Summer of Frost (Forever Fae #3)(37)
Alston grinned and placed his arms on both sides of my body, pinning me to the bed. He leaned down to kiss me, and I allowed it willingly. His tongue entangled with mine, growing more urgent, but the way he tasted was … different. Why did I remember the taste of Summer? That’s strange, I thought. When Alston pulled away from the kiss, he said, “I wouldn’t say we’d get bored. I can think of a million things we could do together here. But to clear things up, this is my place.”
Wide-eyed, I pushed him off playfully. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a house in the mortal realm?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I wanted to surprise you with it one day. I thought it would be good for us to get away sometimes and have our own place to stay.”
“Does anyone know you have a place here?”
He shook his head. “No one other than your family when I told them. Why, do you like it?” he asked, grinning roguishly.
“I haven’t seen much of it yet, but yes I do. Even though we’re in hiding, I bet you’re happier than hell being alone with me, aren’t you?”
He laughed. “Well, I’d be lying if I said no.”
I didn’t know what it was, but something felt off with him. I couldn’t quite pinpoint it. When he noticed me studying him, he shifted nervously. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“I don’t know,” I answered. “You just seem … different. Is it weird to say that you seem glad that we’re away from home?”
His grin looked devilish when he smiled at me. “I’m not necessarily glad that we’re away from home, but I am thankful that you’re safe and with me. I have you all to myself.” He paused and kissed me quickly on the lips. “Why don’t you rest? I’ll be downstairs watching what these mortals call television, and later I’ll be up here to join you.”
Yawning, I nodded. “Sounds good to me. Wake me up if our people send word?”
“I will. Sweet dreams, baby,” he said before leaving the room. Once he was gone, I stared around the room in total confusion. My mind felt jumbled and unfocused. What the hell was wrong with me? Surely, it wasn’t the potion affecting me that badly, was it?
Resting on the pillow, it wasn’t long before I slowly drifted off into a much needed, dream-filled sleep.
The sand underneath my feet squished between my toes as I walked along the shore. The beach seemed almost familiar, like home in a way, but I knew it wasn’t. The water was warm as it lapped around my ankles and calves, guiding me to go further in its depths.
“Oh, why not,” I said to myself.
The water pulled me in, welcoming me in its embrace. Even though I knew how to swim, I could feel the water keeping me afloat. It was strange how it seemed to have a mind of its own, almost like it was protecting me. Out of everything that had happened, this was a welcome escape. If I had to be stuck in the mortal realm, my dreams would be the only link to my world, except this beach didn’t exist in the Land of the Fae.
The trees behind the sand bank look exotic and fruitful, and I wished I could stay here and explore every inch of it, but I knew the night time wouldn’t last that long. The sun overhead soaked in my skin as I floated along the water, and surprisingly it felt normal. Usually, with my Winter skin it would burn and be very uncomfortable, except my body had changed somehow, welcoming the heat. I guess you can make anything comfortable when you’re the one controlling the dream.
However, the water churning underneath me was definitely not my doing. The current electrified all around me and began pulling me back to shore. I stopped kicking my legs and let it guide me. Laughing, I teased the water, feeling somewhat ridiculous, “I thought you wanted me to swim. Are you tired of me already?”
My laugh stopped in my throat when I saw someone on the shore waiting for me. When the water guided me to shallow water, I walked the rest of the way out. Glancing around warily, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.
“Um … why are you here?” I asked him.
His eyes were unsure and slightly sad as he stared at me. “I think because you brought me here, and I’m hoping like hell I’m right,” he answered. His eyes were full of passion and longing, and he was gazing at me as if we were lovers. I laughed out loud, thinking how ridiculous my mind was wandering.
“This is crazy! I have no clue why you’d be here or what you’re talking about.” I ran my hands over my face. “Oh, I must be losing my mind.”
He moved closer, as if not to startle me, like I was a lion ready to flee. “You need to let me explain. I know what you are, Sorcha, and this dream is one of many that we’ve shared together.”
“No,” I laughed, exasperated. “I think I’d remember if I’d been dreaming about the infamous Drake. It’s kind of hard not to miss the flaming red hair and smoky eyes, and not to mention, I’ve never even actually talked to you before.” Closing my eyes, I said to myself, “This is a really weird dream. When I open my eyes, he’ll be gone.”
I counted to ten with my eyes closed and when I opened them, he was gone. That was until he came up behind me and wrapped me in his arms, tight. “What the hell are you doing? Get off me!” I snapped, struggling half-heartedly in his grip. In a way I didn’t really want to fight him off because I couldn’t deny that it felt like I belonged in his arms.