I whirled around with the pair of boxer briefs in my hand. "They what??" The thought of another man being naked, or doing what I had just done in front of her made me want to rip them apart. My blood began to boil, and before I realized it, I was sitting next to her. "Who are these guys? I want their names."
"Calm down, Chewie. Geez, you have an itty-bitty temper problem. You know that, right?" Her hand began to caress my chest soothingly. I took a deep breath. "They are two nobodies, and I really don't care. They were never disrespectful to me. They didn’t do it intentionally either. It’s not like they wanted to show me, they were just hormone driven college guys. Nothing to worry about." Lia’s hand continued stroking my chest and calming me down while she looked into my eyes.
"They never did anything to you?" I asked, gently cupping her cheek.
Lia shook her head, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I could see the truth in her eyes. If they had so much as thought about touching Lia, I would track them down and make them regret it. Leaning in, Lia gave me a peck on the lips and continued to caress my chest. I looked down to find her finger idly playing with the little hairs between my pectoral muscles. I took her hand and kissed it.
"Are you really not upset about what happened? Seeing me naked like that?"
She shook her head amused. “I never say no to a free show. That would be bad manners.”
I chuckled and kissed her forehead, then stood walking back to the mirror. Oddly enough, I didn't mind being naked in front of her. I felt comfortable around her. I cleaned myself with the wet hand towel I had left on the dresser and risked a glance at Lia through the mirror. She had already moved on, and was now looking at something on her cell phone. I threw the boxer briefs back in the drawer and wore my drawstring pants only. My gaze focused on Lia, observing her as I walked back to her. She seemed immersed in what she was doing.
"I thought you'd be with the guys until later." I sat next to her, suddenly unsure what to do with myself.
"Me too." She answered still looking at her phone. "I guess the guys wanted to be together, because they all but threw me out of their hut."
I chuckled. My gaze went to the phone, and I noticed the picture of an older couple on it. The woman was beautiful and looked remarkably like Lia, but I could also see some of her on the man's smile.
“Do you miss your parents?”
My instinct was to hold her in my arms, but I wasn't sure if after what had happened our dynamic had changed. My chest tightened as I held myself back from touching her. When she looked at me, her eyes glistened with emotion. She leaned in, resting her cheek on my chest looking for comfort. I breathed again as I felt her close, and wrapped my arms around her. Laying our bodies on the bed, I kissed her forehead. She put the phone away and snuggled closer.
“I just want to know they are safe.”
"They are. Don't even think like that. The Romans have no reason to look for your parents. They are safe, and so are you."
“I know. You won’t let anyone hurt me.”
She took the words from me and said them with such faith. I tightened my hold on her. I liked knowing she was certain of that. "Never."
I caressed her back as something else crossed my mind. “You are not a virgin anymore?”
She lifted her head and looked into my eyes. “Are you disappointed?”
"No," I answered honestly. "It just makes me want to find the idiot and castrate him, that's all."
She chuckled. “Worst ten minutes of my life.”
“Only ten minutes? That does sound bad.”
"It was. At first, I wasn't even sure he had done anything."
I laughed, and she chuckled winking at me. I cradled her head back to my chest. "Did you love him?"
“I thought I did.”
“Did he love you?”
She shook her head. "I highly doubt it. I think he just wanted to have sex." She chuckled, but I didn't like that at all. She deserved to be made love to. Be loved fully.
“Has anyone ever made love to you, truly loving you after that?”
“Yes.”
That answer only bothered me more than the first. I needed to stop asking stupid questions. The image of her naked body returned to me, and I briefly wondered how Lia would look as I made love to her. I blinked, startled. What the hell was that? I took a deep breath trying to erase the thought, but I feared I might not be able.
"What happened?" She asked, sensing my sudden discomfort. Her head lifted, and she looked into my eyes. "What is it, Chewie? You can tell me anything. I won't judge."
