Loving Ean (The Fae Guard Book 2) (30 page)

For the last time, I hold my hand out to her and she takes it with no hesitation. The droplets of rain shift into little balls of hail and they bounce off of the grass as they land in front of us. “Hail hurts like a son-of-a-bitch when it hits you. I know that your parents told you briefly that our ability is to control the elements.” I lift a brow at her and she nods in confirmation. “What should we do about this hail? I’d rather not walk through it to get back home.”

Cuirealan rolls her eyes at me, “Other than simply making it stop, since you’re the one causing it?” I laugh at her sass, happy that she’s dropped her mask and is comfortable with me.

“Ok,” I rephrase, “What are you going to do to avoid the hail I’m perilously close to dumping on you?”

Her nose scrunches up in thought, then her eyes light up and she looks at me in excitement. “Something with fire, right? To melt the hail?”

“You’re on the right track, think about how fire is created.”

The minute is hits her, the joyous energy has her practically bouncing on her toes. “Heat the air around it, right?”

I wink at her and smile widely. “So, go ahead.” Cuirealan stills and scoffs at me with incredulity. My gaze never waivers and I continue to look at her expectantly. “Look at the hail, Cuirealan. Imagine what the air would—should—feel like to do what you need.” When she remains in her spot, gaping at me, I get a little impatient. “Just do it.”

She sulks for another half a second, but when I raise an eyebrow in challenge, her eyes narrow into a glare and she faces the raining ice once again. Her face hardens in concentration and I can feel the power stirring in her. I latch onto the rays cascading down on me and put some of my power underneath hers to support and boost it. At the first sign of the air warming, I push harder, giving just enough to make the air ignite so hot, it melts the frozen beads, and with a final burst of my added power, the remaining water evaporates, leaving the air steaming.

I let go of her hand and it falls limply at her side as she stares, open-mouthed at the air in front of her that is still lightly hissing. She whirls around, her green eyes accusing, “You did that, didn’t you?”

I suppress a laugh and shake my head. “I helped, but you started it. It’s there in you, Cuirealan. You just need to learn how to use it. Learning that you are Fae is confusing at first, I get it. But, if you accept it, this new world will fill a hole in you and you’ll be able to create a destiny for yourself that brings you joy. I agree that the idea of the Fae is fantastical.” I wink at her, my smile reaching from ear to ear. “But, who doesn’t want to believe in fairy tales?”

Cuirealan’s whole countenance is lighter, and I don’t just mean the sunlight. She seems freer, shed of the weight from her doubt and cynicism. I toss her one last crumb to bring her fully over to the bright side. “You’ll be trained to fight, too. In time, you’ll be able to seriously kick ass.”

A gleeful smile spreads across her face.
Gotcha.

We set off for the house and I encourage Cuirealan to ask questions. Ean and her parents had been doing what they thought best, but just spouting out information wasn’t what she needed. She needed answers to her specific thoughts and inquiries. It was also easy to see that the way they were molly-coddling her was coming off as patronizing. I knew, almost right away, that she needed for someone to just take charge, and she needed someone to listen.

“Would Ean still be protecting me there?”

“No, he’ll be around, but I’m in charge of your instruction, though you’ll work with several different trainers.” She was asking with “what ifs” but I was giving her answers as though it had already been decided.

“So, I’d be trained to be on the guard and that’s what I’d do?” I stop abruptly and place my hand on her shoulder, guiding her around to face me.

“You can be anything you want, Cuirealan. You don’t have to let this new knowledge define you. I truly hope it will help you find your way and figure out where you feel that your place is. But, I’m not here to tell you what to do, to force you into a life not of your choosing. Your life will be in danger if you aren’t properly trained though, so I’d suggest you come back to Rien, if only for the time it takes to prepare you.” I scan her face for her reaction, worried that I’ve failed in accomplishing my goal, but her eyes soften at my response and a small smile creeps onto her face.

