Perilous Light (The Afterglow Trilogy #2)(42)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

I smiled. “Absolutely.” Mom overheard the exchange and waved for us to go ahead.

After eating a quick, nearly tasteless lunch, Calvin and I lay down in a grassy clearing. I leaned my head on his chest and listened to his breathing and beating heart. The reunion with my mother had temporarily distracted me from how amazing it was to have Calvin fighting on my side.

“What are you thinking about?”

I thought about picking my head up to reply, but I was just too comfortable. He started running his fingers up the sides of my arm, and I was beyond relaxed. “I’m just so happy that you’re here.” I left out the part about him finally coming to his senses and joining the Resistance.

“My thoughts exactly.” He rolled me up on top of him. Pleasantly surprised by his playful side, I looked down and kissed him.

“You’re not going to ever leave me again, are you?”

“If I remember correctly, you are the one who left me.” He sighed, but I knew he wasn’t really mad. “Not that you lacked a good reason.”

“It was hard to leave. It took all the strength I had. It’s hard to fight what comes naturally.”

“Did you just call our relationship natural?” He watched me intently.

“Yeah, I think I’m done pretending otherwise.” I gave him a coy smile, and he pulled my head down to his, and our lips locked. It felt so good to get lost in his embrace again, to feel his arms around me, and to know I didn’t have to be alone.

“I am sorry to interrupt, but we need to get moving.”

The heat rose to my face as I realized that Lawson had been watching us. I moved off of Calvin quickly, but he pulled me back down so I ended up sitting on his lap, facing him.

“Thank you for letting us know. We will be just a minute.” Calvin held me to him for a few moments longer, then looked at me with a smile. “You are adorable when embarrassed.”

I swatted at him in a failed attempt to hit him. I was still overwhelmed by the kiss and from being found in such a compromising position. “You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”

“What? Kissing you? Of course.” He gave me a wry grin.

“You know what I mean.”

“Charlotte, you are my Essence. We are supposed to be together. I had to wait a year to enjoy the greatest benefits of being the Gerard, and I will not be embarrassed by it.” He kissed me lightly on the top of my head before standing, then helping me to my feet.

I was still a little lightheaded when we went to meet the rest of the group. I hoped Lawson hadn’t reported the position he found us in, but that prospect was doused when James raised an eyebrow and Mom gave me a secretive smile.

I ignored their hints and said, “Okay, so let’s get going.” It was time to return to the Resistance.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Charlotte

The moment we entered the fern grotto, five soldiers with swords surrounded us. In a swift movement, Calvin pushed me behind him.

“That isn’t necessary.” I said to the soldiers. Calvin held me back as I tried to step around him.

“I understand he is your Gerard, but he supports Blake,” one soldier said.

“He is no longer with Blake,” Monty responded.

“Do you agree to vouch for him until we reach Theodore?” the soldier asked.

“Yes, let us pass.” Monty didn’t wait for the soldier to move out of the way. He pushed ahead, making the man jump to the side.

Calvin tensed beside me, so I squeezed his hand. I understood that returning with us to the Resistance couldn’t have been easy for him.

“Sweet mercy, Emma!” Theodore pulled my mom into his arms. We stood back a little in an attempt to give them privacy. The reunion between Mom and Monty had been emotional, but nothing like the one we were watching. I guessed the difference was that she and Monty had parted on good terms.

“Hello, Theodore.” Mom smiled with a look of pure happiness.

“I am so sorry, Emma. Can you ever forgive me?” Theodore shook with emotion, looking as though he might fall to his knees.

“I already have, Theodore, years ago.” Mom put both her hands on his face. “I heard you have a daughter the same age as mine. When can I meet my niece?” She sure knew how to defuse a situation.

“Tara is in the dining area with Owen. I would show you back but—”

Monty broke in, “Don’t worry. I am sure Charlotte would love to see Tara as well, and she can introduce Emma.” I could tell that Monty was trying to get rid of me, but I wasn’t ready to go quite yet.

“I’ll stick around a little longer.” I left no room for argument.

“If you insist.” Theodore stiffened before turning his attention to Calvin. “How can I know for sure that your change in allegiance is true?”

“In the same way that the Resistance found it fit to believe in your change.” Calvin’s harsh tone took me by surprise, but he was right. Theodore had betrayed his own sister, yet the Resistance trusted him.

“I suppose I deserve that,” Theodore replied evenly.

Monty nodded. “We have no choice but to trust him. The Essence needs to be with her Gerard. You know as well as I do that we cannot win this without Charlotte at her best.”

“Very well. We can use any help we can get. You might as well work with the men; you will rally their spirits.” Theodore’s change in demeanor surprised me, but it only confirmed my suspicion that the questions were just a formality.

“Calvin, I assume you were privy to Blake’s plans?” Monty put down his pack as he spoke, a sign that he was starting to relax.

“Blake kept much from me, but I have a good idea of his military plans.”

“How large is the Bravado now?” Lawson asked.

“The count is now in the thousands. Blake has been pressing men into serving.”

“Blake has conscripted men by force?” Theodore fumed, his face darkening into a shade of purple.

“What’s the big deal? We’ve used a draft before,” Liam said.

“Energo has never needed to draft anyone. Usually, it is such an honor to be called up that Bellgard turns people away,” Monty said.

“We should introduce you to the men.” Theodore gestured for Calvin to follow him.

“I believe this is our cue to go find Tara,” Mom said lightly.

I stood on my tiptoes, and whispered to Calvin, “Is it okay with you if I go?” I didn’t want him to think I was abandoning him.