“I know how you feel; I have darkness as well…” Rhiannon whispered.
Oberon lifted his head quickly and stared at her incredulously.
“Rhiannon, are you crazy? There’s no brighter light in this world than you,” Oberon said.
“You have no idea,” Rhiannon replied sadly.
“I do have an idea. I know for a fact, that if it weren’t for you in my life if you weren’t here even right now when I need you the most, I’d just give up on life. The only reason I try to be a better man at all is because of you. You make me want to fight the darkness, so I can live in the light with you,” Oberon said as he placed his hands gently upon hers.
“Maybe, we should just both live in the dark,” Rhiannon answered as she looked deeply into his eyes.
Oberon felt a shiver go down his spine at the intensity of her words and her stare.
“We?” he asked, hopeful.
“We,” Rhiannon stated.
I owe this to him to be with him, no matter what my heart really wants. I did this to his mom, and now I’ll repent by being his.
Oberon felt his mood shift at her sudden and straightforward declaration.
It’s now or never, he thought as he rubbed her ring finger.
Oberon pulled his hands away and took his wallet out of his pocket. He opened his wallet and unzipped a small inner pocket that’s usually used to keep the change.
Instead of any coins, he pulled out a ring with a simple rose gold band and a substantial princess cut diamond.
Rhiannon felt her breath suck in and held it as she saw what he took out.
Oh, no…she thought glumly.
You owe him.
“I’ve kept this with me, hoping for the right time. If tonight is teaching me anything, it’s that there never will be a right time. I know you’re still struggling with how you feel, but you’re here, now. You didn’t hesitate to come to be with me in my time of need. If that isn’t love, Rhiannon, then what is? Please, please help me make my mother’s wish for me come true. She saw it in you from the beginning that you’re who I’m supposed to be with. And I see it too. I love you with all that I am, and I promise that for you I will work every day to show you that you are loved and cherished, and I will be a good man for you. Please marry me.”
Rhiannon looked into his eyes and saw an earnest little boy looking back, eyes full of hope but also pain.
She knew she shouldn’t, and she knew she didn’t want to, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that it’s what she deserved.
Unable to speak, for fear her desired answer would slip out, Rhiannon only nodded shallowly, images of Kalen flashing in her mind.
Oberon beamed, and grabbed her hand and pushed the ring onto her finger. It painfully caught on her knuckle, before he shoved it all the way down.
Once it was on, he pulled her to him and hugged her tightly, possessively.
“You’re mine…you’re mine…” he whispered over and over as he clutched her body to his.
Rhiannon felt as though her lungs were being crushed right along with her heart. But every time she wanted to change her decision, she’d look around and remind herself that she was in a hospital waiting to see if she had killed his mother.
If I can offer him this joy, through the pain that he doesn’t even know I caused, then it’s what I’ll do, she thought as she resigned herself to her fate.
You’re doing the right thing.
Oberon pulled back a moment from the hug and looked down at her, eyes filled with pride and joy, as he licked his lips hungrily and pulled her in for a kiss.
The kiss was eager and rough. It felt as though he were stamping his claim on her like a dog pissing on a fire hydrant.
Rhiannon allowed herself to go numb to the sensation, letting him do with her what he wanted. Even as his hands began to touch her inappropriately – especially considering the setting – she just told herself, over and over again, that it’s what she deserved.
Oberon pulled away from her for a moment to look around and saw the disapproving looks coming from a few people in the waiting room. He knew that what he was doing was wrong. His mom’s life was hanging in the balance, but he’d waited for so long for Rhiannon to fully be his, he wasn’t going to stop now.
“My car is outside,” he whispered to her hoarsely as he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the exit. Rhiannon followed behind like a ragdoll, not protesting at all.
Once they reached the car, Oberon quickly unlocked it and opened the backseat. He climbed in and pulled her in after him.
As soon as she was inside and the door was closed, Oberon began to kiss her again. Pure lust and adrenaline took over now that they were away from prying eyes as he shoved his tongue into her mouth and began to pull off her hoodie, then her shirt.
He stopped for a moment to take in the sight of her in just a bra. It was white and lacy and held up her ample chest perfectly as if they were defying gravity.
A wicked smile played across his face as he began kneading her breasts and kissing her again. Her body responded, and he became emboldened by her clear desire.
Rhiannon felt her body reacting to his attention in spite of the inner turmoil of emotions inside of her. She started to rub his body in response, caught up, and enjoying the way these feelings were clouding her mind and helping her to briefly forget all the pain inside of her.
Her hand traveled rapidly up his solid thigh, and all sense of control either of them might have had left, immediately vanished.
A woman possessed, Rhiannon, charged forward. She didn’t care that they were in the hospital parking lot, what was happening to Adira, about Kalen’s feelings, and most of all she didn’t care about herself. Everything was forgotten as she let go and unzipped his pants and released him from the tension.
Oberon groaned audibly and happily at the change in Rhiannon. He’d realized at that moment that she was entirely his, and he could do with her whatever he wanted.
“I want to keep you pure for our wedding night,” he said with his voice hoarse, “but I need to have something, or I may not be able to wait until then.”
