by C. J. Abedi
“Do you dine like this every night?” I couldn’t keep the shock out of my voice.
“We do,” Devilyn said to me with a shrug. “As he just said, my grandfather loves this meal in particular. He always says that we should start the day seeking satisfaction and end the day feeling satiated.”
“That actually makes a lot of sense,” I said then began to laugh at the notion that he actually enjoyed the meals he had shared with me. “I guess dinners at our diner must have been such a disappointment to you.”
He pulled out my chair for me, and as he went to push it in, he leaned down and whispered in my ear, “They were my favorite.”
His scent washed over me. He was so handsome. I couldn’t stop the goosebumps I felt from the light touch of his breath caressing my neckline. He had a strange power over me. Whenever I was near him I wanted more. Something deeper. Something I didn’t even understand. I had to push the thoughts out of my head when I realized I was walking on a dangerous minefield again. It was like being on the outskirts of a spider’s web: one false move and I would be trapped.
But would that necessarily be such a bad thing? I thought as Devilyn took the seat beside me.
His grandfather sat at the head of the table and clapped his hands together. Again it was as if the help appeared out of nowhere. In an instant there were servers pouring our drinks into gilded crystal wine glasses and placing beautiful linen napkins in our laps. I was blown away by the opulence, stunned into silence actually, and not sure what I was supposed to do next.
“My dear, please help yourself,” his grandfather said to me as he pointed to various dishes that surrounded me.
I didn’t know what to try first.
“All of this looks too beautiful to touch,” I said to him. “Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this meal with you.”
“Speak nothing of it. It is our pleasure to have you here.” He smiled graciously at me as one of the servers poured him food from some of the numerous dishes.
He held my gaze for a second longer, and I knew I had seen him before. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed it earlier in the evening, but the den had been so dark. Here, now sitting under the illuminated light of the chandelier, staring at his glittering eyes, I knew our paths had crossed before, only I couldn’t remember when or where.
I was really good with faces, but I couldn’t pinpoint where I had seen him. There was something about his knowing stare, something about his hearty laugh that made me feel safe, secure. I had to be losing my mind. I had never felt unsafe with my parents, but this was different.
“Devilyn tells me that you’re working on a History project together.” Thankfully he interrupted my thoughts. “Something about lineage?”
I nodded my head as I helped myself to a generous portion of the sautéed asparagus.
“Yes, we were given a really difficult assignment,” I said, not even trying to hide my frustration. “Well, I should rephrase that: it’s been difficult for me but simple for Devilyn.”
“Difficult, how?” his grandfather asked as he took a bite of his steak.
“Well, we were asked to put together a detailed family tree. And I honestly don’t know much about my ancestors,” I replied sincerely. “So, it’s been challenging to gather all of the information needed to complete the project.”
“You’re a smart girl. All you need to do is look at the beginning—you’re beginning to clarify—and when you understand that all the rest will start to fall into place.”. He picked up his glass of wine and took a sip.
“Forgive my grandfather and his cryptic way of speaking. He likes to do that sometimes and throw everyone off,” Devilyn said to me as he shook his head. “The beginning?”
“Caroline knows what I’m talking about,” he said to Devilyn.
I appreciated his faith in me. I thought I knew what he was talking about, but I wasn’t completely sure.
But it was fascinating to watch the two of them interact with each other. I had never seen Devilyn uncomfortable before, but it seemed that his grandfather could throw him off very easily.
“I think she should stay in the present and work her way back. That’s the logical approach,” Devilyn’s tone was almost threatening. Was I imagining this?
“Not always,” his grandfather returned as he pushed forward. “Anyone who’s lived on Roanoke really has no desire to live anywhere else. The families of this island go back for generations and generations. Beginning their lives and eventually ending them right here. It’s quite fascinating actually.”
He was right.
“Are you suggesting I start with The Lost Colony?” I blurted out as if a light had gone off in my head. Devilyn looked at me sharply.
“You know they disappeared.”
I felt cold when Devilyn said that.
“There was a passenger list. All their names are there on record for anyone to see.”
“They are not your beginning. They all died,” he insisted.
“How do you know?” I questioned. I was shocked at the coldness in Devilyn’s voice.
“It’s in the history books,” Devilyn said turning from me.
“They’re not always right. What if a few escaped and ran off?” I challenged him.
“Caroline—” Devilyn began.
“Maybe your parents will have the answers you need,” his grandfather interrupted us. He stared at Devilyn for a long moment then smiled at me.
“Parents always seem to know everything.”
“I’ve been meaning to interview them for this project, but they’ve been so tied up with their business,” I told him.
“Caroline’s parents own a lovely diner,” Devilyn explained.
“Well, I will have to stop by one of these days,” his grandfather said.
The thought of his grandfather coming to our restaurant was laughable. I could just see him there ordering the Monday night special. Talk about a fish out of water.
