Protected (Book 1 in the Ariya Adams trilogy) (33 page)
Read Protected (Book 1 in the Ariya Adams trilogy) Online
Authors: Anna Applegate
"James, this was made before
I met you," I said hesitantly, not sure how to dispel his sadness.
He nodded
, but went through the box anyways. "These were yours?" he asked and held up my velveteen rabbit and the book that went along with it.
I nodded,
remembering reading that book with my mom over and over, always wishing for a different ending. I had wanted the rabbit to be able to be real and stay with the boy.
Ironic, seeing as I was human trying to stay with James,
I thought.
"It was my favorite story." I smiled a small smile at him, wanting some kind of positive reaction back.
"Ariya..." He started to speak, but I cut him off.
"Please stop thinking about it, James. I know what I want." I walked up to him and put my hands around his waist, trying to get him to look at me.
"No, you don't. You could have all this,” he said, closing he box back up and placing it where he had found it. “You're going to be a wonderful mother, Ariya." He kissed my head, pulling away.
What?!
What in the world did that mean?
"I don’t think I’m going to be a mother, James," I argued back.
What was he thinking? Had he forgotten that being a mother meant not being with him?
"You don't know that. Come on, let's get the stockings and go back downstairs before your dad gives himself a stroke about us being alone together," he said and tried smiling at me.
I could feel the Protector in him taking over, though, replacing that care-free version of James I was getting so used to.
"Don't do this again. Don't pull away from me!" I said, walking right back over to him. "This isn't something we have to decide right now, and it's not something I want to argue about, please." I looked at him, trying to will him to stop
overthinking everything about our future.
He smiled briefly again and walked back towards the stairs.
He held his hand out to help me down out of the attic. All I wanted to do was shake him and tell him he was crazy if he thought I was going to turn away from him. That wouldn’t be what he wanted to hear, though. If I said that, he'd probably turn away himself, thinking that I was wasting my life. Plus, it was his job to make sure I popped out another kid in the bloodline, wasn't it? That was the purpose of keeping the bloodline safe, so that they could live a normal life and have a family and keep this damn “gift” going.
I sighed, shutting the attic door a bit harder than I needed to, and I didn't look at James as I walked back into the room with the stockings to hang on the fireplace.
That night, James came into the bedroom and just crawled in behind me and lay there to let me sleep. He was silent. I hated when he shut down like this. He was always so sure that he was the one who knew what the right thing to do was. Shouldn’t I get a choice? I didn’t want to pop out a kid and go around like I didn’t know him. Why didn’t he understand that?
I sighed before turning over and falling asleep, unsettled.
A Note From the Author:
Thank you so much for reading Book 1 in the Ariya Adams trilogy, Protected. I can’t even begin to explain the joy writing this has brought me. I truly believe that anything can happen if you put your mind to it. I never thought I’d get to write a book and now here I am, with one book out and two more (at least!) on the way.
This journey has been an amazing one and there are so many people who have
supported me and hopped aboard with me. Thank you to my family. They have been my constant cheerleaders. I am so lucky to have people who believe in everything I set out to do. Thank you to all of my friends who were there from the beginning when I set out to do this. I love you all, so much.
Thank you
to my mom. She did two edits on my book for me, and she never even complained. I can’t believe how lucky I am to be in such a supportive family. The only reason I know I can follow my dreams, is because my parents have instilled that and encouraged it my entire life.
Thank you to Briana Luff and Caroline Cannon. Without the two of you, Caroline Lufsky wouldn’t exist. Thank you for the friendship and memories that allowed me to write what a best friend and a college roommate relationship is truly like.
Thanks to Mary-Nancy of Eagle Eye Editing for taking on my final proofreading and read through at the last minute, even when she was sick!
Also, thank you to Elizabeth, one of my beta readers. She gave me some tough critiques that took this book to the next level, and I’m so thankful!
Thank you Stephenie
Philipsen, my very first beta reader. You provided such amazing feedback on this book and I feel so blessed to know you! You were always there with a quick response when I had questions or had edits I wanted a second opinion on. I think my Riley fans are going to love you for bringing my attention to where I had neglected him a bit. I can’t say thank you enough to you for all the support, especially when I was fragile early on. You are such a great friend.
Another BIG thank you to my wr
iting sisters. First, my friend, Jennifer Durfey. She has given me so much help and guidance. Having published her own paranormal romance,
Dreamer (Kali Lockton Trilogy, Book 1)
– Go read it, she has been my go to for all publishing questions. She always lends a hand, even while she’s trying to handle her own busy schedule. She throws out ideas for marketing and anything else I may need! She never hesitates to provide encouragement. I’m so lucky to have found not only such a gifted writing partner, but also a wonderful friend.
And to my other writing sister, my dear
friend, Patricia Lacedra Maximini. You are SUCH a blessing! Countless hours chatting online, putting together marketing ideas, going back and forth with various scenes and characters, and just being there for the ups and downs of being an author, has meant more than you know. Patty is an author, too. I can’t wait for the release of her first incredible novel,
Exception
, in October! This book would never have gotten to the publishing stage without Patty’s constant checking in and positive attitude!
There are so many other people I’ve met along the way with this that I can’t wait to get to know better. The world of indie authors, bloggers,
writers, dreamers, and readers, is a world I am proud to be a part of.
Thank you for
reading. I hope you enjoyed!
Author Bio:
Anna Applegate lives in rural Maryland with her husband and goldendoodle.
She loves reading, romance of all kinds, sappy chick flicks, paranormal literature, shooting stars, Disney, traveling, and having an imagination.
If you are interested in staying up to date when she releases new books, teasers, and more, please sign up for her e-mailing list at
http://annaapplegate.com
under the Contact Me tab. Just put a note in that you’re
interested in joining the mailing list.
Book 2 in the Ariya Adams trilogy will be coming out November 2013!
Find out more about Anna and the latest in the Ariya Adams trilogy through one of the below methods of communication:
https://www.facebook.com/annaapplegateauthor