Grounded (Grounded #1) (13 page)

I pointed at the far wall. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and nothing happened. Aric came in, shirtless after the heat in the foyer, and when he stood beside me, I put a hand on his chest, then let it fall lightly toward his waistband.

A shock of energy, big enough that it blew the hair off my shoulders, hit the chair, completely destroying it. Smoke smoldered and flames rose. The sprinklers rained water down to put the fire out, a little precaution my dad put in throughout the house when I was a kid. Jensen wasn’t the only one to mistakenly set something on fire. Not that all Gremalians could set fire to things without something extremely powerful like direct lightning but, somehow, Jensen did it with just the natural static in the room.

“Okay, you’ve got it,” I said, getting pelted with water. “Now you know what you have to think about until it becomes second nature.”

“Great. I get to torture myself.”

His face fell. I have to admit, I kind of liked him being jealous. Before I officially became Jensen’s girlfriend, we were all calm and grown-up about our situation. Maybe, back then, that was an act and he’d always hated every minute I spent with Aric. Now I was certain he’d been jealous and was still jealous.

“Sorry.” I giggled. “Whatever it takes.”

Aric put two and two together and figured out why I’d touched him in such an intimate way, though he didn’t look mad.

“How did he do that?” he asked.

“What?” I looked up at him once the downpour ended. I tried to squeeze as much water out of my hair as I could.

“Set that thing on fire using just the energy in the room?” Aric pointed to the chair.

“Are you sure there wasn’t lightning in the area? It doesn’t have to be that close.” Playing dumb rarely works for me and yet I still tried.

“Yeah, Alyssum,” he said.

“Great.” I sighed. “Hey, you’ve never told us specifically what you Gobel can do. I can’t believe I’ve let it slide this long.”

He scratched the back of his head in a way that told me he didn’t really want to say. “We, uh, have some control over plants. Along with a few other parlor tricks. Nothing impressive.”

“Plants?” Jensen asked.

“Yeah, plants,” Aric confirmed.

I ran to the back yard, yanked down a hanging basket, and brought it back inside of the garage with me.

“Here.” I sat it down in front of Aric.

He sighed, rolled his eyes, and waved his hand at the basket. I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes. The flowers, wilted and on their deathbed from the oppressive heat we’d been having, bloomed and sprung to life in beautiful tints of purple and white. They kept sprouting until a small jungle of greens surrounded us. He dropped his hand.

“Impressive.” I couldn’t look away; I don’t think I could even blink. “So, why do your people want the copper?”

“That’s the thing. I didn’t know until I talked to Kale. Mostly because I didn’t pay attention to Gobel/Gremalian relations until recently, when tensions started to build again. It seems the copper allows us to heal too. Kale wasn’t sure if it does anything else, like boost our power. I know copper can do that for Gremalians if they have enough of it.”

“I get that you’re saying copper helps Gobel and Gremalians heal, but why does copper do that? I mean, you’d think supernatural creatures would heal on their own,” Jensen said.

”That’d be nice.” Aric chuckled. “But no, apparently it’s the copper that makes us heal quickly and The Gobel Council feels you guys have hogged it for too long.”

***

All Dad would tell me about the situation in the front room was that it was handled and Aric would stay while the rest of his family left. Aric assured me that the family members who offered to support us still would. After thinking it over, I didn’t see the big deal about allowing the Gobel access to the mines or about just giving them some of the copper. If using one of those options would stop a war and keep Jensen out of the thick of it, then maybe coming to an agreement should become my mission. I didn’t know how I’d do that, but I still thought a compromise was an excellent idea.

In the beginning, when I first went to see if Jensen was still alive, I had no qualms about thrusting him into danger if it meant putting an end to the many years of turmoil between the two sides. I thought ending the turmoil meant exerting our power and showing dominance by winning the war, but now I cared about him and didn’t want to use him in that way, especially since he was only in Delaware because I’d asked him to come.

Most days, I left Aric to train with Jensen. It gave me time to work on Dad or figure out another way to give away some of the copper. Finally, after a week of discussions, I decided it was time for a day off.

Chapter Eighteen

Dahlia had been hanging all over Aric since we had our little ‘talk’ in his room. I could guess what he’d be doing with his time. I had other plans for Jensen. Dahlia and I only had a couple of ‘girl nights,’ where she’d come to my room and we’d stay up late, catching up. I’d already made it clear that it was a hands-off policy when it came to Jensen and when she asked about Aric, I hesitated. I didn’t know why; I had no claim on him, but the thought of Dahlia, who’d already gone through her fair share of Gremalian guys, and Aric made me nervous. Still, I did what any good friend would do and said have at it.

Dahlia asked a million questions about my time in New York and I tried to give her as much detail as I could except where Aric was concerned. That I left out. No need for her to know that I could have climbed that mountain first.

