Arielle Immortal Quickening (2 page)

“Don’t worry, Arielle; I’m right here. Remember that I love your friends very much. They are part of my life now, and they’ll always be,” Sebastian’s voice was comforting. He was watching her carefully, making sure that she was okay. He smiled softly. “We have to let others go through their own journey while we stay on ours. We can love them; we can be there for them, but don’t forget that we have to be here for
us,
too. You have to accept this accident and let the wallop subside in order to be strong for our friends and give them the support they will need from us.”

He gave her a pointed look, pushing her gently away and meeting her eyes. “What are you thinking?”

“I feel so shattered, and you’re so strong, so incredibly amazing. I’m thankful I have you.” Without hesitation, she pulled him close again and wrapped her arms around his neck.

His lips caressed her ear. “There is one lesson that I’ve learned while walking the long, miserable, immortal road for over five centuries. If we live our lives at its fullest, then we can’t stop the bad—or good—experiences from happening.” The bitter smile he gave her didn’t fit with his beautiful profile.

And knowing that he was right didn’t disperse the hurt she felt at being so far away from the people she loved while they needed her. “I feel so helpless,” she added in a muffled voice. “I want to do something, but I am unsure what that might be.”

“All we can do is go back home and be with them. We are going to do that as soon as possible,” he reassured her, trying to calm her. “I’m here, Arielle. Please don’t wallow in the negative; you can’t help them if you make yourself ill.”
If I can just help her process what I’ve already told her, she’ll be able to handle the rest of the news soon.
The hurt in her eyes was tearing him apart, but nothing he could do would make her pain go away.

“Arielle, call your mother while I make the flight arrangements; she might have some more details.” He pressed his lips to her forehead and walked out of the room.

She picked up her phone, and her mum answered on the first ring.

“Mum, did you hear about Gabby and Eva? They were involved in a car accident last night.” She desperately needed to hear something comforting. “Yes, dear, I just found out a few minutes ago. Gabby’s mother called me a couple minutes ago; she and John are devastated. They spent the night in the ICU waiting room, because the doctor told them that Gabby’s condition is extremely critical. I called Eva’s mom once I hung up. Madeline said she stayed beside Eva’s bedside the whole night. Apparently, Eva and Ian were pretty lucky.” Arielle heard shuffling in the background.

“Your dad and I are getting ready to go to the hospital to be with them for a bit. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything else we can do right now.”

“Was it in the news there?” she questioned, hoping more details had been released.
Like what caused Gabby to swerve.

“Katherine told me that they splattered it all over the front page in the morning paper, and we just got through reading the details. Good Lord! Arielle, if you saw the picture of the car, you wouldn’t be able to comprehend how anyone came out of it alive!

“The accident investigators and the police officers on the scene were stunned. They couldn’t explain how Eva and Ian could escape with minor injuries. The back of the car was completely destroyed. The amazing part is that Troy was unscathed. The paper called it a miracle. If those kids didn’t have guardian angels, they’d be dead!”

“I’m glad it turned out the way it did, Mum,” Arielle said softly. “Sebastian and I are praying for Gabby. We’re coming home with the first flight out, and we should be there soon. I love you, Mum. My heart is breaking over this accident.” Thinking about it brought tears back to her eyes.

“Arielle,” she heard her mum’s voice, strong and reassuring. “I’m sure it’ll all work out. She’s under God’s care now, and I know she’ll come out of this soon. I love you, dearest be careful!”

“I love you, too, Mum.”

Setting the phone back on the receiver, she wished she could take away the agony her friends and family was feeling. She lay across the bed, waiting for Sebastian to return.

Chapter 2

A
rielle closed her eyes, and her mind drifted to Brighton. Mentally shaking aside the accident and the bad thoughts whirling in her head, she tried to recall happier times and better days that warmed her heart. Most of those dreams were shared with the two women who were lying in the hospital.

