Elemental Release

Chapter Seven

My mornings of tortuous, failure-filled excursions became routine. I collected Liz for breakfast each morning, and after the first week, she stopped acting so awkward around me. She had my lunch waiting for me when I arrived air-beaten and emotionally spent.

Afternoons blended together, first with sessions with Liz, and then Gabby, as the three of us worked closely together. After dinner, I escaped to be alone, sometimes going to the beach, other times simply flying until I found a tall tree in which to sit.

I slept in my own bed maybe twice a week. Other than that, I found myself on Gabby's couch, falling asleep to the beautiful sound of her steady breathing. Because I had to wait for her to fall asleep, and with my need to be out of her room by dawn, I was exhausted most of the time. By fall, I needed a break—soon.

I met with Airmaster Rusk, who agreed that I could have a week off. "Go somewhere else," he said. "Another city-state. You need the release of more than just your training. You need an Elemental release."

I agreed. "Liz has been assigned the city-state of Rhyss for her diplomacy training," I said. "Should I go there?"

Airmaster Rusk considered my proposal for a moment. "I don't think so. She might think you find her incapable of accomplishing her task there. Perhaps you have somewhere you enjoy? Gregorio is close to the Eastern Shore. Crylon boasts of a simple life among the forests of the Territories."

But I already knew I wouldn't vacation to Gregorio or Crylon. "Hesterton," I said. "I love the mountains."

My mentor smiled. "I won't expect to see you until next Monday, then."

For the first time since my Elemental training had begun, I left his office with a smile on my face. That night at dinner, I announced to my Council that I'd been given permission to take a vacation to Hesterton.

Gabby paused, her fork halfway to her mouth. She'd gained a few pounds since April. Eating three full meals a day had only made her face more beautiful, her curves more distracting. I glanced away as I realized I'd been staring at her.

"You're leaving?" she asked, something close to panic in her voice.

"Just for a week. I'm wiped out. I need a break."

"I didn't even know we got breaks," Liz said. "I'm going to ask for one before I have to leave for Rhyss."

I watched her with a rush of pride. She'd worked so hard over the past few months, learning geography, reading, writing, history, government, and politics. "You have lots of time," I said. "And I'll be back in time to make plans with you beforehand if you do take a vacation."

"Lots of time?" she said, her eyebrows raised. She looked at Gabby. "He thinks he's funny." She stabbed at her chicken. "Twenty-five days, Adam. I have to leave in twenty-five days."

I realized then that she was more concerned about her internship than I knew. Than any of us knew. We spent the lunch hour comforting Liz, and reminding her that she made top marks in all her classes, that our training sessions had gone without a hitch.

That night, I awoke to the sharp sound of a gasp. I sat up, trying to find Gabby before she slugged me.

"I'm sorry," I said quickly, shielding my face.

The silence felt so loud. Then she laughed, and her bedroom light flared on. "You should see yourself."

I squinted into the light as she entered her living room. Though she'd laughed, she didn't look happy. "What are you doing here?"

"Sleeping?" I tried.

"Obviously." She crossed her arms. "The real question is why?"

"My room is very...stressful," I said. "And often occupied."

"Often?" Her voice pitched into the rafters.

Tornadoes. I scrubbed the back of my head. "Uh, I'm leaving for Hesterton in the morning. I won't bother you for at least a week."

She exhaled as she sat on the couch opposite from me. "You don't bother me," she said. "If you needed somewhere to sleep, you should've said something."

"I didn't need anywhere to sleep," I said. "Your balcony door was always open."

She glanced at the glass like it was to blame for me being here in the dead of night.

"I didn't mean to scare you," I said. "I thought you'd be mad if you found out I'd been staying over."

"What time do you have to wake up to get out of here?" she asked. "I mean, I've been getting up—"

"By five o'clock," I said, yawning. "I know."

She watched me, a look I couldn't read in her eyes. I settled back into the pillows, wishing I could go back to sleep.

"I didn't even go to bed until midnight," she said.

"I know," I repeated, closing my eyes. "And you should probably start locking your balcony door while I'm gone."

I heard the couch squeak, heard her footsteps come closer. But I didn't connect the dots until she slid onto the couch next to me, forming her back to my chest. I shifted so she'd have more room, and then I placed my hand over her waist. She felt so hot, I almost complained. But I didn't. I hadn't initiated anything romantic between us for a long time, knowing that she needed time. More importantly, I needed time. Time to grieve, time to find my center, time to heal.

"I don't know what I'll do without you," she whispered.

My heart swelled; my throat felt too dry. "You'll be fine," I said. "I'm just taking a vacation, not leaving forever."

"I know," she said. "But...."

"You'll miss me," I supplied for her, surprised when she snuggled closer and nodded against my chest.

"I'll miss you too," I said, my lips dangerously close to her ear. I pressed my mouth to her neck and enjoyed the way she arched into me, a clear invitation for me to kiss her again. I wanted to do that—and a lot more.

She twisted in my arms, and I found her mouth waiting for mine. We kissed for a few minutes, my heart pounding harder every time she broke contact and remade it. I ducked my head, searching for the soft skin on her neck.

She tilted her head back, a soft rush of air escaping her mouth. My name immediately followed, and I'd never heard her say "Adam," with such love.

The skin along her lower back felt like liquid fire, as did her breath as it cascaded across my forehead. I didn't dare stop to ask her if she'd like to go into her bedroom, where we'd have much more room to explore each other. For now, the couch would have to do.

I brought my mouth to hers again, and then I touched my nose to hers. "Tornadoes, Gabby." My breath came unevenly; my chest rose and fell pressed tight against hers.

She laughed, a light giggle that only fueled my desire. Still, I didn't dare ask anything more. I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle the rejection if it came. I didn't listen to her thoughts, because I didn't need to. I could tell in the way she held her body still against mine, the way she twirled her fingers through my hair, that this was as far as she wanted to go tonight.

We inhaled at the same time, a deep breath that calmed me from the inside out. Gabby had always had that affect on me. I touched my lips to hers for one, two, three heartbeats. "I love you," I whispered.

She didn't say it back.