Under the Winter Sun (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 3) (31 page)

“How did you know who was telling the truth?”

“After researching I realized it was Corbin who killed my family and my Aureole. I hadn’t joined Savina yet because I felt like I could take Corbin by myself. But then a war broke out, and Eve saw me side against them. I stayed with the Elders ever since. When Corbin was killed, or whatever, all of the Cimmerians were imprisoned at the Cruciari. I never thought Eve would’ve survived that.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” Her eyes watered. “I thought we were friends.” Did he not feel the same way that she did? She didn’t even know how she felt about Gabriel, but ‘friends’ seemed like it wasn’t enough. Her heart wouldn’t settle its frantic beating.

“I never told you because it’s not something I’m proud of or eager to share. It’s a part of my past that I’d rather forget.”

“But I share everything with you. I’m not proud of a lot of things I’ve done, but at least I tell you. I don’t hide from you, the way you obviously do with me.” She didn’t know why she was angry.

“I’m sorry, Ava. I’m trying to break myself of that habit. But you of all people know what it’s like to bare your soul and to get hurt.”

“That’s not an excuse, Gabriel. It’s me. Did you think I would abandon you? I’m sorry for believing that you were a spy, but given my paranoid state of mind—.”

“I don’t blame you, Ava. I probably would have done the same.”

“I don’t get why you close yourself off to me. I tell you everything.”

“Do you? Why were you acting so strange before the coma? Why were you in the woods with Peter?”

Her cheeks warmed. “He came to me for two nights confessing his love and told me he wanted me back. He kissed me, and I couldn’t continue with it.”

“Why?”

“The kiss meant nothing. I’m sorry.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you apologizing to me for kissing him back?”

Yes. But she kept her mouth shut.

“Why couldn’t you continue on with Peter? Because he hurt you?”

Heat pricked at her neck and she dropped her gaze. What was this magnetism toward Gabriel? Why did she feel this way toward him? He made her feel safe even when she doubted him briefly. He was always patient with her and honest. When she looked back up, they gazed into each other’s eyes. Her body tensed, and her breathing picked up. It was suddenly hot in the cave.

“I need some air.” She got to her feet and walked outside of the cave. The cold kissed her face, and it felt good. She leaned against the cave wall for support. What was wrong with her? Her heart was beating so fast.

“And here you are accusing me of hiding behind my wall,” he said.

“It was because of you.”

When she looked up, their eyes locked, and she realized what was happening. She didn’t know if she was about to cross a line, but she couldn’t keep her feelings for him hidden much longer.

“Ava.”

She exhaled. She was scared of his reaction, but there was only one way to find out. She took a step toward him and threw her arms around his neck. She crushed her mouth against his. His lips moved with hers, and all the tension she had unknowingly held onto released with her kiss. She pressed deeper, wanting him closer. She felt his hand flex at the small of her back, holding her tightly against his warm body, protectively. Her body whirred with passion. She had always felt something for Gabriel, but had always ignored it. She loved him, but it was deeper than anything she had ever known. And even though it scared her, she wasn’t going to run away. This time, she faced her fear with everything she had.

She pulled away to catch her breath. His eyes burned with desire. His lips grazed her cheek before they found their way back to hers. The urgency of his kiss made her legs wobbly. He kissed her harder, and she felt his restraint releasing itself onto her. Ava didn’t need their necklaces to know he wasn’t holding anything back, and it overwhelmed her. The sheer ecstasy of his kiss consumed her.

Gabriel pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long.”

“Please tell me it’s real.”

He took her face in his hands and tilted her head up, pinning her with his intense blue eyes. “This is real.”

“Kiss me again.”

Lust flared in his eyes and he kissed her. Their lips moved in sync, and she touched his chest, feeling his rapidly beating heart. Her back pressed against the rocky cave wall as he deepened the kiss. She let out a moan and reached behind his neck, pulling him tighter. His fingers trailed her neck to her collarbone, and her skin seared.

When the intense kiss ended, he rested his forehead against hers, their heavy breaths coming out in white clouds. She drew back a little, looking into his eyes. She raked her hands through his thick raven hair.

“I missed you so much when you were in the coma,” he whispered. “It almost killed me. I was so tempted to leave and face Havok myself. When Aaron and I went back to that deserted town, the only thing that kept me sane was you. I knew I had to get back to you.”

A rush of euphoria coursed through her. She kissed him softly. “I denied my feelings for you for so long, and even though Peter broke my heart, you healed it. You give me strength I didn’t know I had. You give me hope that we’ll survive this. I am fearless with you by my side.”

His lips claimed hers, desperate and urgent, as he squeezed her hips. His thumbs slid over the skin just above her pants and she shivered. He felt so good against her, and she didn’t want to let him go. And in that small moment, she felt safe from Havok and all the forthcoming dangers. She wanted it to last forever.

