Arielle Immortal Fury (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 6) (14 page)

THE TWELFTH WEEK
of Arielle's fall semester arrived, toward the
end of November. Sebastian and Arielle loved taking walks on the
beach this time of year, when the air was brisk and the waves moved with
urgency to kiss the edge of the shore. Every evening they left the
house
around six and spent several hours by the water, either walking or
sitting. Classes were brutal, and Arielle needed the break.

The sun was dipping below the horizon, but its rays refracted
against the water, scattering up to the sky and illuminating the earth. It was a cool fall evening. She grabbed her sweater on the way out the door. Glancing over at Sebastian, she snorted surreptitiously; he was still in a short sleeved T-shirt.

Holding her gaze, his brows furrowed. “What’s so funny?”

“You.”

“Me? How so?”

“Look at you,” she said, waving her hand at his direction. “It’s
quite cool out here, and you are practically naked.”

“Are you cold?” he asked with a look of disbelief.

As if on cue, a cold breeze ripped through Arielle’s body, and she
shivered. Grabbing the ends of the sweater, she pulled them tighter
around herself. Sebastian smiled. Reaching out, he pulled her
into his warm embrace, and she sighed blissfully.

“Is this better?” he murmured, brushing his lips against her temple.

“Yes,” she whispered, snuggling closer to his body heat. “How
can your body be this hot? Is this an immortal attribute?”

“I don’t really know. I have never thought about it before.”

“It’s like the cold has no effect on you.” She pulled back and
looked up, meeting his gaze.

He smiled and bent down, covering her lips with his. “Are you cold now?” he breathed into her mouth.

Pulling back, she took a deep breath. “I was, but I’m not
anymore,” she said, stealing another kiss.

Sebastian kept his arm wrapped around her shoulders, never
letting her move far away. They walked slowly, enjoying the quiet of the twilight and the soft murmur of the water as it rolled out, kissing the sand.

“Are you happy?” he purred in her ear.

“Oh, Sebastian, words couldn’t explain how I feel when I’m with you.”

He gave her a soft squeeze. She was startled as he lifted her up
and into his arms, grinning in sheer pleasure. Her head tipped up, and his mouth came down on hers locking them into a hot kiss that
seared
her lungs. Sensation surged through their veins like the rippling
waves and left them breathless. She threaded her fingers into his hair, and he groaned. The feeling was astounding.

“What am I going to do with you?” he murmured eagerly
against her lips.

“You can start by putting me down, please. I do enjoy walking,”
she said, giggling. He let her slide down slowly, still holding her
tightly against his hard male body. She sighed.

“Don’t you like being in my arms?” he asked playfully, keeping his arm protectively around her.

“Sebastian.” Her voice was soft. “I love being in your arms! But I like walking on the sand too,” she said gently.

Sebastian chuckled and brushed his lips against her cheek.

Arielle let passion infuse her voice. “I love you, Sebastian,” she said, leaning her head against his body. “And I love our walks on the beach.”

They gazed at each other for a long moment, and then he
clasped
her hand in his, and they began to walk silently along the edge of the water.

Arielle lifted her eyes toward the sky and drew in a breath.
Sebastian
glanced down at her and then followed her gaze. The sky was breathtaking. The sun dipped below the horizon, and a mixture of
vibrant colors spread across the waters, creating a vision too beautiful for words.

“I don’t think a human hand could capture this view,” she said, mesmerized.

“It is beautiful,” he whispered.

Arielle nodded, lost in wonderment. Then, she realized that this could all be taken from her as Annabel suddenly clouded her thoughts.

“Do you want to sit down?” he asked softly.

“No, I would like to walk a bit more.”

Silence ruled for the next few minutes. Finally, Sebastian
tightened his hold on her.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, squeezing her softly.

“Nothing,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

Sebastian cupped her chin and lifted her face until their eyes met. He raised a brow as he studied her. “Why would you lie to me?”

Arielle pulled her chin softly away from his grip and gazed toward the ocean. “No, you don’t have to do that. I’m bloody angry
that I let
Annabel take over my thoughts when I should be thinking only
about you and me.”

“Oh, so it is Annabel again. What exactly is bothering you now?”

She stopped abruptly and faced him. “Sebastian, why do you suppose Annabel has been a no show for these last few months?”

Her question caught him off guard. “Arielle, I don’t see the point of discussing Annabel on a night like this. Are you trying to ruin our time together?”

Arielle frowned. “Please be serious. This is something that
bothers me more than you’ll ever know. It is a continuous nightmare for me.
I suppose if I were Eva I wouldn’t worry about it, but I’m not an
immortal.” Her facial expression showed that she was truly worried. He pulled her into his arms.

“All right…let's talk about this,” he said softly. “Annabel knows that there are six guys actively looking for her everywhere she goes. She’s too busy trying to stay alive to worry about you and me. Undoubtedly, she realizes that she’s in deep trouble.”

“What are you saying? She’s not coming back anymore?”

“Arielle, I don’t want to paint the wrong picture for you.” He was struggling to find the right words. Shifting closer, he held her tightly against him. “I don’t think she is gone for good, but I don’t
want you
agonizing over this. I’m here, Arielle, and so are many of our
immortal
friends. They’re all ready to protect you.” His expression was
unwavering.

Arielle remained silent for a long time. She finally lifted her eyes
up, biting her lower lip. “That’s what I was afraid that you might
say. I wonder what she’s concocting now?”

She was frustrated with herself for worrying about her nemesis. She met his gaze, pursing her lips. Shaking her head, she attempted to dispel all negative thoughts.

Sebastian watched her, and his expression softened. “Arielle, the
odds are against her. You are surrounded by immortals with
extraordinary powers. She’ll have to unleash an army to be able to harm you,” he said with remarkable patience.

