Lark, page 17
“I'll be staying with Mr. Intensity...distant cousin or some nonsense.”
“Wait. You are actually going to be living under the same roof as Greyson?”
“Yep,” he nods unethusiastically.
“But you guys hate each other!”
This could be really interesting, in a really disastrous sort of way.
“What makes you think that?” he asks, propping himself up on an elbow. I arch an eyebrow at him, and he suddenly remembers their little display of macho-ness from a few days ago. “On the contrary, that was just some good old fashioned male bonding, that's all.”
“That's what you are going with? Male bonding? It looked more like, what does Paul call it? A pissing contest?”
He shrugs like it's no big deal and lies back down with his hands resting behind his head.
“Okay…” I get up off of the chair and casually wander over to where my half-packed suitcase still lies at the foot of the massive bed. I try to convince myself that I really do need to finish packing, and that my location has nothing to do with feeling a need to be closer to the coppery haired boy still lolling on my bed. He’s lying so still and quiet that for a moment I think he might have fallen asleep again.
“Things are different now.” He startles me when he suddenly starts talking again. “We have a common goal. Well, I guess we’ve always had the same goal, haven't we?” He opens his eyes and looks at me with a penetrating gaze that causes my stomach to flip and my breath to hitch in my chest. Just before I start to hyperventilate, his expression lightens. He sits up and stretches loudly before hopping up off the bed.
“I'm going to raid the kitchen for something to eat, want something?”
“No, no, thanks,” I stammer.
“Okay, I'll be back to say good night later.” He surprises me by leaning down and kissing me sweetly on the forehead before heading out the door.
I sit down on my bed to rest for a moment. I wouldn't admit it to anyone of course, but I’m still a little weak. I notice the Cressey book is still on my night stand. I really do need to read that book, especially now. I pick it up to put in my suitcase when I hear a light tap on my door. There is no doubt in my mind who is waiting on the other side of that door. My heart starts pounding as I get up to answer it.
“Hello,” Grey greets me formally. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure,” I say as I let him in.
He immediately walks over to the window that opens up to the balcony.
“What's up?” I ask. When he doesn't say anything I continue, “I haven't really seen you in a few days.”
“Would you take a walk with me?”
“Um....Sure?”
He leads me silently down to the garden labyrinth with my favorite yellow roses. I lean over and smell the sweet, fragrant petals. This is where he first told me about the prophecy. It's just after twilight, so it's even darker than before, but I’m not frightened here. I’m confident that I’m completely safe in Álfheimr. We stop walking once we reach the same little clearing he showed me last week. Was it really only a week ago? It seems like forever since then. He leads me over to the little bench in the center, but instead of sitting down next to me he walks a few more steps and stands with his back to me.
He doesn't say anything at first, but when he turns around to face me his eyes are warm and intense with longing. He closes the distance between the two of us before I even have time to think about what he is doing. He reaches for both of my hands and pulls me up to him.
He kisses me.
Soft and slow at first, as though testing the waters, but soon his hands grip me around my waist, pulling me closer to him. All at once, every single emotion that I’ve ever felt for him, everything that I have tried so hard to deny ever since he declared we could only be friends, everything comes rushing back to me and I kiss him back. My heart is racing as I press myself further into his embrace causing him to moan and pull me even closer in response. How many times did I imagine kissing this boy? Now that it’s finally happening, I discover that the real thing is so far beyond anything I have ever imagined. He pulls back slightly, resting his forehead gently against my own.
“I wish you could stay here with me,” his velvet voice whispers in my ear.
“For the night?” I ask him, feeling excited although a little scandalous.
“For always.”
“What do you mean?” I ask him, honestly curious now.
“What do you think I mean? I would have thought it to be quite obvious?” He gives me a smaller version of my favorite crooked smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes.
“But I thought…” I cut myself off, because despite his claims of a purely platonic relationship between the two of us, I have always felt like we were more. And apparently, I really wasn't the only one after all.
“Yes, as difficult as this is for both of us, we have to remain friends and nothing more. It is the right thing to do. I desperately want you to know me...the way I know you. I know everything about you, Mia. I watched you grow up, I’ve witnessed every milestone you’ve ever accomplished and every fear and obstacle you have conquered. I wish we could be more, you have no idea how badly I wish it was possible. But nothing can ever change between us. We can't be together. The logistics of it, well, they just don't make sense. If Alberico...if anybody ever found out...”
He turns away from me then and I am left staring at his back, more frustrated than ever. What the hell? One minute he is kissing me and telling me he wants to be with me and the next he is saying we shouldn't be together.
“I can't seem to think about anyone or anything else.” His indigo eyes are so sad. All I want to do is put my arms around him, bury my face in his chest and inhale his apple and sandalwood scent. But I keep my distance, because a part of me knows that I need to protect my own heart. That this won't end well.
“I should get you back to the castle before someone notices you are gone,” he says quietly.
“Wait a minute! What was the point of all this? Why would you bring me all the way out here and kiss me, knowing what that would mean to me, and then break my heart all over again by telling me, once again, that we will never be together? What the hell, Greyson?” I don't think I have ever been this angry at anyone in my entire life.