Ava’s eyes fluttered open, and focused on stalactites hanging above her with pointed ends. The soft morning light glinted on the snow outside the cave. She touched her lips, remembering the kisses she shared with Gabriel. Her heart swelled and she felt her lips widen into a smile. Sitting up, she stretched.

“Did you have any nightmares?” Natalia asked and put her book down.

“No. Where’s Gabriel?”

“They’re catching fish.”

“Oh.”

“I want to talk to you. About Gabriel.” Her hazel eyes turned serious.

Ava’s muscles tightened. “What about him?”

“I have always liked you. I never liked the high school drama, but I understand you are in high school, or were and you can’t escape it. You’re a lot more mature than when I first met you.”

“What does this have to do with Gabriel?”

“For so long, he has loved you. You were in love with Peter, quite the epic love triangle. I hated that he fell for you when you were with someone else. I hated that he fell for you, when you clearly didn’t feel the same way about him. I hated how he spent so much time with you not knowing if you’d ever return those feelings.”

“That’s why you despised me?”

“I care about Gabriel. He is like my brother, and I am very close to him. I saw what it did to him, when he found out about the Cimmerians and what he had become.”

“Do you think I’m going to hurt him?” Ava was appalled. Natalia hadn’t given her a chance and already found their kiss to be a mistake.

“When I was seventeen, I fell in love. His name was Enrique. He was smart, caring, and loving. But that love was ripped from me when he decided to go dark. I know you struggled with Gabriel being a Cimmerian, but he never gave into that lifestyle. I saw what lengths you went to for Peter. We all saw it. We all felt your overwhelming love for him.”

“Stop beating around the bush and tell me how you really feel, Natalia. Do you think I’m faking this? I’m sorry I doubted him, but my mind was compromised.”

“I worry about him, Ava. I know you aren’t faking this, but given recent discoveries, I worry you will break his heart.”

Ava’s eyes watered and her heart stilled. “You think I’m gonna do the same thing that Enrique did to you.”

When Natalia didn’t reply, Ava got her answer. So it was true that no one trusted her, except Gabriel, whom she had doubted. What a sick, twisted game Havok played. But she should’ve expected it.

“Not that I need to explain myself, I know I’ve done some terrible things and hurt a lot of you. But what I feel for Gabriel is real. I love him, Natalia.”

“You’re still grieving for Peter. What’s going to happen if that vision does come true?”

Ava hadn’t thought of that, but couldn’t she enjoy one moment of happiness for longer than a few seconds? “I don’t know. But I do know, that I’m over Peter.”

“Is that why you let him sneak into your tent both of those nights? Ava, I’m not trying to attack you, although it seems like I am. I want you to really think about this. It will crush Gabriel if you betray him. All I can suggest is if Havok torments you into forcing to join, don’t buckle under pressure.”

“Good morning,” Eric greeted them, holding up several fish on a hook. “Whoa, what are you two talking about?”

“Just having a chat.” Natalia smiled and followed him to cook the fish.

Ava hid her face in her hands. She needed fresh air. Too many thoughts spun inside her mind. They all thought she’d go rogue. Heaviness weighed in her chest. Was she supposed to end things with Gabriel because Natalia wanted her to?

She walked out of the cave and had to shield her eyes from the blinding light that reflected against the snow. She rested against the wall of the cave, and the chill air whipped through her hair. Taking deep breaths, she calmed herself. She didn’t see anyone else around and wondered where the rest were. 

She strode forward near the ledge and peered over the side. She couldn’t see the bottom of the mountain but heard the faint sounds of water crashing. Ava longed to be near the water. It could make her stronger, but there was no way down. Holding herself against a tree, she leaned over but then an arm scooped her from around the waist and pulled her back.

Her breath hitched and she opened her mouth to scream, but then locked eyes with Gabriel’s.

“Who did you think it was going to be?”

“I don’t know.” Her voice faltered. 

“You’re right. I really shouldn’t have done that. But I didn’t want you to fall.” His strong arms wrapped around her, his body warm. His hands fell to her hips, which accelerated her heart. His eyes intensely secure on hers. A warm chill shuddered under her skin as his hands made their way slowly to her shoulder and barely touched her neck.

Gabriel leaned down and kissed her. His lips left a trail of kisses along her jawline, to her neck. She squeezed his arms and had a hard time producing any coherent thoughts. Her heart pounded in her ears. 

“We should go back,” she whispered.

He froze and moved back a little. “Have I gone too far?”

She didn’t answer.

“What is it?” Hurt and hope filled his eyes. 

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

His face relaxed and he rolled his eyes. “Natalia. I figured she would somehow, someway get you alone.”

“Gabe.” She shifted uncomfortably.

“Don’t let her get you wound up. She’s overprotective. She was like this to Joss for the longest time.”

“She thinks I’m going to go dark,” Ava whispered, avoiding his gaze.

“She said that?”

“Not exactly. She told me about Enrique, and I guess that’s what she thinks I’m going to do. I don’t want to hurt anyone if I become a Cimmerian.”

