Chapter 1

Arkarian

Isabel lingers behind while the others say goodbye. They exit through the secret door of my chambers in the mountain and I seal the door behind them. She often lingers behind these days as we don't have much time to be together - what with all the chaos being sewn by The Order.

I go to her and wrap her in my arms. Looking down into her deep brown eyes, she takes my breath away. Her eyes close halfway and her lips part in anticipation of my kiss. I am still getting used to us being together now. I haven't been with anyone in so long, it feels strange – but in a good way.

I bring my mouth to hers. As always, there's a brief moment of tenderness, where our lips meet softly, cordially. I taste her sweet breath and her aura envelops mine. Then we are both overcome and the kiss deepens into something hungry. All of our passion is focused like a laser to our lips. We try and try to find some satisfaction, but that will only come with one thing.

My hands are in her hair. I have to put them there at once so as not to roam too far on her body before she's ready. I can't even trust myself to place them on her waist or her hips. Her hands however, explore my body freely. Now she lifts my shirt and places them across my stomach. She slides them up to my chest and back down. But not as low as I'd like.

It's like he's carved from marble. I hear this as if she said it out loud. She's usually very good at screening her thoughts. I wonder if she meant for me to hear it or if this was a moment of weakness.

I pull away from her, reluctantly. Softly, I tell her, "As much as I'd like to continue, I really must get to sleep. I suspect by early morning, the sphere will be settled and then I'll know then what the Guard's next mission is."

She catches her breath as she listens to me. Her lips are bright red and slightly swollen. It's enough to make me forget all my responsibilities and kiss her all night.

But she nods and starts to move away.

"Would you like to sleep here tonight?" I ask her. "With me?"

She bites her lip. "I'd better not. Mum's expecting me, and I don't want to worry her. She's still a bit skittish since Matt and I went missing for ten whole days."

I nod. It's probably for the best. As much as I'd like to spend all my time with her, the only way we're going to manage taking this slow is to only see each other in short bursts.

"Matt and Ethan are waiting, so I'd better go..." But she doesn't head towards the door.

I can't read her thoughts now, but from the look on her face, something is troubling her. Concerned, I ask, "What is it, Isabel?"

She bites her lip again and I can't tell if I want to be the one doing the biting or if I wish it were my lip instead, or if I just want to be that lip with her teeth sunk into me.

"Um, well," she starts. "You know how if any of us just say your name, you will hear us?"

I think I know where this is going, and I smile. "Not just if you say my name. You'd have to call it. I can't eavesdrop if you're talking about me, if that's what you're worried about."

"Uh, no. I hadn't even thought of that." Her brow furrows at this. "But how does it work exactly? Ethan once told me it had to be said loudly... and with passion."

"Yes, I suppose that's true. Though, I don't know if it has to be said loudly. I'm just more likely to notice it."

"But what if someone called your name, but they didn't mean for you to hear it?"

"Isabel, I'm not sure I understand. What are you getting at?"

"Do you remember my second mission? When I saved Abigail Smith?"

How could I forget? I almost lost her. But she doesn't know that, and if I can help it, she won't ever. I try to keep my voice even. "Yes, I do."

"Did you by chance hear your name called after you sent Ethan and I back to our bodies?"

For a moment, I am confused. But then the memory comes back to me. I had just sent them back and had come back to my chambers here. I had poured myself a drink and just as I was taking my first sip to calm my nerves, I heard her call out to me. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. But then fear gripped me and I worried she was in danger again. I almost used my wings to go to her, but I came to my senses just in time. Her mum, Matt, and Jimmy were likely gathered around her bed by then. I trusted that should I be needed, Jimmy would reach out to me. Then Ethan showed up here and I had a few more drinks. The rest of the night is a blur.

I almost reveal to her that I indeed heard her call. But the way she's looking at me is making me reconsider. There's a blush on her cheeks and she's just peeking up at me underneath her eyelashes. She's embarrassed by the whole thing. She's probably been wondering if I heard her since that moment, and been hoping that I hadn't. I never want to lie to her, but I don't see how this could hurt. She's doing so well now with screening her thoughts, no need to further embarrass her for past mistakes.

She's waiting for me to answer. I pretend like I've just been wracking my brain.

"No, not that I can remember," I answer as innocently as I can.

Her eyes slide away and her shoulders drop in relief.

"Why don't you go on home, and get some rest?" I say to her. She nods, and I kiss her forehead. If I kissed her lips again tonight, I wouldn't be able to let her leave.