Slade

by Simpson, Serena

  “I don’t want to take advantage of you Mila.” He stepped back taking her hand. They walked over to the room that was to be hers.

  He might be the only person who didn’t want to take advantage of her. Taking advantage of the woman who didn’t think she had anything to live for was easy. She waited for pity or melancholy to take over, but there was none. It was rare for her to feel that way. She had given as good as she had gotten in her life. There were things she would redo if she could, but wasn’t that feeling universal? She didn’t want tonight to be one she wished she’d lived differently.

  “I’d beg you to take advantage of me, but I don’t want that. I want, no, I need to be on equal footing. I want you, but if you don’t feel the same, I’ll go to bed and put it all behind me.”

  “There isn’t a question of want. My life has been difficult Mila. I’ve so much baggage and being around you is forcing me to unpack it. I should wait until I have it all sorted out.”

  “How long will that take Slade? A day, a week, or a year. Should I wait until all of my baggage is sorted out, and my demons are dead? How many chances will we get?”

  “I don’t know the answers Mila. Lay with me for a while?”

  “Yes.”

  He led her into his bedroom. It was theirs now he just didn’t know it yet. She gave him a small grin before going back to the living room. She picked up a cute peek-a-boo nighty. While his back was turned, she quickly changed clothes and got on the bed.

  Her hand shook with nerves. She knew it was because Slade meant more to her than a one-night stand or a lay before she died.

  He crawled in with her, his hand smoothing over her bare arm.

  “I love your skin.”

  She looked at it with critical eyes. “It’s just skin.”

  “It’s soft and smooth. The color reminds me of wealth and birth. You remind me of the land where both heart and soul originate.”

  She moved a little closer to him before he pulled her into his arms.

  “Slade, did you go to college?”

  “No.”

  “Did you take any classes like poetry or art?”

  “No.”

  “Just wondering how you can be so poetic. You make me look at myself differently. I’m more than the beauty of my face or the flash in my eyes. I’m more than the swing of my hips or the color of my skin. In you, I see that I am life, an extension of the earth itself. Slade, you reflect my soul back to me.”

  She lifted her head; he met her in a kiss that was sweet. Need made her groan as she made the first move of licking his lips until they opened. Her tongue entered ravishing his mouth. She needed to get closer, to experience with him what she never knew existed.

  “Mila,” he tore his mouth away from hers.

  “I need you, Slade.”

  The words were right. He waited for centuries to hear them. Want and need were worlds apart. He hadn’t even known, until now, how much he longed to hear those words. His lips traveled down nibbling at her neck. He loved the way she turned her head and arched her body to give him free access to such a vulnerable part of her body.

  “Touch me, Slade,” She breathed out while her fingers were running through his hair caressing his scalp. “I love your ‘I’m edgy’ hairstyle.”

  Her hands came down caressing the side of his neck before she stroked his shoulders. “If I hadn’t of passed out after the fight I would have been all over you. Your eyes were flaring with passion. Your hands were bloody from protecting me. There was a wild look on your face, and I wanted to press close and offer myself as tribute.”

  “Not tribute, mine.” He left words behind as he kissed down her body stopping at her clavicle to track it with his tongue and tease it with his teeth.

  “To slow.”

  He gave her another nip with his teeth just a bit sharper this time. A restless breath came out as she squirmed underneath him. He was going to drive her crazy before he gave her what she needed. He licked her until his tongue was at the top of her breast. The peek-a-boo cleavage of the nightgown was giving him glimpses of her brown skin and the swell of her breasts.

  When she decided to take the bra off, she’d been sad. Now she was filled with delight. It was a barrier she didn’t have to worry about getting rid of.

  Slade’s hand came up to cup her breast, his thumb grazing her nipple just hard enough to take her breathing up another notch. Mila tried to rub her thighs together without him noticing as she dry humped the air. What was it about this male that made her want in a way she never had in the past?

  His thumb pressed into her tight nipple drawing a gasp. Her hands went to his arms needing to touch him. She wanted him to feel the tingles of pleasure that were flooding her body.

  It was the look of sadness, almost one of betrayal that stopped her seeking hands. The pleasure that she felt left her cold.

  “Slade?” His eyes were haunted when he looked at her. She knew that look had seen it reflected in her own eyes on days when she wondered why she was still alive.

  With careful movements, she slid from underneath his hands. The warmth of his body half covering her was gone leaving her feeling desolate.

  “If you want to talk, Slade. I’ll always listen. This is a judgment-free zone.”

  She left the room to sleep in her lonely bed.

  *~*~*~*

  God, she felt like a rock landed on her. Mila stretched trying to get rid of the tension that claimed her after a night of restless sleep. Slade. All the memories from last night assailed her. There were the things that he did to her body, yes, please. It was the look in his eyes that hurt the most. He’d been guilty. Was he in love with someone else? Was this other woman waiting for him on Earth while he was on Paradise with her?

  Maybe, but when she looked in the mirror, that look of guilt had been associated with her family. The family she loved and lost so many years ago. Had he lost someone?

