by S Cinders
"You hurt her, I kill you."
He raised his brows, "I thought that was implied."
I couldn't contain a smirk, "You really are a sarcastic bastard, you know that?"
"Ryan, with all this love talk you are going to turn my head."
"Asshole."
"Shit head."
***
Apple POV
I sat in silence listening to Emily go on in raptures to my Nana and the Aunts about Patrick and being visited by the moon goddess and being gifted with all these powers. It was ridiculous and immature, but I was seething with jealousy, an entirely new emotion for me.
Even Wilson sat at her feet with eyes in awe. Did anyone else miss the fact that I'd just escaped being imprisoned by a mad man for the past 7 weeks? No? I'll just shut up then.
I felt like I'd been patted on the head after being woken up from an afternoon nap and asked to hush while the adults were talking.
And what was that crap with Ryan completely freaking out about Emily kissing Patrick, and then shutting me out? I woke up at the cabin after sleeping in his bed all night glued to him like a boa constrictor with my entire family as a witness and I didn't ignore him.
"...saying that we wouldn't find the family wand or the truth about the prophecy until Patrick was reunited with his family." I caught the tail end of Emily's statement when I saw all the color leave Nana's face.
She grasped Emily's arm tightly, "What did you just say? What about the family wand?"
"Her exact words were, 'The truth to all you seek begins with finding Patrick's kin. Remember the prophecy.' Although it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, does it?"
Nana looked like she'd seen a ghost.
Ryan and Patrick chose that moment to enter.
Nana wasted no time, "Patrick, quickly, who are your family?"
He looked bewildered for a moment. "Last name is Yancy, my folks lived up in Wisconsin. I was raised up there over 200 years ago though.
Nana seemed to try and process this information but the pieces weren't fitting.
"Why would the moon goddess want you to reunite with your family in Wisconsin?"
Patrick shrugged, "Maybe she meant my actual birth mother, but I don't rightly know who that could have been, because being adopted all those years ago to normals as an infant. I like Apple didn't learn I could wield magic until I turned 18."
Nana looked gray, "I might have an idea."
CHAPTER 25 - Apple
I could feel Patrick watching me and it grated on my nerves. We had camped out in surprisingly comfortable barracks hidden in the caves. After Nana's cryptic information she had locked herself away with Sally and Jess. This too had hurt my feelings, although I know it was completely unintentional I just felt that maybe they could have included me too.
I had a bad feeling about all of this. I'd never felt comfortable about the Oracle or the prophecy or any of this magical mystery ride and this morning my sense of foreboding was nearly overwhelming.
Hence my irritation at Patrick, "What do you want Pac-Man?"
He shrugged nonchalantly, but I knew better, and he didn't turn his gaze away. There was something in his eyes, something questioning or knowing that was bugging the ever-living hell out of me.
"I'm glad you're back Applesauce, that's all."
"That's all, my ass," I mumbled.
"I don't think Ryan would like you talking about your ass with Patrick," James said conversationally as he approached us with a large tumbler of coffee.
"Why would he care, he's been glued to his sister since we arrived last night?" The moment the snarky words exited my lips I desperately wanted them back. Both men's eyes rose to their eyebrows and they both took a protective step back.
"Captain, mayday, MAYDAY, Captain... Breaker, breaker abort mission I say, abort mission! Natives NOT friendly." James spoke into his coffee cup while Patrick snickered.
I waved my hand and both landed on their asses, 'NOT friendly' indeed.
Shana had witnessed the entire affair and had the good grace or perhaps just excellent intelligence not to mention it.
"Miss Apple, would you care for more training today or is there something else you would like me to help you with."
I felt immediately guilty, "Wilson, you don't have to serve me anymore. You can do whatever you want to here. We are all equal.'
She smiled, which for her was rare and I appreciated that it was directed towards me, "I'm not asking as a servant, I'm asking as your friend."
I haven't had many of those, and in this moment, I really needed that. I felt my emotions choke up a little and my eyes misted, "Thanks Shana, I could use a friend."
We grabbed some fruit and a box of doughnuts and went exploring, it was nice just to vent my frustrations. We had grown close over the last two months and I knew that she had my best interest at heart.
I asked what she saw herself doing now that she wasn't working for the Devil aka Carl. She said that being a trainer for witches had isolated her to the compound. Shana really wanted to travel and see the world. She felt there was so much that she'd missed out on so much she wanted to do.
I had noticed some of the looks she had given James and had teased her further about being a 121-year-old virgin, which was a joke that just kept on giving.
Feeling much better we wandered back to the barracks laughing only to be stopped by a very angry warlock, who demanded to know just where we had been and what we had been doing.
*****
Ryan POV
I was out of my mind with worry, how dare Apple traipse off on her own after being missing for over seven weeks! The only reason I had a shred of sanity was that when I'd gone into the common room of the barracks I'd found James and Patrick with their asses magicked to the cave floor and no amount of anti-spell could release them.
I was half proud and half infuriated at her carelessness. Patrick was quick to say he didn't think she had any idea how powerful her spell had been. The green-eyed monster reared its head, first I find him making out with my sister and then defending the woman I love?
