Series presented by: Tori Bradley
AN: Response to the Ars Amatoria's Ranger Romance Themes Challenge
Set During 'I Love Lothor'
Power…
Tori sat out by the lake. It seemed as though this was the only thing unspoiled by Lothor's attack on her beloved Wind Ninja Academy.
The sun was setting, shading the mountains with brilliant colors. She smiled as two birds flew overhead, playing in the air.
One thought filled her mind and she couldn't shake it…
Her day had been filled with so many highs and lows that she wasn't sure what to think anymore.
They had fought… over her. Cam and Blake throwing vicious blows at one another over her left her completely confused. Sure they had been under a spell, but she hoped deep down that the Navy Ranger's affection had been true.
Blake was constantly on her mind, never more so than now. What he had said while she was down on the ground after being hit still rang through her mind…
'Nothing can defeat the power of love.'
'Does he love me?' she thought. Her heart sped up in her chest and she knew then that she loved him. Through everything… he had come to her rescue. He was the only one of the guys that treated her like a girl; something that she wasn't all that used to.
Not that she wanted to be a 'girly girl,' but it was nice when a guy occasionally opened the door for her, or waited for her while the others went off on some venture.
She knew that she was falling for him… or maybe that she already had. She shook her head.
'Even if I do, there's no way he loves me… he was under that spell.'
She recalled his comments moments earlier about not wanting to fall in love again…
But then again, he did correct himself after looking at her…
"Hey."
She turned and felt her breath catch at he sat down next to her, placing one hand behind himself to balance.
"I was wondering where you went off to… There's still a ton of food left if you're hungry," Blake said, trying to easy the tension he felt between them.
Today had been no picnic for him either, but it had made him think a great deal.
Was the only reason he fought for Tori the spell?
No. He had told himself that over and over again. He knew what he felt for her…
"You never did answer my question," she said gently.
Blake knew this was coming, and he was finally ready…
"I wanted you to know the truth… about how I feel about you," he said carefully. Tori turned to face him and felt his hand on her cheek, pulling her to him.
Their lips met and held for several seconds before releasing, grins on both their faces.
"Blake," she whispered as he pulled her to him again, this time tenderly, taking in everything about this moment…
"I meant it when I said nothing was stronger than love," he whispered in her ear as he kissed her cheek. "I wasn't about to let that freak hurt you. I love you too much to let anything happen to you, spell or not."
Tori felt tears brimming her eyes as she settled into his arms. "I love you too," she said as they joined together in another kiss; the sun setting, casting the sky in shades of blue…