Page 18 of Lycan and Lark
Confusion flickered in Lark’s gaze. “What for?”
“For being here with me. This day is always hard and Gideon doesn’t like to acknowledge it. I usually spend it crying alone.” A whimper slipped through her lips when she realized how pitiful that sounded.
Lark’s hand stroked down her cheek. He swept a tear away with his thumb then placed it in his mouth. She watched the motion curiously. “You never have to be alone again.” His eyes lit up. “Wait here, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” And with that he vanished.
“Great.” Now she was waiting...alone once again. She considered heading back when he didn’t return right away, but something inside told her to stay. She settled on the forest floor, drawing her knees to her chest. She couldn’t be sure how much time had passed but at some point Lark blinked back into the woods before her.
A smile played at the corner of his mouth, tugging on the large scar that decorated his handsome features. “I have something to show you. Will you come with me?” He held out a hand and Aria reached out to take it. She couldn’t explain why, but it felt instinctively right to be near him.
The world dropped out around her and the woods reappeared. This time she was standing in a clearing. Sounds swirled around her and she turned to find a magnificent waterfall. The pool that surrounded it was beautiful and clear. A red checkered blanket and wicker basket were laid out before her. She gaped up at Lark. “Did you set up a picnic for me?”
Lark chuckled at her obvious shock. “I thought a picnic might cheer you up.”
Aria giggled. “I didn’t realize you knew what a picnic was.”
Lark shrugged and embarrassment tinged his scent. “This is actually my first one. I hope it’s okay.”
Aria bit her lip as his gold and lavender eyes sparkled down at her. “This place is gorgeous.” The repetitive sounds of rushing water relaxed her tense body.
Lark looked around appreciatively. “It’s become my favorite spot to go to when the world feels too big. Are you hungry?”
He had taken her to his special place. Something warm unfurled itself inside her chest. She nodded her head quickly. “Always.”
They dropped down onto the blanket and Lark began unpacking the large basket. “I wasn’t sure what you would like, so I ended up with a lot of food.”
Another giggle bubbled up from her throat as she took in the absolutely ridiculous breakfast buffet. There were containers piled high with scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, waffles, sausage, donuts, fruit, and even… “Steak?” She held up the steak and eggs and Lark smiled back at her. “This looks like heaven!” She grinned widely as he handed her an empty plate.
“There were a lot of options on the menu and I nearly got one of everything.” He chuckled, looking slightly embarrassed again.
Aria rolled her eyes. “How very Gideon of you.”
She managed to balance an impressive amount of food onto a single plate. Her fork shoveled the first bite into her mouth and she moaned. “That good?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.
“Oh yeah. Food is definitely my love language.” She took a bite from a piece of French toast and moaned even more loudly. “Scratch that.Breadis my love language.” Aria continued to devour the yummy spread, doing a little dance as she munched away. Her eyebrows pinched together as she stared at him. “Aren’t you eating?”
“I’m really enjoying watching you eat. You look so happy.”
She laughed through a mouthful of donut. “Well food definitely makes me happy. What do you like? I’ll make you a plate.” She reached for an empty plate.
“I don’t know. I’m not used to this type of stuff.” He shrugged.
“Thisstuff?As in breakfast? Or good food in general?”
Lark’s chiseled cheeks darkened a shade. “Both, I suppose.”
Aria became very quiet as she stared at him. Her gut clenched and she set her plate down. The questions gnawed away at her and she dreaded the answers. “What happened to you? Why were you working for Creedin? I won’t judge, really, but I need to know more about you.” Her voice remained level, but she worried her thoughts would betray just how desperate she was to learn about him. It was selfish, but she wanted to be able to justify his actions.
The muscles in Lark’s jaw flexed and unflexed, as if he were gritting his teeth. “My mother was a Celestial. She was taken by Creedin, and forced to conceive me.” Lark didn’t look at her as he spoke.
Aria remained quiet but her mind was racing with the new information. “I thought the last known Celestial was found nearly fifty years ago. How…” Her words trailed off as she caught herself and flushed. Guilt poured off of her at how casually she had mentioned his mother’s dead body.
“They took her as a teenager, but she was well into her twenties when she had me. There were others before, but I was the only one who made it.”
Aria reached out a hand, setting it softly on the sleeve of his hoodie. “Why did they kill her?”
“Creedin said she became too attached. She wouldn't let him get close to me, so he got rid of her. He assumed I was going to be a Celestial, like she was.” Lark released a bitter-sounding laugh. “I can’t count the number of times Creedin cursed me after I manifested as a Chosen, and not the powerful Celestial he had hoped for.”
“If you were only born a Chosen, how did you get all of the powers that turned you into a Celestial?” Aria had a brave face, but fear tingled inside of her. She knew something horrible was coming.