Jensen and I hadn’t been out on a date since before we got home. It was time to stop worrying about everything. The weather was warm and beautiful, a perfect day in Michigan. I told him to dress comfortably; we were leaving before lunch.

I drove the fifteen miles out of town, only stopping after we hit the Bête Gris Preserve. We’d walk from there. I pulled a picnic basket out of the trunk, which Jensen took from me right away, and we strolled, hand in hand, until we reached the water. A small canoe, pulled up on the shore for us to use, made crossing the water a snap.

I hadn’t been absolutely sure that the canoe would still be there, but it was. He wouldn’t even let me row. I’d done it a million times, alone even, although the way his muscles strained with the work was enjoyable to watch. Every time I offered to help, he’d brush me off. We made it to the other side just after the sun crossed its midpoint in the sky.

I kicked my shoes and socks off to dip my toes in the cool water. It felt good. Our lakes remain pretty cold, even in the intense summer heat, so sometimes it was too cold to go in, but getting my feet wet was just enough relief from the sun.

“This is the Bête Gris Lighthouse. Your dad bought it for us a while back. We use it to light the way once in a while. I like it because no one ever comes here. It’s quiet.”

“It’s beautiful,” he mumbled from behind.

He let the info about his dad go without asking questions, which was surprising. I expected he’d want to push me for more information as much as I wanted to, and often did, push my mom for more info. I lifted my eyes to him. He wasn’t looking at the lighthouse.

“Hungry?” I asked. He nodded. “I thought you would be since you did all the rowing to get here and carried the food I packed and basically let me do nothing.”

I laid out the oversized blanket from the basket, then set out lunch. I tried to bring everything: sandwiches, chips, drinks, anything we might need, yet things I could manage. We sat on the banks of an inlet that led to Lake Superior, the clearest water I’ve ever seen. It was quiet except for the rush of waves and our voices. Isolated, we got to spend time together in a way we hadn’t since leaving Putnam Valley.

We talked a little about Gremalian history and the progress Jensen had made since arriving in Michigan. He told me that he’d talked to his parents and everything was the same back home. His mom pushed to get a return date. When he didn’t give her one, she apparently threatened him, saying that he better not come back married.

That made me laugh. She’d warmed up to me a little, but even if she hadn’t, her son’s wedding was something she’d want to be at. We weren’t even close to getting married, so I didn’t know why she was concerned about that. Mother’s fear, I guess.

Sometimes I got the impression he wanted to ask about his other parents, the people who actually created him. It was like the words were forming in his head and never made it to his mouth.

“I don’t know much about them,” I said. Clearly, he knew who I was talking about. “Since they died before I was born.” I paused. “My dad knows everything, though.”

His head whipped around. “What do you mean?”             

“Our dads grew up together. He’s never said much to me. I think it makes him too sad.” We’d finished eating long enough ago that I had no idea what time it was. “He’d answer any of your questions.”

“I feel kind of selfish, you know?” I shook my head for him to explain. “Wanting to know anything. I have great parents; I didn’t have a bad childhood, but here I am, wanting to know about people I’ve never met just because they’re part of me somehow.”

“I think that’s natural. I’d want to know. Hell, I grew up with my parents and still have questions.” That made him laugh. “Wanna see inside?”

We hopped onto our feet, packed the basket back up and headed inside the keeper’s house. I expected it to be dirtier. I hadn’t been inside in years. While the air was a little stagnant, even that cleared with the breeze we let in through the door.

We wandered around and headed upstairs to the loft area. The view was spectacular from up there. We could see far out onto the water and, with the sun beginning its descent, we safely had about an hour before we really had to head back. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. I noticed a slight glow from the old lights that hadn’t worked in decades.

“Hey,” I turned around, “did you do that?” He nodded. “Impressive.”

“Yeah, that would have been really handy in high school.” I laughed into his chest. “You would have been handy to have around in about tenth grade.”

“No, I wouldn’t have.” I squeezed tighter.

“Why not?”

I pushed my shoulders back so he could see my smirk. “I was in middle school.”

Shock crossed his face. He often forgot about the small age difference. “Right. That wouldn’t have been great. I’d have ended up in jail or something.”

His kisses were gentle at first, then grew deeper and more intense before moving down to my collarbone. My hands went up his shirt, feeling the muscles jump under my touch. With experienced fingers, he undid the two buttons holding my light blue shirt together, then pulled it off and lifted the orange tank top over my head. I knew where this could go, but I didn’t want to stop and talk about it first. I just wanted to let whatever happened, happen.

He scooped me up into his arms and held the back of my head to keep me right where I wanted it to be, kissing him softly. He returned me to Earth and pulled his own shirt off. My hands caressed his chest slowly. I felt his heart beat, almost as fast as mine, against my skin. He only left me for a quick second to spread the blanket out for us to lie down on.