But James too seemed equally shocked, said she hadn't even thought about it, just flicked her wrist. Just how powerful has Apple become?
I tried to mind link with her but there was nothing there, no thought or emotion toward me. Honestly this scared the hell out of me, what did it mean? I was tired of twists and turns in every moment of our lives.
The longer I sat waiting the angrier I became, when she and that Shana woman rounded the bend laughing and giggling like they had been out for pedicures I lost it.
"Did you happen to forget there was a mad man out there trying to take you?" I thundered on.
"How irresponsible are you to wander off, Apple? You need to think before you do things! This childish behavior could have jeopardized all of us! This isn't just about you. Everyone's lives are on the line."
"What kind of idiot does this? Be an adult Apple, we can't carry your weight! I can't do everything!"
She stood before me, his face white with fury, but as I yelled stupid pointless accusations against her she refused to respond. I knew I was out of control, I didn't even mean half of what I'd said.
"Are you finished?" This was the only thing she uttered to me after that entire tirade.
I wanted to take it all back, to apologize and take her into my arms and beg her to forgive me. But my emotions still felt so raw.
"Yes," I bit off.
She turned on her heel and walked back towards her sleeping quarters.
It was too much I couldn't stand it. "Apple, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."
I tried to go and take her in my arms but she froze me in place with a glance. Her face was near emotionless and her tone so unlike her that I felt ice race through my veins.
"You have had your say Ryan, and I've listened. Everyone actually has had a chance to have their say. My Nana, the aunts, I've followed what everyone else has told me to do because it was my ancestry, or my destin
y, or because some Oracle foretold it or because it was written about in some prophecy I've never even seen."
A small tear trickled down her cheek unchecked, "but the thing is that there is someone very important who I've been ignoring."
She pointed to her heart, "and that's me."
Apple looked around the room. Everyone had come into the common area to see what the commotion had been. Now, you could have heard a pin drop.
"I love you all, I especially love you Ryan. But I'm losing who I am here." More tears fell unheeded, "I need to take a step back. I know that you are afraid that Carl will hurt me, thank you for that. But I'm much more powerful than you know. He's not the person I'm afraid of right now. I'm sorry Ryan but the person who I fear the most is you."
I could have cut my heart out when she said that. What had I done? Had I thrown away the greatest gift I've ever been given? She had me completely frozen, I fought against it with everything I had and couldn't move an eyelash.
She sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve, her eyes puffy and red, she was my entire world, my reason for breathing and she was going to leave.
"Don't forget me."
CHAPTER 26 - Apple
Consciousness - v. to recover, revive, awaken
Ryan roughly rolled me underneath him and I arched my body higher craving more of his touch. I couldn't get enough of him. His body so much bigger than mine was slick with sweat, the heat between us, that was always between us was intoxicating. He ravished my mouth, his kisses drugging me, his hands everywhere setting every inch of my skin on fire. I could feel his hardness pressing against me and knew this was what I wanted. He broke off from my mouth and gazed into my eyes, so breathtakingly handsome that I still had a hard time believing that he chose me. '
'I will always choose you Apple, please come back.'
His words didn't make any sense. I thrust my aching breasts into his chest all but begging for attention, for a moment a slice of indecision crossed his face. Then determination locked firmly upon it and he shook his head, 'The next time I make love to you Apple we will be together.'
Slowly the scene around me began to fade, 'No!' I screamed trying to grab him with both hands but as he continued to disappear he whispered, 'please come back'.
"Apple, wake up Apple, you are dreaming again. Wake up!"
Shana's voice entered my consciousness, "I'm awake," I said groggily, "Keep your shirt on Shakira."
"The name is Shana, it's really not that hard Harry." She stormed back down the hall to her bedroom or really Nana's old room we were back at the apartment I had lived in as a child. I know, clearly it was not a well thought plan to run away from home and to end up well technically 'home' again. But I'd had a rough few months, so cut me some slack.
Also, I'm starting to think I may not be the best example for Shana. She's gotten spicy lately and I found out a pretty huge secret that the little tart had been hiding from me.
It had seemed a bit odd that everyone I'd met in the 'magical' realm seemed to be more than blessed in the looks department, everyone but my dear friend Shana. When I questioned her about this she stammered and tried to change the subject. Really, it was kind of cute, if mostly pathetic.
Well here is the big secret, apparently, she found that it was easier to do her job with a plainer veneer. Witches and warlocks took her more seriously about their craft and there wasn't any jealousy, flirting or even forbid... s-e-x.
So of course, I got her drunk-on margaritas and forced her to show me her true form, 'What? Don't judge, I'm in depression here and on my own for the first time away from my family and true love.'
I almost wished I hadn't.
She's a drop dead gorgeous Latina heartthrob. I mean come on!
She tried to go back to her cover but I wouldn't have any of it. I told her that I was tired of secrets and half-truths. If we were going to be best friends I needed honesty.
Yet another thing I'd come to regret.
