Page 62 of Guarded By Death

"Why? I mean, I know you said I'm good or I’m destined to do something great... but what am I going to do?"

He places his hand on his chin in thought. "I couldn't say. Maybe save me?" He winks and I blush.

"Maybe." I smile, imagining a world where Pierce didn't look down on himself, what a world that would be. Sitting up straighter, he looks at me with an odd expression before his features turn serious.

His voice is grim as he looks at me intently. "It was a joke, Scar. There is no saving me."

I shake my head. "You don't know that."

"I do. Let's not talk about this." His voice is harsh, and I look away, upset.

His fingertips on my jawline, he guides my attention back to him. "Well that's not the only thing you do... tell me what you see." He gestures out to the beach.

My brows crinkle. "What Isee?"

"Yeah... like around us right now."

I take in the area around us. "The children far out over there making sandcastles, the two women tanning on blankets." I smile. "And of course, my favorite... the crystal clear ocean ahead."

"Now tell me the colors."

"Okay?" I think of what colors to point out so my eyes trail back over everything I explained. I gesture back to the children. "Their buckets are blue and the umbrella over them is red." I bring my hand back down on the rock to prop myself up as I lean back. "The girls there," I nod my head towards them, "left is in a banana yellow and the right is in bright white. And my favorite color is right there." I look forward and smile at the water. "Blue, almost teal."

As I look back at him I note that his gaze hasn't followed mine anywhere, his eyes are attached to mine. "Why?" I ask.

He shrugs. "Can't see any of it. It's all black and white."

"What?"

A dimpled smile. "Yeah, weird right?" he laughs. "I used to be able to see color before the trial."

"That's crazy."

"Want to know the even weirder part?" he asks and I nod.

"There is one exception." He looks at me pointedly. "You."

I narrow my eyes at him. "What do you mean?"

"Not only do you emit a light that could blind the blind." he laughs and I shake my head. "But, I see the golden tone to your skin." He caresses my arm with his fingertips. "I can see your brown hair as it blows with the wind." He twirls his fingers through my unruly hair. "The colorful dresses you wear are my favorite."

My cheeks redden. "Which one is your favorite?" I need to know so I can wear it more often. He thinks for a moment.

"I like you in any color." He winks and I make a mental note to go shopping for more vibrant dresses.

"Why do you think it's like that?"

"Not sure." He fidgets with his thumbs, becoming impatient. I noticed his eyes darting to the books while I asked him questions.

I grab his forearm and smile as I nod my head towards the book. "Can I read it?" I ask and he laughs.

"You can try, but it isn't in your language."

"Oh, what language is it?"

"A dead one."

"Well, start then." I gesture towards the books and he opens it, I try to watch the other things around us, but all I can focus on is him. His concentration as he studies the ancient material that I can’t decipher.

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