Light of a Thousand Stars Read online

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  A Special Note from the Author

  About the Author

  Destiny Rising Sample

  Books by Siobhan Davis

  Copyright

  CHAPTER 1

  I step back and survey my handiwork. It’s a damn fine job, if I do say so myself. My heart blossoms to life in my chest when I imagine how Ari will respond to it. It’s been challenging keeping all this a secret, but what good are romantic gestures if the girl is aware of them in advance. I grin widely as I mentally visualize her reaction.

  “You look like The Joker on steroids,” Gil says, approaching from behind. He stands beside me and I pin him with a look. “Awesome job, bud,” he adds, slapping me firmly on the back.

  Casting a secondary glance at the cave, I have to agree. Rows of sparkling, colored lights hang from left to right at the back of the cave, the illumination reflecting off the slate walls creating a magical, eerie glow all around the space. Gil helped me lay the maple decking that now adorns the entire floor area of the cave. The white and black art-deco style table and chairs are from Gil’s pool house, and the sound system has been relocated temporarily from my bedroom for the night. Cushions of various sizes and shapes are dotted artfully in the corner on the right, and several vases of lilies, lavender, and baby’s breath line the perimeter of the cave. Inhaling deeply, I breathe in the delicate feminine scent that reminds me of my girlfriend, and my lips tug up at the corners.

  Our romantic relationship is still new enough that it brings a smile to my lips every time I think of her. My heart flutters wildly as I picture her beautiful, wide blue eyes, expressive lips, and luminous skin. Gil sighs beside me. Rousing myself from my obsessive thoughts before they consume me, I turn and face him. “Yeah, I’m just that awesome.”

  The cave is tucked unobtrusively on the edge of the golden sandy beach that stretches for a half mile on the furthest fringes of the Lexington estate. Gil’s family vacation estate is a staggering display of opulence, wealth, and obscene excess, which normally doesn’t sit all that well with me. But when I was trying to locate a special romantic setting to celebrate Ari’s fifteenth birthday, there wasn’t anywhere else that fit the bill so perfectly. Gil’s mom is a total snob, but for some reason, which I can never fathom, she has taken a real shine to me, and nothing is any trouble for her darling son’s favorite childhood friend.

  “Are you sure your parents are okay with this?” I arch an eyebrow as I stare him directly in the face.

  “Dad’s in New York and Mom’s in Milan, but she’s cool with this. Chill, dude, it’s all in the bag.” He shoots me a knowing look.

  “And is Syl still okay to prepare the food?” Syl is the Lexington family’s head housekeeper, and she always personally looks after them whenever they vacation here, which is mostly all summer long and on extended weekends at other times during the year. The estate is on the outskirts of Westport, which is a popular seaside town in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Conveniently, only two hours drive from Woodstock—where I live full-time and Gil lives whenever he’s not down here— we make good use of the house whenever we can. Syl dotes on Gil, and considering she’s been in the Lexington’s employ since before Gil was born, he’s like the son she never had. In certain ways, Gil behaves more like he’s Syl’s son than an offspring of the notorious Lexington dynasty. Gil rarely acts like a spoilt rich brat. Mostly he’s unassuming, and uncomfortable playing on his wealth or status. Of course, to his parents, he is the black sheep of the family, though they’ve long since given up trying to make him tow the line. I secretly think Syl is proud of Gil for the way he shuns the norm and refuses to be anything but himself.

  Gil has Syl wrapped around his little finger. Hell, she’s wrapped around his entire hand.

  “It’s all under control, everything you wanted. You know how she loves organizing events, and I think she’s a sweet spot for you too. Though, I’m still her number one. Guess I’m just that awesome too.” He grins widely, and I catch a glimpse of the dimples the girls go wild for. Gil’s movie-star good looks, cheeky boyish charisma, and his powerful second name are a heady combination, and the girls just can’t get enough of him. Or him, them. While there is only one girl for me, one girl a night is probably more apt to describe Gil’s dating predilection. Gil may be my best friend since forever, but he’s still a major player. Sometimes I wonder how we’ve managed to stay friends for so long, but I figure I’m like the Ying to his Yang and vice versa. I’m the voice of reason that tries, and often fails, to keep him on the straight and narrow, and he is the devil on my shoulder, daring me to take risks and throw caution to the wind.