  Reluctantly, she rolled out of bed. The thought of hiding out all day was appealing, but that wasn’t who she was. A trip to the bathroom, then she pulled on a robe and left the room.

  The door to the patio was open; she wandered out find Slade sitting on the steps looking at the pool.

  “Hi,” she said softly not sure if she should sit or leave.

  “Hi.” He gave a quick pat to the step beside him. She took it as an invitation to sit.

  “How long have you been out here?”

  “All night.”

  She felt a frisson of doubt before ruthlessly killing it. Slade hadn’t been ready for more last night. Her leaving his room might have made him face his demons, but hadn’t he told her he had a lot to unpack?

  They sat in silence watching the beauty of the pool as small waves moved across the surface.

  “Brie saved my life.” His shoulders hunched while his erratic breathing picked up. Then he straightened up and turned to face Mila.

  “I should probably start from the beginning. Life for the created starts in a test tube. After the scientist’s think we're viable we are placed in an artificial womb.” He pulled up his shirt to show her there was no belly button. “That womb has everything to nourish us until we are born.

  “When we have reached the point that we can live independently from the womb, it opens. The scientists come to check on us. When the womb I was in opened, there were two of us. In times past the second born would have been killed. There was no way to tell who was the second born.” He picked up a fat rock and skipped it over the water in the pool watching the small waves tug at the rock until it finally sank.

  “I don’t know why, luck of the draw maybe; they chose me to die. I think if one of us hadn’t already been picked to be the leader of our brothers, they may have killed us both. Brie stepped in. She was a scientist too. It was highly unusual because they didn’t have much respect for their females. She saved my life. Growing up Brie was my mentor and then my friend and confidant, finally she became the one I loved. Maybe I was obsessed. I knew she was my m
ate. How could she not be?”

  Slade laid back allowing the heated patio to warm his back as he searched the sky looking for a way to explain who Brie was to him.

  “I was lonely. We—the created—are meant to be with our brothers. They wrote it into our DNA. I was alone except for Brie. The truth though I would have always fallen for her. She was brave and stood up for what’s right. I seem to be attracted to those types of females.” He gave Mila smile before closing his eyes.

  “Brie knew from the beginning. She acknowledged the things I was willing to ignore. When the final battle was fought and won, I knew it was our chance. Either we would be together, or I would leave the planet alone. She came with me. The reality of what we were didn’t come until I tried to claim her as my mate. I was created. How could I make a mistake like that??”

  Slade opened his eyes when he felt Mila’s small hand cover his. There was a sheen a tear’s in her brown eyes like she could feel the heartbreak he lived through.

  “After that, it was a matter of time. Would it be days, years, centuries? One day, I knew she’d be gone, and I’d be alone forever.”

  “Slade you have your family you’re not alone. Don’t beat yourself up. You have a right to love whoever you choose. You’re not a slave to your biology. I think she must have loved you. I can’t imagine her willingly letting you go.”

  “I was the one that couldn’t let go in the end. There’s something you have to understand Mila. When I pursued Brie, I was confident that we would live forever together. When she died, I gave up that hope.”

  “I understand.”

  “Then you’re in a better place than I am.” He reached in a pocket and brought out a gold band. “The last bit of Brie’s essence is in here. Trapped for so long. As long as I have here.” He tapped the band. “I know I’m not alone. When she is gone nothing but her memory will remain.”

  Slade stood helping Mila stand after him. They walked down to the pool sitting on the side allowing their feet to dangle in the water.

  “Loneliness has been a friend all my life. I’m not good talking about my feelings.”

  “After I fell into the river, my whole life changed. I understand loneliness in a way I could never have before that. I always mourned my family knowing I would never see them again. It was a shock when my parents died, and I realized that the mourning I had done didn’t compare to what it was like to know they were truly gone, not just across the world. Maybe I should give you some sage advice about letting go, but I won’t. I know what it feels like to hold on as tightly as you can. Love is the only thing I think that’s worth holding onto.”

  “How do you know if it’s love?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You came into my life like a tornado with your snarky mouth and your intelligent mind. Let’s not forget your beautiful body and the way you fight. You were all, take no prisoners, and I was impressed, startled, bowled over, off center. Who was this woman who had the ability to make my heart beat faster? Then you made it clear there was no future with you. Do you understand?”

  “No, I really don’t.”

  “I didn’t care Mila if all I got was an hour or a day. I wanted it like the starving man looking at the last sandwich on the table. I wanted any time, all the time I could get with you. I never felt that way before. I said I had things to unpack. You are one of them. I swore nothing but forever would sway me. You’re so sure your forever is limited, but you’ve swayed me.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you, Slade.”

  “Too late Mila, I’ve embraced the inevitable. I’ll absorb the hurt to spend time with you. I can’t start over Mila without saying goodbye to Brie. She deserves that. You do too.”

  “Saying goodbye doesn’t mean you stop loving her.”

  “You’re right, but it turns out, I have enough love to go around. Don’t tell my brothers.”

