Love lines

by Nixon, Diana

  “Christian, what are you talking about?” I wondered worried.

  Without saying a word, he turned me to the mirror and gave me the other one, much smaller, so I could see my own reflection from the back.

  “Look at this,” he said.

  Turning the small mirror so that I could see the reflection of my right shoulder, I finally saw what Christian was talking about. And it was so beautiful that nothing except “Unbelievable!” popped into my mind. There was a tattoo on my shoulder - an elegant intertwining of two fire-red hearts with amazing glowing golden shades around them. Those beautiful heats were joined in one, and crowned with a golden crown. It was shimmering in the rays of light with thousands colors.

  “Look at this,” added Christian quietly, touching the place where the tattoo was on my shoulder. It seemed as if the heart came to life with his touch, and the red lines of a lace pattern, began to show all over my back, making my blood boil in my frozen body. And that was the very same pattern! But this time it looked like a real fire, imprinted on my back. It looked like a magical combination of thin red lines drowning in the waves of bright sunlight. But the moment Christian removed his hand, the picture vanished, leaving behind only a light imprint of a red heart.

  “It's incredible!” I whispered, without taking my eyes off my beautiful heart.

  “I didn’t just ask to look at it for no reason, Eileen,” he said.

  Christian stood in my place, back to the mirror and took off his shirt. Since he was taller than me, I had to bow a little to the side to see what he was trying to show me.

  “You have the same tattoo!” I couldn’t believe my own eyes.

  “I bet that if you touch it, there will be the same lines as on your own back,” he noted.

  And so I did…

  Christian was right. The moment my fingers touched his back the heart came to life and the pattern appeared on his back. It was the same as mine. I couldn’t take my eyes off. It seemed that the lace lines looked even more beautiful on his broad shoulders than on mine. I didn’t want to stop to admire their beauty when I saw it on my own shoulder.

  “How is this possible?” I asked finally. But Christian didn’t say anything. He was watching me carefully. I didn’t realize that his silence was caused by the proximity of our bodies. My hands were still on his back, and from an outside view it might seem that I was embracing him. My breathing quickened and my heart skipped a few beats. I felt everything that Christian was feeling at that moment. His eyes were glowing with passion, his bare skin felt like melting lava under my palms and his breath was warming my lips. Our feelings were the same...

  Without saying a word, he embraced me with one hand while with the other one he touched my cheek. When his lips met mine, I thought I was flying in the sky. His kiss was sweeter than any nectar, his warmth enveloped my entire body, and his proximity made me lose my mind. I didn’t want to step back. It felt so good, so right, like I was finally home again after a long absence. Even without opening my eyes, I knew that in those moments lacy lines on our backs were shining like a pure sunshine, and we both could feel their warmth. His lips were perfectly smooth and delicate and our kiss was so sensual I was ready to sacrifice everything I had just to make it last forever. There was just a thin piece of fabric separating our bodies but I could feel Christian’s bare chest pressed against mine as if there was nothing at all. We were a perfect math and our bodies and minds were totally agree with that conclusion.

  I didn’t know how long our kiss did last when suddenly I heard a quiet coughing coming somewhere from aside. Amanda! We both stepped aside so fast that I almost lost my balance.

  “I knew you would be waiting for me,” as if nothing had happened, she said. “But you found something to do meanwhile,” giggling, she added, walking past me.

  Christian and I exchanged a look. Our eyes were a reflection of each other’s emotions – we both were sorry. Not about the kiss, of course, but because it ended so soon.

  “Christian, I hope you’re going to get dressed before we go?” asked Amanda, smiling and handing him a T-shirt. He took it silently and put it on.

  “I think I'll wait for you in the car,” he said awkwardly, and left.

  “Don’t say anything,” raising a warning hand, I said to Amanda. My heart was still racing from the kiss and I really doubted I was able to say anything intelligible.

  “I wasn’t even going to,” she replied with a grin.

  I didn’t know how much Amanda managed to see before we noticed her presence, but judging by the fact that we hadn’t immediately paid attention to it – she saw enough. Anyway, I didn’t want to talk about that. So I got dressed quietly and took everything I needed for a shopping trip.

  On the way to Christian’s car, I remembered that we hadn’t found anyone else to accompany us.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve talked to Evan myself,” guessing the cause of my embarrassment, said Amanda. “Geez, he's such a sweetie! He agreed at once,” she said with that dreamy smile on her face.

  “When did you manage to talk to each other?” I wondered.

  “Well, while you and Christian were uh... busy, I accidentally ran into him in the hall and asked if he wouldn’t mind coming with us,” she explained innocently.

  “I see. So you haven’t lost your chance my dear friend!” I noted, surprised. Amanda wasn’t usually the one who made an acquaintance first.

  “It’s just because you can’t take care of your beloved friend,” she said reproachfully.

  I just shook my head in response, smiling.

  Chapter 13. Gloster (Christian)

  I knew that there would be one more attendant going to the town with us. But I didn’t think that it would be Evan! Of course, I had nothing against my best friend, but not in this case.

  He was waiting for us in the parking lot, leaning on the hood of my Mercedes.

