during the council meeting.”
She nodded while running her finger along the delicate designs of the box.
“You have to say it.”
Frowning, she glanced at him. “Say what?”
“That you promise.”
“Oh,” she chuckled lightly.
He’d never heard her do that before. The quality of her laughter was musical, like wind chimes. He couldn’t imagine coming across an emotional barrage like she had had over the last few weeks, the breaking down of years of training.
“I promise,” she said, bringing the music box closer to her face. The figures reflected in the blue of her eyes.
He interlocked her hand with his and pulled it close to his chest. Funny how she made him feel whole, just from being with him.
“They are looking for you.”
Clouds obscured the brightness, and her face blanked. “I do not understand.”
“While we were out to get the supplies, we slept in an old barn. They came in.”
What little pink was in her face drained.
“It’s fine. They looked around and left, none the wiser. We came back here safely. I promise no one tracked us.”
She snatched her hand back. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“I have to go. I am endangering you all.” She handed the box back and moved toward the curtain.
“You’re breaking your promise.”
Her head snapped around. “What?”
“You promised me we would talk about it tomorrow, during the meeting. Not now.”
“That was before—”
He placed his finger on her mouth. “No.” He pulled her back toward him and circled his arms around her. There was no way he was letting her go. “Just stay with me.”
“If I turn myself in, they will be none the wiser. The community will be safe.”
“Tomorrow, please.”
Without another word, she settled into him, her head resting on his chest. He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling her scent. Her mind reeled; he didn’t have to have psychic abilities to sense that. Her tense shoulders and the stiffness of her back told the story.
He kept hold of her, humming
As time ticked away, comfortable with her in his arms, he said his goodbyes to Jordan, promising to remember everything he’d taught him, all he had said, and promising that, no matter what, the community would survive.
28
Ellyssa rested against Rein’s chest as it rose and fell rhythmically in sleep. Sounds of padding footsteps moved quietly down the tunnel. It amazed her how well the community worked together, showing respect through tiny acts of kindness like that.
Rein would have to wake soon, although she didn’t want this time to end. She’d enjoyed spending the night in his arms. Also, he had obviously needed the extra sleep. He’d spent most of the night awake and, every once in a while, his shoulders would shudder as he let loose his grief. She’d stayed silent and let him mourn the loss of his loved one.
When he finally did fall asleep, his shoulders slumped and his head tilted to the side. His nose nudged the back of her neck, and his soft breaths sent pleasant chills across her skin.
She should’ve left when his breaths deepened, signaling sleep. She could easily have unwound herself from his grasp and slipped away in the darkness. But she didn’t want to. Her feelings for him ran too deep.
It was selfish of her to endanger the other inhabitants all because of her weakness in wanting family, of wanting Rein. Of wanting more than she’d had at The Center. She had no desire to lose all she had obtained in a few short weeks.
The conflict pushing and pulling inside Ellyssa kept her undecided. She fully understood why emotions were forbidden at The Center, how they left people weak, conflicted. She debated, overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught, as if a floodgate had been smashed, and the treacherous feelings gushed like water, rushing through her and washing away everything she had been trained to do, what she had been raised to be.
She’d have to be careful as she experienced this new life. She must tread lightly. Think clearly. Surely, it was possible. After all, these people didn’t wander around emotional wrecks. All her life, she’d learned to suppress emotions, to mask them. If she was going to openly experience sensations, she was going to have to maintain her composure and do what was right.
She pulled herself forward and twisted around to look at Rein. His tired lids opened, exposing a magnificent green. He smiled, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Good morning,” he whispered, pulling her back to him.
She didn’t struggle, but let his warmth engulf her. She wanted desperately to stay like this, but they couldn’t. She had to convince him to let her go, and lead those hunting her away from his community.
“The council will be meeting soon,” she said.
“I know.”
He nuzzled behind her ear and, for a moment, everything was forgotten. Desire flamed in her midsection, coursing to her nether regions. She bolted upright, hand flying to her mouth.
“What?” he said, concern lengthening his face.
She twisted around, her back toward the entrance. Eyes wide, her heart thrumming an ecstatic beat against her chest, she peered at him. She waited for a moment, gauging his reaction, while the alien craving dulled to a low flame, and the pounding in her chest quieted.
“Nothing,” she said into her palm.
He reached over and pulled her hand away. Electricity coursed through her from his touch.
“Did I do something wrong?”
She shook her head. “No. We should…” She grabbed the music box and handed it to him, hoping to distract him. “Um…we should go to the meeting. I am sure it has started.”
He set the box down and scooted closer to her. “Ellyssa?” he said, his voice pleading. “What’s wrong?” He brushed a piece of hair back behind her ear. Warmth trailed behind his finger.
She inhaled, her heart pounding. Releasing the pent-up air, she stared at him, taking in the golden bursts around his pupils.
“You have to understand. This,” she motioned between them, “is new to me. The feelings I am receiving from your touch are…beyond my ability.”
Unable to form the correct words to describe the experience, she stopped and looked down. She felt his eyes on her, raking over her. Judging her? She wanted to leap into his head, to know what he was thinking.
He reached over and lifted her chin, and when her eyes met his, she realized she didn’t need to read his mind. His expression said everything. None of it was judgmental. His eyes held caring, understanding, and something more…desire?…need?…love? It was all so foreign, especially having grown up with nothing but hatred and anger available to her.
“It’s new to me, too,” he said. “Although different, you aren’t experiencing this alone.”
She gazed at him for a long while, chewing on her bottom lip, wondering how his lips would feel upon hers. How he tasted. Never had she wanted to know what a kiss felt like, how to initiate such a thing.