“You are always welcome; we’ll give you the best seat in the house,” I replied with a smile.
“I look forward to it,” he said as he raised his glass.
We continued to eat in silence. I was thankful for it because I got to enjoy the sheer splendor of the meal. Their chef was excellent. I imagined that they must have flown him over from Paris or Italy.
Devilyn’s grandfather suddenly rose and wiped his mouth with his linen napkin. He rubbed both of his hands together and pushed his chair back.
“Well now that I’m done with my meal, I’m going to leave you two alone to finish up. I’m sorry to leave so abruptly, but I have some work I need to complete in the study.”
I hadn’t even finished half my meal and he was already done with his. As he moved to leave the room, he turned and looked at me, “Do try the desserts; they’ve made some of my favorites.”
“I definitely will,” I said as I rose from my chair. “Thank you for everything. I’ve had an incredible time.”
“You are forever welcome,” he told me as he grasped my hand. He stared at me for a long moment. “You are a special young woman.”
I don’t know why but his compliment filled me warmth. I didn’t even know this man, and yet it touched me that he thought I was special.
He turned abruptly and left.
I sat back down and felt the mood change in the room. There was now no one left to guide our way through conversation. It was just the two of us again. I cut into my steak.
“Everything is so wonderful. I don’t think I’ve had this much to eat in a long time,” I said, trying to clear the silence with sound.
“I’m glad you like it,” he took a sip of his water. “My grandfather really likes you.”
“Well, I really liked him a lot. He seems like an incredible man. You’re lucky to have him in your life.”
“That is definitely an understatement.”
Silence again. This time Devilyn broke it.
“Once we’
re done, we can study in my room if you’re comfortable?”
His room?
I knew it was every girl’s secret dream to spend time in the bedroom of their crush. A personal window into their life. To see how it’s decorated. To see where they sleep. Where they shower. What pictures they have up. But even though I was beyond curious, deep down I wasn’t too sure I wanted to have that access.
“Will your grandfather mind?” was all I could think of saying.
“We’re just going to be studying, Caroline.”
I could feel the blush creep up my face.
“Right.” I was such a juvenile. Of course that’s all we were going to do.
Even though I took my time eating every last piece of my dessert, it still went by in a flash. The next thing I knew, we were both walking up the winding staircase to his room.
And it was unlike anything I had ever seen.
D
It was the greatest feeling in the world to have her so close, in my home, and now in my room. I really didn’t want her to leave. I wanted to prolong the evening, make it last a lifetime, but I knew that wasn’t possible. So I tried very hard to enjoy every moment.
Caroline immediately walked in and put her backpack down next to my desk, and without hesitation went straight to the favorite part of my room. Right out the doors and onto the balcony. She stood there for a very long time staring out at the forest. I gave her the time she needed, as I leaned against the doors and watched her from behind.
Secretly wishing that I could come up from behind her and just hold her close.
But I couldn’t.
Not tonight, at least.
But soon.
Very soon.
“The view is incredible,” she said in awe.
“I know.” I didn’t take my eyes off her.
“Do you spend a lot of time out here?”
“I actually do. Every morning when I wake up, even in the cold, and every night before I go to bed.”
“I don’t think I could ever sleep if I had this view.” She turned and faced me as she ran her fingers against the balcony railing. “I love the trees and the forest. It’s kind of crazy considering that all scary movies end up with someone dying in the forest. The girl is always running out into the night through the trees all alone.”
“True,” I laughed.
“But I think it’s the most peaceful place. I actually feel very safe when I’m surrounded by the trees. Almost like they would protect me if I was being chased.”
“I’m sure they would.”
She turned again to take one last look and then faced me and moved back into my room.
“Everything tonight—your house, the food, your room even—it’s all been so incredible.”
“As my grandfather said, you’re welcome here any time.”
She smiled at me and looked down. I loved how she responded to even the slightest compliment. She was a contradiction, never backing down from a verbal argument with me, and yet shy when faced with praise or admiration.
“Maybe we should get some work done,” she laughed.
“We don’t have to; we can just sit out here for a little bit and enjoy the beautiful night, if you’d like.”
She hesitated for a moment and then, to my surprise, agreed. “I’ve been avoiding this assignment all year, so what’s another night of procrastination?”
“Let me get a blanket, we can sit out on it so you don’t get your clothes dirty.”
“Thanks Devilyn. That sounds great.” I loved it when she said my name.
I walked back into my room and pulled a large blanket out of my closet. When I reached the balcony again she was in her original spot, looking out at the trees.
I placed the blanket on the ground, went inside, and brought out a few pillows.
“If this is uncomfortable for you, I can bring some chairs,” I told her.
“No, this is great. Thanks so much,” she said as she slowly sat down and placed one of the pillows in her lap.