She resigned the thought that something good would come out of this whole thing. Inwardly, she scowled. She had a strong feeling that something had changed, but she wasn’t sure yet. Pondering the possibilities, she dozed off until she heard someone enter the room.

“What did your mum say, baby?” Sebastian asked as he entered the room with a soft smile on his face.

Arielle raised her head and drew herself up onto her elbows. “She said the investigators were fascinated with the outcome of one of the worst accidents in Brighton history. They are sure something extraordinary took place last night. All of our friends should have died. At least, everyone except Troy, who can’t die. The car was completely destroyed.”

“I’m glad about the outcome,” he contradicted, and she could sense something unusual in his behavior, but she couldn’t quite grasp it. “I made the flight arrangements, and we’re leaving in the morning. That is the first flight out,” Sebastian said, as he pulled her in his arms and pressed his lips to her forehead.

“I love you, Arielle,” he murmured. “Everything will be all right. We’ll all be together shortly. Gabrielle will be fine, and we’ll pick up where we left things before the accident. Please trust in me.” He sounded so sure and confident that she felt more at ease, especially when he suggested that they cancel their afternoon outing and spend the time together without distractions instead.

Curled up with him on the bed, Arielle grinned as she remembered a plan that she made with her friends. “Eva, Gabby and I had a wild idea.”

“What about?” he asked.

“We want to get married on the same day. We thought that would make our wedding day a magnificent event. Don’t you think it would?” She chuckled softly as tears welled up again. She gazed at his face with a bitter smile, and she noticed a brief shadow crossing his beautiful emerald eyes. “A wedding for three couples,” she mumbled again, as she detected a half smile teasing the corner of his mouth.

“I’ll be happy to be your husband, any day, any time, any way you choose,” he said and laughed softly. He gazed deep into her eyes, and she felt as if she was sinking in the passion of his soul. Jaw set, he stated. “If I had my choice, we would be married by now.”

Arielle blinked, surprised. “Oh, why?”

“Why?” Sebastian couldn’t believe she was asking him that question. He seemed shocked. “Arielle, I love you,” he stated. “I feel like I’ve know you all my life.” His voice was filled with emotion.

“Sebastian, please! You have been on this earth for over five centuries, and you have known me for a little over a year,” she snorted, pinning him with her gaze.

He closed his eyes, and his jaw muscles shifted. A feeling of tenderness washed over him. “My life began when I met you,” he said quietly. The look he gave her was full of promise and pleasure. “I want to be your lover and your best friend for eternity.” His voice was mesmerizing, soothing every part of her body and soul.

God…
she thought to herself,
how can he be so perfectly faultless?
She heard his quiet laughter and flinched. Certain she’d thought aloud again, she glanced at him and saw his eyes filled with amusement. Suddenly bashful, she bit her bottom lip and stared down at her hands with a small smile.

“You are my lover; you’re my private dream,” she said sincerely. “I want to marry you, but I also want to be out of school before we get married. I thought you were okay with that,” she said, gazing into his beautiful eyes.

“Yes, I know, baby, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to marry you now. I want the world to know that you’re mine.”

“They do!” she said, utterly surprised. “Everyone in
my
world knows that we are engaged to be married, and I mean everyone!”

Sebastian sighed, nodding in agreement. He then reached for her, and she fell into his arms, letting relief lap about them. Their eyes locked, and his lips came down on hers in a warm and passionate kiss.

“I just want you to be my wife more than anything I have ever wanted in my life,” he whispered. Arielle’s heart swelled at the thought of this man being her husband; sharing her life, her heart, and her dreams. This man that she considered a mere dream not long ago, a desire that might never come true. She choked back tears and reached up to press her lips against his. Arielle basked in the strength of Sebastian’s mind and body, and she let out a loud sight. Sebastian nuzzled her hair and drew her tighter in his embrace.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, his brows creasing.

