Chapter Twenty-Two

A week passes. Being away from everything I'm used to, and in this unfamiliar house, almost feels like a vacation. I've gotten a lot of rest, been pampered like a princess, and haven't had a single responsibility. It's only my depressing thoughts that pull me away from the bliss I find myself in.

Lumen takes trips into town every morning and brings back more stuff each time. Sometimes it's clothes, sometimes it's food, and sometimes it's stuff for us to do. It's always a surprise. He can't carry much since the only way to town and back is by light travel, meaning he can only take what he can carry in the backpack he grabbed one time when he went.

I've learned this house runs purely on him, which I find fascinating. The electrical is set up like most other homes, only it doesn't run to power lines outside. We're on top of a mountain and there is no electricity up here. Lumen fuels the box with his light power. It lasts a few days before he has to go and "juice it up," as he likes to call it.

The house isn't big in the way it has a ton of rooms, but more of a few useful rooms that are spacious. I appreciate that I don't feel claustrophobic in here, especially since I'm pretty much locked inside all the time. It's not that I'm not allowed to go outside, there just isn't anywhere to go. We are on a mountain, and it's a surprise this house is even standing safely on the cliff it's built on. There is some room around the foundation of the house, but I'd rather not risk it. Looking out the windows, though, it's the most beautiful view I've ever seen. Miles and miles of mountains and trees, and we can even see as far as Canada.

We've all cleaned more thoroughly in our spare time, and each of the rooms is livable now. Free of cobwebs and animal poop—which I was not happy about finding in the downstairs bathroom because I was worried about being attacked by an animal with rabies. Lumen assured me the pile of feces was old and there are no animals in the house. And if there were, he'd protect me. Which I believe and appreciate, but it also made me feel a little useless that I can't even protect myself from a small animal. The poop belonged to a raccoon, at most.

As the days pass, I let go of my old life more and more. Some times are harder than others. But leaving everything behind, in a way, makes it easier to handle. I have nothing to remind me of my old life. I don't even have my cell phone, not that it would work up here.

I feel bad I haven't called Bradyn like I said I would. He's probably concerned about me. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already put out a missing person's report—he can be a little dramatic. But all I can do is get word to him when I can. Unless I find a carrier pigeon out here, he'll have to wait.

Part of me hopes he went to check on me, found all my stuff still there, and grabbed some of my things. The things I care about. I hate knowing it'll be gone forever. Another part of me hopes Bradyn didn't—or won't—go to the house at all, because what if the shadows take him? If they know he knows me, they may question him. I don't want him hurt.

"You okay?" Lumen asks as he sits beside me on the couch. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is playing on the 80-inch flat screen. During one of his trips, Lumen picked up a ton of DVDs, including the entire HP collection. I'd asked how he knew it was one of my favorites, and he said he'd "just guessed." I wasn't sure if that was a dig at me being human and ignorant to real magic or if it's because he knows me well enough to have guessed, and I wasn't going to ask.

"Just thinking about my mom."

"You miss her?" I nod. "We can find a way to call her."

I flinch, then close my eyes and give a small shake of my head. "She died about two months ago."

"Shit," he mutters, running a hand down his face. "I'm sorry, Lexi. I didn't know."

"How would you know? I never told you. Besides, it's not just her I was thinking about. She had this blanket… it was her favorite. It was so soft and warm. My father gave it to her as a gift the Christmas before he died."

Lumen sighs, then softly asks, "Do you have any family?"

I shake my head, emotion clogging my throat. I'm alone. Doesn't he know I have no one?

He throws his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close to him. I'm not sure how or when I became so comfortable with him touching me, but I have. It's small touches here and there, and always when the time is right. Like when I'm upset, or he knows I'm freezing my ass off. He seems to know exactly when I need a hug and when I need to be left alone. Though, that's probably because he can sense my emotions. They both can. So of course it'll be easy for them to read me. I feel like it's cheating.

When I was with Bradyn, we didn't do the PDA thing. I always felt weird about it. Even when we were alone, we didn't cuddle or be affectionate with one another. Maybe that was the problem? Maybe that's why he cheated… He had no problem kissing all over Cassie in front of everyone at the dance. I never told him I didn't like doing that stuff in front of people—we just didn't.

Lumen and I sit together without speaking, eyes on the TV, but I'm not sure we're paying attention to what is going on. I woke up bright and early this morning for no reason I could figure out, and instead of going back to sleep, I put on the first movie. Now, here I am, halfway through the fourth. I won't finish them today, not only because they're too long, but because tonight there is no moon. It's the night we're going to see if Lumen can take enough light away to make Ves solid. So, as you can see, I'm trying to occupy myself from the nagging thoughts that I'll be having sex with Ves for the first time—and soon. Maybe if he were just a human, this wouldn't be so bad. But the thought of mating with him, connecting our souls in a way that is unbreakable—according to them—it's overwhelming.

"I'll be right back, okay?" Lumen says suddenly.

"Oh… Okay."

I sit up straight, allowing him to get up. He heads down the hall that leads to the basement. No idea what he's doing down there. Maybe he needs to check the electrical box? He was down there yesterday, but what do I know about any of that stuff? Absolutely nothing.

