Authors: Kimberly Loth
Destroyed (26 page)
“That is a wicked rose,” said Kai.
“Yes, it is. Someone will need to keep a close eye on it.”
“You don’t plan on staying here?”
“No, I belong in Vegas with Ginny.” I hesitated for a second. “And Puck.” If he would have me.
Kai nodded and turned back to the purple rosebush. “Ruth would love to see this; do you think I could show it to her?”
“On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You tell her how you feel.”
He hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I looked deep into his eyes and saw relief. He wrapped me in a bear hug. He felt so weird without his power.
“I’m exhausted. Can you go get my dad while I sleep for a bit?”
He nodded.
As soon as he left, I collapsed into bed.
Naomi + Kaiser Wilhelm = Love Story
For some reason, the Master Destroyer energy was far easier to give away than other Destroyer power. My skin barely tingled. Jason was glad to receive the power. He promised to keep the balance, but told us he probably wouldn’t keep in touch. He also told me to tell Puck to mind his own business. I laughed and gave him a hug. It was a huge relief to finally be rid of that power. After that, all I had left within me was Guardian energy.
My dad was next. His energy was weak, because my mother had siphoned off so much of it.
“Dad, I need someone strong to keep my Destroyer rose at bay. You said that you tended to the roses with Grandma. Can you handle that rose?”
He hesitated.
“I don’t know. You know I’m weak.”
“I have the energy from three minor Guardians within me that I don’t need. I’m going to give them to you, if you agree to be the Guardian of the rose.”
My dad’s eyes welled up with tears and he smiled.
“Thank you.”
I took his weathered hands in mine. The Guardian energy flowed differently than Destroyer energy. It didn’t hurt at all. It was bright and warm like the sun. When I was finished, my dad leaned back, closed his eyes and smiled.
I didn’t feel right keeping Alejandro inside of me. I took a cutting of my Don Juan, put it into a small pot, and fed Alejandro’s energy to the plant. Immediately, the cutting sprouted two more stalks and three buds bloomed. I inhaled; they smelled just like him. I’d give this to Ginny when I got home.
Now it was down to Kai and myself.
Kai came in a few minutes later. “I’m getting ready to go.”
“Where?”
He grinned. “Florida.”
“You gonna tell her?”
He blushed. “Probably.”
“Well, then, we have some business to attend to. Give me your hands.”
He shook his head.
“I don’t want it back. The last three years, I’ve seen more than I wanted of both Guardians and Destroyers. Ruth knows nothing of this world. I just want to have a normal life. I can’t have that if I’m still a Guardian. Call me a coward, but I’m done. You can keep it.”
“Are you sure?”
I took his hands in mine. He looked deep into my eyes.
“Positive.”
“Okay then. If you ever want it back, you can come get it.”
He nodded.
“Thank you.”
He kissed me on the cheek and then left. I hoped he would make Ruth happy. Then I realized I was done.
I called out after him. “Wait. Can I come to the airport with you? I need to get out of here.”
Naomi + Tuscany Superb = Soul Mate
I landed in Vegas some hours later. I made a few phone calls while at the airport, then took a cab into the mountains. Ginny answered the door. She looked tired and was starting to show.
“Welcome home.” I hugged her, then handed her the plant.
She sniffed it and tears came to her eyes.
“It smells like him.”
“Yeah. It’s part of him. I can’t explain it, but that flower will never belong to anyone but you.”
She wiped away a tear. “I hope I don’t kill it.”
“I won’t let you.” I smiled.
Sunday came barreling down the hall, barefoot and dripping wet, in a teeny bikini, a sopping wet cat chasing after her.
She flung her arms around me. “Welcome home.”
I looked down at her.
“Why are you all wet?”
“I’ve been in the pool. Do you wanna come swimming with us?”
“Us?”
“The cat follows her everywhere, including into the pool.” She looked down her nose at Sunday. “You take your skinny butt back outside. You are getting water everywhere. Naomi needs to see Puck first.”
Sunday grinned and ran back down the hall, the cat slipping and sliding behind her.
“Where is he?” I asked.
She pointed upstairs. “Second door on the left.”
“You didn’t tell him I was coming, did you?”
She shook her head.
I walked slowly up the stairs, still not sure what I would say to him.
I knocked on the door.
“It’s all right, Ginny, you can come in,” he yelled.
He was working on something at his desk, and he didn’t turn around right away. He wore a black t-shirt and loose black shorts. His hair was cut short, but spiked and tipped with a brilliant blue. It took every ounce of self-control to not run up and wrap my arms around him.
“What’s up?” he asked, turning around.
I looked into his piercing blue eyes and smiled. I didn’t know if he was still mad or not. I didn’t know if I was going to have to work to win his love back, or if he had just spoken in anger. I waited, hoping that it was the latter.
He paused for only a half second before he raced for me. He wrapped me in a massive hug and didn’t let go.
He buried his face in my hair and whispered in my ear, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean anything I said.”
I pulled back a little. “I’m sorry, too.”
“Can I kiss you?” he asked. I couldn’t believe he thought I might actually say no.
I answered for him, gently kissing him on the lips. The kiss was electric and real and alive, tasting of sugar cookies, smelling of coconuts, and full of visions of sunsets on the beach. It was a true Guardian’s kiss. After a few minutes, he pulled away.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Long story or short?”
“Short, for now, you can tell me the long one later.”
“My mother is dead, my father is safe, Jason is the Master Destroyer, and I choose you.”
The end
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First off, let me say that second books are infinitely harder to write than first books. The list of people to thank gets longer too and I’m absolutely terrified I’m going to forget someone.
Thank you, dear readers, for taking a chance on my book. I’ve been truly blessed to have the best fans ever.
This book wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for my fantastic editor Katya Pavlopoulos. You made the book shine, thank you. Also, thank you Taryn Albright for helping with the developmental stages of the book.
Of course, the book would never sell without an awesome cover. Many thanks to Robin Ludwig.
Thanks to all those who read early copies of the book and helped me fix the infinite plot holes and typos. Virginia, Mandy, Tiffany, Heidi, Kristin, and Karen.
Throughout this process I’ve met so many other writers who’ve offered support and love. Thank you Jeanne, Liz, Amanda, all the wonderful bloggers and the writing family on Kboards.
Mom and Matt, thank you for supporting me and encouraging me to do what I love.
Tiffany, thank you for being such a great sister and loving my books (sometimes I wonder if you love them more than you love me, LOL.)
Will, thank you for you unwavering support and love. I love you. Xandi and A.J., once again, thank you for understanding when mom is working on book stuff. You’ve been fantastic.
Last time I forgot to thank Hanna and Terese, so I’m doing it now. Thanks for being such great “daughters.”
To my writing buddies. Mandy, Kristin, and Karen. Thank you. For everything.
Once again, Virginia, you have been a rock star. Thank you for everything you have done to get these books out into the world.
Kimberly Loth can’t decide where she wants to settle down. She’s lived in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, California, Oregon, and South Carolina. She finally decided to make the leap and leave the U.S. behind for a few years. Currently, she lives in Cairo, Egypt with her husband and two kids. She is a high school math teacher by day (please don’t hold that against her) and YA author by night. She loves romantic movies, chocolate, roses, and crazy adventures. Kissed is her first novel.