  He thinks I’ve become a total loser since Ari and I officially hooked-up, but that’s only because I can’t bear to be apart from her for any length of time. Following Gil around various parties and clubs, trying to keep up with the endless list of girlfriends and hook-ups, is not Ari’s idea of a fun time. Nor mine. That said, I’m loathed to become one of those guys who dumps his buddies as soon as a girl arrives on the scene. So, I try to keep a balance, as best I can. And it’s not that Ari doesn’t like Gil. She thinks he’s a riot. It’s just that I don’t want her around that scene.

  “You’ve got it bad, Zane,” Gil says, effectively distracting me from my compulsive inner monologue.

  “What?” I scrub a hand over my jaw. Feeling light bristles brush against my fingertips, I make a mental note to shave.

  “You’re so far under the thumb that your head is barely above ground level these days.” He shakes his head.

  “What?” I ask again, feigning ignorance.

  “Such a wasted opportunity. You’re seventeen, Zane. Seventeen, not seventy!! You should be out there playing the field, not tying yourself down. Plenty of time for that in the future. Though I will admit, that Ari’s smoking hot. She may be only turning fifteen, but she’s rocking some serious curves. What I wouldn’t give …”

  “Don’t even attempt to finish that sentence,” I threaten, half in jest.

  He effectively ignores me. “That reminds me,” he says, digging his hand into his pants pocket. “I wiggled an overnight pass for you.” He drops a set of keys in my hand. “The poolhouse is yours for the night. Total privacy for you and Ari to do your thing.” He winks suggestively, and I resist the juvenile urge to roll my eyes. “You can thank me tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Gil,” I say, fitting the keys back in his fist, “but that won’t be necessary. You know it’s not like that between us.”

  “What? You went to all this effort,” he says, gesturing toward the cave with his palms outstretched, “and you’re not even planning on getting laid? Lame, dude. So lame.”

  I stifle a yawn. “Seriously, Gil, how many times do I have to tell you. Ari is only fifteen. We’re waiting ‘til she’s older.”

  “You want to be careful that your man-bits don’t shrivel up and die. Ari won’t thank you for that when she’s ninety and you finally hook-up.”

  I shove him playfully in the stomach, and he stumbles back. “You’re more than making up for my apparent inadequacies.”

  “Isn’t that the truth, bro?” He cocks his head to the side mischeviously. “Why’d you do all this then?” There is a serious note to his tone. Only Gil could ask a question like that and not know the answer.

  “It’s her first birthday that we’ve celebrated as boyfriend and girlfriend, and I want to make it special. Besides, I love her, and I want to make her happy.”

  Gil keels over and mock pukes on the ground
. I fist my hand in his shirt and yank him to his feet. “If you could manage to go out with the same girl more than once, you might understand.”

  “Monogamy is seriously over-rated.” This time I don’t resist the urge to roll my eyes. “I keep forgetting that you guys haven’t been together, together, for that long. She’s been such a big part of your life for years that I always forget that,” he admits, dropping down onto the sand.

  Ari and I have known each other since we were ten and twelve, respectively, and we were BFFs for two years before we officially became an item. My whole world has revolved around her for years, and I honestly can scarcely remember a time when she wasn’t the center of my universe.

  Slumping down beside him, I nod. “I know. I can’t believe it’s only been ten months. Best ten months of my life.”

  He pins me with a look of extreme disdain. “Dude, you seriously need to get out more. You are fucking pathetic, you know that though, right?”

  “Pathetic and proud,” I acknowledge. Nothing in this world is more important to me than Ari. She’s more than just my girlfriend; she’s the core of my entire being. And I couldn’t give a damn who knows it either. Our fathers worked together in the military, and that is how we had first met. She’d seemed so young to me back then, and I had barely paid her any attention. I was fourteen when my dad was killed in action. Ari’s father—Malcolm—took me under his wing, and I began spending more and more time with him and his family. Ari and I gradually grew closer until she was as close a friend as Gil.

