Beckoning Light (The Afterglow Trilogy #1)(34)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Calvin continued to lead me forward, never letting go of my hand as we walked through the village and back to the castle. The castle was illuminated with bright lights. He led me by the Great Hall, and I peeked inside. Men and women filled the room; my Guardians looked exuberant.

Calvin then led me past the hall and out onto a small balcony. It was still cold outside, but I felt warm as he pulled me into his arms.

“Charlotte, Charlotte, is this not just like a dream?” He kissed me lightly on the lips.

Although no one had explained much of anything, it all seemed to fall into place, as though I had known all along that I was destined to be here.

“Calvin, it’s you,” I said dreamily.

“I knew last night when you walked in that I was to be the Gerard. I could hardly contain my excitement and joy. When I first met you, I dreamed that I would one day be able to amount to enough to make me a worthy partner for you. To go from that sliver of hope to finding out that now not only can I be with you, but I am meant to be with you, is unimaginable.” He kissed me eagerly. I was left breathless, just like all of the other times. If it was possible, Calvin looked even happier when he saw my reaction. Normally, I would have been a nervous wreck by now, but my thoughts were still so clear from the ceremony that I didn’t even look away.

“So this is what love feels like,” I said quietly.

Calvin’s face lit up even more. “Yes, only it is a stronger love than anyone else could ever experience. We will make a perfect match, Charlotte. I will make sure that you have a life full of any happiness you could dream of, and that you have everything you could ever want.”

I vaguely remembered Blake explaining that the Essence and the Gerard were essentially the leaders of Energo. “But how are we supposed to lead? I know so little about this world.”

“We will do what is right, and I know that Blake will remain and help us find our way. He understands that neither of us were brought up for our positions. We need guidance.”

“But you are from here,” I said, surprised that he considered himself just as unprepared.

“Charlotte, you saw where I was raised. I am from a farming family. But none of that matters. It will all be perfect.” He gently lifted my face.

I smiled, happy to be with Calvin again and to see that he was equally happy to be with me. He held me a few moments longer before pulling away slightly. “As much as I do not want to give up a minute of time alone with you, I believe we need to enter the hall now. We are expected.” Calvin, who had only momentarily released my hand, clasped it again and led me down the corridor and into the Great Hall.

I was greeted by the other seven members of my Guard. Each bowed slightly, even James. Henry smiled when he saw me. “How amazing was that, Charlotte?”

“Pretty amazing.” I returned the smile. I thought about giving him a hug, but something stopped me; maybe it was the look that Calvin was giving Henry, presumably for talking to me so informally. Everyone else acted like I was royalty or something. One of the older Guardians hit Calvin on the shoulder in a friendly way, and Calvin grinned. Calvin introduced him as William, and I could tell that he was Calvin’s most trusted friend on the Guard. William shook my hand formally and told me that I had chosen the finest man to be my Gerard. I smiled at him before looking over at Calvin, who could hardly contain his happiness. I shook hands with my other Guardians, Gabriel, Drake, Philip, and Myron. When I spotted James, I tried to think of something to say. His face was still full of anger. Calvin pulled me forward when he saw me looking at James. James looked away, as though he couldn’t bear to look at me. Something inside of me hardened at his reaction. Wasn’t he the one who brought me here in the first place? Why did he think he had the right to be mad at me?

“Charlotte, pay him no worry. He knows his duty and will get over his disappointment,” Calvin whispered, as he led me further into the room.

“Disappointment? He thought he would be Gerard?” I phrased it as a question, although I could feel the answer.

“Yes. Most of the men assumed it would be James, considering who his father is, and that he is the one who brought you to Bellgard. I admit that it was hard for me to watch him carry you off last night, but I knew that after tonight I would be the only one allowed to do that, so I made myself keep quiet.” He brushed some hair away from my face.

“I only came with him to be near you,” I said quietly.

“I know. I did not doubt it for a moment.” He led me over to a table lined with goblets filled with a dark red liquid that I presumed was wine.

Calvin handed me a goblet and raised his own. Then, with a deeper voice than I expected, he called for attention. “A new era begins tonight. We have found our Essence, and she has selected me as her Gerard. I will rise to my position with every ounce of strength I have. I promise you that Charlotte and I will unite and lead you into a period of prosperity and hope.”

Everyone raised their goblets, and I did the same. “To Energo and to our Essence.”

After watching everyone else, I took a small sip, and then stopped. Yes, it was definitely wine. “Calvin, I can’t drink this.”

Calvin looked confused. “Why not?”

“I’m only fifteen.”

“And that matters?”

I almost laughed; they probably didn’t have a drinking age here. “Where I’m from, you aren’t allowed to drink alcohol until twenty-one,” I admitted.

“Twenty-one!” Calvin echoed. “Is it not until then that you become of age?” he asked, looking slightly concerned.

“Well, we can vote and join the army at eighteen.”

“I assure you that here you are every bit of age and can drink if you desire.” He smiled. I took another sip of the wine, unable to help feeling like a rebel.

I noticed that everyone else in the room was watching us. Calvin seemed to be delighting in it, and for once, I didn’t really mind being the center of attention, but it still seemed surreal.

“Every man in this room wishes he were me tonight,” Calvin whispered when he noticed me looking around.

“Because you’re the new leader?”

“More importantly, they know I have you,” he said, squeezing my hand.

“I’m lucky, too, you know,” I whispered, and he smiled brightly.

Blake suddenly appeared at my side, giving me a slight chill. I couldn’t really place it, but my senses seemed much stronger. When my Guardians greeted me, I knew I could trust them. It was almost like a voice in my head guided me, except it didn’t use words. It was just an intense feeling. I had the opposite sensation with Blake; something told me to be wary of him.