Hilary Duff - Elixir

eleven

I COULDNT wipe the smile off my face.

I felt giddy all the way back to the hotel.

I giggled.

I was happy.

Sage leaned back in his seat and studied me, an amused smile on his face.

What? I asked.

He shook his head.

Youre making fun of me, I said.

Im not, Sage assured me.

I knew he was telling the truth. His eyes were affectionate. I was his, not just in the past but today and forever, and nothing had ever made me feel more secure.

I was about to pull into the hotel when Sage reminded me of the snacksthe whole reason wed supposedly gone out. I swung a wild U-turn that slammed Sage against his door.

Taking up stunt driving? he asked.

Can you imagine walking in without the snacks? Rayna would be all over me.

You dont think she will be anyway? Its been a long snack run.

It hasnt been that long, I said. Has it?

He scrunched his brows. What are you trying to say?

I giggled again, and we pulled into a gas station market. Sage wrapped his arm around my shoulders and I leaned against his chest as we walked in step into the store; he held my hand as I cruised the tiny aisles; he stood behind me and rubbed my shoulders as we paid.

I felt normal. I imagined how things would be after everything was over: after we met the dark lady, after we got the Elixir, after we found my dad. Sage and I could travel the world together: me taking pictures, him painting, always coming back together at the end of the day to share what wed done and lie in each others arms.

Sure, thered be some things to work out. Like the fact that he had eternal life and bands of psychopaths were actively tracking him down and trying to destroy him. But hey, every couple has its issues.

Then, of course, there was the very good chance that I was destined to die horribly, just like all the others.

I didnt want to think about that, though. Not tonight. Not when I was back behind the steering wheel, pretending to pay attention to the road when every bit of my concentration was on Sages fingers entwined in my hair, playing with it gently.

I parked as far away from our rooms as I could. I didnt want Ben or Rayna to see us from the window. I turned off the car and Sage was already there, leaning over to kiss me. It was physically painful to break away, not knowing when Id get to kiss him again.

We held hands as we walked toward the hotel, but the second the outside lights hit us, we pulled apart. We hadnt talked about it; it was just instinctual for both of us. It was better if Rayna and Ben didnt know. Especially Ben.

Even though Sage and I were apart, I felt his hands on me. I had a feeling I always would.

Were back! I cried when we got back to the room.

Ben stood on alert. From his position, he looked like hed been pacing. Rayna was sprawled on the bed, totally relaxed. A huge pile of expertly completed homework was stacked neatly on the floor.

I dumped the two bags of loot onto the bed. We have snacks, everybody!

Whered you get them from, Delaware? Ben asked. He was glaring behind me, where Sage leaned casually against the wall.

Practically, I said. My faultI was dying for Red Hots. Pretty much impossible to find. So what movie are we watching?

Back in the cave, Sage had told me I wasnt much of an actress, and apparently he was right. I thought I put on a brilliant show, but Bens eyes were filled with suspicion, Rayna looked like she was ready to pounce, and Sage seemed to be working very hard to stifle his laughter.

Rayna yawned. Cant do it. Im so tired. Im sorry, but I have to kick you guys out and get some sleep.

She wasnt much better at acting than I was. I knew she wanted to talk, but the idea of being away from Sage killed me.

No worries, I said. I can bring the snacks to the guys room. We can watch there and let you sleep.

Great! Ben said.

Rayna gaped, and in the space of ten seconds, she and I had a full conversation with only our eyes.

Rayna: What the hell?

Me: I know! But I want to hang out with Sage.

Rayna: Are you insane?! Youll be with him for the rest of your life. Im only with you until morning!

I couldnt fight that one. She was right.

Actually, Im pretty tired too, I said. I even forced a yawn, though judging from Sages smirk, it wasnt terribly convincing.

You sure? Ben asked. He was staring at me in a way that made me feel X-rayed.

Positive. Take some snacks, though. I got dark chocolate M&Ms and Fritos.

Sounds like a slumber party! Rayna said.

Absolutely, Sage deadpanned. Look out, BenI do a mean French braid.

Ben paid no attention. He had moved closer and was looking at me suspiciously, like a dog whose owner comes home after playing with someone elses pet. I almost thought he was going to smell me.

Gnight, he said. He had to brush past Sage to get to the door, but he didnt say a word to him. Sage raised an amused eyebrow to me.

Good night, ladies, he said, then turned and followed Ben out. It hurt to see him go, like someone had run an ice cream scoop through my core, but I knew that was melodramatic. Id see him in the morning. We had our whole lives to be together. Tonight he could spend with Ben.

I laughed out loud, imagining the two of them actually chatting, snacking, and French braiding each others hair as they sat cross-legged on the bed.

Then a pillow smacked me in the side of the head.

We can watch there and let you sleep? Rayna wailed. Are you crazy?

I know! Im sorry. I took it back, though, right?

You have two seconds to start talking, or I reload.

Before now, if anyone had told me that I could have a night like tonight and not want to tell Rayna everything, Id have thought they were crazy. But being with Sage was different. It felt perfectly round and complete. If I said anything about it, I felt like Id be giving away a giant scoop of it that I couldnt ever get back.

It was really nice, I said. Thanks.

Rayna picked up another pillow, then let it drop. She wasnt happy, but she understood. She also knew I wasnt thanking her just for asking, but for everything.

Ready for bed? she asked. We have to beat the guys to breakfast so they dont steal all the cinnamon rolls.

I loved her like crazy.

We didnt need to leave for the airport until around eleven in the morning, but I was awake by seven. For the first time in ages, I was completely well rested, but that wasnt what had me so energized. Id dreamed about last night with Sagenot some enhanced super version of it, but exactly the way it happened. It was perfect just the way it was.

I woke up aching to be with him, and I was so impatient about it that I couldnt even lie still. I wondered if I could knock on his door and get him without waking Ben. Could I use Raynas phone and text him? But Ben would be just as likely to hear the phone as Sage.

This was so frustrating! Sage could be awake and feeling exactly the same way, but we had no way of letting each other know.

I needed to get up and do something. A run would be perfect. I changed and slipped down to the tiny fitness room. I pushed out five miles, totally sweating out the worst of my anxious energy.

Rayna was still asleep when I got back to the room. I showered and sneaked down to the breakfast buffet. I hoped Sage might be there waiting for me, but when I didnt see him, I grabbed a huge tray of cinnamon rolls, a coffee, and a tea, then carried them back to the room. Rayna hadnt moved. I took a cinnamon roll and waved it under her nose.

Mmmm, she said, her eyes still closed. I waved it around some more, totally amused that I was messing with her dreams.