The breeze had calmed with the setting of the sun and a reflection of the butter-yellow moon floated on the surface of the pond. The black water, glowing with moonlight, soothed Jo’s raw feelings and begged her to come closer.
She walked to the pond, down the sloping rim to the water’s edge and gazed at the spectacular image. The liquid was so still the craters in moon were visible. The brightest stars appeared in the ink-colored pool. They seemed so close, she wanted to reach out and scoop them up.
She pictured Mike, his misty blue-green eyes and the tender emotion she had seen inside them. After all this time of longing for him, how could she feel like this? How could that interloper have changed her feelings so radically? Overnight! This is crazy, Jo. The whole thing’s crazy. You’re never going to see him again anyway. And with that thought, her heart sank with such intensity that she couldn’t deny the truth about her feelings for him.
Watching stars sailing in the water, her eyes were drawn to two distinct ones close to the bank. They were different: bigger and brighter, floating close beside each other. She stared hard at them. They blinked on and off, simultaneously, and the water surrounding them was solid black.
The explanation came instantly. She spun around, colliding with a dark mass. She bounced off it. Her left foot landed in the pond. She was off balance and heading backwards, but a hand latched onto her flailing arm and steadied her on the bank. She glimpsed the moonlit face, her heart shocked. “Galen!” She leapt at him, throwing her arms around his neck.
He wrapped her in his arms and lifted her off her feet, turning in a circle. He was warm and his muscles hard, he smelled fresh and sweet. He stopped spinning and her feet touched the ground. They held each other for a moment without speaking a word.
“Jo, what’s with you and water?” His mouth nuzzled her ear as he spoke, almost in a whisper.
She giggled. His arms loosened their hold and she leaned back from him to see his face: the same beautiful smile, those same luminescent eyes, framed by jet-black waves of hair. She slid her fingers through the satiny locks on each side of his face, then slid her hands down his neck, onto his shoulders, to his chest, gliding her fingers over the soft, black shirt he wore.
“Easy, girl.” He laughed and clasped her hands in his.
Jo’s cheeks flushed with warmth. “Just makin’ sure I’m not dreaming.”
Galen pressed her hands to his chest. He glanced to his right. “Come with me.”
He held her hand and led her down a slope, away from the pond, to a small clearing, surrounded by trees and out of sight of the chalet. The Christmassy scent of the pine trees infused the air. Pine needles crackled under their feet and insects chirped their songs unseen.
Galen stopped and faced her. In the aureate light, his cheek was unmarked. She snatched up his wrist and pushed back the cuff of his long-sleeved shirt. Her fingers ran over the smooth flesh there and she examined it closely in the moonlight.
“I’m fine, Jo,” he said softly.
Her eyes squinted at him. “You cut your wrists.”
He pulled his wrist from her hand and slid his sleeve back down.
On impulse, Jo started undoing the buttons of his shirt. His head reared back. He didn’t try to stop her, but watched amused as her hands moved swiftly, button to button. When she freed the last one, she grasped each side of the shirt and threw it open.
Her lips parted. Her gaze fastened to the blue flames painted on his skin. She followed them from his left hip up to his chest and diagonally to his right shoulder. Unlike a tattoo, they sparkled like sapphire glitter. She touched the tips of her fingers to the flames, expecting body paint or something rough, but it was just his skin, warm and smooth. She looked up at his face. “It was you.” Her eyes widened.
Galen took the sides of his shirt and began to button it. “Whew. Wasn’t sure what you were up to there for a second.” He grinned at her. “Listen, now that we have that out of the way—”
“You’re an angel.” Jo’s eyes traveled over him, wide with awe.
The breeze picked up again, sailing by in gentle gusts of coolness. It blew a strand of hair across her vision. She flicked it away.
Galen stuck his thumbs in his front pockets and bowed his head. Slowly, his glistening eyes rose to meet hers. “I am.”
Jo stared at him, trying to comprehend the makings of the man before her: celestial, eternal, wondrous. She thought back over all the mean things she had said about him—and to him—and cringed.