Once we were situated, his fingers brushed the hair from my face. His lips found all the right places. It felt like they were burning into my skin. His hand went down the length of my body until he found the bend of my knee, which he hooked over his hip.

I closed my eyes and let him bring our bodies closer together. We’d only taken our shirts off, but everything we were doing was sensual and intimate. Neither of us made any move to remove more clothing. This wasn’t about getting completely naked with each other. This was about taking a small step toward getting completely naked with each other.

Time seemed to stand still. In reality, time continued, and when I finally forced my eyes open for the quickest second, I saw that the sun was beginning to set. I didn’t want to stop what we were doing, but I knew I didn’t have a choice. I wanted to stay there forever, the place where no one else existed. I could think of worse things than having to spend the night there, with him, but I don’t think my dad would agree with that sentiment.

“We have to go,” I said. My lips were slightly swollen from all the kissing. Those words didn’t come naturally after going so long without talking.

“Have to?” He squeezed me even tighter.

“If we don’t, it’ll be too dark and we’ll be stuck here.”

He groaned, keeping his eyes closed. “I know.”

I hopped up to put my shirt back on. We’d gotten far enough to be half naked, yet not far enough to satisfy our needs. “Don’t be a baby.”

“I’d really rather just stay here with you.” His eyes focused on me, full of need. I could tell he meant every word he said.

“Me too, but they’ll send out search parties and probably think the Gobel had something to do with us being missing.” I looked down at his bare chest, mentally convincing myself we really did need to go. “We are pretty important, you know.”

“I love you, Alyssum.” There it was. He said it just like that. No build-up, no hesitation, just firm and confident.

I’d thought those words many times, allowing them to sit on my lips until I felt too ridiculous to say them out loud.

“I love you, too,” I replied. I lay back down beside him. His lips found mine again in a way that got me so distracted I had to push myself away from him again. Sometimes it sucks doing what you
have
to instead of what you
want
to.

We were slow getting home. Clearly, he wasn’t trying too hard. He rowed slower than a snail moves and watched me, smiling until my stomach went crazy with butterflies and I had to look away. Funny thing, though; we didn’t talk much, as if our glances said everything. Even in the car, which he drove home, we held hands. I did my best to get as close as I could by laying my head on his shoulder. It was perfect.

He rolled the ends of my hair between his finger and thumb as we stood outside the house. It was just past dark. Our goodnight had to happen outside; otherwise we’d risk being seen, not that we cared. People knew we were together. Still, I preferred that particular moment to be private.

Our lips met, a gentle coming together of earlier declarations, then he pulled back to see my face, leaving me again wanting more. I was never ready for his mouth to leave mine or prepared for the way he turned me to complete mush with just a touch.

“I don’t want to go in,” I whispered, standing on my toes with goose bumps covering my body, and not the kind Gobels give me.

“Me either. I’d rather stay with you.”

I smiled up at him. “I wish.”

After another few more stolen moments, we went in and up the stairs. I paused outside my door to watch him continue down the hall, then went inside. I felt his absence right away. The room became too big and empty. I decided to push ahead, tossing some pajamas on the bed, and as I started to unbutton my shirt, the door swung open, then shut quietly. Jensen stood just inside.

I ran and jumped on him, wrapping my legs around his waist and arms around his neck, squeezing tight with both. He walked me over and we fell on the bed, kissing again. The only thing that could, and did, bring us out of our perfect night was the loud banging on my door. We were both already gasping for air.

“Yes,” I called out, trying not to sound breathless. I hoped whoever it was didn’t come in without being invited. That could be uncomfortable.

“Alyssum,” my father called out, “please ask Jensen to meet me in my office.” Our eyes found each other’s. We listened until the dull thud of his footsteps was gone.

“He saw you come in here?” I whispered even though I knew my dad was long gone. Jensen shook his head.

“There was no one around. I made sure.” He pushed off to lie next to me and stare at the ceiling. “What does he want?”

“I don’t know. I’ll go with you.”

“I think he wants me alone. Does he own any guns?” He cracked that half grin that I’d come to adore.

“He doesn’t need one.” I wasn’t being funny or flippant either. If my dad wanted someone gone, he could make it happen without traditional weapons, though there were firearms in the compound. I didn’t want Jensen to know that.

“I just wonder if it’s gremlin stuff or you stuff.”

Sitting up, I looked at him seriously. “Do not say gremlin to my dad. You’ve got to stop calling us that.”

With a quick kiss to my forehead, Jensen got up and headed for the door.

“Do you want me to walk you?” I asked. I wanted to give us a few more minutes together.

“I’ve been here long enough to find it.”

“Come back when you’re done.” I hope I sounded normal. He nodded before leaving me in my room, alone again. The boy I loved was off to a private meeting with my father. I’m sure nothing could go wrong.