Beckoning Light (The Afterglow Trilogy #1)(16)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

I could have stayed in that one spot forever, but I continued through the garden and out into an open field. Although the trees and flowers didn’t extend that far, the low grass on the field was almost neon green, and the sky in the clearing was just as blue.

A flock of birds colored with hues as bright as the flowers flew overhead. The colors were unbelievable, an artist’s dream. The birds veered and flew toward me. It took me a moment to realize they were actually flying away from a much larger bird that was equally colorful. The larger bird had long, sharp talons and, in the back of my mind, I wondered if I should be afraid, but I seemed to know instinctively that the bird wouldn’t hurt me.

Suddenly, an arrow shot through the sky, hitting the large bird. It fell to the ground, and I felt a simultaneous stab of pain. I ran to the bird with tears welling in my eyes. Without thinking, I pulled the arrow out of its side and stroked one of the bird’s beautiful wings. There was a sudden burst of heat, and then the bird rose and flew away. It looked back once as if to study me before it disappeared past the horizon.

I looked around. Someone had to have shot the arrow, but from where? I heard the crunch of dirt and twigs behind me. Startled, I stood quickly and turned around. I came face to face with a guy who appeared to be a few years older than me. My eyes locked with his deep green ones, and I was transfixed. I felt a tightening in my chest and became dizzy.

“Hello, Miss,” he said. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, but why… why did you shoot that beautiful bird?” I was still unable to tear my gaze from his beautiful eyes. I felt like I no longer had control of my senses; all I could do was stare.

“I was saving your life. That bird could have killed you.”

“Hardly, it was so beautiful.”

“Even beautiful things can be deadly.”

After a few moments, I finally broke the trance and looked at more than his eyes. I immediately realized just how handsome he was. He was tall, at least as tall as Kevin, with even broader shoulders and jet-black hair falling just below his ears. Maybe it was the stubble on his face, but there was something rugged about him. I could feel my heart racing; even our conversation didn’t make my feelings any less intense. It seemed like he was deliberating, taking small steps as he came closer, as though he was trying not to scare me.

“My name is Calvin.”

“I’m Charlotte.” I shook his offered hand.

He looked at me kindly. “You’re not from around here, are you, Charlotte?”

I was puzzled by his question. “I actually live right through that garden, on the other side of the gate.”

“Oh, your clothing looked foreign to me,” he said, gesturing. “I didn’t know there was anything through that gate.” I looked down at my jeans and sweater and then over at Calvin. I was startled when I realized that he was wearing clothing that appeared to be from a rustic Renaissance fair. He wore a white cotton shirt with black pants and black boots, but it was clearly not the type of clothing that anyone I knew wore.

“Where am I?” Between the colors, sounds, and birds, I already knew something was up, but Calvin’s comment about my clothes just reiterated how strange this place was.

“You’re just south of Rawlins,” he answered simply.

“Rawlins? I’ve never heard of it.” The description did nothing to help me.

“You said that you live through the gate, what city lies there?” Calvin asked.

“Charleston.” After I said it, I realized that he might not know where that was.

“Charleston? Never heard of it.” He sounded disappointed. “Do you come here often? It is not frequent that one encounters a young woman out in this area.” He took a step closer, so close I could feel his breath on my face.

“I’ve never been through the gate before tonight.” I felt so warm and comfortable in his presence.

“Tonight? Have you been here that long?” he asked, suddenly concerned.

“No.” I realized how crazy it might sound if I tried to explain that I had left my house late at night.

Calvin didn’t seem to hear; he just stared at me. Then, he said, “I do not mean to be so forward, but would you like to take a walk with me, Charlotte?”

“Yes, that would be great.” In the back of my mind, I knew that taking a walk with a guy I didn’t know wasn’t very smart, but I couldn’t help my response. It was like when I had kissed Liam, out of my control.

Calvin grabbed my hand and led me across the field to a forest. I couldn’t understand why I was so drawn to him. He had a physical effect on me I had never felt nor imagined, and the thought of saying goodbye gave me a sharp pain in my chest. I found myself going through every description I knew of love at first sight and rejecting them as a comparison—this was different; it was stronger. It was like something larger than myself was pushing me toward him, telling me that I belonged by his side.

We walked through the forest until he led me to a rock overlooking a shallow river. The water was an iridescent blue and seemed to change color slightly as it flowed. He helped me sit, and then sat down next to me, never once letting go of my hand. I turned toward him and looked down at my hand in his; my hand looked so small in comparison. With my free hand, I traced his other palm with my finger and could tell by his rough skin and callouses his were the hands of someone who had worked hard. I guess I should have known that already, considering he was hunting with arrows.

We sat on the rock for what felt like hours, listening to the water and the birds. Every time I looked at Calvin, he was looking at me, and each time our eyes locked, I got the same sensation I had the first time I saw him. I was about to look away after the third time when Calvin pulled me closer and kissed me. The tightening in my chest became stronger, and I felt incredible warmth. I kissed him back with more intensity than I thought possible. When I finally pulled away, I felt lightheaded. Calvin, as though he knew, pulled me tight against him so my head could rest on his chest. I breathed in his scent, more content than I had ever been in my life, listening to his heartbeat. Somehow, I knew I was where I was supposed to be, in the arms of this boy I had just met.

“Charlotte?”

“Yes?” I turned my head so I could look up into his eyes again.

“Do you feel it, too?” He ran his hand gently down my back.

I nodded, still looking into his eyes.

“Is it not wonderful?”

“The best,” I said. He kissed me gently on the lips.