“Listen, Jo, I came to talk to you…” He paused and waved his hand in front of her face. “Uh…but I need to know you’re conscious before I do.”
Jo shook her head and blinked. “Uh, sorry. It’s just not every day I meet...well…you know.” She grinned. Her movements became awkward. Inside, she was almost…afraid.
Galen picked up one of her hands. Turning it over, he looked down at her palm. Then, he looked up at her face and touched it near the bruise on her cheek. “How are you doing, Jo? Are you Ok?”
Jo sighed, her fear melting. “I’m fine.” A faint smile crossed her lips. “We’re all so grateful to be alive. Thank you, Galen.”
He blushed in the pale light.
“Though, I guess you were just doing your job.” She said it light-heartedly, shrugging and grinning, waiting for his chuckle to their inside joke.
His expression sobered. He let go of her hand.
Jo’s smile fell. “I’m sorry,” she said, flustered and embarrassed. “That was a bad joke. I—”
“It’s Ok, Jo. It’s Ok. In fact, that’s what I came to talk to you about.” His shiny eyes darkened. He rubbed the back of his neck, turned, took a few steps, turned and paced back to where he started.
Jo’s heart drummed as she waited for him to speak.
He took a deep breath. “This is hard for me to talk about, so bear with me.” He breathed in deeply. “A while ago—I guess a few months in your time—I rebelled.” Even in the dim light, his face was red as he spoke. “As soon as I did it, I knew I’d made a big, big mistake. I was forgiven, so to speak, but my actions had consequences.” He paused. “I was assigned to watch over you…here…in the flesh. I mean, it’s one thing to pop down here when necessary, but another to live here continuously, as a human. Frankly, Jo, I was so bored. I resented it. I resented you. Which was stupid, because you weren’t the reason for my problem—I was. But I wanted to get back home, and I knew it was going to take something big. I just misunderstood what my test was gonna be. Anyway, that’s why I acted like such a putz.” One side of his mouth curled up, creating his famous smirk. “You can insert a stronger word in there, if you want.”
Jo forced a brief smile.
“I got a little conceited,” he continued. “Well, maybe I got a lot conceited. I thought I was the powerful being, so superior to everyone, especially those creatures. And then that thing got the best of me in the clearing. I forgot about the source of my power…until you reminded me.” He looked admiringly at her, but his eyes projected an inner pain. His lips closed in a pout.
Jo gazed at his sweet, forlorn face. “Why so sad? The big event finally happened.”
Galen’s features were taut; tension crinkled the flesh around his eyes. “Yeah…it happened. But it’s not what you’re thinking.”
Jo’s brow creased.
“I didn’t know I was going to develop feelings for you, Jo. It…it’s not supposed to happen.” His face softened and he grinned, tilting his head down, but keeping his eyes on hers. “But I couldn’t help it.” He raised his head. “I think it started on the porch that night. And then when Red was playing around on the bridge—man, I wanted to bop her on the head—you looked so small and scared and I just wanted to hold you—and that freaked me out. Then when you told me to go to hell—”
Jo gasped. Her hand went to her mouth and her eyes bugged out. She was mortified she’d said that to him.
He chuckled. “It’s Ok, Jo. I deserved it. But I started to see another side to you. A l
ittle spunky side.” He grinned playfully. “The next thing I know, you’re in the river trying to rescue the girl who almost pushed you off a bridge.” His expression turned serious. “When you went out that window and those creatures had you, I panicked. I mean, I care about those I’m charged to look after, but this feeling went way beyond that.” His silver eyes sparkled. He went on. “You spared Red, you saved April and the guys, and then I found you hanging off that bridge, headed back for the rest of ‘em.” He shook his head. “I couldn’t believe it. I watched you go from this ordinary girl to—what’s that character? Wonder Woman! You were saving the world last night and I was running around behind you, trying to keep up.” His gaze overflowed with admiration.
Jo shook her head and rolled her damp eyes. “I think you’re exaggerating that story a little.”
“Can’t take a compliment?” He hung his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans again.
