Destined Part I

Magical

Alaska was even more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. It was magical. The mountains in the distance were so enormous- they surrounded the horizon like a protective barrier. There were masses of rivers and streams, glistening in the violet light that was cast from the setting northern sun. There was no rain today, which I was happy about, and apparently so were the animals that inhabited this place. On our drive, I noticed the bright red and orange beaks of puffins as they flew sporadically throughout the sky, and a lazy otter drifting along the water on its back like there wasn’t a care in the world. The color of the cool water that it was lounging in made me think of Haiden’s eyes and I turned to him.

“This is breathtaking,” I whispered, emotion clogging my throat.

He smiled, empathetically, his black hair shifting from the breeze that was sneaking in through the open window.

“I know. Wait until you see where you will be living now.”

I breathed in the cold, sea air and looked again out the window on this incredible scenery. I thought about meeting his family, and wondered if they would like me. I fidgeted impatiently in my seat, causing Haiden to reach over and again cover my hand with his.

My stomach quivered, but I ignored it, too staggered by the beauty of the glaciers and the color of the solid mass of water frozen in time, protruding out from the craggy rocks that made up the sides of the mountains. Everything was so colorful, beautiful shades of aqua and indigo. Everywhere you looked you were surrounded by the intense hues. Even the grass and the trees were a shocking green, much more vibrant than the brown foliage I was accustomed to in Texas. The picture it all created was more captivating than any post card, any description.

I thought I had seen everything, but when Haiden pulled the car onto the tight, winding path I gasped audibly.

It was magnificent.

Behind an archway of cascading Spruce and Alder trees, the path snaked up to the top of a mountain, where it led to the gigantic iron gate protecting the house.

It wasn’t just a house, it was a castle. A medieval stone fortress, which had to be four stories in height, stretched almost a hundred yards wide. The black fence that surrounded the property gave the impression of a slithering snake as it curved around the edge of the cliff.

Just behind the house, peeking through the trees, was a clearing that looked down on a quiet lake sitting serenely in front of a wonderful, tumbling waterfall.

Haiden parked the car next to a BMW that was there as well, and walked around to open my door for me.

“It’s stunning isn’t it?”

I sighed as I stepped out of the car.

“I have no words…”

He wrapped his arm around my waist, making my skin tremble under his touch. He leaned in close and pressed his lips to my ear once more.

“Now you see…” he whispered. “Beautiful. You will fit right in.”

Before I could analyze what exactly he meant by that, he snatched my hand playfully and began to lead me toward the lake at the back of the land.

He raced us right up to the edge of the cliff, looking down on the water. The sound of the gushing falls in front of us was so forceful that I felt a wave of vertigo like I might fall in.

It was thrilling.

Haiden must have felt the enchantment as well, because he threw his head back in exhilaration and breathed in so deep, I could hear the wind as it entered his lungs. He stood there like a statue, like some ancient sculpture of marble in the shape of a Greek God. I watched him intensely, not having seen him this uninhibited before. The sight pulled at my heart, causing me to nearly lose control. His force was incredible He was completely magnetic. I knew if I wasn’t careful, I would be drawn in, and I was smart enough to know that if I fell, I wouldn’t be able to find my balance again.

He was driving me mad. I was completely mesmerized. I certainly was not doing a good job of restraining my feelings, either. Maybe it was the charm of my new surroundings, but I very nearly gave into my urge to embrace him.

Just then, as if sensing my battle, he turned his glittering eyes and stared down at me deeply, paralyzing me where I stood. His mouth curved into a seductive grin and I nearly fell over from his absolute beauty.

Could someone so perfect really be standing right in front of me?

My pulse pounded in my ears- his revealing look had knocked the wind right out of me.

He reached down and ran his thumb once more across my bottom lip, causing my breath to come out in a rush. He stood there, his fingers lingering lightly on my mouth, gazing so deep into my eyes as if he were reading my soul. I was frozen for that short moment, numb under his spell.

I watched him intently, noticing his eyes fade from their deep blue shade that mirrored the lake below us to a smoldering grey, filled with passion.

Then to my surprise, he leaned his head down, his exotic face coming so close I thought he was going to kiss me.

My heart stopped dead in my chest.

Instead of kissing me as I had hoped, he paused momentarily, and then reached up to hold my face. He gently laid his forehead on mine as he sucked in his breath, sighing deeply. He seemed to be fighting his own battle as he stood there leaning into me, steadying his breath and devastating me with his lingering touch.

“I can’t believe I found you,” he whispered.

His words had my mind spinning, making me dizzy. He smelled amazing standing here so close to me. It was a deep and rich combination like chocolate and some type of spice. I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what it reminded me of, but each time I breathed him in, it sent an intense thrill throughout my system. The warmth of his hands on my face, and the fact that his lips were only inches from mine only made my heart tremble more.

He was killing me.

I ached for him to press his lips on mine, even though I didn’t understand where this overwhelming desire was coming from. I didn’t reject it though- I wanted it there, so badly.

As he stood there, regaining control of himself, he pulled away, keeping his hands against my cheeks. His eyes still glittered with need, and seeing that only made me crave him worse.

“We should go inside,” he said hoarsely.

He was clearly fighting himself. The conflict was written all over his face as he stood there, watching me.

“They are waiting to meet you,” he mumbled, trying as much to convince himself as he was me.

When he finally forced himself to turn and walk toward the house, I followed him, stuck in a daze.

I didn’t think controlling my feelings was going to be an option anymore.