Becoming Calder(73)

I sat there for a minute longer, looking at the items, my mind working. I knew we weren't ready to leave just yet, so he just wanted to see me. And I wanted to see him—desperately. And to do it safely, I needed to get this powder into Hector's evening tea.

I'd do whatever it took though. I'd do anything to see Calder.

"Thank you, Maya," I whispered. "Thank you for being so very brave." I only wished I could tell her in person.



**********



Later that night, after I'd carefully put the white powder in Hector's tea and served it to him as he read in front of the fire, and he'd woozily walked up the stairs to bed, I climbed carefully out my window. I had thought about going out the front door, but several of the council members were home and their eyes followed me as I walked through the main lodge. I retired to my room directly after Hector. Leaving my window open a tiny crack, I shimmied along the roof on my behind, careful not to make a single sound, and then when I got to the far side of the house, I counted to three and made a quick leap to the only tree tall enough to jump to. I forced myself not to cry out when a sharp branch struck my side, and the one I'd grasped onto swayed precariously under my weight. Instead, I gave myself a second to settle and reached for another branch, and another until it was safe to jump to the ground.

Just as I landed, car headlights turned into Acadia and I sucked in a breath and made myself as small as possible behind the large trunk of the tree, squeezing my eyes shut. If they got out of the car and looked carefully enough, I'd be easy to spot.

I heard heavy footsteps walking to the left of me and I stayed frozen until the front door opened and closed. I let my breath out and sprinted quickly across the open area to the grove of trees that led to the path down to the spring.

My body was filled with energy and excitement when I finally pushed the brush aside and ducked into our oasis, breathing heavily, almost giddy.

I stood up straight and froze.

There he was, standing, bathed in moonlight, and the glow of dozens of candles placed all around, a small smile on his lips. I stared unabashedly, his beauty seeming too remarkable to be real. I looked down shyly, suddenly feeling the weight of this moment. It might be the last one we had before we left here.

I brought my eyes to his and we both moved at once, rushing toward each other until he picked me up and swung me around. I tipped my head back and laughed at the clear night sky as Calder buried his face in my neck, his smile growing bigger against my skin.

After a minute he set me on my feet. Calder brought his hand up to my cheek as I leaned into it, closing my eyes.

"Are you okay?" I whispered finally. "I was so worried. Your legs . . ." I couldn't help it. Tears welled in my eyes at the memory of watching him endure such horrendous pain.

Calder shook his head and used his thumb to brush away the one tear that escaped. "My legs are fine, Eden. I promise you." He leaned back and looked down at me, smiling a small smile. "It's my heart that hurts from missing you."

I laughed out a small half-laugh, half-sob. "I miss you, too. So much. I thought I would die watching you suffer."

Calder leaned forward and took my face in his hands. "Shh, it's over now."

I nodded my head, but the floodgates had opened and now tears were running down my cheeks.

"I didn't worry about you because I know how strong you are."

I shook my head. "Look at me. I'm not that strong."

Calder smiled. "Yes, you are. You're stronger than any man I've ever met. In fact," he raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes, "maybe you really are a man."

I laughed, a strangled sound in the midst of my tears. "Stop trying to make me laugh. I feel like crying right now."

He grinned, but his eyes moved over my features. "Wait, no, you're way too pretty to be a man. But maybe I need to investigate this theory further." He leaned in and kissed me gently, sweeping his tongue over my lips. "Mmm . . . and you taste far too sweet to be a man," he whispered, leaning away from me, his eyes darkening.

I closed my eyes, my tears stopping, and a smile making the corners of my mouth tilt up very slightly. "You're trying to distract me."

Calder raised an eyebrow. "And," he picked up a piece of my hair and brought it to his nose, closing his eyes, "you smell better than most men."

I laughed. It felt good.

He smiled and then leaned in again and kissed me. We explored each other's mouths for long minutes, both sighing in pleasure.

Calder brought his hands down to my breasts and cupped them gently. He broke away from my mouth, trailing his lips down my throat as I leaned my head back. "No," he said, "it's conclusive. Definitely not a man."