“I’m still ordinary, Galen. It’s just that the circumstances were pretty extraordinary.”
“And you rose to the occasion.”
“I think we all did.” Jo sighed at the sight of him: cool and beguiling. He didn’t even know how charming he was. She laid her hand on his forearm. “Galen, what happened to you back at the river, when you leaned on me?”
He took her hand. “I was angry with myself, and confused about you. These human emotions are brutal.” He flashed a grin. “Anyway, I was overwhelmed for a second, and I…I needed you, Jo. I needed that human touch—that comfort I’d seen you guys give each other. But that was the wrong thing to do. Being in your arms, just made things worse.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed the top of it.
Jo’s stomach tingled. “Maybe you feel the way you do, because I’m the first—”
“Don’t even think it, Jo. I could just have easily been attracted to someone at your church, or April.” He grinned mischievously. “Or Red.”
Jo made a face and flicked her eyes upwards.
“You know I didn’t like you very much when I joined your group. I’m sure you noticed. But, when I watched what you went through last night and how you kept your faith—you never quit on your friends, you never stopped believing that God was with us—I kinda fell for you. That’s what you say down here, right?” He looked at her raptly.
Jo swallowed. Her hand was hot and moist in his. Her heart beat hard. She spoke timidly, in a hushed voice, “Yeah. That’s what we say.” She squeezed his hand gently. “I’ve kinda fallen for you too.”
He smiled, but then the smile dissolved. He released her hand. He placed his hand over his heart and rubbed his chest. “It hurts.”
“I know,” she whispered.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “So, that’s what my test was about, Jo.”
“I’m not sure I understand. You defeated the creatures—you passed the test, right?”
He swallowed hard. “No—I mean, yes…but, that’s not it.”
“But, you beat them. I saw—”
“The test was you.”
Jo frowned. “I don’t understand.”
He touched her hair, sliding his fingers through the clean, golden tresses. “It wasn’t a test of courage or ability, not even obedience. It was a test of my loyalty. Choose to serve Him…or stay here with you—that was my test.” A silvery tear escaped his left eye and dripped down his cheek.
Jo’s lips touched together. Tears sat on the rims of her eyes and blurred his image. She took a quick breath.
“When I made my decision, I was able to be myself. I was able to defeat those creatures and…go home.”
“But, can’t you serve Him and stay here with me?”
“If I was human. But…I’m not.”
Jo swallowed. A knife twisted in her chest. “So, why’d you come back?”
He looked at her, his eyes like diamonds under water. “I…I didn’t feel right leaving you like I did, after what happened between us. I wanted to explain.” He paused. “But, honestly, I just wanted to see you again.” He bit down on his bottom lip. “I’m sorry, Jo.” His face tightened, his eyes constricting. “I shouldn’t have come.” He started to turn away from her.
“No!” She grabbed his arm and made him look at her. “I’m glad you did, Galen.”
He gazed back at her, his moist lips coated with moonlight.
Jo took a deep breath, afraid he would leave—that his last memory would be of her looking sad and pitiful. She let go of his arm. “So, you’re my guardian angel.” She forced an upbeat tone and wiped her wet face on the back of her hand.
“Most the time.” He grinned. “It’s been a skate job. You haven’t exactly led a dangerous life. Well, until recently.” He winked at her.
Jo smirked and rolled her eyes. Just then something occurred to her. She peered at him, her head cocked. Finally. Finally, it was clear. “You’re the one who rescued me in the ocean.”
He nodded his head.
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“Now that was my job.” He smiled slyly.
“Is your name really Galen?”
He shook his head. “I made it up.”
“What’s your real name?”
“It’s very hard to pronounce,” he told her. “Besides, I like the way you say this name.” His eyes gleamed like tinsel. “What’s your real name?”
“You don’t know?”
“Sorry, we’re not omniscient.”
“That’s what Ben said.”
“You told him about me?”
“He told me about you.”
He chuckled. “That figures. So, what is it?”
“What?”
“Your name?”
“I’ll tell you next time.” She beamed with hope, but when his smile waned, a painful lump swelled in her throat.