I took a seat next to her and began looking up at the stars. Maybe it was time to begin wishing on them. Hoping that my future would be as bright.
“You have a lot going for you. You’re really lucky,” she told me.
“I also have a lot of pressures—the kind that most people don’t have.”
“What kind of pressures?”
“My grandfather runs a very large company, and he hopes that one day soon, I will step in and take it over,” I lied trying to get her to grasp the magnitude of the weight I was carrying in life as well.
Even if I spoke in half-truths.
“Company?” She was in a state of utter disbelief. “But you’re still in high school; how can you run a company? I mean, I’m sure you’re capable of anything, but what about college?”
“I’m definitely going to go to college, that’s why I have to keep my grades up and play as best as I can on the field. I need to get into an ivy league, nothing less than that will suffice.”
I knew she would have a million questions because she was such an inquisitive person. And I knew that there were many answers I couldn’t give her. But for now, sitting here, side-by-side, together with the moon lighting up the sky, I had to continue. I wanted her to have some compassion for me, to understand that the reason for my sour attitude may have nothing to do with her. That so many extenuating circumstances contributed to my constant negativity. The pressure of leading a group of people, whether in a company, or in a country, or even in the depths of the forest was not easy.
The pressure of uniting two kingdoms.
Of fulfilling a prophecy.
It consumed me.
“There are a lot of people who are vying for my position in my grandfather’s company, hoping to prove to him that I’m not fit for the role,” I told her in a quiet voice.
“So you have to prove them all wrong,” she was staring at me, pushing me on. I knew she believed that I could do anything.
“I’m lucky because he has faith in me and supports me, but I want to be welcomed by everyone else as well.”
“It doesn’t matter if everyone likes you. But I know they will support you because I’ve seen you. And I think I know you. Kind of. And you’re that kind of guy.” Her words lifted me, and I couldn’t stop myself from wanting more.
“What kind of guy?” I stared at her.
She shrugged. “The guy that everyone wants on their team. The guy that walks in a room and is automatically the leader. That kind of guy. That’s you.”
I was humbled by her words. Flattered and elated that she had that much faith in me.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Don’t doubt yourself. You’re so dedicated. To everything you do.”
“I have to be. There’s no room for error.”
Your life depends on it.
“I have faith in you,” she almost whispered as a gust of wind suddenly blew her hair in her mouth.
Before she could raise her hand I reached over and brushed it away from her cheek. I couldn’t stop myself from lingering and rubbing my hand across her chin. She was so soft and beautiful. I wanted so badly to pull her closer and kiss her. I wanted to taste her, hold her, and never let go.
But I didn’t want to do anything to ruin the evening or ruin the connection we had made tonight. There were so many reasons why I wanted her close.
But I had to be careful.
“It’s getting late,” I said, hating to be the one to end our evening. “I don’t want your parents to worry.”
“You’re right,” she replied. “I should probably go home.”
The drive home was a lot quieter than I imagined. We sat together silently listening to the radio. When she left my car and ran up to her front door I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. Tonight had been a monumental and successful evening for me. I could sense that Caroline was finally beginning to trust me, and I was finally begin
ning to trust myself around her.
I had exercised self-control.
It had been hard, but I had gotten through it.
I knew that I was going to do everything in my power to change our course.
Surely I was worthy of happiness as well.
Chapter Twelve
“Victory and defeat are each of the same price.”
—Thomas Jefferson
The Great Halls of Valhalla
Odin stood by himself in the great room. He lifted his hand up and watched as the ceiling opened at his command, exposing the sky above. He closed his eyes, and the wind moved around him in a frenzy as he whispered into the air.
He watched as his words moved up toward the open sky, calling out to his ancient pets. They arrived within moments. Fluid, graceful, and obedient to the master they had always known. Hugin and Munin. Mind and thought.
“Tell me what storm awaits us,” Odin commanded as they flew in circles above him.
“He is near,” Munin, the elder eagle answered; his voice echoed in the room.
Odin nodded his head. He knew this to be true, but he needed to make sure that he would force the right course of action.
“The Valkyries are looking out for him.”
“We have seen them sire, your faithful ladies, watching the woods, searching for him. We can smell him. Closer. He is getting much closer. Your cloak will not be able to hide her forever,” Hugin, the other eagle, warned gravely.
“Yes. I know,” Odin’s voice replied with deep sorrow and sadness.
“The time is near for the prophecy to begin its course,” Hugin said. “The war is inevitable.”
Odin closed his eyes for a brief moment.
“Father, we know how you despise what must come. The killing. The death. But we see what needs to be done. The time for change is here. It is now,” Munin called out, sensing the anguish Odin felt at the dreaded word.
War.
“There is no other way for the darkness to be defeated,” Hugin told Odin. “It is the will of the Fates.”