The Amulet Trials

by Willa Alders

  I turned around looking in the mirror. My hair was in these tight ringlet curls down around my face. I had a faint touch of pink eye shadow on my eyes and pink lipstick on. My make-up wasn’t overbearing. It too was just simple and absolutely perfect for the dress. I slipped on a pair of lace dress boots that matched the dress. I almost looked like the brides on the runway shows now I thought .I looked for bouquets when Carmina walked over to me with one.

  “You look beautiful Ara here.” She said handing me a bouquet of pink and purple daisies with violets and lilies too intertwined within. A tear fell down my face. “Stop no crying I love you my dearest daughter.” Carmina smiled at me kissing my cheek.

  “I love you too Car.” I said hugging her back.

  The lady who had come in with Carmina and Lona earlier came up to me then. The whole time I was getting ready I was quietly trying to figure out who she was. She looked familiar like I had seen her before. I wasn’t able to pinpoint why she looked so familiar until she touched my hand smiling. The softness in her eyes and her smile gave her away. I knew where why she looked so familiar now. I had seen the soft eyes and smile before on Archer. My stomach had butterflies instantly because I knew who she was. This lady touching my hand now was Archer’s mom.

  “You know who I am yes?” She asked touching my hand again.

  “Yes I believe so; you’re Archer’s mom?” I asked her.

  “Yes I am Aralynn. The Kintana let me come back to my son a short time ago. They knew he needed me and that you would need me too. So they agreed my coming back was for the best for both of you. When I first came back to visit Archer I didn’t know what to expect. I had heard the horrors of what his sister had put him through. I figured he would be broken but to my surprise he was quite the opposite. My dear son was stronger and more determined than ever. I had no idea how he could be so determined at first. Then he told me about you. That’s when I knew you were the reason he was determined. He has told me so much about you so many wonderful things that I feel like I already know you my dear Aralynn.” The lady said so sweet that it was hard not to listen in awe. “Archer told me how beautiful and kind you were. My son was right you are indeed very beautiful and kind both on the outside and on the inside. I can tell to by the way your aura is radiating around you right now. You have so many beautiful colors which means so many wonderful things. Your aura proves to me that you are sweet, caring, kind, loving and sensual. I can tell that you Aralynn make my son so very happy. I am so glad that you are going to be my daughter. I can tell you that I am so very pleased with his choice.” She said as she kissed my cheek.

  I watched Archer’s mom pull away from me as she took both her hands in my mine. The happy expression faded away for a brief moment. It was replaced with a small saddened smile. It was as if she wanted to say something else that would make her cry. I waited for her to speak.

  “Aralynn I want you to know that I am so terribly sorry that my daughter Kilyn is causing you such pain and heartache. I wish it wasn’t the case.” She said as she pulled me into her arms hugging me.

  “It’s ok it isn’t your fault. This seems to be my fate regardless. On a different note I’m honored to be your daughter and just so you know Archer makes me very happy too. What is your name?” I asked her and she smiled again. She hadn’t told me and I just didn’t want to call her Archer’s mom for the rest of my life.

  “I’m Vida.” She smiled.

  Then something else me again as she said her name. I had heard it before but from where? Someone had told me about her before then it dawned on me. I remembered Sam had been with someone named Vida a long time ago. Was she that Vida? I wondered and I knew she was when she touched the amulet looking at it.

  “Sam gave me that ages ago. Make sure wear it always it will protect you two.” She smiled at me.

  “You’re Sam’s Vida? Just wait Sam will be excited to see you again.” I smiled at her.

  “I’ve seen him already and he is indeed excited. We finally get our second chance. Now come on let’s go my son is waiting for you and I am ready for you to be my daughter.” She said hugging me as we headed out of the room.

