It took me by surprise. When he said my name I felt a shiver go down my spine. It was the first time he used it seriously and didn’t hesitate over it. I decided at that moment that I didn’t want to fight the attraction. It may be a really big mistake to go through with this, but I can’t deny it anymore. I wanted to kiss him. And it was more than anything I could have imagined. The moment our lips touched it was like my whole body was on fire. I was burning and he was burning with me. I didn’t want to stop. When he lead me to the bed, I didn’t even hesitate. But he surprised me by just kissing me and then pulling me to his chest and running his fingers through my hair. I wasn’t ready for more, not yet and I was happy he didn’t even ask about it in anyway. We just kissed and then slept. My sleep was deep and peaceful the entire night.

***

When I woke up in the morning the sun was shimmering down through the leaves and into my room. I smiled and stretched. That’s when I realized I was alone in my bed. I sat up slowly and looked around. I didn’t need to search for very long. He was exactly where he always is; sitting out on the balcony railing. I uncovered myself and walked over to him. He waited until I was right up beside him to look at me.

“Good morning, little flame.” He smiled at me with a little teasing glint in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes and couldn’t help but chuckle. “And we are back to the nickname.” I shook my head and leaned onto my elbows on the railing. “I guess some things will never change, huh?”

He laughed a little and looked back out at the trees. “No, I guess not. But I won’t just call you by that nickname. I will on occasion use your actual name since we are now together. After the way you reacted after I used it last night I would be more than happy to use your real name.”

I sighed and tried not to smile. He was teasing me. He hoped down from the railing and came behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me close to him. His warmth was very welcome. I wasn’t exactly cold or even chilled, but his body temperature was much hotter than mine. It must be a fire elemental trait. I turned in his arms and put my hands on his chest. He looked down at me and then leaned down and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled my tighter to him. The kiss became more intense and he lifted me up onto the balcony railing, placing himself between my legs. He ran his hands down my thighs and a trail of heat followed his palms.

“Well, good morning you two!” Lena said loudly from below us.

We both jumped and Kyle pulled me down from the railing. We looked down and saw Lena standing with her hands on her hips and a sly smile on her face. “So I take it you two have decided to let fate choose for you both for now instead of fighting it? Good! Now I don’t have to deal with all the tense atmosphere!”

Kyle and I looked at each other and started laughing. “We will be right down, Lena!” I turned to Kyle and gave him a quick kiss. “Go get ready for the day and I will get ready as well.”

Kyle pulled me to him again and kissed me, longer this time than what I kissed him. “Call my name if you need any help, little flame.”

I laughed and pushed him out of my room, then shut the door. I leaned against the door and sighed. I’m happy. I’m not thinking about this too much, but instead I’m enjoying the moment. For once, I’m just enjoying my time, day by day.

***

I pulled out a pair of legging type pants and a green tunic top. I prefer pants over dresses any day so this was much more comfortable for me to move around in. According to Lena’s instructions last night, my wound would be able to be left open to air instead of being bandaged again. I looked in the mirror at the angry pink scar that was forming. I still couldn’t believe that I was shot less than 3 days ago. Well, I still couldn’t believe that I was actually here in this world. Thinking of that makes me a little sad for my friends. I know they are completely worried and are waiting for me to wake up. And eventually I will, I just don’t know when. And I don’t know what will become of Kyle’s and my relationship. I made the decision to live in the moment, but I still have my doubts about all of this. And I’m afraid of the inevitable outcome. Both of us are going to end up getting hurt. No turning back now. I wouldn’t want to anyway.

I opened my door and headed downstairs to join Lena and Kyle outside. As I got to the bottom of the stairs I heard a very familiar and unpleasant voice. It was Chelsea. Apparently she just couldn’t wait and headed over here first thing this morning. I stopped within the door way so they couldn’t see me. I wanted to hear this conversation.

“Kyle!” She exclaimed with a small, annoying whine. “I have been trying to see you. I wanted to talk to you again about the marriage proposal. My father is very insistent and is willing to negotiate with you for whatever it takes. You know he can make anything happen.”

I rolled my eyes; she just didn’t want to give up. “Actually, Chelsea, I won’t accept the proposal for anything. As I have said already; three separate times.” I smiled at the obvious irritation in his voice.

“Why? What could possibly be better than marrying into my family and being my husband?” I could hear the pout in her voice.

“Well, as I said before, I don’t feel for you that way and not because I don’t want to marry someone with the air elemental, as you keep telling everyone. I have actually made a connection with someone else and that’s been going on for a long time. And currently our connection has become much stronger. So chose her, of course.”

My cheeks blushed at the news even though I already knew it. Just hearing him admit it was enough to make a thrill of excitement course through me.

“You’re talking about that walker, aren’t you?” She said sounding very disgusted. “That girl isn’t even from here! She won’t stay and you know it! In the end she won’t choose you and you won’t leave here to be with her. In the end, you will come begging my father for that marriage proposal, Kyle. The only thing you’re going to get from her is heartache and pain and suffering. And I’m going to make sure I’m here to not only pick up the pieces, but to also tell you I told you so.”

I had heard enough, I stepped outside. “I think Kyle already gave you his answer; more than once it seems. You can’t force someone to be with you, so just back off.”

The skies darkened and I felt electricity in the air. I don’t know what was happening, but Chelsea looked afraid for once. She looked up in the sky and backed slowly away from us.

“How can you have elemental powers? You aren’t even born from here! You’re a walker, a foreigner! You can’t have any of our elemental powers!” Chelsea crossed her arms and glared at me.

I wasn’t quite sure why this was happening either. “Guess you shouldn’t underestimate someone like me, should you? And try being more respectful to Kyle’s decision. You are not the one he made the connection with and no matter how many times you bully him, he will not change his mind. So leave him and Lena alone.”

Kyle was standing behind me and he cleared his throat. I looked back and noticed he was smiling broadly at me. I turned back to Chelsea and she was gone. I guess she didn’t want to deal with the hard truth any longer. I’m sure she would be back and now I am her number one enemy. Oh well, I don’t like people like her.

Lena sighed and shook her head. “Kyle, you should not have involved your feelings for Amy. She will use that against you in some way and you know it! If something happens to Amy it will be because of what happened here today. You know how jealous she can get and how dangerous. This will not end well.”

Kyle came up beside me and took my hand. “And here I thought you of all people would be glad to finally be rid of her, Lena. I doubt she will show up again. And if she does I will have a serious talk with her father and the elemental elders and she will have to deal with their discipline because her father has already accepted my answer and understands my reasoning. He will need to her a talk with Chelsea before she does something that will cause dishonor to her family. He’s a reasonable man so he should be able to make her understand, I hope.”

Lena sighed and rolled her eyes. “You better hope so. She tends to get her way with a lot of things and can be very dangerous when she doesn’t. Don’t underestimate her, Kyle. And keep a close eye on Amy. Chelsea can be very unpredictable and you know it.”

Kyle came up behind me and took my hand. I looked over at him and smiled. I’m sure he wouldn’t let anything happen to me, but Lena was right. We had to be careful and it may be better to discuss these issues with he father now before something bad happens. I just want to be sure that we are safe and I know Lena does too. I will have to try and reason with Kyle then and make him understand what Lena is saying.

“So, what is on the agenda for today, Kyle?” I smiled and looked up at him.

“I thought you would enjoy a tour of the town. See the vendors and all the beauty there is to see. I know you’ll appreciate it.” Kyle took my hand and we started walking toward what must have been the town which was in the opposite direction of Kyle’s grandfather.