  I was sixteen when I first realized that my feelings for her had changed; that I wanted to be more than just her friend. We got together a couple of months after that, and life has never been so good. She’s the first thing I think of when I wake in the morning and the last image in my head before I go to sleep at night. I love her. It’s as simple as that though I haven’t quite admitted it yet. I want to, but I’m terrified of scaring her off.

  Perhaps the moment is upon us; the timing right, and I can finally let her know exactly how I feel.

  “Come on, daydreamer, time to get this show on the road,” Gil says, dragging me up by the elbow. “There’s a girl you need to sweep off her feet.”

  Gil drops me off in front of my house. I’ve barely shut the door on his Porsche Panamera XXX when he zooms off, the wheels screeching off the pavement as he accelerates full speed ahead.

  Gil drives like he lives his life: In the fast lane.

  Grinning, I close the gate behind me and walk up the path toward our porch. My eyes naturally drift to the shabby fencing that borders our pretty garden. Instant guilt prickles under the surface of my skin. I’ve been promising Mom for months now that I’ll sort it out, but I can never seem to find the time. In some shape or form, Ari occupies every minute of my time. If I’m not with her, I’m thinking of her or planning something for us to do together; it doesn’t leave a hell of a lot of time for anything else.

  Mom calls out as soon as I open the front door. “Dinner’s up, Zane.” Tantalizing aromas tempt my tastebuds as I step into the kitchen. Mom’s the bomb when it comes to cooking. Her ability to rustle up something appetizing from the simplest ingredients never fails to blow my mind. Leaning in, I kiss her on the cheek. “I’m not having dinner. Remember? It’s Ari’s birthday surprise tonight.”

  “Shoot. I’d forgotten,” she says, tousling my artfully messy hair.

  “I’ll have his share,” Elijah says, all too readily. I swipe a breadstick from my little brother’s plate, and he smacks my hand away. “Hey, that’s mine!” he protests.

  “How did practise go today?” I ask. Eli only recently joined the little league baseball team, though he’s been playing ball since he was barely out of diapers. Exceptionally gifted, he has a real natural flair. I usually give Coach Anderson a hand, so I took it upon myself to bring Eli and Deacon, Ari’s little brother, to training each week. Mom had stepped in today given my prior plans.

  “It was cool,” he says, in between mouthfuls. “I’m still working on my pitching, and Coach had me practise in the batting cage. I threw like seventy balls and most were on target.”

  I smile at him proudly. “That’s awesome, Eli. Can’t wait to see for myself next week.” He beams up at me.

  “Did you get everything sorted?” Mom asks. I nod, smiling like a goofball as the image of the cave swims in front of my eyes. “She’s going to love it,” she assures me, though there’s no need. I’m supremely confident of my ability to pull off the suprise to end all surprises.

  “I think so. I’m gonna grab a quick shower. I need to collect Ari in a half hour.” Darting out of the kitchen, I sprint up the stairs two steps at a time.

  Having showered, shaved, and styled my somewhat unruly brown hair back off my face, I’m tugging on my shirt when there’s a light knock on my door. “I’m decent,” I call out, just as Mom steps into my room.

  “All set?”

  “Just about.” I tuck my crisp white shirt into the band of my black pants and toe on my formal black leather shoes. I don’t usually dress like a middle-aged man, but I wanted to go all out for tonight. Ari is under strict instructions to dress up for the occasion, so it’d be a little hypocritical if I turned up in my usual jeans and casual shirt. Grabbing the slim, silver tie from my bed, I loop it around my neck.

  “Here, let me,” Mom says, her fingers reaching out. I hold still as she works her magic. “I’m very proud of you, Zane.” I stare at her quizzically. “I know how tough things were for you after your father died, and how different things might be now. But you’ve a steady head on your shoulders, and you’ve matured into a remarkable young man. I’m so proud to call you my son.” She pinches my cheek, and I notice the glisten in her eyes. Ah hell, she’s not going to go and cry on me. I’m a total sucker for tears. “I hope Ari understands how lucky she is.”

