Page 100 of Dominion

“Yes,” I hissed when the first bout of cold air hit my body once we entered the house. “I need you,” I murmured, kissing his face. “I need you inside me.”

“Your wish,” he grinned darkly, carrying me toward our bedroom, “is my command.”

And it was. Everything I ever wanted, everything I needed, he made sure to fulfill it with no questions asked. We had to go through hell to create this little piece of heaven, and eventhough the grief never really went away, I was glad that I had those memories. I was glad I had a chance to get to know Dylan Blackwood. I loved him—we loved him, and we lost him, but he gave us this place. He gave us a new start, and I knew he was always just a whisper away.

As Ash lowered me down onto our bed, kissing a trail over my chest and toward my center, I knew I couldn’t wait to tell him the secret I’d been keeping since last week.

EPILOGUE TWO

In another life

I hated new cities, although my mom told me I shouldn’t use such a strong word for something that I simply disliked. But it was easy for her to say—she didn’t have to start a new school in a month, with all those new people and kids I didn’t know. What if no one would want to talk to me?

What if I was unable to make new friends?

Christina and Katherine were my best friends in Fort Noval, but then Mom got a new job and we had to move all the way to New York state, where I didn’t know a single person. I mean, Christina and Katherine still called, and they told me about all the new things that were happening in the dance school we all attended, but it wasn’t the same anymore.

We were all fourteen years old now, and I knew that the distance between us would only grow as years went by. They still had all our friends back home, while I had no one.

Maybe the loneliness that was slowly starting to bug me was the reason why I decided to go to this playground close to our house, but now that I was here, seeing all the teens in groups, messing with each other, talking, and all the moms with theirsmaller kids on the benches, I didn’t think it was such a good idea. I was terrible at social situations.

My mom often said that it was because I simply preferred to be alone, unlike Christina and Katherine who loved being the center of attention. Which, in all honesty, made no sense, because I didn’t mind doing the competitions and being on stage when I danced. But it was different there. I would lose myself in the music and I wouldn’t pay attention to other people.

This is a new beginning for us, Munchkin,my mom said when I asked her why we had to move again. I knew that her relationship with Joseph hadn’t really worked out, and my own father wasn’t exactly the kind that would step in and help with anything. The last time I saw him was months ago, when he came to visit me for my birthday. I wished he wouldn’t have come. The only thing I got from that day was the fight between him and my mom, and for the first time, I was glad I didn’t have a brother or sister. At least they wouldn’t have to listen to their bickering and ugly words they used.

But I promised my mom I would try. I would go and make new friends, and I would love it here. It was slightly colder than back home, but I didn’t mind. I was looking forward to the white Christmas and the proper winter, where I could make a snowman in front of the house.

Fort Noval never had snow. If we were lucky to get slightly colder weather during the winter to bring out our boots and jackets, we considered it to be a perfect winter. But right now, I could get everything I always dreamed of, and besides—The Academy of Art was in the same state now, so maybe, just maybe, I could work hard enough to be accepted there when the time came.

I saw a group of girls standing in a circle on my right side, looking straight at me. I almost lifted my hand and waved at them, when the dark-haired one snickered with her friend, hereyes rolling as she scanned what I was wearing. I looked down, feeling the tightening in my chest because it was obvious they were laughing at me. I had my favorite jeans shorts on and the Chucks my mom had to save money for, but they were mine. They were the things I loved. I couldn’t understand what they were laughing at, and the nerves started flaring up inside of me.

Were they going to be in the same school as me? Were they going to make fun of me once we started?

One of them, a ginger-haired girl, frowned at whatever they were saying and ignored their calls as she started walking toward me. I braced myself for impact, for cruel words and maybe even something else, but her bright smile disarmed me almost momentarily.

“Hi,” she said cheerfully, lifting her hand. “My name is Vanessa. I assume that you’re the new kid that moved to that old house on Elan Street.”

“Uh, yeah,” I said. “I’m Skylar,” I murmured, looking over her shoulder at the girls that were now seemingly less pleased with Vanessa. “Are you sure you should be talking to me? They don’t seem too happy.”

“They’re never happy,” she grumbled. “But I don’t care. Ella and her little minions aren’t exactly my friends, but we’re distant cousins, so I put up with her behavior.”

“O-okay?”

“Don’t worry.” She smiled. “They bark more than they bite. You should just ignore them.” Easy for her to say. “I wanted to tell you I like your hair. It’s almost white.”

“I know,” I answered. “Not sure if I like it though. Most of the kids don’t really like the color of it.”

“Well, they have no idea what they’re talking about. You’re really pretty.” I could feel myself blushing, and I hated it. I wished I could be cool like Christina and Katherine, or even like Vanessa, but I wasn’t cool. I probably would never be cool. Myface turned as red as a tomato whenever I danced, and don’t get me started on sweating.

“I’m making you uncomfortable, aren’t I?” she asked, visibly cringing. “I’m sorry. My brother often tells me that I should learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes, because I’m too forward. I’m not trying to be creepy or anything like that.”

“It’s okay,” I reassured her. “I think... I think I prefer you being straightforward, rather than lying to me.”

“Right?” she squealed. “I hate it when people say one thing but they mean something completely different.”

“Uh-uh.”

“Anyway,” she drawled as she looked toward the swings where some of the older kids were hanging out. “I need to introduce you to some people, but please don’t drool over them. It’s my brother and his stupid friends, but I want you to know them in case I’m not around.”

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