Off the Page: Kalissa’s gift

Happy Sunday! I missed Off the Page a couple of weeks ago, so I thought I’d do it today. What is Off the Page? Well it’s a new blog series I’m starting that gives you, the reader, a look into the characters’ lives outside the book.

Today I bring you Ayden and Kalissa from Forgotten Visions. This is a short read on how they are today.

Warning: This contains some spoilers for those who have not yet read Forgotten Visions. 

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Kalissa sat at the kitchen table, coffee cup clenched in one hand as she flipped the pages of a scrapbook she didn’t remember creating with the other. Ayden sat quietly next to her, arm draped over the back of her chair. The book held so many memories of them as teens, happily in love. Memories that were taken from her by an obsessed and psychotic demon.

She shuttered  at the thought, but quickly pushed it away. Liam was no longer a factor in her life. She made sure of that. Had the scars to prove it.

Ayden slid his hand into hers as soon as she set the cup down and kissed the burn scars on her palm. She met his baby blue eyes and smiled. She would endure the pain all over again to keep him.

“Where did that one come from?” Ayden asked with a chuckle and motioned to the scrapbook.

Peering down at the picture of them laying in the haystacks of the coven’s barn kissing, heat rose in her cheeks. “Khloe said she took that.” It was a good thing, too. Kalissa loved the little reminders that helped piece back her stolen past.

Ayden stood, still holding her hand, and drew her to her feet. “I have a surprise for you.”

Her heart fluttered in excitement. She wasn’t one for surprises, but she learned that she loved them when they came from Ayden. “Really? You spoil me way too much.”

He pulled her into him and kissed her deeply. Pulling back to hold her gaze, he whispered, “You’re worth more than I could ever give. Besides I’ve been working too much since the war with the demons has intensified. I have to sneak in us time.”

Yes, the war have placed unwanted stress on everyone and there were times Ayden had to work double shifts. He was the sheriff of Maxville and has stepped up to taken charge over the strategic planning and surveillance over the demons. With only the six of them against the whole demonic race, they didn’t have time for play. With Lydia so close to delivering her baby, Kalissa and Khloe stayed close to home. That left Ayden, Zach and Melaina on the streets hunting and fishing for information.

“Close you eyes.”

She shivered and almost moaned when Ayden lips touched her cheek. Doing as he asked, she allowed him to guide her to the backyard. The warm sun kissed her skin in greeting as she stepped onto the porch.

He lifted her in his arms, drawing a squeak of surprise from her. “No peaking.”

It was hard, but she squeezed her lids tighter together. Excitement filling her more and more with each step he took. Where was he taking her? She couldn’t tell what direction they were heading in and she was growing impatient.

Finally, he lowered her until her bare feet touched the warm grass. He steadied her. “Now, open your eyes.”

She lifted her lids and gasped. Tears filling her eyes. Her mother’s herb garden radiated with life. From the blooming rosemary and lavender to  thyme and mint, the beautiful colors and fragrances brought on memories of her mother tending to the garden and selecting the right herbs for her potions.

It had gone untouched for years. Everything died shortly after their parents did. That didn’t surprise her a bit. A witch’s garden was an extension of her magic. Kalissa hadn’t had the time to start a new one and Khloe didn’t have the patience.

“It’s beautiful. How did you have time for this?”

He turned slightly to hide his expression, but it was no use. Their bond allowed her to read his emotions. When he looked back at her, he smiled and said, “Grams helped.”

“I’ll have to thank Vanessa and ask for help with identifying most of the herbs in here.”

He wrapped his arms around her from behind. “She said you are welcome to barrow the coven grimoire.”

Kalissa chest tightened. She would pull her mother’s books and her family’s book of magic out, too. But to be offered the coven’s book of spells was the highest honor.

“You’re family now, Lis.”

He was right. Although the coven elders and Ayden’s grandparents–Noah and Vanessa Daniels–had always treated her and Khloe as family. The reality of being mated and bound to Ayden still seemed too good to be true.

“Thank you for this gift.” She twisted in his arms and throw hers around his neck and kissed him. “I love you.”

“I love you, too”

He lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her into the house and to their room.

 

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I hoped you enjoyed this sneak peak into Ayden and Kalissa’s life. Thanks for coming by.

Forgotten Visions is available at Soul Mate Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.