I bring my attention back to the movie, because what else am I going to do? Lumen said he'd be right back. Ves is sleeping. The movie is what I have.

I get so caught up in it because it's my favorite part—when they're at the Yule Ball. I feel like this is the first time when you see how much Ron loves Hermione but doesn't want to admit it. Probably because he doesn't even realize it himself. It's sweet, and their little argument is so memorable. Also, Victor Krum is hot as hell.

I don't notice Lumen is back until he's draping something over my lap. Something bright as snow and just as soft. I look down at the blanket, and all the air leaves my lungs. There is so much emotion clogging my insides that I can't breathe.

"What… How—"

I'm at a loss for words. My eyes dart to him.

"I popped back to Hailemont to get it. I know I said I wanted to wait to check out the place, but you were sad." He shoves his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his heels.

I pull my gaze from him to look down at the blanket on my lap. I didn't tell him I hadn't seen the blanket in months because I was too afraid to go into her room to get it. I'd hoped and prayed that it was safe from what happened, because during the warm months she kept it in the closet. That means he looked for it and guessed which one it was. I can't believe he got it right. I can't—

Tears fill my eyes at the thoughtfulness of what Lumen did. I don't think he realizes how much this means to me—for so many reasons. I get to my feet, grasping the blanket in my hand, and throw my arms around his neck, awkwardly squishing the blanket between us as I hug him.

"Thank you," I whisper, fighting the tears threatening to spill.

His hands come around my waist, hugging me tightly to him. I listen to the beat of his heart as he holds me, feel the warmth of him settle into my bones. Being here feels good. It's comforting. And it's also weird because I hardly know him. Yet… he doesn't feel like a stranger.

Which solidifies the notion that we're mates. Why else would he feel so good? Even humans have their version of mates. Soul mates. Sometimes, this is just how it is. Sometimes a stranger may be a stranger physically, but not emotionally. All I know is that I never felt this good, or even close to it, when I was with Bradyn.

Lumen kisses the top of my head, squeezing me a little tighter. I pull back and look up at him. His eyes are dark, almost a bleeding orange, as he looks down at me. His gaze dips to my lips and I run my tongue over them because they're suddenly so dry.

I think he's going to kiss me. If he isn't, he's at least thinking about it. My stars, I hope he does. I want him to. My stomach flutters as his gaze flicks back to mine. His fingers come up to brush some stray hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. His hand lingers there, and I lean into it.

I swear if I could reach, I'd kiss him myself, but he's too damn tall. And I can't risk leaning up to kiss him if he isn't going to kiss me. I'd feel so stupid, and that isn't something I can handle today.

He smirks, his eyes still holding mine. "Do you want me to kiss you, Lexi?"

I gasp. I hate it, but I do.

I love and hate how honest he is. How bold. How there are no secrets with him because he just knows everything and speaks his mind.

My nerves skyrocket, my cheeks heat. I want to look away from him. Want to run and hide. I'm not used to being called out like this, and maybe it makes me nervous, but it excites me too. I like the way he looks at me when he flirts… like he enjoys pushing my boundaries. And not in a cruel way, but an adoring way.

I'm used to being called out to be made fun of. I was picked on in school for years. But Lumen wouldn't do that. He wouldn't ask me if I want him to kiss me, just to mock me, like Charles Smith did in second grade. Charles was stupid. Immature.

Lumen isn't Charles. He may be silly and flirty, but he isn't immature. He's fun.

I muster all the confidence I can find and whisper, "Yes."

He smiles, then leans down so his lips are inches from mine. The heat of his mouth caresses mine. "You only had to tell me," he whispers back. Then he's kissing me.

His lips are perfect. So soft and so damn warm. That warmth travels through me like an electrical current, every bit of my body heating to my very core. Lumen doesn't deepen the kiss, doesn't open his mouth and shove his tongue down my throat like other boys have. He presses his lips to mine in a sweet, simple kiss. And when he pulls away, he drags his lips along my jaw, kissing me there too. Then below my ear, then my neck, which causes me to gasp and dig my fingers into his shoulders. He chuckles, his warm breath feathering across my skin again.

"You like that," he says in a husky tone.

"Yes?"

"You don't know?" His gaze is curious when he pulls back. I hold his stare, not saying anything. "How much experience do you have, darling?"

"I, uh… not much," is what I say, giving him a small shrug, trying to play it off like this doesn't make me feel dumb. If only my cheeks would play along too and stop heating to insurmountable temperatures.

He raises a brow, tugging me impossibly closer to him. "That sounds fun."

My cheeks burn hotter.

"Fun how?" I whisper.

"Teaching, experimenting, playing… figuring out what you like and don't like." His hands move up and down my back in a soothing, comforting way. "It's my favorite."

I won't allow my thoughts of how does he know it's his favorite? to take away from the fact that his words make me want to find out exactly how much he likes it. It doesn't matter how he knows it's his favorite; he wants to explore it, and he wants to do it with me.

His hands slide to my waist, then travel up my sides, stopping beside my breasts. He takes a step back and looks down at me.

"What do you think?" he asks in this low, husky tone.

"I think I like that."

He smiles, grips my chin gently, then kisses me again. "Good. I await the day you're ready."

All I can think is, I'm ready right now.