Forged in Ice by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page A

the light turned red. She inserted the card again, slower this time, and I waited impatiently for the little light to turn green. She pushed open the door, and I followed her into the room.
    She dropped her bag next to the TV and collapsed on the bed.
    “Finally.” I lay down next to Ainsley on the bed.
    “I’ve missed you.” She leaned up on one elbow.
    “I have missed you too.” I brushed her hair away from her face.
    “And things keep getting crazier.”
    “Rachel?” I rested my head beside hers on the pillow.
    “Yeah. The world is starting to feel entirely too small.”
    “Which world?”
    “Ugh, good point.” She rolled away from me.
    “It is not all bad, is it?”
    “No, it’s not all bad.” She rested her head on my chest. “There’s you.”
    “Glad I am in your positive category.”
    “Of course you are.” She brushed her lips over my skin.
    I ran my hand down her back. “I will keep you safe.”
    “Who says I’m worried about my safety?”
    “The tension in your body.”
    “I wasn’t aware I was visibly tense.”
    I gently rolled her onto her stomach and started to give her a shoulder rub.
    She moaned softly.
    “See, you are tense.”
    “That feels so good.” She relaxed slightly.
    “You are tense. If it is not about your safety, what is it?” I hoped it was not about our connection. She said she was happy with me, but that did not mean she enjoyed being forever linked.
    “Maybe it’s from the driving.”
    “Do you really believe that?” I continued to rub her shoulders. They were loosening up further.
    “There’s a lot going on right now.”
    “But something in particular has you tense. I can tell.”
    “How can you tell?” She turned her head to the side.
    “I know you.”
    She sighed. “I’m afraid I’m going to find out why I’m involved.”
    “Why you are involved?”
    “We both know there has to be a reason your dad’s men wanted me, and why I’m your kindred.”
    “It is likely the same reason for both.”
    “Exactly.” She offset my hands and rolled over.
    “And that reason is why you are so worried?”
    “It means something in my life isn’t as it seems. Otherwise how could I possibly have a connection to Energo? It makes no sense.”
    “Or maybe it is just destiny.” My excuse sounded hollow to my own ears.
    “You don’t believe that.” She sat up. “Don’t pretend otherwise.”
    “We will find the answer.”
    “I have this bad feeling about it.”
    I ran my hands up and down her arms. “Do not. It is going to be okay.”
    “You promise?” She looked up at me through her big blue eyes, and I almost lost it.
    “I promise.” I would make sure she was okay.
    “Good.” She smiled.
    “There is the smile I love.”
    “You never smile.” She tilted her head to the side and seemed to be studying me.
    “Sure I do.” I grinned.
    “Not often.”
    “I smile much more now that I know you.” I had never known true happiness before meeting her.
    “You have a great smile.”
    “So do you.”
    “You have great lips.”
    “You have the best lips.” I gently brushed my lips against hers. Her lips were so soft and sweet.
    She moaned. “You are the biggest tease.”
    “How am I a tease?” I entwined my fingers with hers.
    “That kiss was a tease. It was too light and short.”
    “You say that as though I am going to deny you more? Have you forgotten I am the one that insisted we share a room?”
    “Of course I didn’t forget that. I’m glad you did.”
    “How glad?”
    “Very.” She reached around my neck and pulled my head down to hers.
----
    I lay in the dark holding Ainsley in my arms. We only had a few hours before we returned to the lobby to meet the others, and I was glad Ainsley was getting sleep. My thoughts were racing too fast to allow me to relax. At least I had Ainsley beside me. She made the restlessness comfortable.
    I closed my eyes and tried one last time to find sleep. I ran my hands up and down Ainsley’s