Things That Should Stay Buried - Casey L. Bond Page 0,77

more time outside. I wanted to be alone and process my thoughts without worrying about someone seeing my expressions, then analyzing them and reporting back about my wellbeing.

Aries followed me to the balcony. “I’d like to show you something else, if you’ll allow me,” he said, his voice raspy.

I turned to face him, watching the wind toy with his hair. My fingers flexed jealously with the desire to touch the dark strands and watch him lean into my touch. “Okay.”

He gave a small smile and slowly walked closer, raising his hands toward me and lowering his head. Placing his palms on each side where neck met shoulder, he gently eased his forehead closer until it brushed, then touched mine.

I focused on his breathing, steady and rhythmic, of his heartbeat under my hand, strong and consistent. Of his skin on mine. Of his lips so close. He whispered for me to close my eyes and I let them drift shut.

At first, I could only see darkness.

And then… I felt fear. Anger. Terror.

As Taurus pulled my dad from behind him, Aries watched as I screamed for him. He saw me start toward my father and gave Kes the order to get me to safety in the place Taurus would not find. They’d already discussed it.

He watched me disappear, wincing from the pain he knew I’d feel from the travel, but knowing deep down it was for the best.

My dad’s mouth fell open as we vanished. “Where did they go?” he muttered.

Taurus sauntered forward, pointing his spear-sharp horns at Aries. “I only wanted to talk to her.”

“I thought you valued honesty, Taurus,” Aries volleyed.

Xavier watched the two posture, his eyes wide and alert, bracing a hand on the table and planting his legs to be ready to run if he needed to.

Aquarius rose from his chair and joined Aries in a unified front. Virgo stayed seated, managing to look bored and pathetic at the same time. I thought she’d chosen to back Aries. Why wasn’t she standing with him?

Aries felt the exact moment Kes and I appeared in the cave, and his erratic emotions were tampered with a sense of relief. He waited patiently as the bullish man paused in front of him. “I will have her,” Taurus whispered.

“Her father’s presence here will not make her leave the safety of my kingdom.”

“Of course it will. I have a special offer to make her. I’ll call on her again. Soon,” his mouth and molten eyes promised.

Dad shouted to Aries, “Are my children safe?”

“They are both safe, though I cannot say the same for you.”

Dad looked to Taurus with a question in his eyes.

“Tell Larken I said goodbye,” he taunted. Appearing in front of my father, he touched his arm and they disappeared, my father’s scream echoing across the room.

Aquarius turned to Aries. “She’s safe now.”

Aries swallowed thickly. “I hope you’re right.” He was paralyzed with fear and despair. It coiled within him and squeezed his heart tightly, making it hard to breathe.

“Call for your Guardian to bring her back.”

I gasped as he pulled his head away, searching for words as the fog of memory and sharpness of reality collided.

“I wanted you to see that your father wasn’t harmed.”

“Thank you,” I breathed, clutching my chest and feeling as though my heart was being constricted. “You were afraid for me.”

His hand found my hip and he brushed the mark with his thumb, warming it. “Tremendously.”

“Why?”

“You know why, Larken,” he said, never taking his eyes off mine.

I closed my eyes and asked, “Could I show you something?”

He nodded and approached again, gently pressing his head against mine, holding me near the jaw this time. His skin warmed mine, lending me comfort to show him things from my perspective.

I showed him the moment everything went wrong, wondering if he might even be able to feel the migraine that pulsed through my temples on the day the Zodia awoke. I remembered the girl disappearing in front of me, my white-knuckled drive toward the cemetery, the fear I had for my parents after Kes said no place was safe, of seeing his tomb and then him for the first time. How awestruck I was. How I felt like one of the star-shaped flowers curling toward him.

I showed him how frightened I was to take his marks on my face. How I didn’t understand it, but that when I saw him slash his palm, it had hurt a little. Maybe I only imagined the twinge of pain; perhaps it was merely