“It’s also important that you understand the dynamic of the Fae and our natural state. We are protectors, Cuirealan. Our capacity to love and fight for what’s right is one of the things that separates us so clearly from the Fallen and even humans. But, what’s most important is that, we do it together. Don’t get me wrong, like any society, we have our squabbles and clashing of personalities, as a whole, though, we each contribute to the success of our individual goals and those of our race in general. You don’t ever have to do things on your own. We are at our strongest when we work together.” A wry smile makes its way onto my face. “I sound like a commercial, don’t I? My point is, simply, that being alone is never the best option. You’ll miss out on the best things in life, and you’ll never reach your potential. Even God has a right-hand man and a bevy of advisors.”

She nods, her face bright, and we face the yard again to resume our trek back to the house. It’s then that I notice Ean standing off to my left. He’d been at the edge of the property and standing just behind me during that last speech. How long was he watching us? For the most part, his face is an unreadable mask, but there is something in his eyes . . . they look almost—stunned. I don’t know what to make of it, so I just keep walking. I’m done trying to figure him out.

When we reach the back door, we walk inside the kitchen and I notice what I’d missed before in my rush to get Cuirealan outside. The room is large, bright and cheery, with white walls and cupboards but ornamented with accents of red all over. An exquisitely carved, white painted, wooden table sits in the middle of the area and Eliska is setting it for lunch. Her head pops up at the sound of the door and she stands, wiping her palms down the front of her shorts nervously, her eyes are darting to each of our faces. I smile reassuringly and some of the strain tightening her body loosens. “I thought maybe you would be hungry.” Eliska’s eyes land on her daughter and the rest of the tension recedes. I sneak a peek at Cuirealan and see contentment and calm acceptance in her sparkling green irises.

Eliska serves us a scrumptious lunch (is there anything this woman doesn’t rock at?) and we make plans for Ean to come back in two days to take Cuirealan to Rien. They accompany us to the back door as it seems easiest for us to return to our realm in the meadow, behind their property. Before I go outside, Cuirealan takes my hand and gives it a squeeze, grinning when our skin turns faintly translucent. “Thanks,” she whispers. I return her smile and leave her with a wink.

“I’ll see you next week, when we get started.”

Ean says his farewells, and together, we stroll to our destination. I feel a soft bush across the skin of my hand, and the tingling has returned. It must have been an accident, so I continue on, ignoring it. Then, I feel it again. Is he—is he trying to make skin contact? On purpose?

I hear a snort in my head.
Yeah, cause even if Ean did want you back, he’d do something that mushy? Do you live in a fantasy land, lady?
Ummm . . . kind of.
Wrong choice of words.

I reach for the warmth and the next thing I know, I’m walking in one of my training fields. I start toward the building, striding with purpose, but I’m slowed down by the touch of Ean’s hand on my arm.

“Laila.” My name falls off of his lips like smooth honey and I fight back a shiver. “What you did, how you worked with Cuirealan.” He pauses, drawing my attention to his eyes, and I’m surprised to see them sparkling, and filled with admiration. “It was amazing. We were going about it all wrong and if you hadn’t been there—” He falters, shaking his head in chagrin, “Something tells me she wouldn’t have accepted it and been lost to us.”

To my utter mortification, my cheeks begin to burn.
Holy crap, I’m freaking blushing.

Ean’s eyes drop to my cheeks and one corner of his mouth lifts slightly, before they drop further and zero in on my lips. The heat in my cheeks spreads until I’m flushed throughout my whole body. My gaze becomes riveted on his perfect lips and my mouth goes completely dry when his tongue darts out to wet them.
Look away! Look away! Get a fucking grip, girl!

I take a deep breath, which draws his attention down to my chest making my nipples harden. His eyes crinkle at the corners as if he were squinting, the movement so small, I almost don’t notice it. It’s pretty clear that he’s noticed the reaction the girls are having, which, to my utter dismay, makes them tighten even more. The little half smile on his face blooms into a smirk. Without a word, I spin around and start marching to the training center.

“Laila.” I ignore his call and keep moving. I seriously don’t need this right now.

