"I just got you back and I don't want to lose you is all.” she said with a shaky voice.
He squeezed her waist one more time and grabbed her by the hand, "Let's go back."
He reached out and touched the bubble and it made a popping noise causing Avery to laugh and he smiled a broad smile with his dimple digging into his cheek.
Inside Aaron was seated on the couch next to Nia who was drinking greedily from the mug.
"What is this?” she inquired.
"Old family recipe, can't reveal the secrets but it should help you get back to normal quick.” Eric said with a wink.
Aaron was shifting uncomfortably, "So what the heck happened out there. Or in here! How did she do that?” he asked.
Nia's eyes went wide as she remembered what she had wanted, this house. She held a hand to her mouth.
"How did I do this?” she asked shakily. Avery and Eric both settled in on the loveseat across from Aaron and Nia.
Eric let out a deep breath and began, "You know you are special, we've told you that. But you are far stronger than anyone anticipated. What you did out there or in here was amazing. Your tattoos lighting up gold and blue took even me off guard. That's something I've only heard of what my people consider ancient myths. I was going to teach you to control the dreamscape but you moved to graduation in one day. Although there are still things you need to learn so you don't expend so much energy, control and things like that. Aaron can do what you did too, only not on such an extreme scale I'm sure.” he paused giving it a chance to sink in.
"Seriously?” was the first thing to come out of Aaron's mouth as he looked at Eric like he had two heads.
"Let's go outside and I can show you what I mean.” Eric suggested getting up and walking towards the door followed by a smiling Avery.
Looking at Aaron Nia put her palm on his cheek and kissed his forehead gently trying her best to keep it together and lend him some comfort but Aaron just huffed and got up and Nia followed close behind with their fingers intertwined.
Outside had changed a little. There was lush grass and it was slightly windy. There were four yoga mats on the grass and the sky had changed to a multi colored beautiful scene with rolling clouds and blue skies combined. It was the most relaxing atmosphere Nia could've imagined.
Avery sat in a lotus position on the mat next to Eric's and Nia smiled again at Aaron and made her way over to be next to Avery while Aaron sat Indian style on the mat next to her.
"Now,” Eric began. "Get in the most comfortable position possible. We're going to be trying to block our thoughts from each other."
"Avery will use her part of the dreamscape to make our dialogue purely internal. Our goal will be to send through what you want and block what you don't. Try to imagine your mind in a bubble and only push through what you want. Does that make sense?” Eric asked.
Aaron grimaced, "It makes sense I'm just not too sure about doing it," he sighed. Nia reached out her hand and sent him calming feelings. He was grateful for them too.
"So I need to take this necklace off then?” she asked Eric.
"Yes, now relax and try to clear your mind. At first, everything will be heard then you need to push out the bubble.” Eric said with a mischievous grin.
'I hope this doesn't take a long time I really need to rest.’ Avery thought with a yawn. 'It shouldn't be long', Eric answered patting her hand and making her cheeks burn.
'Okay you two bubble up already! Gag!’ Nia thought laughing.
Aaron yawned and was looking at them. Nia pressed out her bubble and thought, 'I want to kiss Aaron right now!’ she looked around and no one had reacted although Avery and Eric seemed to be in their own bubble. “Good now let something through.” Eric said out loud so they all could hear.
They all took turns letting things through keeping things in and projecting to the group. Everyone did great especially Aaron.
"That was great Aaron, you are honing in on your Guardian skills quickly,’ Eric said clapping Aaron on the shoulder.
"Thanks." He said as the girls walked ahead.
"Avery?”
"Yeah.", she replied to Nia.
"Do you believe in love at first sight or touch or whatever?”
Avery looked at her for a moment then over her shoulder at the guys then lowered her voice to a whisper.
"I think anything is possible. Although I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it exists.” she answered solemnly. Nia smiled and giggled.
"I look forward to more of this. I mean I have Rhea but once I figure all this out I'll need someone who really understands it. Ya know?”
Avery smiled. "Sure, I get it," was her response.
The four laughed and enjoyed each other’s company seemingly jealousy free for a change. They were done working out their brains for the night. Aaron and Nia stood by the oak tree while they waited for Eric and Avery who had gone into the house again to get something.
Aaron held Nia to him, "Goodnight beautiful,” he told her while rubbing her back.
"Goodnight my Guardian, Call me tomorrow, okay? As soon as you’re ready.” she said looking up at him fondly.
"Of course. I am going to call Leo in the morning and make up car trouble. He won't really care though,” he said smiling.
"I'm going to go in so my dad is satisfied and maybe you can pick me up at ten?” she asked him placing her palms on his chest.
"That'll work.” he said kissing the top of her head. "I miss you already.” he whispered in her ear causing shivers to jolt down her spine.