Oberon pulled down his pants and smiled wickedly. Rhiannon looked at him with confusion.
What is he doing? She thought as she shut her eyes to keep from seeing him expose himself so she could try and think clearly.
Before she could ask or do anything, she felt his hand pressing on the back of her head, pushing her down and knew what she had to do.
A rush of air hit Rhiannon’s back before she could go any further, as the door beside her was swung open.
Embarrassment punched her in the gut as she turned to see Lilyette reaching in the car to pull her out.
“What the hell, Rhiannon?” Lilyette yelled as she grabbed her hoodie and helped put it on her before she was exposed in the parking lot.
Once the hoodie was on and Lilyette deemed her decent, she pulled her away from the car, not giving a fumbling Oberon time to catch up.
Lilyette went straight to the car that Kalen was waiting in, opened the back door and shoved Rhiannon in and followed behind her.
“Why are you still here, and why are you here?” Rhiannon asked Kalen and Lilyette.
“You should be glad we are both here. Thank God Kalen saw you going into the car with Oberon, and I got here in time to stop you before you did something idiotic,” Lilyette growled.
“Why do you care…” Rhiannon mumbled, feeling ashamed.
“Oh please, just shut up. And Kalen! I know you’re feeling some type of way right now, but you need to get this car into gear and get us out of here,” Lilyette demanded.
“I can’t leave!” Rhiannon shouted, suddenly alert.
“Drive the car, now!” Lilyette yelled as she grabbed Rhiannon’s hands to keep her from opening the car door.
Kalen put the car into drive and sped off, leaving behind an angry Oberon who had just reached them. Kalen flipped up a finger to Oberon as he pulled away.
Rhiannon began screaming and crying, sounding like a cat being shoved into the ocean.
Lilyette was taken aback by the intense reaction as she wrestled to keep Rhiannon from jumping out of the moving car.
“Rhiannon! Please, stop!” Lilyette pleaded as she fought back with all her strength.
Rhiannon’s eyes had lost all their gold and were now a deep shade of purple, as she frantically fought and scratched to get out.
“Stop!” Lilyette screamed as she placed both of her hands onto Rhiannon’s head.
Rhiannon froze in place as she felt a comforting and warm sensation coming from Lilyette’s hands.
“Please God, let this work,” Lilyette said aloud as she focused all of her energy on her hands, pushing through them the power that she only read about having – unsure if it would help at all.
Rhiannon felt the warmth spread from her head all throughout her body, her heart no longer raced, and her thoughts seemed to clear up.
NO! You need to get out of this car!
I’m staying in this car.
Rhiannon looked at Lilyette and felt overcome with love and gratefulness. She also felt sorry as she thought of the fight she’d just been putting up.
“What’s happening?” Rhiannon asked.
“Apparently, with my wings, comes the power to heal not only myself but others if I concentrate hard enough,” Lilyette answered, eyes closed tightly as she focused on what she was doing.
“But I’m not hurt,” Rhiannon replied, confused.
“You are, you just couldn’t see it. We read more in the book we found, there are consequences to your lightning abilities. If you use it to hurt someone as opposed to using it defensively, your mind becomes fractured. It’s almost like you’re overtaken by a psychotic depression – more intense than anything you’ve ever experienced. It’s not rational or pleasant. When I read that, and when I thought of what Kalen told me about you saying you hated yourself, I hoped this would work. And I guess, since you’re not trying to claw my eyes out, it must be.”
Rhiannon thought about everything she’d done since waking up and inwardly cringed.
What was I thinking? That isn’t me…
“I think it’s working really well…there was a voice…my voice…telling me all these horrible things…but it’s fading away, I feel somehow stronger,” Rhiannon replied.
Lilyette dropped her hands and looked exhausted as bags formed under her eyes and sweat dripped down her forehead.
“Lil! Are you okay?” Rhiannon called out as Lilyette fell sideways towards her.
Rhiannon put her arms around Lilyette’s torso and used her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
“Every power has consequences and payments in a way. Even though I’m not using mine for malicious intent, it costs me energy. It’s temporary though, so don’t worry,” Lilyette replied.
“Thank you, Lil. It’s always you that seems to save me from myself,” Rhiannon whispered as she held Lilyette.
Kalen drove onwards, listening in and feeling relieved at the positive change in Rhiannon, and keeping a lookout behind them to make sure they weren’t being followed by anyone other than his mom who was close behind in her car.
Rhiannon looked up towards the rearview mirror and caught his eyes for a moment and mouthed an apology. Kalen nodded and brought his eyes back to the words, trying to squelch his anger and sadness as he reminded himself that she wasn’t in control.
“I still feel guilty for what I did to Lady Villagomez, but it’s like I can think clearly about it now. It’s like my mind was stuck in a dark cloud filled with nothing but negativity. I wanted to be punished,” Rhiannon explained.
“And now?” Kalen asked.
“I do hope that she doesn’t die. But truthfully, I know that I made a choice in a split second to hit her with that bolt. It was an emotionally charged moment. When I think again, I still feel guilty, but I don’t hate myself for it,” Rhiannon answered.
“Good, because there’s nothing to hate,” Lilyette said.
