Book One: Beginnings
Page 22
Chase smiles halfheartedly, his blue eyes belying the sad sentiment he feels at forcing her to go through this again but knowing all the same that there is some purpose to his journey beyond the desire to know who his parents are. He takes a few steps toward her, but then stops and scratches his head as if uncertain how to proceed. “I’ve never been good with good-byes. I am afraid that if I let myself be close to you, I will not be able to go. But at the same time, if I don’t let myself be close to you before I go, I know that I will regret it.” Instinctively, he closes the distance between them and wraps Kae in his arms. “No matter what happens, know that I am here with you. And you will always have a place in my heart. I love you, Kaela Lee.” He arcs his neck down to kiss her, her lips receiving his with great enthusiasm.
Chase hugs her tighter and kisses her forehead. “You are everything that I am not, and everything that I want to become. You inspire me to do great things, and still I wonder how I am humbled in your presence.” Gazing into her eyes he smiles, forgetting for a moment that he is saying goodbye. “Many times I have thought that my pride was the answer, but you have shown me that dignity and honesty are what persevere in times of direst need.”
Kae looks questioningly at him. “I do not understand.”
Chase laughs and shakes his head, realizing his admission. “I have dreams. I have dreamt of many things, none of them good, and each time you have come to me. On countless occasions have you been my savior, dissolving the blackness that engulfs me with the blue radiance of your healing aura.” Running his fingers through her blue hair, his eyes begin to glisten with tears. “Sometimes it seems so real, as if a portent of something yet to come. I wake up and am relieved because of the hope that the dreams offer, but I am also wary of what conditions may lead to me needing rescuing in the first place. The darkness just seems to be so absolute and complete….” He shudders.
Kae smiles warmly, seemingly unfazed by his concern. “I think you worry too much.”
Lifting her up into the air, he twirls her around and laughs. “Perhaps you are just wearing off on me.” Gently letting her down, he sighs, “But I guess that it would do me good to have a modicum of reservation. It might just keep me out of trouble.”
Kae wraps her arms around his neck. “For some strange reason, I highly doubt that. But at least you’ll have sense enough to get out of it yourself before I have to trek halfway across the globe just to save you.” She smiles. “But before you do leave, there is something that I must tell you.” She maneuvers her head closer to his and whispers quietly in his ear, “Adrian is the ruler of the sea.”
Chase listens attentively, unsure of what he is really hearing. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Kae shrugs. “I do not know. It is just something that the river whispered to me before you returned from Verdana. I do know, however, that it is something very important even though I do not know why or how I even know this.”
Lara stops in the doorway, her face ash-white. “I overheard you talking.” She walks into the room and places her hands on Kae’s arms. “Kae, I believe that part of a prophecy has been revealed to you.”
Kae nods, understanding beginning to stretch across her features. “Yes. I sense that it has. So the question remains, is it of any use to us?”
“Of course it is,” Chase answers. “We just need to figure out who Adrian is, where he is, which prophecy is being referenced, and what the context is for that prophecy first.” He throws up his arms in obvious sarcasm. “Then after that, it shouldn’t be too hard to use this bit of information to our advantage.”
Lara sighs, avoiding Chase and instead directing her response to Kae. “He is right.”
“I am?” he retorts.
Still speaking with Kae, Lara continues, “He must find Adrian.”
“I do?”
“I think it would be best to start the search in Laentus because of the reference to the sea,” Lara pauses, “but he would need to go to Gaelith first to find any viable means of transportation. It would not do to go chasing a ghost in some dinghy that is liable to capsize with the slightest chance of a storm….”
Tom enters. “I agree. The waters can get pretty rough. And the sooner we leave the better. I had planned on taking two weeks of reprieve before I attempted the waves again, but it seems that plans change with the tides.” He slaps Chase on the shoulder. “Don’t you worry, I will get you to Gaelith safe and sound. We head out in the morning.” Just as abruptly as he had entered, he leaves.
Lara wrings her hands, sensing the sudden tension in the air. “I should leave you two. Jessica and Joel are on their way home and I want to make sure they do not encounter any problems on the return journey.” She turns to leave, but hesitates. Looking over her shoulder at Chase, she regains the resolve that had faltered a moment ago. “Promise me you will say goodbye to him before you go this time.”
Chase nods. “Yes, I will say goodbye. And Lara, I am sorry for not having done so the first time. I had been foolish.”
Lara smiles. “You always were headstrong. But I think that your premature departure was something that you needed in order to figure some things out. I am not saying that it was not foolish, but you had your reasons of which I think you have resolved. Just be careful that you do not walk blindly onto a path of destruction. You have so much potential, but you also have so much passion. I have faith that you will inevitably make the right decision, but not before being lured by empty promises.” She leaves.
“And forsaking the ones that really matter,” he adds.
Kae hugs him, her head resting on his chest and her fingers prying open the fist that he had inadvertently clenched. “No.” She kisses him. “Remember, in your dreams we overcame the darkness together. For a time you may be consumed by it, but you will not lose me, nor I you. I promise.”