Arielle chuckled. “Oh, my thoughts are mostly about you,” she murmured, and Sebastian grinned.

“That’s what I want to hear. I want to be the center of your universe, the only man in your life,” he said, and his voice cracked.

She pulled back, and their gazes met and locked. Her lips curved teasingly.

“Am I the center of your universe?”

“I’m sure I have told you that before, but in case you didn’t hear me or don’t remember, you are that. And much more.”

“How much more? How can there be more?”

“Arielle, you’re the very core of my soul. Without you, there is no me.” His voice was soft and sincere, his statement mind-blowing.

She drew a deep breath and sank deeper into his embrace. Putting a finger under her chin, he lifted her face as his lips came down on hers with passion that was set to explode into something beyond rational thought, beyond anything he could comprehend. The kiss fed the fire that already sweltered in his veins and increased the confusion that swept through his thoughts.
Why does my body respond to hers, like a thirsty man at the sight of water or a hungry man at the sight of food?
he wondered and shuddered. Sebastian was at a complete loss. The same question had recurred since he first laid eyes on Arielle. The feeling grew stronger with passing time until he couldn’t breathe without her by his side. That was a truly startling revelation for someone like him, a strong, unbreakable, and resilient immortal.

Realization brought his equilibrium back under control. It would be unconscionable to act on his desires for her while she was in this state of mind. She ached for her friends, so he paused and prevented his impulse from penetrating this part of his mind.

The thick sweet scent of freesia filled Sebastian’s nostrils, and he inhaled deeply. He nuzzled Arielle’s hair again and rejoiced at the fragrance that was as familiar to his senses by now as the very air he breathed.

Sebastian rested on the bed and put his arms around Arielle; he pulled her to his chest and sheltered her. They lay in a calm silence for a very long time, as deep emotions coursed through them. Sebastian smiled faintly and drew in a shaky breath. Despite the muddled thoughts about the situation, Sebastian gave the appearance of a man in complete control, a man who knew exactly how to handle each and every situation. But the truth was entirely different. Sebastian was nervous about what was to come when they finally went home. How was he going to divulge the truth to Arielle and when would be the right time to do that? He cursed inwardly in frustration.

Arielle was resting in the solace of his embrace with her eyes closed, and she seemed to be calm but for a few dry heaves that shook her body lightly here and there.

The sun went down slowly, and the light in the room faded away, shading every piece of furniture. Arielle was asleep and Sebastian didn’t want to move; he didn’t want to wake her up. Suddenly, a sob shook Arielle’s body, and she moaned lightly. Sebastian sucked in a huge breath and tightened his embrace. She was shivering, so he held her closer and rubbed his hand up and down her back, wanting to protect her from whatever haunted her sleep. His mouth set in a straight line and his chest muscles tightened, as joy surged thought his body. She was his to have and protect, and he would give his life to do just that. He placed a soft kiss on her temple and placed his face in the crook of her neck.

Arielle opened her eyes slowly and blinked several times. The room was dark now, and she tried to bring the ghostly shadows in the room into focus.

“What time is it?” she whispered.

“I don’t know, Baby, but it’s getting late.” He breathed the words and placed a tender kiss on her temple once again. She turned and pressed a warm kiss to his lips as she pulled away from his embrace and stretched, trying to gather her thoughts.

“How long have I been asleep?” she asked.

“Oh, it has been about a couple of hours. You were exhausted.”

She eased off the bed and set her feet on the floor. She stretched and smiled down at Sebastian.

“I’ll be right back,” she said, walking into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. When she came out, Sebastian was still lying in bed, his hands behind his head while watching her carefully. Arielle’s lips curved, and he smiled back. Turning she walked to the balcony doors and pulled them wide open. It was now twilight, and the air felt warm as a light breeze brushed across her face and made her shiver lightly. She stepped outside and took in a lungful of air. She could smell the ocean, and it made her smile, reminding her of Brighton and her two best friends.