I could feel the truth in her words. "Before, when you came into the hut and found me, I had tried to picture Seima, but the image of you came to me instead." I gazed at her as I waited for her reaction, but she didn't speak. "Too honest?" I asked, worried I had messed up again.
She looked at me pensively. "That depends. Who looked better? She did, or I did?" My eyes widened, and she laughed. "Lia one, Seima zero."
I chuckled, looking at her unbelieving. She had such a different attitude than any woman I had ever met. She never gave importance to things she considered insignificant, and she had such an incredible sense of humor.
"You are something else you know that?"
"I know." Lia said, batting her eyelashes. I smiled. When she looked at me again, her gaze turned serious. "You can always tell me anything, Chewie. You can never be too honest with me because I want your honesty. I never want you to feel like you need to lie to me. No matter what it is you have to say. If it is something you want to share, or if you ever need to confide in someone. Even if it's something about me that you think might upset me. I always want you to be honest with me because, in my eyes, lying is the worst thing anyone can ever do to me." I nodded, understanding how much this meant to her. "Please promise me that you'll never lie to me, Art."
“I promise, Lia. You can trust me.”
“I do.”
Lia leaned in, and placed her lips on mine. They lingered for a second. I rested my forehead on hers.
"I trust you too, Lia. More than anything."
CHAPTER 5. HERE FOR YOU
LIA
* * *
Day 81…
Ronan held my hands in his, and looked into my eyes while our breaths came in and out of us in complete sync. His skin was soft yet firm under mine, his chest rose and fell softly with mine as we sat crossed legged on the bed. A sparkle entered his eyes as we exhaled and a bright smile illuminated his face. I couldn’t help but grin in response. He had such a contagious smile. The corner of his eyes crinkled, giving him an even more endearing look. He simply radiated warmth.
“How do you feel?” Ronan asked, letting go of my hands.
I looked at him taking another deep breath and felt the oxygen travel to the recesses of my being. I had never been one for meditation or yoga, I had too much energy for it, but this thing Ronan had taught me was so much more than.
“Amazing,” I answered honestly. “I’ve never felt so relaxed in my life.”
"No one is capable of doing what he does," Eghan said, standing from the table and walking towards us. He had been watching us from the start. "He is simply a master of the mind and soul." Stopping at Ronan's side, he leaned down and kissed his temple. Ronan's eyes briefly closed as Eghan's lips touched his skin and as if possible, his smile widened. Eghan sat beside me and began caressing my back.
"I am merely trying to help her connect with her inner self. Certain things can heal our bodies, but only one can heal our minds and souls."
"Peace?" I asked, while his gaze once again focused on me.
"Love." I smiled, and kissed his cheek. "Only love can allow us to forgive." My heart constricted at his words, and I closed my eyes trying to fight it. “Do not do it,” Ronan added. “Do not close yourself up to the prospect of forgiveness.”
“I don’t think I can forgive him. It's just too much." A tear fell from my closed eyes and slid down my face. Ronan's thumb swept it away.
&n
bsp; “Oh, but you can.” The conviction in his voice forced me to gaze at him. His smile became tender, his eyes filled with an understanding so deep, I was sure he spoke from experience. “You must forgive, if not for him then for yourself, Lia. The longer you hold on to the pain, the longer you will suffer.”
“It’s too much,” I repeated shaking my head.
Sensing the distress awaking in me, he took another deep breath guiding me to do the same. His hands held mine, and he leaned closer.
"If it is too great a wrongdoing to forgive, then break it apart. Make it not one terrible thing he did, but a cluster of acts that caused him to hurt you. Life is never that simple, Lia. Many reasons can guide us, or force us to act a certain way. We are not always in charge of our circumstances. Make it so that there are various actions he needs absolution for. Then allow yourself to pardon one thing at a time, until there is nothing left to forgive. Only then you shall be free." His hand moved from mine and caressed my cheek tenderly. "Do you wish to let go?"
A new tear grazed my skin as I nodded. “I don’t want to hurt anymore.”