“I don't know. I had no intention of ever letting this happen. Do you know how many times I have wanted to kiss you? How many times I almost have? But we can't, Mia. It can't happen again. I thought I had finally come to terms with that. I knew I screwed up after they took you. If I hadn't been so personally involved, I never would have let you leave Álfheimr and you never would have been in any danger. Don't you see? I can't do my job if I love you.”
“Let me leave? You are not the boss of me!” I realize as the words leave my mouth how childish they sound, but it's too late to take them back now. I also realize that he just told me he loves me, but it wasn't nearly as romantic or wonderful as I thought it would be the first time a boy said those words to me. In fact, it's downright disappointing in this context.
“No, but your father is the boss of me. How do you think he would react if he finds out that the reason I failed to do my job, failed to keep you safe, is because I can't think straight when I am around you? Because when I am around you all I want to do is kiss you?”
“I don't know,” I stutter. “But that doesn't give you the right to yo-yo me around. Hot one minute, cold the next. It's exhausting! I can't keep up! And I’m tired of trying!”
“I told you. I had every intention of never letting whatever we have going on here progress any further than innocent friendship. I don't know what I was thinking, bringing you out here, kissing you. I never meant for any of it to happen.” He pauses for just a moment, then he continues, “No, that's not true. I knew exactly what I was doing, but that doesn't justify my actions. I wanted to. I had to kiss you at least once before he swept you off your feet and I lost the chance.”
“What are you talking about?” I blush because I have a hunch as to who the 'he' is that Grey is referring to.
“Don't act coy. I've been watching you two together.”
“Don't you think that is a little creepy?” I say without conviction.
“You can't deny it. You two share a connection,” he says somberly. “You're the same.”
I don't want to talk to him anymore. I didn’t know it was possible to feel this many emotions at once. My mind is spinning in confusion, and all I want to do is go to bed.
“I'm not talking about this with you anymore. You've made yourself abundantly clear. Good night!” I say with a huff. I turn on my heel to make a dramatic exit only to trip and nearly fall on my face before a strong, capable hand catches me.
Perfect.
“It's my job to make sure you are safe.” His voice, so warm and caring just moments ago, has already become cold and distant as he transforms back into protector mode and starts to lead me back through the labyrinth.
“Don't bother.”
I pull away from him and take off running through the night.
Somehow I make it back to my room without running into anyone or falling on my face. Both good things. I decide to take a hot shower, hoping it will calm me down. I dig out my favorite comfy jammies with the smiley faces on them. I had already packed them up thinking that I would just wear one of the fancy silk sets in my closet until I left. But after everything that has happened tonight, I need this small comfort.
I've just gotten comfortable in bed when I hear a knock at my door. Go away. Maybe if they think I’m asleep they will leave me alone.
Knock, knock, knock.
Apparently not so much. I hear the door open, but instead of getting up I bury myself further underneath the big, downy blanket.
“Hey, Lark? You awake?” Jacoby whispers.
“Obviously if I was awake I would have answered the door,” I say sarcastically from underneath my covers. I feel the bed shift as he sits down beside me.
“I came to say good night. What's wrong?” he asks me, and I remember that while the blankets may hide my red rimmed eyes, he can undoubtedly see my telling aura.
“What color am I right now?” I ask. He laughs as he pulls down my blanket.
“A dark blue,” he smiles sadly. “Now are you going to tell me what's going on?”
I respond by pulling the blanket back up over my head.
“What color is my aura usually?”
“Turquoise with beams of green and gold.”
His abilities are so much more defined than mine. It makes me jealous. I need to start practicing as soon as possible. Will I be able to see auras too? It would probably also come in handy to be able to inflict pain on someone from inside their own mind. I can think of one evil bastard I'd like to cause severe pain to...
“Quit stalling. I know something is wrong.” He brushes his fingers along my jawline and the electric jolt caused by his touch snaps me out of my vengeance fantasy. I’m a bit embarrassed by how violent my thoughts are.
I pull down the covers to apologize for being so rude and I'm startled by how close his face is to my own. Staring into Jacoby's green eyes, I feel compelled to confide in him. I sit up so he knows that I plan on talking, even if it takes me a minute.
“When did you first discover your magic?” I ask. I realize that he is probably the only person in the world who can shed some light on the subject of Half-bloods. Everyone else I have met so far has been an elf and their lack of knowledge of Half-bloods has been extremely disappointing.
And I want to avoid the inevitable conversation about why I’m so upset for a little longer.
“A few years ago, I was seventeen or eighteen, I think?” He seems confused by my question. “Why do you ask?”
“I was just curious. Apparently Half-bloods are so uncommon that Alberico and Grey haven't been able to give me much information about what to expect.”
“Well, it's a good thing you met me then, huh?” he says, winking at me. My heart flutters in response.
I tell him what I have learned about the prophecy. That not only will I most likely break the curse, effectively unleashing the foulest creatures in the world back upon the Earth, but there is also a possibility that I might die. Surely that would be enough to upset any girl. And I hope he thinks it’s enough, because I can't bring myself to tell him about what happened in the labyrinth with Grey.