  We walked down the hall and to the grand ballroom. There was an isle way scattered with lilies leading the pathway to where Archer was. Sunlight was peering in from the windows lighting the ballroom in a golden glow. It was grand and quaint at the same time. Everyone who mattered was there: Sam was there as Vida took his side, and Avery was beside Archer. Carmina sat next to Caleb. Lona sat by Nohelani. Then there was Mariselle and John-Luc. Orion was the priest I assumed because of where he was standing. I didn’t know he was ordained. All of this was perfect as well as everything else was.

  Nothing was more perfect than seeing Archer in a white tux at the end of the isle waiting. I didn’t breathe in I didn’t need to this was what I wanted. I didn’t even walk, I swooped to him and everyone laughed. They knew I wanted to hurry this along to the part where they announce us man and wife. I smiled when I landed by him, this was my first perfect landing ever. There were no stumbles or rough patches this time.

  “You look so beautiful.” Archer smiled at me.

  “Thank you, you don’t look so bad yourself.” I smiled as Orion began.

  Orion told us that marriage was sacred and for forever, and we were eternally together now. If we had second thoughts we should back out now. We both looked at each other and then at him shook our heads. He smiled as he gave Archer my ring, and his to me. Together we placed them on each other’s fingers. After that he announced us man and wife and let us kiss. Archer pulled me in close to him and touched my cheek as I closed my eyes. He bent down softly brushing his lips on mine. His lips parted a bit as I got lost in him as I always did. He paused then he kissed me softly three more times before we turned to face everyone. They all clapped in unison as we walked down the aisle away from Orion.

  “Now everyone let’s dance.” I smiled twisting my hands making music play. I looked at Archer as he grabbed my hand twirling me around to the center of the ballroom.

  “I love you.” I whispered in between kissing him.

  “I love you too Ara.” He whispered in my ear back.

  He twirled me around a few more times as I caught a glimpse of Vida and Sam. He was holding her so close I thought he may squeeze the life out of her. Then I watched her eyes open as she lifted her head from his shoulder. I could tell she was beyond happy being back. She had her son, a new daughter and most of all she had Sam back. My heart was ready to burst as I looked at her and Sam. I think mainly because I was so happy to see that Sam was once again whole.

  I nudged Archer a little with my arm as I nodded my head toward Sam and his mom. “Did you know that Sam and your mom were together?”

  We continued dancing for a while. When the songs were slow dance songs we would slow dance. Archer always seemed to bring me closer to him during these songs which I didn’t mind. He kept whispering in my ear and in return I would just softly whisper back. I was more than content to continue dancing with him but our guests had other plans. Sam cut in then. He had the happiest look on his face. I was pretty sure he even beat me and Archer with his happiness right now. Which I’m sure was a hard thing to do considering I was very happy.

  “I’m glad you’re happy Sam.” I said to him as he twirled me.

  “I am,” he paused. “Are you?”

  “Yes I am very happy.” I smiled at my other brother. “So how weird is it knowing that you got a grown son now?” I laughed at him.

  “Well if I have a son that means I have a daughter too and I really don’t want to think of you like that.” Sam laughed. “So let’s not think like that.”

  “Ok deal.” Was all I could respond with a straight face. I took a deep breath as I changed the subject. “Looks like we’re all getting what we want.”

  “Almost everyone Ara.” Sam said as he nodded toward Avery.

  The sudden pit rose in my stomach again. The uneasy knotting feeling retur
ning as I tried to not notice what Sam had said. “I know. I feel so bad.” I whispered.

  “Ara, hun I can’t tell you what to do with Avery. I really can’t. I know you did what you needed to and I know it’s hard on both of you. Stuff like that just doesn’t go away overnight. He’s my best friend Ara, and I know he is hurting. So just try to cut him some slack.” Sam said as he hugged me then John-Luc stepped in.

  I danced with John-Luc, then Orion, and Caleb. Through each dance I kept glancing over their shoulders looking at Avery. He was slouched at a table staring aimlessly into space. I watched him down a glass of champagne as a servant brought him another one. It hurt me to realize how hard this must be for him. Even though he was putting on a brave face I knew this couldn’t be easy for him, especially not after our talk the other night. I knew I needed to speak with him before the nights’ end. So one way or another I would have to get him to dance with me. After the second song with Caleb ended I got my chance. Avery had walked up then tapping Caleb on the shoulder.

