The Buried Symbol (The Ruins of Issalia Book 1) (37 page)

“
I have just the thing.
”

She headed to the back of the kitchen, returning moments later with a bowl in hand. Brock eagerly accepted the bowl, which was steaming with the aroma of cooked beef.

“
I kept the left-over stew from lunch simmering in case anyone came in late.
”
She handed a spoon to him.
“
Would you like a hard roll to go with it?
”

“
That sounds wonderful,
”
Brock replied.

She sped off again, returning with a small towel wrapped into a ball. It felt warm in his hand.

“
There are two rolls in there, dearie.
”
She winked at him.
“
I was keeping a few warm in case someone special showed up. Good thing, too.
”

“
Thanks again, Shirley,
”
he said.
“
You
’
re the best.
”

“
Why thank you, Brock.
”
She flashed a smile.
“
Are you sure you don
’
t want to work in the kitchens again?
”

He smiled.
“
Sorry, but my path leads elsewhere, Shirley. I
’
ll be sure to stop by often, though.
”

Rather than sit alone in the dining hall, Brock decided to head outdoors and enjoy the weather. He hadn
’
t seen much of the sun recently.

Stepping outside, he was greeted by a distinct coolness in the air. The sun
’
s rays were enough to make it comfortable, but it would cool significantly after sunset. Cold nights had become a common occurrence recently. The result was an amazing sight he hadn
’
t experienced before.

Scanning the valley before him, Brock
’
s eyes took in a view spiced by a variety of color. While the pines still sported their deep green needles, the leaf trees had transformed. Reds, oranges, and yellows now mixed in with the greens. He was told that those leaves would soon abandon their trees, drifting to the ground to leave the branches bare until spring. For now, the color depth of the valley was gorgeous. A voice interrupted the serenity of the moment.

“
Beautiful, isn
’
t it?
”

He turned to see Ashland beside him. For a second, he didn
’
t recognize her, having never seen her with her hair down. With the late afternoon sun shining down, she almost glowed. The curls of her long brown hair was a perfect complement to her tawny skin. Her striking blue eyes squinted in the sunlight as she looked out across the colorful valley.

Without removing his eyes from the girl, Brock replied,
“
Yes. Quite beautiful.
”

She glanced toward him, giving a smile at the compliment. Her smile seemed to increase her beauty exponentially. Brock
’
s heart began to thump.

“
What
’
ve you got there?
”
she asked.

He had forgotten about the food he was holding.

“
Oh. Just some rolls and a bowl of stew. I missed lunch, so Shirley helped me out.
”

“
Would you like to sit and eat?
”
she asked.

He nodded.
“
That
’
s a good idea.
”

“
Come on then.
”

She descended the stairs with Brock close behind. They crossed the lawn with her in the lead. Ashland took a seat on a bench near a large leaf tree, patting on the spot beside her. He sat and scooped a spoon full of stew into his mouth. The taste was good, but the stew had grown cold. As he chewed, he unwrapped the rolls.

“
Would you like a roll?
”

She nodded, tearing off a small piece and popping it in her mouth.

They sat in quiet, enjoying each other
’
s presence. He found himself thinking that this was something special, enjoying this amazing sight with Ashland beside him.

She cleared her throat, breaking the silence.
“
This is only my second autumn here, but I can
’
t imagine growing tired of this sight.
”

“
It
is
beautiful,
”
Brock said.
“
Did the leaves change colors and fall off where you grew up?
”

“
Yes
…
and no,
”
she replied. After a moment, she explained,
“
When I lived with my parents, we were in a place where the leaves did change colors. When the leaves fell, we would push them into piles so I could jump in them. It
’
s one of my fondest memories.
”

Sensing she was sharing something, he remained silent.

“
When I was ten summers, my parents sent me to the coast to live with an uncle. That
’
s where I began my education, preparing for the Academy. There, the leaves did not change. I was no longer allowed to play in the fallen leaves. Actually, I was no longer allowed to play at all.
”
Her demeanor became somber as she fell silent. She looked out at the horizon when she next spoke.
“
But I guess it was worth it. I did it. I
’
m now an apprentice at the Academy.
”

Brock nodded. He understood.
“
I believe there are a few students who
’
ve made sacrifices to be here. I also believe those students appreciate the opportunity far more than those who
’
ve had everything handed to them.
”

Ashland turned toward him. Her blue eyes studied his intently.

“
I
’
m sorry, Brock,
”
she said.