“So, what other consequences are there?” Kalen asked.
“I didn’t get a chance to read all of it, I just found what I needed and got here as quickly as I could. The book is back at your house so we can read more when we get back,” Lilyette replied.
“Wait, how did you get here?” Rhiannon asked.
“I drove with Aoki,” Lilyette said.
“She’s behind us now,” Kalen replied.
“I owe all of you, so much,” Rhiannon said sadly.
“Damn right,” Lilyette said with a soft laugh.
Rhiannon let herself smile, for what felt like the first time in a long time. She genuinely appreciated that at her darkest hour, when she was the worst possible version of herself, her friends – no her family – showed up and didn’t give up on her.
“Kalen?” Rhiannon said.
“Yeah,” he replied.
“When we get back to the house, can we talk?”
“I’d like that.”
“Oh, just leave me out why don’t you,” Lilyette joked.
Rhiannon gave Lilyette a soft poke in her side as they both giggled.
“What would I do without you?” Rhiannon said down to Lilyette.
“May you never have to find out,” Lilyette laughed.
“Seriously, I hope I never have to,” Rhiannon said seriously.
“You won’t, you know I’m always here for you,” Lilyette answered.
Rhiannon smiled brightly down at Lilyette and felt her heart swell with happiness.
I’m so blessed.
Chapter 34
Oberon cursed to the wind as he watched the car pull away.
He stomped back to his car and punched the hood as he contemplated going after them.
He felt his phone buzz, and upon taking it out, saw a message from his dad.
Get back in here, the message read.
“Shit,” he spat.
Oberon hesitated going back inside as he gripped his keys tightly, but the thought of his mother sprang up in his head, and he knew he had to go back into the hospital and be there for her.
He changed the menu on his phone and typed a quick message to Rhiannon.
I have to go check on my mom, but I promise I’ll get you back. I don’t know what’s wrong with Lilyette, but she shouldn’t have taken you like that. You are mine now.
Chapter 35
Rhiannon felt her phone buzz in her pocket but decided to ignore it as her arms were currently holding Lilyette, who was sprawled out on the backseat, falling asleep in her lap.
Kalen put music on, and Rhiannon found herself humming along when a song by Death Cab for Cutie filled the now silent car.
“I’ll follow you into the dark,” Kalen sang along softly as he glanced back at Rhiannon.
I love you, he thought, wanting to say it to her directly, but he still felt unsure where they stood.
“I love your singing voice,” Rhiannon said, surprised to hear him singing.
Kalen felt his chest tighten, thinking for a moment that she was going to say something else.
“Thanks,” he choked out, feeling embarrassed for what he was hoping for.
“If there’s no one beside you when your soul embarks, then I’ll follow you into the dark,” Rhiannon started to sing quietly along, as tears pricked at her eyes.
They both sang along to the song as the drive continued, both immersed in the feeling of the moment, but neither one ready to quite say what they were feeling.
Their voices blended together beautifully, and they were both a bit surprised at how eerily haunting it sounded as his tenor voice met her alto.
I love him so much, Rhiannon thought as she enjoyed the feeling of singing with him, I hope he’ll forgive me.
A medley of songs came and went, helping the time pass by, before they pulled up to Kalen’s house, his mom pulling into the spot next to them.
Rhiannon lightly shook Lilyette awake.
“We’re here,” she whispered down to her precious friend.
As they all went into the house, Aoki pulled Rhiannon to her and gave her a tight hug.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, concern filling her voice.
“Much better. Thank you for coming to get me,” Rhiannon replied, feeling loved and grateful.
“You are family now,” Aoki answered, feeling relieved.
Once inside, Kalen grabbed Rhiannon’s hand.
“Ready to go talk?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Rhiannon replied as they walked hand in hand upstairs towards Kalen’s room.
Lilyette and Aoki both watched the pair go, feeling nervous and hopeful.
“We’ll get dinner started, so take your time,” Aoki said up to them.
“Thanks, mom,” Kalen replied.
Kalen and Rhiannon went into his bedroom, and he closed the door behind them. Rhiannon sat on the bed, and Kalen walked over and joined her. Rhiannon fiddled nervously with the pillow that was next to her and worked up her courage to speak. Just as she was about to open her mouth and break the tension in the room, she felt her phone buzz five more times.
Kalen heard the buzzing and looked in the direction it came from.
“Maybe you should check that?” he suggested.
“It could be news about Lady Villagomez,” Rhiannon said, almost apologizing as she pulled her phone out.
I have to go check on my mom, but I promise I’ll get you back. I don’t know what’s wrong with Lilyette, but she shouldn’t have taken you like that. You’re mine now.
My mom is going in for surgery, they’re going to drain the blood build-up to release the pressure, they said it’s pretty straight forward, and she should make a full recovery.
Call me.
Are you okay? Let me know where you are, and I will come to get you.
They say my mom is going to be okay, but I need you. My dad won’t let me leave, I just want to be with you and continue what we started. I’m desperate here, call me back.
Rhiannon read the messages and felt like throwing up. She didn’t know whether she should be relieved or terrified about the news that Lady Villagomez would make a full recovery.
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