  “You mind if I cut in?” Avery asked his voice low.

  Caleb shook his head as I took Avery’s hand. Avery came closer to me, wrapping his arms around my me like he used too. I looked in his glossy eyes. I could see the pain in his face clearer now. It was so vivid and so very hard to ignore. In fact I couldn’t ignore it any longer. He spun me around then brought me close to him again. I felt him breathing slowly and I knew he was trying to savor this. He was afraid to say anything that may ruin this moment.

  “Are you ok?” I asked as I leaned into him.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” Avery asked his voice full of sarcasm.

  “Avery please don’t act like nothing’s wrong.” I begged. “I know you better than you know yourself. I know something is wrong. So tell me are you ok?”

  He didn’t say anything at first as he dipped me. I let a hiss out from under my breath just like I used to when I wanted him to talk. Some things hadn’t changed that much. Clearly the hiss still worked just like it used to when I wanted him to talk to me when he was ignoring me. He brought me back up suddenly closer to him.

  His face was just inches from mine. “What’s it matter Ara?” His brows creased.

  “It matters because I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want you to be in pain.” I whispered.

  “It’s too late for that. You and I both know it.” His face relaxed some as his muscles tightened around me.

  “I’m so sorry Avery. I never meant to hurt you.” I replied touching his cheek.

  “Whether you meant to hurt me or not doesn’t matter. None of this was ever your fault. You made your intentions very clear from the beginning. I was the idiot that fooled myself into thinking things would be different if I just waited. I thought given enough time you would eventually give in and choose not to fight it. I thought you’d come to see that you felt more for me than what was possible. Just the way I did with you.” Avery said as he cleared his throat. “I was wrong. I guess I didn’t see what was right in front of me. I can’t say that really because truthfully I did see it. I just tried to ignore it.”

  I interrupted him. “See what?”

  His brows creased again. “Archer.” The pain in my stomach churned as I watched Avery trying not to choke up. “I knew it from the moment I saw Sam introduce him to you. I could see how you were acting –all hard to get like you weren’t interested but I knew deep down you were. That much was clear by the way you hurried up and left the party. I could just tell something was looming there. It wasn’t just that moment either Aralynn. There was more much more. The way you were with me after you met him wasn’t the same and you two weren’t even together yet. You hadn’t even been on a date. You were different. Then he asked you out and that changed things even more. You were in love with him from that first date I could tell. The way your eyes would dance when he touched you made me cringe. I hated knowing that someone else was getting you. Someone else had what I wanted most in the world. I just couldn’t deal with it. So I tried to distance myself from you and it didn’t work. You needed my help remember?” He asked and I nodded.

  “You wanted me to go back because you were afraid he was hiding something. I jumped at that –to help you without blinking. I did much more than trying to go back in time. I spied on Archer quite a bit. Actually a lot more than what I care to say. I was trying to find anything I could on him. Anything that would hopefully make you change your mind about him and leave him. But….” He trailed off. “It was hard because the more I saw Archer with you the more I knew he loved you, and I knew that you were truly happy. I hate to admit this to you but I knew I could never make you as happy as he does. So I caved in and abandoned all hope of what I wanted because I couldn’t ruin your happiness. I care about you too much.” He said looking into my eyes.

  “Avery….” Was all I could say as tears welled up in my eyes.

  I know he said it wasn’t my fault but it felt like it. The agony and pain he was in was because of me. My stomach twisted in little balls as it all sunk in. His pain was manifesting itself in me. I was gasping for air, it felt like my heart ripped into two. Part of it reaching for Avery wanting to tell him everything will be ok.

  “Don’t cry Aralynn.” He said as he wiped a tear from my eye. “I’m not telling you this to make you cry and feel bad. I’m telling you this because I want you to know that it’s ok. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine in time.”