He was confused.
“
You
’
re sorry?
”

“
Yes.
”
She put her hand on his, staring down at the long grass.
“
I
’
m sorry I was rude to you when you first came here. As you are now aware, I had to make some sacrifices to be here. I seem to ignore that there are others who appreciate the opportunity.
”

Her eyes met his, drifting closer. Feeling an intense draw, a desire that began with his brain and extended to his body, Brock closed the distance. They were almost touching, holding still as if locked in an invisible state of tension. The tension increased, their breath quickening, and then it broke.

The kiss was warm, deep, and urgent. It seemed as if the kiss had always been there, waiting for months to happen. When it finally did, the release was wonderful. He felt like he had never felt before. He didn
’
t just connect with this girl. In this kiss, Brock knew he could be more, was more, than he ever knew.

The thump and clang of the bowl and spoon tumbling to the ground disturbed the perfect moment. They pulled away, glancing down at the bowl as it rocked on its side in the grass.

His eyes met hers. A chuckle burst out from Brock. Another followed. By the third, she had joined him. They laughed for a bit until she suddenly leaned close and hugged him. Reciprocating the hug, he squeezed her as tight as he dare. He realized she was crying, her face buried in his shoulder. He just held her, enjoying the contact, yet concerned at the same time.

After a bit, he spoke.
“
What is it? Can I help?
”

She pulled away, wiping tears from her face.
“
I
’
ve just been so lonely. I
…
I haven
’
t let anyone get close since I came here.
”
She looked into his eyes.
“
I
’
ve been fighting it for some time, but you interest me, Brock Talenz. I
…
I like you.
”

He smiled. Hearing those words from this girl lit a flame of pure joy in his heart.
“
I like you too. I
really
like you. I just didn
’
t think you liked me. In fact, I had no idea how you felt.
”

She nodded.
“
I know.
”
She smiled.
“
But, now you know.
”

Brock smiled.
“
Now I know.
”

They sat in silence for bit, Ashland
’
s hand gripping his as if he would disappear if she let go.

“
Did you love her?
”
she asked in a quiet voice.

“
What? Who?
”
Brock asked before his mind cleared.
“
Do you mean Amber?
”

Without looking at him, she replied,
“
I heard that you two were
…
close.
”

He thought for a moment. How did he honestly feel about Amber? In reality, he barely knew her.

“
I wouldn
’
t say that I loved her.
”
He considered how to describe what he felt.
“
I
…
was attracted to her I guess. We met by chance, and
…
she expressed interest in me. However, we never had time to see where it would go. In reality, I only knew her a few days
…
and then
…
she was gone.
”

He was surprised by how little of the sting of Amber
’
s death remained. His connection with Ashland seemed to make the loss of Amber seem less painful. He realized that his relationship with Amber was superficial, never getting the chance to be anything more than physical. With Ashland, there was something profound between them before they had even kissed.

He turned toward her, cupping her cheek in his hand as he stared into her eyes.

“
I can tell you that I feel something different with you. Something
…
special. Something I
’
ve never felt before
…
about anyone.
”

Her eyes were fixed on his, shifting as if to search out the truth of his words. A tear slid down her cheek. Her face drew close until her cheek touched his. He felt her breath on his neck. Their heads slowly turned until their lips met. He melted into the kiss. The world swam. It was glorious.

When he pulled away, her eyes remained closed, his hand still cupping her cheek. He swiped his thumb, wiping the tear away.

Her eyes opened, and she smiled. It was as if the sun had suddenly appeared in the sky.

She pulled back, wiping her eyes.
“
I should get going. I have a few things to prepare for class tomorrow. Master Varius has high expectations.
”

“
I understand,
”
Brock replied.
“
However, you need to understand that I plan to miss you until I see you again. I hope you can handle that.
”

She smiled.
“
I think I can handle that.
”

Brock bent and retrieved his bowl and spoon.
“
I better return these, or Shirley will have my hide for sure.
”

When they stood, Ashland kept her arm around his. The weight of her bumping into him as they walked was pleasant. They angled across the lawn to enter the doors closest to the Girls
’
Wing. Brock walked her to the stairwell leading to her floor. The hallway was empty except for the two of them.

“
Goodnight, Brock,
”
she said, stepping away.

Rather than release her, he pulled her close for one last kiss.

“
Goodnight,
”
she said, retreating.

“
Goodnight Ashland,
”
he replied, smiling.