She doesn't like my nicknames, nor most of my jokes. She doesn't feel I do my fair share of the housework, we are witches people, it's your flick of the wrist or mine.
We are more like sisters now in my estimation always bickering about this or that. At least that's what I think we are like, not having any siblings of my very own that I had known of.
Over cereal she starts in, "You are having those sex dreams about Ryan still?"
I just grunt, sadly she can decode these well.
"Apple, it's been six months. I know that you have needed some time to 'find yourself' and I respect that. I really do. But you have been having these dreams pretty repeatedly and I think it's time you faced him."
"Besides," she went on, "now that you know Patrick is part of your family, you really need to address the issues really bothering you."
I want to cover my ears and scream nonsense to drown out her tone, but as always Shana is annoyingly right.
After doing some research they traced Patrick's adoption. He was adopted by normals, but the birth father listed on the birth certificate was the same as my own. As crazy as it sounds, Patrick was my brother, my hundreds of years’ older brother.
I had been in contact with Nana, at first to get permission to stay here and then later to help in the investigation of Patrick's family.
For me it strangely made sense, I had always felt comfortable around him and in a way, was grateful to have a brother.
But in another awful terrible way it shattered me. This meant that there was another who could fulfill the prophecy. Patrick and Emily could be who the Oracle had been speaking of.
It made sense. She was personally blessed by the Moon Goddess. Of course, her child would rule them all. They would be partially descended from deity.
And with Patrick finding his family, us, we were promised to be able to uncover the family wand. What union could be more powerful?
So where did that leave Ryan? Where did that leave me? This was the true reason I'd stayed away for so long. I was chicken shit scared, scared that it would be over, that he would have figured out the same things that I had.
Our entire relationship had been built around us being destined to be together. What would happen when all the excitement was over and we were left with just Apple and Ryan?
Would I be enough?
I looked up at Shana, sitting there in her perfection, looking like the hot tamale she truly was and sighed.
"Alright Selena, you win. We're going back."
She hooted and threw her and around me, "Way to go Harry! I knew you were still in there somewhere. Let's go get your man."
CHAPTER 27 - Ryan
I laid back into my bed breathing harshly, and trying to wish my erection away, still more than simply aroused by the projection I had sent to Apple. I found that I couldn't mind link at all with her during the day. I don't know if it was the distance or her stubbornness in shutting me out. And then if by the slightest chance, I had found an opening when she dreamed, and I clutched it with both hands.
Her dreams are as sexy as hell. It was all I could do to control myself in them. I could have gotten lost just looking at her, but I knew I had to try and lead her back to me. I had known where she was for a little while now. Gladys told me when I was out of my mind with worry.
I think that she feels a little sorry for me, and I've taken full advantage of that. Knowing that the first-place Apple will return to is the cabin in the Grand Canyon, I've made it my permanent residence. I've even taken a job with the normals and am working as a park ranger to pass the time.
Surprisingly working with nature has been very good for me, I feel stronger as a warlock and more in touch with my magic than I ever have. But it hasn't been without its sacrifices. Patrick and Emily have been spending more and more time in the caves searching for the wand.
Emily is falling in love with him more every day, and I think he's been in love with her since before she even arrived. I am okay with their relationship now. I can see that he will take care
of her and that she will be the making of him. I just wish I hadn't been such an idiot that night when Apple had escaped the compound.
There were so many things that I would have done different, but there was one thing I didn't regret at all. And I hoped that when I had to explain it to Apple that she would understand why I'd made the decision that I had and that she'd forgive me someday.
I showered and dressed before doing a quick magic spell to straighten the mess and leave for the day. As I walked out into the great room I could tell something was different. Gladys was sitting in a bathrobe on the cream sofa just staring at my doorway as if waiting for me to come out.
The moment I met her eyes I knew, "When?" I demanded.
"Tonight, late most likely." was her only reply.
Apple was coming home.
I was by far the worst park ranger ever employed by the park that day. I gave wrong information, got lost myself, was bit by a poisonous snake and almost ran my jeep off the side of a cliff. It felt like the best day of my life, Apple was coming home.
As I pulled into the cabin I noticed the old VW bug parked outside and felt my gut twist even tighter into knots, suddenly it was like a damn of emotion flooded over me nearly bringing me to my knees. I knew that I'd missed her and that my life wasn't complete without her, but this felt like more.
It wasn't until I glanced up and saw that she was standing partially in the doorway. It wasn't just my emotions I was feeling, she had opened her mind and heart and that's what I was experiencing. It was us, melding together once again, the way it had always meant to be.
Tears poured down her cheeks and I knew that as unmanly as it was I too cried. I was completely overwhelmed at the intensity of our love, the shared grief, remorse and at last redemption. It was beyond words, simply phenomenal.
I raced to her and pulled her into my arms. Her hands shaky, locked around my waist and I cupped her head to my shoulder as I buried my face into her hair and neck. We didn't need words, there would be time later to discuss, and right now we needed the physical connection of our bodies.
I picked her up and she locked her legs around my waist raising her arms to my neck and clinging to me for dear life. If I had it my way, we would never be parted again.