Page 64 of Treasured Secrets
I started to ask him what it was that I was feeling, when suddenly, fire erupted from his palms. He crisscrossed the blaze to create a repetitive pattern, and I felt entranced under the spell of its beauty. I couldn't feel any heat from the fire, but I could feel the power as if it was my own. My body flowed with his as he continued projecting the magnificent blaze.
Then he spoke softly in my ear as we continued to flow together. "Pretty soon you'll feel your own magic. It'll feel even better than this." Then the fire suddenly disappeared, abandoning us in the cold.
I almost had to catch my breath when I stumbled away from him. Everyone had spoken about magic, lectured me on it, even given me some shining demonstrations, but this was the first time anyone had let me feel it.
"That was amazing. I've never felt anything like that," I breathlessly released.
He just smiled at me. "It's not just magic - it's an art. It can bring you peace and release. There's no other feeling like it in the world. You hold the control and you feel grounded."
His distraction was needed, and it did give me a sense of calm. Nothing could quell my need to be with Tallis, but it was enough to push the heartbreaker away from the forefront of my mind.
"Thank you. I guess I need to get back in. I'm sure the house has cooled down by now. Not to mention, I'm frigging freezing now."
He chuckled lightly. "Sorry. I forget how cold it can be during the winters." Then he turned back like he was going to continue blazing.
I stopped walking and faced his back before speaking again. "Are you going to stay out here all night?"
He turned back to me to respond. His eyes pulsed, and I felt something happen. I felt as though there was a furnace suddenly inside me, warming me from the inside out. It felt confusing, but it offered such delicious heat.
"That should make you feel a bit warmer out here. Should you want to stay a little longer. I'll just be another hour or so."
I looked at him, my curiosity piqued to the nth degree. "Did you just use your power to warm me up?"
He gave me a cocky smirk as he nodded. Then he winked at me and turned back to continue blazing.
I was fascinated with his skill, so I decided to watch. His movements and his power were so magnificent together, a mesmerizing force that left me enthralled. I tried to deny my heavy lids the ability to shut, but they kept winning the battle. I sat in the small chair, fighting sleep, determined to watch, but it was pointless. In the end, the locking grip of sleep prevailed.
I woke up the next morning to the perfect temperature for a house. I looked around to see I was in my room. I was sort of embarrassed about falling asleep while watching Jared. I supposed he had put me in my bed.
I got ready and went downstairs. I could smell breakfast cooking. When I reached the bottom of the steps, I found Gear and Olivia.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
I blushed slightly at Gear's question, which made him raise his brow in suspicion.
My mind flashed back to the intense moment I had unexpectedly shared with Jared. "Yeah, but I had to adjust the thermostat early this morning."
Then I heard Jay start to laugh as he joined us in the kitchen. "Sorry, Aria. I think I may have bumped it last night on my way out."
I tried not to think of my late-night rendezvous with Jared as I fibbed slightly. "No big deal. I just fixed it and went back to bed." Then I remembered something. "Hey, Jay. What're you doing tonight?"
Jay raised one eyebrow at me. "Nothing that I know of. Why do you ask?"
I sighed in exasperation. "There's this stupid party I have to go to. Mom wants me to engage in every social activity I'm invited to. I really don't want to go alone, and I haven't exactly made any friends yet."
He frowned at me. "What about Taryn or McKee?"
I rolled my eyes. "Taryn has a thing to do out of town, and given the bizarre behavior of McKee, I'd rather not ask him. I think that would only complicate things more."
"Selesha?" he asked, swallowing hard after straining out her name.
Jay hadn't spoken about Selesha much since he met Ayla, and Selesha had gone off to lick her wounds in solitude. She'd asked Olivia not to say anything, but Olivia let it slip to me.
"Busy," I mumbled, stealing a quick glance at Olivia.
She was frowning now. Selesha was one of her best friends, and Jay was completely in love with Ayla. Olivia felt disloyal, but she knew Jay couldn't deny his soul mate, nor did he want to.
Apparently Selesha and Jay were linked. The same thing Tallis thought was going on between us. The moment he found his other half, his feelings for Selesha vanished. I couldn't imagine the heartbreak she was facing, because, despite their denials, they were both captivated by the other.