My voice was barely above a whisper yet his eyes confirmed that he’d heard me. “Perhaps you can begin by pardoning him for being part of that family. For being a Roman.”
My gaze searched Ronan's expectant eyes while his words settled in my mind. I slowly shook my head as something became clear. "He couldn't choose which family he was born into. No one can. It is not his fault he was born a Roman."
Ronan nodded as though pleased by my conclusion. “Then it shall be easier on you to absolve him for that.” His hands held mine tightly. “I forgive him.”
My throat closed up with the need to give into the pain that wanted to resurface, but I pushed it down, and forced myself to repeat the words Ronan had whispered.
“I forgive him.”
Eghan chuckled, sitting with me while Ronan took Art to the side to tell him what we had done this morning. I almost rolled my eyes. I felt like I was being picked up from kindergarten, and my teacher was telling Dad what a naughty girl I'd been. I snickered at that. At least I hadn't cut anyone's ponytail off today. I sighed and looked at Eghan.
“Fabulous,” I said, returning to our conversation.
"You're freaking fabulous,” he said, amused.
“Girlfriend.”
He laughed. “You are freaking fabulous, girlfriend.”
“Perfect!” I grinned.
“Work.”
He thought about it. “You better work!”
I clapped excitedly, and he laughed again. I had taken it up on myself to teach Eghan slang. He thought it was hilarious, and I had no doubt he was only humoring me, but he loved my craziness, and I loved spending time with him and Ronan. They were the sweetest, and we had become instant friends.
“Slay.”
“Girl, you’re slaying in that outfit." He snapped his fingers, and I lost it. I rocked back with laughter and ended up falling off the bed.
Eghan reached for me, but strong arms snatched me before I hit the floor. “Are you done traumatizing Ronan’s husband?” Art asked, kissing my temple. I looked at him grinning. “Almost.”
He chuckled and attempted to set me on the floor, but Eghan took me out of his arms. "Oh, boy. Here we go again," I said, putting my arms around his neck.
"She can do anything she pleases while she is with us," Eghan answered. "I love playing with her. She is adorable."
“Seriously, can people stop calling me adorable? And by the way, you don’t ‘play with me,’ mister. We hang out. I’m not a pet.”
"Can we keep her, please? I have always wanted one." Eghan asked Ronan, and I gasped.
“Oh, that does it. Put me down!”
They laughed as Eghan set me on the floor. I smacked him, hard.
“Sorry, brother. You can’t have her. She’s mine.”
Art's words had been playful, and Eghan chuckled in response but my breath caught, and my heart squeezed inside me. I blinked, and I looked up to find Ronan's gaze on me with an almost knowing spark in his eyes. I cleared my throat, suddenly nervous.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny. Now, can we go? I’m hungry.”
Art’s eyes widened. “Didn’t you have breakfast with the guys like an hour ago?”
I gave him a one-shoulder shrug. “It was two hours ago, and I can still have a snack.”
He sighed, and I punched him in the stomach. “Ok, ok. I’ll feed you.”
We walked out the door, but Eghan's voice stopped us.
“Will we see you at the Coiseachd today?”
Art smiled and nodded. “We’ll see you there.”
* * *
I looked at Art confused as we walked through the village. “The Coiseachd?”
“It means sanctuary.”
I frowned. “Like a temple? Because technically I’m a catholic, but I don’t go to church.”
“You’ll see.” He winked and continued walking.
"Art, will you commune with us for a moment?" The voice came from our left, making us stop. A man stood outside his hut. His two girls played on the ground with wooden toys.
“Of course,” Art said, smiling and motioned for me to follow.
I stopped by the door imagining the conversation would be private, and said hi to the two brunette girls. They looked around eight years old, and I suddenly wondered if that was really their age or if they, like Art and the others, had been frozen in time once they became immortal. It was so surreal to be here, especially when you realized who these people truly were. Their lives, their stories… Eghan was a perfect example. He looked around twenty-five years old, and at first glance that was all you saw. His personality was light and fun, but once you looked into his eyes, the weight of his experiences could knock you flat on your butt. Their eyes reflected the wisdom of their many centuries of life.