“Laila!” he yells, “Would you stop for just a fucking minute?”

The heated flush starts to boil a little bit and I come to an immediate halt, then slowly turn toward him. “If you wanted to have a conversation with my breasts, Ean, you’re shit out of luck.”

Ean presses his lips together, suppressing that ridiculous (and sexy, damn it!) smile, but I can see it trying to break free. He slows down as he nears me, stopping just a few inches away. The scent of fresh soap and woodsy cologne wrap themselves around me and I have to fight the urge to breathe it in deeply.
Damn, he smells good.

“I’m sorry. You’re so sexy, baby, that I just can’t seem to help myself around you.” He gives me a sheepish smile, but his sapphires are twinkling with a lack of remorse.

His words suddenly start ringing in my head; did he just call me baby? I start to melt a little inside until I mentally water board myself with arctic water. While my heart stiffens back up, it doesn’t stop the heat that the nickname has caused to start growing between my legs.
Are you really that easy, Laila?
My hormones and my brain start tossing insults and calling each other names. I hear the word “slut” bandied around quite a bit, although the hormones seem to think that’s a positive description. This is absurd. I blow the whistle and send them back to their respective corners.

Seeing as how I’d I gotten derailed and lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed that Ean is now standing right in front of me, practically nose to nose. A startled gasp escapes which means I’m now drowning in his delicious aroma. I’m grasping desperately to my control as it screams,
mayday, mayday! We’re sinking!

I sigh, “I’m sorry, Ean. I should have said thank you.” I pat him on the arm.
Oh, it’s awkward.
“Happy to help any time.” With a bright smile, I once again start for my destination.

Ean falls into step beside me, his larger-than-life presence somewhat overwhelming. We reach the edge of the field. “I wasn’t sure how it would work when they asked you to accompany me. It was nothing like I expected. You really do have a gift for connecting with people and sharing your love for our abilities.”

“That’s why I teach. It’s not just about the technique.” I find myself smiling, I really do love my job and I have so much pride in the training program I’ve shaped. “It’s also about showing them how they can spread their wings, so to speak.” Ean’s soft chuckle spreads a comforting warmth through me. “I like helping them find their place, find a path to become steady and grounded on.”

Ean falls silent and when we reach the entrance, he grasps the handle and holds the door open for me. He’s standing so close, I have to brush by him as I step inside and damn it all to hell! I start to ache, my body desperately seeking his. I want to chalk it up to frustration from a lack of sexual activity, but no one has ever affected me the way Ean does. I put a spring in my step, hoping to get away from him without looking as though I’m running like a scared rabbit. Ean’s long legs and strong stride have him catching up with me quickly. The hallways seem to crackle with electricity on the way to the elevator. Once there, I stab the button and as we wait, I shift my weight several times, trying to loosen the coiled energy in my center, and get relief from the throbbing in my pussy.
Maybe you should take the stairs.

The lift
finally
arrives and Ean follows me inside. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. The confined space feels like a broom closet and I practically huddle in the corner to keep away from temptation. His scent fills my lungs and I try to keep my breathes minimal and shallow. Ean settles himself with his back against the wall, right the fuck next to me, crowding me, and relaxing with one jean clad leg crossed over the other at the ankle and his thumbs casually hooked into his pockets. He seems to be completely unaffected, but the pulse in his throat is racing. At least, it seems to be, maybe it’s just wishful thinking. I suddenly want to kiss him, just to prove that he’s not as in control as he appears.

I don’t. I’m afraid to touch him for fear that I’ll snap and attack him in a sexual frenzy. I know I’m supposed to be getting over him, I’m supposed to be less attracted to him, and if I can’t be those things, then I should still be royally pissed. And, I am, seriously. It’s just that the bell rang and when my hormones and brain stepped back into the ring, the hormones achieved an impressive KO.

Ding!
The doors open and I make a mad dash out of that moving lust box and to my apartment. I’m almost there when a hand grabs my arm and yanks me around, slamming up against Ean’s chest, and before I can even react, his lips come crashing down onto mine.