Maybe Fate: A Novel (New Adult Paranormal Romance) (29 page)

In
a single, grand motion, Nethiun scooped me into his arms. A few
things shot through my brain in that moment. Things that made me
nervous and have second thoughts.

“
I—wait,
this is a little, um...”
Cozy?
Intimate? Inappropriate? Yes, maybe that one.

Flashing
me a confident smile, the twaelin only said one thing. “Shh.”

Then
we were gone.

The
shifting reality of moving from one place to another, all in a few
seconds, still left me dizzy. But this time, when we returned into
the fresh air and bright colors of the world, I was too stunned to
consider the affects.

Below
me, the ocean raged. Waves climbed high, wanting to reach us,
begging to fly as high as we were. And we, well, we were quite high.

Staring
down, I gaped at the monster of green sea foam, thinking it was how
seagulls must feel as they floated on the wind.

“
We're
really flying,” I whispered, voice lost in the crush of the
waves. Looking up, I met his pleased look, how his white eyes
burned. “Nethiun, this is—we're actually in the air!”
I shouted, laughing with mixed fear and amazement.

Nethiun
cradled me tightly, arms hooked under my knees and around my
shoulders. “We haven't even started,” he said with a
grin. “Hold on tightly, Gale. It would be a shame if you
fell.”

Biting
my lip, I threw my arms around his neck. Even in exhilaration, I was
aware of how his bare chest felt through his open shirt, so close to
my cheek. “You wouldn't actually let me fall, would you?”

“
Well,”
he said carefully, “not intentionally.”

I
squeezed his neck just a bit tighter.

Who
could claim they'd never dreamed of flying? To zoom through the sky,
unhindered by the cruel fact of gravity.

People
sometimes regret getting their wishes. At least, in wise tales and
old stories meant to teach lessons.

This
was not one of those moments.

Hanging
on to Nethiun, I felt my stomach drop when he dove down towards the
ocean. We moved so fast, I didn't have time to get enough air in me
to scream.

That
was good, I didn't want him to think I was scared.
He
probably feels everything, anyway. But... am I scared? I think—this
is elation. Yes, yes this is—because I'm flying—I'm...!

Sea
spray hit my cheeks, cool on my skin. Around me, my hair was a red
flag, dangling up and no doubt whipping Nethiun in the face.

We
flew like a jet, perfectly level over the rippling, tearing water
only feet below us. I'd never felt so aware, so... alive.

And
then I saw the wave, curling over our heads. “Nethiun!”
I managed to gasp, tasting salt on my tongue while the shadow grew
to over take us.

We're
too close, we shouldn't be so close!

I
almost closed my eyes. Almost.

Together,
we vanished in a flicker of jagged blackness. It was only a moment,
enough that the sound of the world was sucked away, leaving us in a
private bubble of nothing. I saw colorless things, grey and smokey.

This
is how he moves, is this... an actual place?

I'd
never considered it before, but it seemed logical that the twaelin
wouldn't be living, hiding out, in a normal place like
Massachusetts. But did that mean they were on a whole other world
entirely?

We
popped back into the chilly, familiar air. This time, we were much
higher up; we almost nudged the rumbling clouds. “Are you
alright?” he asked, making me glance up.

My
heart was thrumming, a drum beat at a raging tempo. Staring into his
concerned, yet still curious eyes, I remembered how tightly I was
hugging him. The knuckles of my hands were bloodless from my grip.

We
almost got eaten by a wave, because he flew us too close. Because he
FLEW us... I...

My
laughter was bright, so loud only the crashing of the angry sea
could dare to muffle it. But Nethiun was near enough, he didn't have
any trouble hearing me; and that was fine.

I
felt like laughing was all I could do. Let him hear it, let him see
the joy on my face, how red my lips were.

The
air was heavy, threatening rain. That wasn't enough to dampen my
mood.

I'd
just been
flying
.

“
What
is it?” he asked, arching an eyebrow. He actually looked
worried, something I wasn't used to. All those smile he always
had... was my reaction so weird?

He's
reading all my rattled emotions, and watching me laugh, and isn't
sure what's actually going on. I've confused him, for once.

Leaning
forward against his chest, his smooth skin sliding under my arms, I
brought my lips hungrily to his.

I
didn't need to try and speak.

Gale
Everette

Watching
October become gloomy, warning of storms and the coming chill of
November, my thoughts should have been far bleaker.

They
were anything but.

