Thirty-five

After the few hours of alone time with Roan, I go back to my shelter to sleep, as I'm exhausted and ready to fall over. It isn't long before I wake up though. When I open my eyes, I see Aspen closing the door behind him to a orange world outside. He turns around and I stare at him as he stares at me. I can't tell what he's thinking as he comes over and sits beside me, reaching out to push hair away from my face.

"While I'm sure you want to be alone," he says, stroking my cheek, "I can't allow it any longer."

"I don't feel comfortable looking around at everyone's faces and seeing their reactions," I say a bit harshly.

"I never said you had to face everyone. I only said you aren't going to be alone any longer."

I scowl. "So, what do you plan on doing then?"

He grins. "Now that is a surprise!" I am still scowling at him as he lifts me into his arms a moment later. He ignores my look and kisses me, then strides right out of my shelter and away from the village.

I have no idea where we're going, but when Aspen stops, it's in a clearing with a stream running through it. There's nothing special about this place and I don't see anything suggesting food, so when he sets me down, I immediately begin to get up again.

Or try to...

"Relax, Zahra. Nothing bad is going to happen," he says, gently pushing my shoulders down. I scowl at him. He sits beside me and frowns. "Roan told me what's going on. But you can't hide in your shelter forever."

"I'm not!" I hiss.

He raises a brow. "You can believe whatever you want, but I know better."

I huff and look away, knowing he was right. After a moment, I say in a quiet voice, "I'm afraid of leaving when I know he's likely watching."

"He can watch all he wants," Aspen says. "But your mind is free from his. There is no way he can control you unless you allow it."

"How do we know that for sure though?"

"Because he could have already had you back several times now and you're still here."

I look over at him to see a serious face. Once I let the meaning of what he said sink in, I do relax and sigh. "Fine," I say.

"Good!" Aspen leans over and kisses my temple, then gets up. "Close your eyes and wait here."

I raise a brow at him. "Why?"

"Because I have a surprise for you and you're not about to cheat and see what it is until I want you to."

Giving him a smile, because he was just a little funny, I close my eyes. After a moment, I hear him leave my side and disappear somewhere off to my right. While I wait for him, I listen to my surroundings: birds chirping, squirrels scuttling around, grass rustling in the breeze, a kick in my stomach, a small creature hopping about on pine needles, another kick in my stomach.

Wait...

There it was again! Twice in quick succession. Forgetting what I was doing, I open my eyes and look down at my stomach in awe, putting one hand on it. Another kick. I'm smiling down at myself when Aspen returns with something in his hands. "It's kicking!" I say, rubbing my belly. "The baby, it's kicking!"

"What are you talking about?" Aspen says, kneeling down.

"I can feel it! Here!" I grab his hand and put it on my belly. We wait with baited breath but nothing happens.

Aspen raises a brow. "Zahra..."

"I'm serious!" I hiss. "I felt it kick!"

He looks at me skeptically, but shakes his head and holds out his free hand. In it, there was a ring made from some mineral. It was silver with some kind of etching in it. I take it, gazing at the vines engraved with leaves and tiny flowers. Tears came to my eyes as I looked back up at him. "It's beautiful!"

He smiles. "I'm glad." Aspen puts the ring on my finger then kisses my knuckles. "I hoped you would."

I hold my hand out and grin at him. "Where did you get it?"

"June is very good with metal."

I slip the ring onto a finger and gaze down at it for a moment longer then meet Aspen's eyes. "Thank you. It's beautiful."

He smiles then leans in and kisses me gently. "Now that I've got you in a better mood, how about we go for a swim?"

For a moment, I wanted to protest and decline, however I knew I needed to stop hiding and live as happy as I could. It would be hard considering I'm terrified of Lucas, but if I could learn to trust Roan and Aspen I thought I could do it.

"Alright, but not for long," I say, holding one hand on my belly as I grab his outstretched hand to pull me up.

"As long as I don't see you closing up again, We can do it your way," he says. He wraps an arm around my back and leads me into the darkness. Not far away is a small lake, and he turns to me. I shyly look away, having never been naked in front of anyone before. "I'm going to turn around and wait until you get in the water. Just say my name when you're ready.

I nod. When Aspen is turned, I hurriedly undress and slip in the water. It's cold, but not unbearable. I let him know I'm ready and swim out a bit, letting the water caress my body as I hear him get in. I keep my body under, not wanting to go so far so fast.

Aspen swims over and around me. "Aren't you glad I got you out of your shelter?" he asks, smiling at me.

"I still feel like anyone could be watching," I confide.

He swims over and takes my hands. "Do you think I'd let you do this without taking precautions?"

"You did?"

Aspen looks hurt momentarily, then shrugs. "Sorrel helped. Made a few traps, set a few alarms, and gave me the time to spend with you."

"What about Roan?"

"He's spending time with June."

I blink, confused. "What?"

"You haven't noticed?"

"I thought they were just friends?"

Aspen chuckled. "They are friends, but that can turn into something more when you spend most of your life with them."

I tilt my head. "So, you didn't like anyone?"

He frowned. "I wasn't interested before. No one really caught my attention."

"What about me?"

Aspen thinks for a moment, choosing the right words. "You caught my attention the night you ran into me, then again when I realized you lied to me." He pauses and gives me a smile. "That night, you seemed determined to get to your destination, ready to do what it took to get there. Then when you lied, it was smart thinking on your part. How did you come up with Zoe?"

I back away and swim away slowly. "Apparently, my father changed my name from Zahra to Zoe. When I met you that time, I knew it was me you were looking for, but didn't know why. I stalled. Gave you Zoe and went to ask Roan about you."

Aspen swims beside me now, humming to himself. "Why did you save me?" he finally asks.

"Roan was hurting. You were hurting. I needed him to realize the truth and find out who your father was and why he wanted me."

Aspen gives me a scowl. "There are other ways of going about all of that."

I shrugged and rested against the side of the lake. "I don't regret saving you, Aspen. My only regret was not knowing all that I would do while taking your place. My regret goes to the lives lost or forever ruined."

He come in front of me and cups my face. "You have no idea of the goodness inside you!"

I smile. "I'm beginning to see it, believe it or not."

He smiles and kisses me before we get out and dress. When we head back to the village, I don't hide myself, but walk at his side with my head held high.