  “Christian, do you think the girls will allow us to help them choose dresses?” he asked cheerfully.

  Usually I would have said something like “No one had ever refused your proposals”, but not today.

  “Leave your jokes, Evan. You're too old for them, my friend. And don’t forget that you're talking about my sister,” I warned.

  “If I didn’t know you, Christian, I would say that you are worried not just about her. What about Vanessa?” screwing up his eyes suspiciously, he asked.

  “I know that you will be able to immediately determine if I am lying, so please save me from this drilling and stop asking such stupid questions,” I snapped.

  “Hey! What's wrong with your mood? Where has the joy of the morning success gone?”

  I didn’t answer, because at this time Eileen and Amanda came to the car. Amanda, as if accidentally, pushed Eileen to the passenger door.

  “Don’t worry, my brother is a perfect driver,” she said, “as well as at other things,” she whispered.

  Avoiding my gaze, Eileen got into the car. My sister’s aura told me that the choice of seats wasn’t accidental. Especially after I caught the glance she gave Evan.

  “Good Lord!” I groaned, rolling my eyes in disbelief. If these two find anything in common, I will hate them both.

  Unfortunately their temperaments were more than just equals. If they merged, there would be something like an explosive mixture. But if they don’t succeed, I will certainly become a cornerstone for both of them. God, help me!

  I got behind the wheel, started the engine, and the four of us left.

  Feeling the auras of everyone present pretty well, I could definitely say that Eileen felt the worst of all in our company. Firstly, because of what happened between us today. Secondly, she still felt uncomfortable because Amanda caught us. And thirdly, she fully shared my feelings about Evan’s presence. She knew that all my excitement could only be described in one word - jealousy.

  Judging by how focused the look on Evan’s face was in the reflection of the driver’s mirror, he was trying to understand what caused these f
luctuations of colors in our auras, which he could read even better than me.

  Fortunately the only person, who hadn’t noticed anything, was Amanda. So she became our salvation, talking non-stop about what she liked about today's classes.

  The closest town was Gloster, so that is where we went. The town itself wasn’t big, but a huge majority of it was a shopping center, which was mainly attacked by most of the students of Dever. There you could find shops, restaurants and even a small cinema.

  Knowing my sister’s infinite passion for shopping, I had no doubt that we would be returning back in the darkness. However, the idea of spending this time with Eileen, significantly improved my mood. I preferred not to think about the fact that we won’t be alone.

  While Evan and Amanda vividly discussed the upcoming party, I came to Eileen. She stopped to see some of the cocktail dresses.

  “Need help?” I asked. She flinched from the sound of my voice.

  “What do you think about this one?” she asked, pulling out a pale blue dress, her hands shaking slightly. My attention, however, was attracted to another one.

  “What about this?” I asked, showing her a black dress with an oval décolletage on the back.

  “How did you find it? I have already looked through all the dresses on this rack, but ever noticed this one.”

  “Try it. The size, I think, is yours,” I replied, imagining her wearing that sexy skinny dress. The thought was dangerous of course, but I couldn’t help it. And I liked the shiver it caused running down my spine.

  “I already know that it will be perfect for me,” Eileen said, approving my choice. “Where are Amanda and Evan by the way?”

  Looking around, I noticed that we’ve really missed them.

  “They must have gone to another store. Maybe we should wait for them in a cafe over there?” I suggested, nodding towards the one halfway around the mall.

  “Okay,” she said quickly. I knew that she still felt uncomfortable being alone with me. I could feel her nervousness and uneasiness.

  “Listen, Christian... it’s about Evan, “ she said, stopping abruptly. “He's just my temporary teacher, that’s it. And you don’t need to worry about him.”

  I saw how sincerely Eileen wanted to clarify the situation. She probably didn’t even know that Evan had an opposite opinion on the matter.

  “You don’t need to explain anything. I know Evan well enough to understand that he feels something for you. He may not show it to you, but he can’t hide it from me.”

  “I don’t want you two to quarrel because of me,” she continued with her eyes full of worry. “And sooner or later, Evan will realize that there is something between us...”

  “And what’s there between us, Eileen?” blocking her way, I asked.

  “What do you want me to say, Christian?” she asked in response. “What I feel when you're near, you know perfectly well even without my telling you. I won’t deny that I still haven’t recovered from our kiss and all that preceded it. Now I'm confused even more. It seems as if every day brings new surprises and I'm not sure whether they will all be good. But I know, I feel that whatever happens, I will always come back to you, that my life will always be connected with you.”

  “Is that so bad?” I asked quietly. A lock of hair fell onto her face and I gently brushed it back behind her ear.

  “I'm not saying that's bad,” she said blushing. “I’m just scared because of the rapidly changing of my life. We both have known each other one a few days but I already feel like it’s been an eternity. I know almost everything about you. What you think, but don’t say. What you feel, but don’t speak about, even what your favorite color is!” she smiled sadly. “But I don’t know what will happen to us tomorrow, Christian. If tomorrow you still want to be with me... I am here,” she said, looking straight into my eyes.

  It was everything I wanted to hear.