Over
the next few days, I wandered through my classes with the stupidest
smile. The weather didn't bother me, my teachers didn't bother me,
not even Ethlyn could bother me.

Even
when he sat beside me in English, alternating between ignoring me or
trying to get my attention, it didn't squash my joy.

I
didn't think anything could.

The
night I'd flown with Nethiun over the ocean, it consumed my
thoughts. I day dreamed about it, stared out the windows at the grey
skies and just let myself enjoy the memory.

I
knew what was happening to me, as much as I both fretted over it,
how I felt guilt over the way I'd mocked the concept.

This
was me, falling in love.

I
am such a hypocrite.

Even
that thought didn't ruin my mood.

Scribbling
in my notebook, I only half-listened to Mr.
Birch—no,Valenforth—ramble on about whatever bit of
literature he was. Amazingly, in spite of my obvious lack of caring,
he left me alone.

It
was very unlike him, considering how he'd focused in on me so much
at the start of the semester.

Maybe
things change when your student realizes you're some big bad Corpse
King.

Truthfully,
I was grateful he wasn't bothering me. When I didn't let my paranoia
dwell on the twaelin, the ones in my god damn class room or the ones
just outside my reach, my life felt normal again.

That
was more than fine, really.

Something
small bounced off my shoulder, landing on the desk in front of me.
Startled, I sat up and eyed the crumpled wad of paper that had ended
my wandering thoughts.

Glancing
around, I found the perpetrator easily. Ethlyn was looking my way
pointedly, making it quite obvious he'd thrown the paper. He stared
at me, looking from my face to the wrinkled object. It was almost
comical.

I
debated brushing it off my desk, but I was too curious. Pulling it
close, I unfolded the ball—did he really need to make it so
tight?—and stared at the writing on it.

He
wants me to talk with him after class.
Ethlyn had been avoiding me for some time, though I didn't have a
clue as to why. With the way he'd been hovering around originally,
his change in behavior was weird.

Gale,
the day after the festival, had told me she thought 'Ethan' was
acting strange. I'd played dumb, though I didn't know if I was so
convincing. I was relieved to see them not attached at the hip, even
if Gale didn't seem ready to let him go yet.

I
had asked her, if he was being so distant, why didn't she just end
the whole thing and move on to someone else?

The
look she'd given me, it tugged at me a bit. Her answer was even
worse.

'If
you love someone, if you're meant to be together, something like
time doesn't matter. I can wait for him.'

Frowning,
I crumpled the note back up, flicked it off my desk. Ethlyn's look
of distress soon smoothed into relief when I glanced at him, my nod
tiny and quick.

I
would talk to him, if just to see what he wanted.

Better
to know now than later.

****

When
English ended, I gathered my backpack, heading down the long hall.
Without glancing back, I knew the twaelin would be following me.

I
wasn't sure where we should go to talk. A break from alleys or loud
clubs seemed key, but the world outside was too chilly to just stand
around in.

He'll
tail me wherever I go, so... let's just head to the food court.
Should be quiet enough there for us to sit out of the way, I really
don't need people listening in and thinking we're both insane.

When
I reached the building, I shot a glance back as I opened the door.
There, some distance behind me with his hands shoved in his peacoat
pockets, was Ethlyn.

Moving
into the warm air of the cafeteria, I was surprised to see it busier
than I'd expected.
Everyone
hiding out from the cold today, I guess.
Spotting
a small table way in the back, I made a beeline for it.

Hanging
my bag on the back of the chair, I settled in, waiting for my cohort
to join me.

Ethlyn
slid into the building, looking around until I was sure he saw me.
But, instead of coming my way, the tall man went and got into the
cafeteria line.

What
the hell is he doing now?

Dressed
in that jacket that accentuated his broad shoulders, Ethlyn was
drawing a few eyes as he towered over the other students.

With
my recent infatuation—could I call it that?—with
Nethiun, I'd forgotten how attractive the golden-eyed fellow was.
Lucky me, to have the girls standing around ogling him as a
reminder.

Slinking
down into my seat, I endured what felt like the attention of ever
person in the room as Ethlyn headed my way.

Distracted
in my embarrassment, I was surprised when he set down two cups of
hot cocoa on the table between us.

“
What's
this?” I asked.

“
I
owe you a drink.” His gruffness confused me, so did how he
seemed to have trouble looking me in the eye.

Unsure
what was going on, but never one to turn down free food, I sipped
the hot drink. “Well, thank you. I appreciate it, actually.
Some sugar is just what I need right now.” I flashed him a
smile, which he tentatively returned.