightly as the diamond.

“I love you.” They were the only words I could find.

“I love you.” Aric pushed himself to his feet and grabbed the back of my head, pressing our lips together for the hottest kiss we’d ever shared. When he finally pulled away, I was surprised I could still breathe. I was convinced he’d managed to steal all the oxygen from my lungs.

Paris and Mom broke into spontaneous applause, while Dad and James exchanged smiles and hearty handshakes.

“That was beautiful,” Mom said, her hand on her heart.

“I’m glad you liked it,” Aric said.

“I loved it.”

“Good. Now get out of our house,” Aric said, lifting me in his arms and moving toward the hot tub. “I reserved rooms at the inn in town for all of you. I don’t want to see any of you for at least twenty-four hours.”

“Do you think that’s appropriate to say to the father of the bride?” Dad challenged, his hands on his hips.

“I think it’s what’s going to happen because my wife-to-be and I are going to celebrate,” Aric said. “I don’t particularly care if you want to watch, but I’m guessing you do care.”

Dad scowled, causing me to giggle. “I guess we can stay in a hotel for one night.”

“Yes,” Aric agreed. “Tomorrow you’re moving to the house I rented. It’s only ten miles away so we can see plenty of each other, but it still allows everyone to retain some privacy.”

“That sounds better,” Dad said, lifting his eyebrows.

Mom jerked on his arm, pulling him up the hill and gently chiding him as they walked. “They’re adults. They’re going to do adult things. Don’t stare at them like that.”

“I still think he’s too big,” Dad muttered.

“And I think he’s perfect,” Mom shot back. “He’s going to be our son-in-law, so you’d better get used to him.”

“Yes, dear.”

I watched them all go, a mixture of relief and happiness rushing through me before I turned back to Aric. “What happens now?”

“Now you’re going to thank me for that really expensive ring with as much nudity as I can handle,” Aric replied.

“Do I have to take the ring off for this nudity?”

“Zoe, you’re never taking that ring off,” Aric said. “It’s you and me forever. I told you that a long time ago, and I meant it.”

“I really do love you.”

“I know,” Aric said winking. “That’s why I bought you that ring.” He lowered me to the ground. “I wasn’t joking, Trouble. Strip and get in that hot tub. I think you have some vigorous thanking to do.”

I thought about checking his bossy attitude, but he was too cute for words. “I think I’m going to like being married to you.”

“That’s good,” Aric said, smiling as he stripped off his shirt. “I know I’m going to like being married to you.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes the best new adventures spring from your favorite old ones.

“The last one in the hot tub has to give the first massage,” I said, tugging at my jeans.

“You’re on!”