“Seriously? And perish but for the Grace of the Lark?” he repeats with a grin. “Lark? Seriously? Man, I am better at picking nicknames than I thought.”
“Did you know of the prophecy before? Is that why you call me that?”
“No, of course not! Why would you think that?”
“You swear?” It’s time like this I wish I could see auras too because then I would know whether he was telling me the truth.
“I swear to Sόl that I’ve never heard the prophecy in its entirety before now. Dugan only gave us limited information,” he promises sincerely and then with a smirk he adds, “I’m just that good at picking nicknames. It must be fate.” He winks and grins broadly like he is exceptionally proud of himself.
I glare at him, apparently unconvincingly because he just laughs at me.
“I wonder if that means there is a way to avoid your untimely death?” he thinks out loud while pacing around my bedroom. I'm barely able to keep my eyes open but something about that catches my attention.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it says they will bring Light to the Dark. Only to perish but for the Grace of the Lark. Maybe it means that you...” He falters as I give him the evil eye again. “I mean, maybe it means that whomever the prophecy is referring to, needs someone else to help them. To save them. Maybe this isn't a bad prophecy at all.”
Although I think he is being overly optimistic, it still gives me hope. Maybe I'm not a lost cause after all.
“But I'm tired of always having to be saved,” I yawn loudly. “Just once, I want to do the saving. Maybe there is another Half-blood child out there that Alberico doesn’t know about?”
“I wouldn’t count on it.”
“You never know, those Light Elves have been known to be quite promiscuous. I’ve had the displeasure of being told all the sordid tales. It was all part of my ‘training’.” I emphasize the word training with finger quotations. “All the kings had mistresses and stuff. It was pretty messed up. For all I know, I could have twenty other siblings out there.”
“Alberico doesn’t strike me as the type.”
“No,” I yawn again and close my heavy eyelids. “Probably not.”
Jacoby stays way later than is proper, but nobody ever comes to enforce a curfew. He hums Maddie's lullaby for me softly until I can no longer keep my eyes open. Before he leaves, he tucks me in, kisses me gently on my forehead, and whispers, “Good night, my Lark.”
Chapter 18
The sun streaming in through my window awakens me the next morning. I always like waking up to the sun. It’s far more preferable than the sharp beeping of an alarm clock. I allow myself to lie in peace and enjoy the comfortable, honeysuckle and cinnamon scented bed for a few more minutes before I get up and start getting my things together to go back home today. I am looking forward to seeing Maddie, my Mom and Paul, and Hannah, but I am a little worried that they will be able to see a change in me. Alberico told me I can't tell them anything about Álfheimr. I wonder how I’m going to blend the normality of my old life with everything I now know?
Alberico is busy with his council planning various offensive and defensive strategies so I don't get to see him for breakfast. Though I’m supposed to eat lunch with him before I go back home, but my morning is free from any other obligations. I choose to spend it roaming aimlessly around the castle grounds enjoying the sunshine. About an hour before lunch, I make my way back up to my room for a quick nap. My strength still isn't one hundred percent, but it’s much improved.
I am just about to fall asleep when I hear a knock at my door. No one is there when I groggily open the door, but a small silver tray sits on the floor right outside my room. It holds a box of chocolate dipped chocolate chip granola bars and a note with a single word written in elegant handwriting that I would recognize anywhere:
Sorry.
“Still not forgiven,” I mutter under my breath, but I take a bite of the familiar chocolatey goodness anyway. I can't believe he would remember something so simple. It is a sweet gesture, but I am not sure what it means. My head is spinning as I overanalyze Grey's actions, so a nap is definitely out of the question now. I figure I might as well get dressed for lunch. I check out my massive closet for a dress that I haven't had a chance to wear yet. Which isn't hard to do since there are easily more than a hundred different varieties and colors. It comes down to a toss-up between a pretty green one adorned with silky ribbons or a silver empire waist number. The latter is stunning, but I go with the first one since it brings out the green in my hazel eyes.
After I’m dressed, I open my balcony windows to soak up the sun and enjoy the fresh floral scent from the gardens. It's like I can't get enough of the fresh air. It really is beautiful here. If I didn't have Maddie and my mom, I would probably want to stay here forever.
“Hey, Lark.”
I jump at the voice that has snuck up behind me. Jacoby laughs as I try to calm my racing heart.
“Don't sneak up on a girl like that!” I gasp.
“It isn't my fault that you are completely unobservant. I knocked three times.”
“Sorry, I was out here enjoying the sunshine. It's still going to be freezing in Kansas.” The thought alone makes me shiver. I am not looking forward to it. I idly wonder if I will catch a cold jumping back and forth between the pleasant weather here and the wintery mix back home.
“You ready for lunch?” Jacoby asks. “Or did you fill up on...What the hell are these?” He picks up my now empty box of bad-for-me granola bars in disgust.
“Chocolate-dipped chocolate chip granola bars. They’re sorta addicting.”
“You ate the whole box for breakfast?”