“You are welcome to come into my humble home, my lady.” The man’s voice surprised me. I turned, to find him and Art waiting for me.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to intrude on your conversation.”
“It is no intrusion. Please…” He said, opening the door wide for us to pass.
I took Art's stretched hand and walked with them inside. I looked over my shoulder at the girls and waved. They got up running and giggling past us.
The hut was very similar to Art’s, but smaller. Two beds sat side by side on the right. I assumed one was for the parents, and the other was for the two girls.
“My name is Oran, and this is my wife Beatha,” he said, gesturing to the woman that stood by the hearth.
“Very nice to meet you,” I answered, unsure whether or not I should shake his hand.
"Beatha," The man called, extending his hand to her much like Art had just done with me. She smiled turning around and cleaned her hands on her apron.
“Art, I am so happy to see you.”
Her words were filled with genuine joy as she reached for him, and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. The image was heartwarming, but there was a different reason I couldn't take my eyes off her. The colors radiating from her Aura were stunning to say the least, but that wasn't it either. With everything I had been through since the battle, it was like something had closed up in me. I hadn't been able to perceive any Auras since I arrived here, at least not with the guys or Bri. Although I had missed it, I hadn't tried to use my ability because there were so many other things I was dealing with emotionally. However, right now I could see her colors fading in and out. It was as though my ability had awakened just so that I could see her. My eyes roamed the layers that surrounded her and the rarity of their behavior. Normally, Aura layers were consistent. Their shades could vary, even their intensity yet they never behaved this way. Two of her colors pulsed, fading in and out of focus. It wasn't a random fade either. It was a pattern, like a drum, or a heart beat. Two heartbeats to be exact.
“I’m with child.”
Her elated words made my gaze return to her face. It had the most bril
liant smile I had ever seen, as she announced her pregnancy to Art. He smiled wide and brought her into his arms again, congratulating her. His gaze went to the husband as he hugged him too.
"This is marvelous news. We must tell my brother at once," Art said ecstatically.
His Irish accent flared to life as he began to speak formally. I smiled. I had noticed that Art's way of speaking always changed depending on the situation. It seemed unconscious for him to do it, but when he dealt with something serious he always became very proper. Other times he just "mixed it up" between modern English/slang, and proper English. It was amusing to me, but the truth was, I loved when he spoke like this. Like the rest of his people did. It was so sexy, especially with the Irish accent.
"He is aware of the news," Oran said, smiling. "He declared to us that he sensed two essences inside her womb."
“Meala-naidheachd!”—Congratulations!
Art hugged them again, and I gasped as my eyes flew to Beatha’s Aura. The two colors pulsated once again in between her layers like a heartbeat, and I realized why. They were not part of her Aura. They belonged to her babies.
"Congratulations to you both," I said, feeling an emotion I did not expect after witnessing something so special. I hugged them too.
Art's eyes settled on mine, and I could see his worry when he noticed the tears in mine, but I shook my head telling him to disregard it.
As if sensing what they had called him in for, Art’s gaze immediately wandered the hut.
“This will not do,” he whispered more to himself, and walked to the back wall.
His hands roamed over it, moving while he absentmindedly measured it. Art looked up the wall, then over his shoulder, but he wasn't looking at anything in particular. Maybe whatever he was looking at, only he could see. He walked to the window while we all just stood there and waited for him.
Once Art was finally done checking everything around us, he stood in the center of the room and looked at Oran. "I will try to build out from the back wall, and create a bit more space for your family. I will come back tomorrow morning to replace these shutters for you, and speak to the Warriors about beginning the reconstruction as soon as possible."
Worthy of Magic (The Ancient Magic Series Book 4) Page 9