“Don’t underestimate her. I know better than that. I’m not
always in the company of immortals. There are ample opportunities to catch me on my own, and that’s what I’m worried about the most,” she
said, drawing in a shaky breath. “I guess what I’m trying to say is
that no matter what I’m doing, no matter where I go, I can’t help thinking that she might show up.”

Sebastian smiled at with her love. “Don’t worry, baby,” he said
in a gentle voice as his arms tightened around her. “I’ll never let
anything happen to you. I’ve taken extra measurements to make sure you are safe at all times.”

“Oh! Like what?”

“Arielle, I don’t want to talk about this right now. I think if you aren’t aware of who is protecting you, their cover is secure and you are better off. Can’t you just trust me?”

There was that question again.
Can’t you just trust me?

“Yes,” she mumbled reluctantly. She decided to let this go for the moment and enjoy their time together. But when she looked up, she saw that his face had adopted a more serious expression.

“What is it?” she asked.

He cupped her chin and held her gaze. “Arielle, I want to ask you a question, and I want you to be honest.”

Arielle’s eyes widened. “I’m always honest with you.”

He dipped his head and brought his lips to hers, pressing softly.

“You don’t talk about our wedding anymore. Are you still
planning on going through with it?”

The question was pointed. She pulled back softly. “What do you mean?” she asked, surprised.

 “I’m a very patient man except when it comes to you. I want for
us to get married. I’m tired of waiting,” he whispered, running his index finger down her cheek. His voice was filled with
wretchedness, his mossy eyes stern.

“I’m trying to get things in order,” she said.

“What things?”

“Sebastian, I’m working on it, and I’m not ready to talk about it, not just yet,” she replied.

He shook his head in clear disappointment. “So you don’t think I should be involved?”

“That’s not what I said at all,” she said, pausing to wait for his reply.

Sebastian's arms dropped to his sides. He stepped back and gazed at Arielle, unable to hide the depth of his disappointment from her. Mumbling something under his breath, he turned and
started walking away from her. She stood and watched his back, stunned.

“Wait…wait…let's talk about this,” Arielle called out,
scrambling
to catch up with him. “Don’t make suggestive remarks under your breath.”

He looked back and blew an exasperated breath. She caught up with him, reaching out to take his hand.

“Sebastian, stop. Talk to me, please,” she pleaded.

He stopped and faced her, confusion spread across his beautiful face.

“Arielle, I gave you a ring pledging myself to you for eternity. Your commitment to me was that you were going to plan the
wedding,” he said gloomily. “I must say that all I see you working on are your life aspirations. I’m all for you achieving success in your career, but you don’t seem sure that marriage fits into those plans.” He winced anxiously, turning away one more time.

Arielle moved fast and stood in front of him, wrapping her arms
around his neck and pulling him down. Locking them in a
passionate kiss, she moaned as she moved into him.

“Please hold me; don’t walk away,” she murmured. She pressed her lips at the hollow of his throat, and he moaned. His arms
embraced her, and his eyes rested on her face.

“Sebastian, I love you more than life. I’m always afraid that I’ll lose you if I say the wrong thing. I’ve been under a lot of stress with daily classes and trying to decide what I must do after graduation,” she said, lips tight.

“What is it that you want to do?” he asked.

“I’m trying to decide whether I should go to graduate school or find a position without a Masters degree,” she said anxiously.

“I’ll support any decision you make, but you have to let me be part of your thoughts,” he whispered. “I don’t know what you’re thinking. All I know is that you’re not thinking about marrying me.”

“Oh, Sebastian, you are the first and most important person in
my life,” she whispered. “I just don’t know what to do, and you’re
right. I could use your advice.”

“Then why don’t you ask? I don’t like being shut out.”

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to bother you with my messy problems.”

“Arielle, I love you. You are going to be my wife, my partner for eternity, the person I wake up with every morning. I want
desperately to be included in your plans.”

She smiled. Sitting down on the cool sand, she took his hand and pulled him down next to her.

“What do you suggest that I should do?” she said, gazing into his eyes.

“I think you should go to graduate school
after
you marry me.
How much longer do I have to wait?” Silence stretched. “Arielle, you don’t need to work. I can give you the world, all you have to do is ask.”

“I’m sure that you can give me everything, but there is one thing you can’t give me: my individuality. That’s something I’ve been working towards ever since I was a young girl and something that I desperately want.”

“Oh! I thought I
was
what you wanted. At least that’s what you told me a while ago. Are you saying that your feelings have changed?”

Arielle noticed a deep crease across his forehead and a frown on
his beautiful face. She held his hands. Taking a deep breath, she
exhaled in frustration.

“Sebastian, my feelings for you will never change. There isn’t a
person or a thing on this earth that will ever take your place. I’ll
never want anything or anyone more than I want you, but I also want to be independent. I want to become a successful human being, not a girl that relies on her husband’s money. I don’t want to exist like a stupid girl
du jour
that moves through life without doing a day’s work,” she said thoughtfully.

“Arielle, you are the most beautiful and extraordinary girl I’ve
ever met. You’re smart and wonderful, and you never stop
surprising me.” He sighed deeply.

“But Sebastian, in your eyes I want to be much more. Let me first
say that I’m fully committed to you. I truly adore you and could never live in a world if you were not in it. But I want to be able to handle responsibilities whether small or large, without having to run
to you for help every time. I want to make the right decisions and make sure that my dreams and desires don’t disappear in a puff of smoke. Do you understand how I feel?”

Sebastian stared at her in amazement. He pinched the tip of his nose but kept his eyes fastened on her face. His eyebrows arched in wonder. “Arielle, I want to make our relationship permanent, and I want to know your plans. Why can’t you set a date?”