“It won’t happen.”

“No one knows that. I don’t want to start anything with her. I know she’s only looking out for you.”

“It obviously hurt you.” He tipped her chin up, making her look at him. “It’s only her opinion.”

“What if it happens? Then what?”

“You went through all that mess, and here you stand. Strong as ever.”

“I’m weak. When they showed my father, I was about to give them my answer. I was going to join so that my father could live.”

“But you didn’t. We’ll kill Havok. I will make sure of that.”

“Okay, in the meantime, I need to make sure Havok can’t get inside my head.”

“You remember everything I told you, right?”

“Yes.”

“Whenever you feel like you’re about to dwell on something, stop. If you ever come face to face with him, hide your thoughts. He will try and penetrate your mind, but if you hide your thoughts he can’t read them. If he comes into your mind, give him what you want him to think. I know it sounds confusing, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.”

She nodded. “Gabriel, if I ever do become a Cimmerian, just know what’s in my heart. Natalia thinks I’m still not over Peter. I know—.”

“Ava.” He tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. “Even though we don’t have our necklaces, I can feel you.” He moved closer, his lips inches from hers. “Your kiss told me everything.”

She was eager for his kiss. “I always felt that connection with you.”

His fingers trailed along her neck and she couldn’t wait. She wrapped a hand around the nape of his neck, pulling him to her. Their lips touched, gentle at first, but then the need became too much. He pressed harder, sending a hot ache through her body.

Climbing the rest of the mountain proved to be too much for Ava, but she forced herself to continue. The ledge didn’t give much room so they had to walk single file. Gabriel walked behind her this time, patient as ever. She stumbled and fell to her knees.

“Do you want me to carry you?” he asked, helping her stand.

“It’s okay, I can walk,” she said.

“I swear if you fall off this ledge.” He sighed. “Why are you so stubborn? Why don’t you like having people do things for you?”

“Ha!” Lance barked a laugh. “Gabe, that’s a lost cause,” he said from in front of Ava.

“Because I’m supposed to pull my own weight. It’s not fair for any of you to work double because of me,” she said.

“You do realize you’re not lazy or anything. He’s weakening you. Besides, you don’t have to prove anything to me, okay? I already know you’re tough and determined.”

“Doesn’t matter. I can do it myself.” Ava contended. “Why only me? Why isn’t he trying to weaken anyone else?”

“I’ve had a few years so I’m a pretty strong Enchanter. Peter’s a Paramortal so they probably can’t read him at all, plus he regenerates, and Lance’s determination is stronger than they give him credit for.”

“Havok said Gillian, Thomas, and I have the weakest minds of the Elementals. But he hasn’t gotten to them. Just me. Does that mean I’m the weakest one?”

“You’ve had a lot of things break you. He sees your willpower as well. And he will try to break it.”

Ava twisted around to face him. “How can any of us kill him? His soul lived inside Colden for so long.”

“He hasn’t had to encounter all of you yet.”

It was true. The Elementals were the strongest, but Ava didn’t feel it.

They continued ascending the mountain, the air thinning as they climbed, making it more difficult for Ava to breathe. When they reached a level part of the mountain, she stopped again, giving her legs a rest. “If he’s taking away my strength, I won’t have anything for the battle.”

“That’s it.”

“What?”

Gabriel swiftly grabbed her, scooping her off the ground. He held her close to his hard chest while he continued walking. He seemed to lift her as if she weighed no more than a pillow. She put her arm around his neck. Their faces were inches apart, which made her blush slightly.

Before she opened her mouth, he said, “I know you can walk, but this will save your energy. So don’t even try to get upset.”

“I wasn’t going to,” she mumbled and leaned her head against his neck.

“Yeah right. You can sleep if you want.”

“I’m okay,” she said, but her eyelids drooped, and she let the fatigue take over.

They reached an archway of trees through the forest. It looked like a large tunnel. Ava halted, her body stilled, and she gasped.

Dozens of white glowing bodies, like ghostly souls, hung from the large overgrown trees or were suspended in the air, Ava couldn’t tell. A narrow path led down the middle. The wispy bodies swayed easily with the wind. A gray hue hung low over the snowy woods. Thousands of black ravens perched on the trees and called out into the night.

Ice crept up Ava’s spine.

“What is this?” Peter asked.

“Lost Souls Necropolis,” Savina said. “This is a sacred resting place for all of the Enchanters’ souls rest. Including Cimmerians.”

“My mother’s soul is here?” Ava asked. “I want to find her.”

Savina turned to face Ava with a steely look in her eyes. “Do not touch the souls. They will grab you and try to enter your body.”

She shuddered. She had no intention of being possessed again.

Gabriel took her hand and led the way down the path carefully. She held her breath as she passed by each body. Their eye sockets were hollowed out and their heads hung low like they were sleeping. None of them looked like actual people. Just thin translucent beings with extremities. There were thousands of them.