Avery stood in the kitchen looking at Eric. "Are you sure about this?” she asked with worry clearly etched on her features.
"Ave, it's going to be okay. I have to see if it's true and she is who we think. I'm not going to risk everything on a maybe. And if she is, she could be my ticket out of the dreamscape permanently.” he said with hope in his eyes. “I won't give her the book just yet. I’ll keep it safe. I just want to take it out of this realm.” he explained.
Avery took a deep breath. "Okay let's do this.” she said almost wincing but then he leaned in and kissed her sweetly.
"Thank you for trusting me Avery. It means a lot.” he said brushing her lips once more then taking her hand and moving out the door.
As he walked away from the house it began to evaporate like it was being erased from top to bottom. They walked to where Aaron and Nia were lost in their own world.
"Nia I have something I need you to try on.” Eric said with what sounded like reverence as she turned towards him and saw the black box.
She blinked a couple of times. "That looks just like my Aunt Amarie's jewelry box!” she exclaimed with a hand to her throat. "All my life I have been shooed away from it,” she added.
Eric and Avery exchanged a knowing glance and the corner of Eric's mouth turned up. Standing next to Nia Aaron held her around her waist while Eric opened the box in Nia's direction and held it out to her.
She reached for the ring nestled inside. It's crimson garnet the color of blood. As she grabbed the ring her blue tattoo began to dimly glow and so did the garnet. She went to slip it on and Eric stopped her, "Wait!” he shouted abruptly.
Avery's eyes were wide and Aaron narrowed his eyes at Eric while Nia's eyes glowed slightly but her vision stayed clear. 'That was new.’ she thought.
"Nia you have to know that if you put that ring on you seal your fate. I have seen enough to know you are who I... well who we,” he said pulling Avery to his side, "thought you are. I can't wait for you to know it too."
Nia looked at the ring and the box and the people around her. She needed to know more before committing to something she knew nothing about.
"Can I keep it until then?” she asked Eric placing the ring back inside carefully. Thinking for a moment Eric grabbed at the necklace that blocked her thoughts for her.
"Yes but it will be hidden until I unhide it. That will be when you are ready to accept your fate... or deny it. The choice will always be
yours, at least until you seal it," Eric explained.
He touched the box to the necklace and the entire thing began to glow bright gold then the box disappeared altogether and it glowed a second more than dimmed and went out. Aaron blew out a breath he had been holding.
"Okay, it’s time for you two to go.” Avery told them with a smile.
"See you tomorrow.” Aaron said to all of them slowly fading and Nia waved until she faded.
Eric turned to Avery and put his arms around her, "Wanna wake up?” he asked her nuzzling her ear.
"Yes,” she whispered tugging on his earlobe.
Yawning Avery stretched feeling relaxed and rested. Eric’s hand snaked around her waist pulling her closer. He took in the smell of her strawberry shampoo and savored it as she leaned into him and then picked up his marked hand that matched her own.
Moving her hair he kissed her neck sweetly, "Ave?” he said.
"Yeah?” she replied.
"Are you sure you want this.” he asked with a gravelly voice.
She turned in his arms to face him. "I know that this is what I was born for. If I'm being honest these aren't new feelings for me. I have loved you for so long. God,” she gasped burying her head in his chest embarrassed, "I can't believe I'm telling you this,” she groaned and he laughed at that.
"Come on silly girl let's get out of this bed before I really show you how much I care.” he said tickling her playfully.
They finally got up and got dressed going down to the living room where everything was dark. He grabbed the remote and sat on the couch patting the spot next to him. Avery sat beside him leaning on his shoulder with her feet up the she wrapped an arm through his as he flipped through the movie channels.
They decided to watch Red it was one of her favorites he hadn't seen yet. "Oh you have a lot to catch up on don't you.” she said teasing him then regretting bringing up his banishment even though he didn't mind it.
They sat in comfortable silence laughing and enjoying being there together, movie after movie, after movie.
'The less sleep the more time with her', he thought to himself. He still wasn't sure how he would obtain his freedom but for now he'd enjoy every second with Avery, his Avery.
Chapter 10
Nia woke up and looked at the curtains not an ounce of sunlight was coming through. 'Dang, still night time.’ she thought. She checked the time on her phone and it said two thirty a.m. She had a message waiting from a few minutes ago, it was him.
Aaron: Can't sleep, bored. Text or call when you wake up. I won't be sleeping anymore tonight.
Nia smiled in the dark and chewed on her lip.
Nia: I'm up, want me to call?
Aaron: Wanna come over?
Thinking about it for only a minute she does have a lot to catch Rhea up on but it could wait until they were at work. She typed her reply before she let her reasonable-self chime in.
Nia: Be there in twenty.
