Free Beckoning Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page B

hair band around my wrist.
    “Who are you, Charlotte?” Calvin asked, once my hands were back in his.
    “Who am I?” I asked, confused.
    “How is it that I meet the girl of my dreams when I am only home on leave for a fortnight?” He squeezed my hands lightly.
    “So, you don’t always live here?” I asked, suddenly afraid I wouldn’t see him again.
    “My family is here, but I am now training in Bellgard.” His tone let me know that this was something to be proud of.
    “Bellgard?”
    “Yes, the capital. I have started at a good rank, and the prospects are great. I have to return soon.” He looked happy by my interest.
    “When?” I hoped we had some time.
    “In three days,” he answered solemnly.
    “Oh.” Sadness flooded through me. He was leaving in three days; I wouldn’t even get the chance to get to know him. Somehow, that thought finally snapped me out of my daze long enough to make me realize that I needed to go home.
    “I have to go,” I said reluctantly; it was the exact opposite of what I wanted to say.
    “Now?  Please, will you not stay?” he pleaded.
    “I want to, but I know that my family might start to worry.” I hoped it was still night at home so Monty wouldn’t have called the police thinking I was missing.
    “May I see you again before I leave?” Calvin asked.
    “Yes, when can you meet me?” I knew that I would find a way to see him whenever he was available.
    “I do not think I can get away tomorrow, but what about the following day, at the same time?”
    “I can do that,” I said, as he helped me to my feet.
    “I will walk you home, Charlotte. A young woman should not be walking unaccompanied, although I am so glad you were today.” He smiled and held my hand in his again.
    “Me, too.”
    We walked back out through the forest and into the field.  I would have had no idea how to get back, but Calvin led me. He looked over at me every few seconds. When he wasn’t looking at my face, he was looking at our hands. Calvin walked me back through the garden, and we stopped at the gate.
    “I live right through here,” I told him, wanting him to know where to find me.
    “I will meet you right here in two days time.”
    “I can’t wait.” I gave him a light smile even though I hated to say goodbye.
    “Me, either,” he said quietly. I was about to take out my necklace to open the gate, but he suddenly pulled me to him for a kiss. I was left breathless.
    “You really make me do things I normally would not, but am I right to assume that you do not mind?” he asked, smiling.
    “Not in the slightest.” I returned his smile. 
    Calvin squeezed my hand before slowly letting it go. I inserted the crystal key in the lock and felt the gate give way. I looked behind me as I walked through, and Calvin stood watching me.
    “Until next time, Charlotte,” he said quietly.
    “Bye, Calvin.” I closed the gate.

 
    Chapter Eight
    Charlotte
     
     
    Daylight was just breaking through the clouds as I walked back into my yard. I felt a mix of disbelief, euphoria, and fear as I ran down the path and slipped as quietly as possible into the house. I walked up the first flight of stairs and tiptoed past Monty’s and Kevin’s rooms. I soundlessly went up the last set, ran into my room, and quickly changed into pajamas before collapsing on my bed.
    I rolled around in bed for hours, unable to stop thinking about Calvin and the intensity of feelings I had experienced. Now that I was away from him, the craziness of my actions hit me— had I really followed a boy I didn’t know into the woods, kissed him more than once, and made plans to see him again? Even more bizarre, I knew I had made the right decision. Being with Calvin was the most natural thing in the world. I was also contending with thoughts about where I had been. The evidence was irrefutable; the gate led to a place that was nothing like Charleston, or any place I had ever seen. That was when the doubt set in.
    Had it been a