  “How can I not feel bad?” I asked as my voice quivered.

  “Try not to darlin’ please.” He whispered bending his face down to mine.

  “It’s hard because you’re so sad.” I said as he caught another tear that fell from my eye.

  “I know Ara, but just because I’m not complete doesn't mean you can’t be.” He said as I started shaking my head. “Stop just listen to me. Archer makes you happy I see that just as I always have. Only difference is now I accept it. Did you know he came to me to ask for permission to marry you? Not Caleb or Carmina but me. Can you believe that? When we were training in the garden and we disappeared fighting that’s what happened. He asked me and I couldn’t not give him permission.”

  “Why?” I whispered.

  “You’re really asking me why. Darlin’ think about it! I knew that he would do the one thing that I cannot –he could make you whole. Part of doing that is making sure you’re happy forever. So I gave him the permission because your happiness means more to me than you will ever know. I would rather see you happy and whole than to see you miserable. So if that means me getting hurt for the time being then I would gladly do it over and over again for eternity if that meant you got to live happily. You are the only thing that I care about and that matters to me.” He said leaning down kissing my forehead.

  “Thank you.” I muttered too shocked to say anything else.

  I didn’t know how Avery could do this. How he could just be so selfless. This wasn’t like him at all. Avery was always sarcastic and nonchalant. Never once did he ever let his façade down enough so you could see his true feelings. That was never him. He always kept his hardcore bravado up. Avery wouldn’t allow himself to get too involved. In fact if he thought the girl wanted something more than a casual hookup he would drop her quicker than time itself. That was him. I knew him enough to know that and he never once did he make me think he wanted more from me or had he? I thought to myself.

  “I’m sorry.” I said into his neck.

  “I know I am too more than you know.” He said as his hair brushed against my face.

  “Can you promise me something?” I choked out.

  “I can try Ara.” Avery said as I rested my head on his shoulder.

  “Promise me you’ll be ok.” I sniffled.

  “Of course darlin’. You know me nothing holds me down too long not even you. I’ll be fine.” His playful sarcastic voice returning masking the pain the I knew that was still there.

  “I love you Avery.” Was all I could say because nothing else seemed right.<
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  “I know you do Aralynn and I know I love you too.” Avery said as he kissed my forehead again. “More than you can ever imagine.”

  I knew I loved him now as I was always supposed too –as a brother and nothing more. That was it but it didn’t erase how I felt now. I knew me loving him this way wasn’t the way he wanted it. I knew he wanted a different kind of love. One that I couldn’t give him and one that even he realized wasn’t going to happen. I looked at my brother’s face. He was smiling his usual playful smile. He was masking himself again behind his bravado. My brave faced brother his eyes cloudy for a brief second and so full a pain. He pulled me close one more time as he kissed my forehead once more then walked off the floor.

  I took a deep breath trying to get myself back in control after what just happened with Avery. My hands were shaking and they wouldn’t stop so I slipped into the bathroom once I made sure Archer was still dancing. I couldn’t have him see me like this.

  I looked at myself in the mirror –my eyes were slightly glazed over with the tears that were still falling. I dabbed eyes with a tissue hoping that would help. I took another deep breath trying to forget everything Avery had just said to me. Sadly I couldn’t because all I could see right now was him downing the champagne at the table then is somber face so full of heartbrokenness while he was dancing with me. I buried my face in my hands as I quivered thinking about him. I wiped my eyes again and this time no matter how much it hurt me I forced myself to ignore everything he had just said to me.

  Today was a happy day, and I wanted just one more moment of happiness before my world turned upside down into hell. I walked back into the ballroom waiting for Archer to come to me. He did instantly as if he could read my mind and knew that I needed him.

  “Is everything ok beautiful?” Archer asked as he wrapped his arms around me as a curl fell around is face.

  I threw my arms around his neck kissing him softly. “It is now.”