Aaron: K. Be careful =)
Nia got up quietly and grabbed her bags. "Bye Rae.” she whispered on her way out the door. She was still in her pajamas but just sighed.
'Well he has already seen them...’ she mused on her way to the car.
Aaron was excited that she was on her way and he knows they just met but doesn't seem to feel right without her. He was determined to put her fears at ease and make her understand that he may be a stranger but she's most definitely safe with him, her heart included. He’d been hearing more of her thoughts than he let on and he knew everything. Like how she'd been hurt before and that the quickness of all of this, even him, was just overwhelming her.
Rapidly he was falling for this girl he just met and he knew she was feeling it too. Getting up from his recliner where he'd been flipping through infomercials wishing he could talk to her or just look at her or hold her, he went to brush his teeth and put on a clean shirt.
Nia stopped at a gas station hoping no one would see her in flip flops and p.j.'s when Darragh walked up to her and scared her half to death.
"Nia. It really isn't the safest time to be out and about.” he said taking in her outfit.
"Darragh you scared the crap outta me!” she replied with a hand clutched to her chest. "I'm going to Aaron's." she said finally.
"Oh, that's fine then but please next time do give one of us a call. We can't protect you if we can't find you.” he said simply then melded back into the shadows.
'Now that was creepy.’ Nia thought. She hurriedly got back in her car and headed the two blocks to Aaron's, parking in the garage, she made her way up to his apartment and knocked softly, on the third knock the door opened to a wide eyed Aaron.
"You look great,” he teased noticing her pajamas.
"Yeah I kind of snuck out on Rhea. I'll text her at seven.” she said.
She had brought up her bags just in case because she swore she would be ready for anything from now on. Nia noticed Aaron eyeing the bags so she spoke quickly.
"Oh this is my new policy. It's my get the hell outta dodge bag.” she said smiling.
"Ah, that's a great idea I should pack one too.” he replied.
"Come in, sorry.” he said realizing they hadn't left the doorway. "You thirsty, hungry?” he asked motioning to the kitchen. "I have sandwich stuff, frozen food and Coke-a-cola.", he said with a smile.
"Not right now.” she responded. He snatched up her bags and took them to his room laying them on the bed.
"So, what should I pack in this bag?" He asked her as she leaned on the doorframe.
He was looking in the closet and reaching for the top shelf. He pulled down a duffle bag as Nia rattled off a list of items.
"Clothes. Comfortable, any weather, do not iron clothes, a spare pair of shoes and a lot of socks and underwear.” she giggled. "At least that's what's in mine along with a family pic, an address book, extra phone charger and a first aid kit.” she grimaced.
Aaron laughed, "Okay, sounds good.” he told her.
"Oh and toiletries of course! Maybe spare toothbrush and emergency toilet paper?” she was turning red clearly embarrassed.
"You’re a smart girl," he said coming to stand directly in front of her, her breath caught as his breath hit her face.
He rubbed his nose on hers gently then settled his hands on her hips, "Nia... I really wanna kiss you.” he whispered. She felt her pulse racing, her cheeks flush and her mind went hazy at his touch.
"Mmhm.", was her breathy response.
He chuckled, "Is that a yes?” he asked lifting her chin, eliciting excited goose bumps from beneath his fingertips.
"Mmhm.", she mumbled, already lost in his shimmering blue eyes that made her heart flutter wildly.
Thinking of everything he felt for her Aaron hoped he could convey it in this kiss. He covered her mouth with his, gently and slowly kissing her like it was all he was meant to do on the planet, he was overwhelmed by the need to be closer and pulled her tight to his chest.
Nia's head swam with overwhelming emotions, she could almost taste the affection in his kiss and she could definitely tell that what he felt for her was strong.
'I want this, always...’ she thought uncontrollably.
"Nia.", he breathed. "Stay with me?’ he asked picking her up off her feet.
She deepened the kiss wanting to meld to his chest, no longer hesitant and permanently affixed herself to him. All she could do was kiss him back, her mind was filled with Aaron and nothing else. He was all she saw and felt and heard, he was hers and she knew it.
He slowly lowered her feet down to the ground and pulled away with his lips throbbing.
"Wow.", he whispered out of breath.
Nia smiled biting her lip, she wanted more, as a matter of fact, she was sure the need for him would never be satisfied. Looking down at her hands embarrassed by her sudden lack of control she froze and the world tilted.
"Aaron...” she gasped, snatching his hands from around her and looked at them in wonder.
They matched,
exactly, there on their left wrists were delicate, beautiful, lightly glowing designs. Markings etched on their flesh hummed as they stared at each other for a moment.
"What... what does it mean?” she asked shakily.
"I don't know, but I know who will.” he replied flexing his jaw.
"Call Eric.” he told Nia.
True Fate Page 16