He was solemn and quiet, gazing at her face, his eyes flitting from her hair to her eyes to her lips. He seemed on the verge of kissing her. She quivered with expectation. He tensed, moving forward, but stopping himself. She could tell he wanted to, it was written all over his face. The air around them was electrified with their desire. But in a moment, the slow, cold wind swept it away.
He raised his hand, like that night on the porch, when her heart was so bruised over Mike. And now it was broken because of him. He touched the flesh under her eye and lifted the tears away. “I’m sorry, Jo,” he whispered. “I didn’t…I don’t want to hurt you. I…I had to make a choice. But it doesn’t mean I don’t…I just…” He lowered his hand and his expression darkened with sorrow, he bit down on his bottom lip.
She caressed his unblemished cheek, bringing his gaze back to hers. “Galen, you made the right decision,” she told him, her throat nearly strangled.
He blinked at her words. His lips parted. He closed his eyes. A stream of heartache ran out from under his lashes. He pulled her to him and held her tightly. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing the side of her face into his chest. His lips pressed down on the top of her head and he sighed.
His strong arms encapsulated her; his warmth permeated her skin. She was melding into his body, becoming one with him. She could no longer feel where she left off and he began. Her eyelids were heavy and she couldn’t lift them. Her mind floated in the moonlit air. Her arms drifted to her sides and she stood against him, sleepy and content and safe.
“Jo!”
Someone was calling her. The voice was faint and far away.
“Jo!” The voice exploded in the air behind her. Jo’s eyes sprang open. In front of her were greyish trees and the black shadows they were casting on the colorless ground.
“Jo!” Mike trotted down the slope. “She’s over here,” he yelled back over his shoulder. “Jo, what the heck? Didn’t you hear me calling you?”
She looked around as if she was lost.
“Jo,” Mike took hold of her arms. “Are you Ok? What are you doing?”
“Uh...nothing. I thought I saw something.” She was glad for the darkness, so he couldn’t see
her wet, sad eyes.
“What was it?”
“It was…nothing. It was nothing.” She shook her head.
“Get back to the cabin,” he ordered her, clearly annoyed.
They traipsed side by side up the slope where Ben was waiting for them. The three of them walked past the pond and up to the deck of the cabin.
“Jo, you scared us,” Mike scolded her.
“I’m really sorry, guys. I didn’t mean to.” She stated her apology so contritely neither one of them said another word about it. “Hey,” she stopped and turned around, “do you want to go home?”
Mike’s face lit up. Ben’s expression remained stoic, but his eyes shone with curiosity.
“You bet,” Mike told her, smiling ear-to-ear.
As Jo walked up the steps of the deck, something touched the skin on her chest. Thinking a bug had gotten down her shirt, she went to swat it away and her fingers skimmed across a thin chain around her neck. She hadn’t worn any jewelry this trip. She pulled up the shiny chain. Dangling from it was a small, silver wing. In the moon’s light, etching of feathers were visible. The top of the wing sparkled with crushed blue gems, the same color as the flames on Galen’s skin and the armor he had worn. Ben opened the back door. She tucked the necklace back down inside her shirt and pressed it to her heart.
Chapter 46
The summer was different after that. Jo was different: restless, hardly able to sit at her desk and work. Her wounds were healing, except the one in her heart. But something was happening. She felt it forming, brewing, calling to her, but she couldn’t name it, or understand it.
Lying on her bed this Saturday afternoon, she held the necklace in her hand, turning the wing back and forth in the sunlight shining through her bedroom window. The crystals glistened and scattered rays of blue into her eyes.
The back door opened and slammed. “Jo!” Dove’s voice was high and charged with excitement—the good kind.
Jo took a deep breath. She sat on the edge of her bed and dabbed her eyes with the end of her T-shirt. She slipped the chain over her head, readied herself for Dove’s announcement…and prayed for an adventure.
It wouldn’t be long.
∞
Author Note
Thank you for reading Sunlight.
Sapphire book two is coming soon.
Please check out my website, https://haynescarol56.wixsite.com/sunlight.
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