  “I’m lucky too,” I say, grabbing the small square box off the bed.

  “See? That’s what I’m talking about,” she says, stepping back and giving me the once over. “You look so handsome.” She tilts her head to the side, a pensive look in her eyes. She automatically seeks out the framed picture of Dad that hangs on the far wall of my bedroom. I suspect this is one of those nostalgic moments, where she is reminiscing about him and acknowledging how alike we are.

  By all accounts, theirs was a love of epic proportions. I know she has never really gotten over him, and none of the scant dates she’s attended over the years have ever led anywhere. I think my mom will always be in love with my dad. That realization both thrills and saddens me.

  “You look so much like him, you know,” she says, reaching out to touch my face. “I was only fourteen when we met, and he was almost the same age as you are now.” I was aware of this, of course: Mom has relayed plenty of stories over the years, but I haven’t thought about it in ages. That my parents met at similar ages to myself and Ari is more than comforting. To me, it’s verification that our love is real, and even though we’re young, it’s okay to acknowledge that we’re soulmates and totally right for one another. “I knew instantly that there was no one else for me,” Mom continues, as if she can read my mind. “No other soul called out to me in the same way that your dad’s did.” A glassy look appears in her eyes. “I still miss him every day.” Her hand curls over her heart. “I miss the way that he loved me.” She exhales deeply.

  I reach out and pull her into my arms, holding her tight. A few minutes pass. Neither of us speaks, but there is no need for words. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I reluctantly ease out of our embrace. “I don’t want to be late,” I explain, grabbing my jacket off the end of the bed.

  “Of course not. Have a wonderful evening, and tell Ari I said happy birthday.”

  I’m ridiculously nervous as I stand at Ari’s front door. Pressing the bell, I shift anxiously from foot to foot, fidgeting with the single red rose I hold in my left hand. The door opens swiftly, and I forget how to breathe. Ari stands in front of me, smiling wid
ely, eyes sparkling, and practically glowing from head to toe. She looks so beautiful it almost physically hurts. Her long brunette locks are tousled and wavy, falling in sweeping cascades over her shoulders and down her back. Layers of wispy green chiffon drape over the front of her strapless, knee-length dress, and her waist is cinched by a slim, gold belt. Her shapely legs look long and toned, her feet elegant in gold strappy sandals.

  She’s stunning beyond words.

  It’s only then I notice how she’s gawping at me in the same way. I break into a wide grin. Closing the gap between us, I cup her cheek and brush my lips against hers. “You look so beautiful. Are you sure it isn’t my birthday?” I whisper against her mouth.

  Stepping back slightly, I pass the rose to her. She accepts it with a dazzling smile, burying her nose in the soft petals. Her eyes shut momentarily as she inhales the delicate scent. Leaning forward, she peers into my eyes. “It’s beautiful. Thank you. You look hot too.” Her eyes follow the line of my body from head to toe, and various parts of my anatomy like that way too much. “I missed you today,” she continues, “What were you up to?”

  I sense ulterior motives. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.”

  Her eyelids flutter at ninety miles an hour as she pins me with one of her special looks, one that normally reduces my entire body to mush in seconds. Stepping back, I attempt to break her spell. Just then, Ari’s mom appears in my line of sight.

  “There you two are! We’re cutting the cake, and then it’s photo time,” Anneka says, smiling. Ari groans, and I try to deflect the grin that tugs up the corners of my lips. Ari abhors getting her photo taken, and while she is normally quite outgoing, she tends to shy away from any activity that requires her to take center stage.

  Ari slaps my arm and mock scowls at me. “Laugh and I’m going nowhere with you.” But she can’t keep a stern face for long. Chuckling, I drag her down the corridor after Anneka.

  It takes thirty minutes to extract ourselves from Ari’s loving family. I manage to grab a few seconds to dart to the toilet to text Syl an update. Malcolm pulls me aside, reminding me to bring Ari home by midnight. He was a little reluctant at first to permit her to stay out so far beyond her normal curfew, but once I explained the nature of my surprise, and that it would only work at night, he relaxed a little.