  She laughed. “I’m so telling them.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  They were standing at the bottom of the bridge of souls. “Are you sure you want me here?”

  “I do; I want you to meet Brie.”

  “Alright, are you sure we should be here? I mean we’re not souls.”

  “Many people come here to say goodbye to their loved ones. We can walk up almost to the last platform. Only those walking into the next life are permitted there.”

  All around them many of the people were crying. She didn’t know if they were Sallari or another humanoid race. The tears and the wailing were real. They walked with people that made her think of the movie versions of ghosts or spirits. Then there were those who seemed old and frail. They were climbing the steps as if this was their lost hurrah.

  The bridge of souls stood above them. There were several sets of stairs as well as platforms that separated them from it. She followed Slade until she stood on the first step, it turned a lilac color where she was standing. The step was a vibrant green where Slade was standing.

  “What do the colors mean?” she asked as they took the next step.

  “Each color indicates where you are or where you have been in your life. No one except the Sallari knows exactly what they mean.”

  That made sense if a color meant you were close to death she wouldn’t want to know. Maybe she would use that information to do what needed to be done. On the other hand that information might paralyze her. They reached the first platform. One look down told her she was further up than she thought.

  “Do we stop here?”

  “No, we continue to climb.” They climbed to the next platform. The climb got harder, her breath was coming out in pants, while her limbs grew heavy. She didn’t ask if it was time to stop. She could see there was one more platform before the bridge of souls. Slade wouldn’t stop until he got there.

  The last climb was a challenge. They were getting close to death. There were others making this climb with their loved ones. Those who were old and frail about to make their last journey gained strength as they climb. Those like Mila and Slade - here to say goodbye to a loved one - struggled.

  This wasn’t Earth, but it was the same. Tears from those who were losing a part of their lives while the loved one settled into a peace they couldn’t explain. Different planet, a different culture, same struggle to say goodbye.

  When they reached the final platform, those living could access she fell to her knees. Her tears were not only for Slade and Brie but for the others that made this difficult journey with them. They were letting go. Would seeing their loved one embrace the afterlife give them closer and more peace or would it hurt just as much as when she lost her parents? She didn’t know the answer, but somehow taking this journey with so many others made her feel less alone. Maybe that’s why the Sallari did this.

  Slade took Mila’s hand pulling her to her feet. They walked to a section of the platform that was empty. He pulled out a simple yellow band. The gold of the band caught in the sunshine.

  “It’s the color of her eyes. On the other scientists, I found them disgusting, on Brie, they took my breath away.” He placed the band in Mila’s hand.

  “It’s warm.”

  “It holds the last of Brie’s essence. It’s what makes her real and not a hologram.” Taking the band back he rubbed over it. This would be the last time he saw her. He blinked his eyes rapidly as she appeared in front of him.

  “My warrior.”

  “Brie.” Her name stuck in his throat as he watched her with eyes that knew what love once was.

  “I have missed you; I will miss you. You brought me to the bridge of souls.” She beamed at him.

  “Yes.” He stuttered unsure if he had done right by her.

  “Thank you, Slade.” She walked up to him becoming more corporal than spirit. By the time she took him into her arms, he could feel his Brie surrounding him.

  “Brie?”

  “It is time to say goodbye, but first you must introduce me to your friend.”

  “Brie this is Mila, Mila this is Brie.”
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  “Mila, hello.” Brie looked her up and down while Mila did the same to her. “Thank you for allowing me to borrow your mate for a while. I hope that I have done nothing to hurt him.”

  “Thank you, for teaching him to love. I don’t know all of his story, but I know enough to understand his loneliness. I would have hated for him to suffer for centuries before I met him.” Mila wanted to hate the dainty female before her. The love she could see in Brie’s eyes was real. The way Slade’s heart beat faster looking at Brie was real too. What kept her sane, was the fact that she could see something more in his eyes when he looked at her. Was it love? She might never know, but it was more than she ever received before.

  “I knew I would like you. It is time for me to go.” Brie pressed a kiss to his lips before she left his arms. Her corporal body fled as she became a ghostly figure. She walked to the first step. Taking a deep breath, she stood on it. There was only a hint of color on the step as she stood.

  She took the next step and the next. One more step she’d be on the platform. There was no color when she took the last step. They could still see her. There was a gradient difference from where the step ended, and the platform began. She had one last step to take.

  Brie turned around a smile of bliss on her face. “My warrior. There will come a time every instinct you have tells you to go right. Defy them all, go left.”

  Brie took the last step. A male shimmered into being in front of her. She walked into his arms then they were gone.

  “Who… what?”

  “Yaksim, Brie’s rightful mate. In life, he was not worthy of her. I hope that in the next life, he made some changes, or she will not stay with him.” Slade reached out and took Mila’s hand.

  “What will you do with this?” She was holding up the yellow band.

  “I don’t know.”

  Mila slipped it around his wrist. “Your heart is big enough for me Slade. Don’t forget your past, allow it to lead you to a better future.”