  Not thinking about being in the middle of the shopping center, I embraced her, lifted her a little and kissed her lips. She responded immediately and this time our kiss was more sensual and more sweet. And devastatingly hot. I almost forgot about the reality and people watching us disapprovingly. I could have stood there like that for ages, holding her in my arms, breathing in the floral scent of her hair and enjoying the tenderness of her lips. Nothing else mattered at that moment, just her.

  Reluctantly breaking the kiss, I put her on the floor and said:

  “You know what? If tomorrow you still want to be with me, I'll be the happiest man in the world.”

  Somewhere nearby, we heard the voices of Amanda and Evan and I immediately regretted being with them at the moment.

  “Let's not explain anything to anybody,” I said. “Amanda has already figured out everything and Evan... He'll understand.”

  Eileen replied only with a wordless nod.

  “But still I would have to explain everything to Vanessa,” I thought. Though there was nothing serious between us, I wanted to do it right.

  “There you are!” Amanda exclaimed, running up to us.

  “She was about to call the police,” joked Evan. “It was hard to persuade her to find you ourselves. And she is so stubborn, Christian,” smiling at Amanda, he added.

  My best friend was obviously flirting with my sister. I still didn’t like it. Knowing how easily Evan broke up with all his girlfriends, I didn’t want to see Amanda in that endless list. And, knowing how she could treat it herself, I didn’t want to see her tears. Eileen squeezed my hand a little. Looking at her, I realized that she was trying to tell me “Leave them alone”. It was much easier said than done. And she knew it, smiling sympathetically.

  “If all of us are ready, I think we can go back,” to everyone's surprise, said Amanda.

  “See, he affects her positively,” Eileen said to me quietly. She knew even better than I did how difficult it was to take Amanda away from the store.

  Despite the fact that shopping didn’t take us long we were going back in the twilight. I was thinking about the events of the past day, about Eileen and me being together and nearly skipped the right turn.

  “Slow down, Christian,” she said touching my arm.

  “Sorry,” I said slowing down before turning.

  Evan, who hadn’t noticed anything except for my sister, looked at our hands with surprise.

  “I can’t believe it! You are bound!” he noted.

  Still watching the road, I glanced at him in the mirror. Eileen turned around and asked:

  “What did you say, Evan?”

  “I said that you and Christian are bound, and even more - you are bound by the lines of your destiny,” explained my friend.

  “What?” asked Eileen, Amanda and I simultaneously.

  “Well, as you're all asking the same question, I don’t have to answer each one individually,” smiling, replied Evan. “So, if you believe the theory of binding, the lines on your palms, which are responsible for the fate, are the same. I haven’t seen this before, only heard about it. It’s quite a rare thing.”

  Eileen and I looked at each other.

  “That’s not all,” added Evan. “The theory is that the other lines on your palms are the same as well, just like a mirror reflection.”

  It looked like Eileen had been right about the days being full of surprises.

  “What does it mean?” I asked him still watching the road. Some strange fear appeared in my heart.

  “I don’t know. I think you should ask someone from Feta.”

  “Wait a minute,” Amanda said, “I haven’t understood a word of what you’ve just explained. How did you, Evan, realize that they are connected somehow?”

  “This bond has a special visual expression. It can be seen only by those who have it, and, of course, by people like me - Wizardy. The bond - it's a magic, a very strong magic. Therefore all those who posses it, can see things like this. I saw once a friendship binding, but this is something completely different.”

  “Friendship binding?” Eileen
repeated.

  “Yes. I know two magicians, who have such a bond. And you, Christian, know one of them even better than I do.”

  I looked at him blankly through the drivers’ mirror.

  “It's your father,” Evan said.

  Chapter 14. The power of water (Eileen)

  All the purchases were left in a far corner of our room. There was no time for new dresses and shoes.

  The four of us were sitting at one of the tables in the dining room, all silently thinking about our own worries. Evan was first to break the silence.

  “I think the first thing the two of you have to do tomorrow,” he pointed at Christian and me, “is to talk to someone about your palm lines. And only then, if you don’t get any explanations, you should go to Patrick. I don’t think he kept silent about his friendship bond just because he had nothing else to do. There must be some good reason. As the very existence of something like this, is not a secret. It is mentioned even in some of Wizardy’s manuals.”

  “I agree with Evan,” Christian said, looking at me. “The presence of a magical bond can explain a lot, including how you managed to share you power of fire with me.”

  After returning from town, we had to tell Amanda and Evan about everything, as it was pointless to hide what was already becoming obvious. Unlike Evan, who, to my surprise, took our news fairly easily, Amanda was still in shock.

  “I think we should all go now to our rooms and take a rest,” I said. I was tired and my mind refused to accept any more information. “Tomorrow we will think how to find answers to everything.”

  Leaving the dining room, we went to our bedroom, talking about our plans for tomorrow on the way. In addition, Evan and I were to have training. This time with the students of Feta.

  When we reached the room Christian, not even thinking to hide our relationship any longer, kissed me on the lips. Evan, to our general surprise, kissed Amanda on the cheek before leaving. Poor Amanda! Much more shock reflected in her emerald eyes. Evan hugged me saying goodbye and promised to do all his best to find answers to our numerous questions. He and Christian left.