by Carol Oates
This suddenly all felt very real. My breathing was getting more and more staggered. Caleb took one of my hands and held it in his. I was frozen. He inhaled deeply, looking like he needed to steady himself too.
With what is coming, I can’t make you many promises. But I promise that I will stand by you. I will stand up with you against whatever the future brings, and I promise I will never, ever leave your side again. I know after what I put you through I don’t deserve you, but I’m asking you now. He took another deep breath, and I gulped expectantly. Please say you’ll be my wife. Marry me?
My stomach turned over, and my heart seemed to be trying to escape through my ribcage. My hand instinctively flew to my chest as if to hold it there. Caleb waited, his eyes studying my expression, but I really wasn’t sure what it looked like in that moment dazed, maybe? He looked perfect beyond imagination, a demigod standing in front of me holding my hand.
I lifted my hand from my chest to his face; I didn’t care if my heart escaped.
It would never belong to me again. I stroked the warm smooth skin over his defined cheekbone with the back of my fingers and then traced the line of his lips with my thumb. Caleb took a shallow, ragged breath as my hand glided over the skin on his neck, coming to rest on his thundering heart.
His expression started to change, becoming impatient, and I realized that I hadn’t answered not out loud, anyway. I presumed he knew I wouldn’t have the will or the inclination to turn him down. Caleb had promised himself to me, and the thought of it sent hot shivers rushing under my skin.
I watched his jaw clench what was wrong with me? I still hadn’t answered.
I nodded silently, releasing him from the unnecessary anxiety in his eyes, even while my own were brimming over with tears. This incredible being was completely mine at last.
Is that a yes? His lips spread into a hopeful smile.
Yes, I said, nodding again. The unadulterated love I felt for him choked my words.
His whole face lit up with joy. The smile I had longed to see finally appeared again, reaching his eyes, making them burn and shimmer, like blue flames. Caleb swept me into his arms, lifting my feet from the ground, and crushing his lips to mine. The passion-fueled movement of his mouth sent blood rushing to my head and made me dizzy with happiness. I could have sworn I heard a sigh behind us.
Caleb placed me back on the ground, and I staggered a little, overcome by his exuberant kisses. He took my hand and announced to the sales women,
We’re ready now. He pulled me back toward the counter. I presume you’ve already checked out my card, he added curtly, hardly trying to hide the sarcasm in his tone.
I examined the diamonds glittering under the glass and artificially bright lighting, then looked up to Caleb’s eyes, deep pools of blue, burning with emotion. There was no comparison.
You’re going to have to look to pick one, Caleb urged after what seemed like milliseconds. I suspected it was probably longer because my chest ached from all the uneven breathing. He looked like he was trying to hide a grin.
Huh? I muttered.
He lifted a hand and placed one finger gently under my chin to turn my face back toward the display case. It was one of the most difficult things I ever had to do in my life so far, ripping my eyes from his gaze in that instant.
I didn’t notice that the older saleswoman had left us again.
Do you know your size? the younger saleswoman asked in a professional voice.
Eh — no, no I don’t.
Well, then, let’s start with that, shall we? Her tone was friendly, but her eyes repeatedly flickered to Caleb when she spoke to me. I grimaced at her as soon as she turned her back.
She used a set of differently sized metal rings to find the correct size for my finger and then went on to take a tray of sparkling diamond rings from the cabinet.
You can have anything at all made into your size, she said courteously.
This is an example of what we have available. Again her eyes found Caleb instead of me.
This girl didn’t know how much she was treading on my nerves. I glanced up to Caleb, but he seemed oblivious, standing close to me with his hand at my back. His face was more at ease than I had ever seen it, a grin still twitching at his lips. I turned my eyes back to the tray, but before I could focus on the diamonds again, I spotted a blue stone glistening on a small silver cushion under the glass the exact color of Caleb’s eyes.
The oval, blue stone sat in a four-pronged setting between two small diamonds. The white metal band was almost as wide as the stone at the top; it tapered and narrowed as it moved away from the stone. The small diamonds were set into triangle shaped indents in the metal on either side, the widest side against the stone. Except for Caleb’s eyes, it was the most stunning thing I had ever seen.
We’ll take that one, I said excitedly.
The young woman’s eyebrows rose for a moment. Would you like to try on a few before making a decision, just to be
I am sure, I cut in. The way she was still gazing at Caleb irritated me.
I had to breathe deeply to keep my temper at bay.
She smiled halfheartedly and reached in to get the ring. I’ll just check the size. She pulled it out and turned over the tiny white label attached to the band and sighed. Wouldn’t you know, it’s your size. She sounded almost disappointed. The Stone of Destiny it is, then.
Excuse me? I asked, perplexed at her easy use of the words I was beginning to dread.
Her eyes darted to me and then back to Caleb. He didn’t return her stare; instead he was fixated on the delicate ring she held in her hands.
It’s a star sapphire set in eighteen carat white gold, she explained, turning the ring slowly so that it caught the light. The diamonds are point two five carats each.
When the light reflected off it, I saw the intersecting lines of occlusions that appeared like a six-rayed star-shaped pattern in the stone.
It’s known as asterism, the saleswoman explained. It’s caused by tita-nium dioxide deposits in the stone. The star sapphire is sometimes called the Stone of Destiny.
I looked up to Caleb, amazed. Was this another coincidence? Caleb looked into my eyes. Sensing I had made my decision, he tightened his hand at my back and smiled before taking the ring from the girl’s hand.
She blushed and looked away when his skin brushed hers. He turned to me, holding the ring in his hand between us. Releasing his hand from my back he looked down and ran his finger tentatively over the blue stone, his expression radiant. When his eyes met mine again, a light seem to be coming from within him. His golden skin appeared to glow. His eyes returned to the stone.
The sapphire symbolizes destiny, the diamonds are a durable representa-tion of love — a love worthy of marriage. It’s also said to protect the wearer from evil spirits, Caleb said, flashing me a knowing look.
I was hardly aware at all now of the young woman still with us. Caleb ran his finger around the delicate band.
The gold is the man’s promise to always take care of his future wife, and the band means never-ending, eternal an eternal love between the giver and the receiver.
My heart began to beat rapidly, and heat coursed through my body as he reached down to raise my left hand. Holding the ring between his thumb and forefinger, he grazed the back of his little finger along the length of the third finger on my hand.
The ancient Egyptians believed the vena amors ran from this finger, the vein directly connecting the finger to the heart, and this — He stared directly into my eyes.
My breathing was ragged already, but the intensity in his expression, the adoration that simmered in his eyes, made my breath stop completely.
As he slowly slid the ring onto my finger, he smiled. This is the first step on our walk through life and eternity together. I wasn’t aware I was crying until I heard the strangled sob emanating from my throat. Still holding my hand in one of his, Caleb brushed the tears from my flushed cheeks. I was frozen for a long moment. It was t
he loud sniffle coming from behind the counter that started my heart beating again. The woman, Lindsey, was also brought to tears by Caleb’s words. I reached my arms behind his neck and pulled myself tightly to him.
I love you, I sobbed into his neck.
I felt his breath in my hair as he answered me. I love you too, forever.
Chapter 16
Lia FAil
The next two days were a strange mixture of stress and comfort. When we returned to the hotel, my brother and my other soon-to-be family members gathered around us. Joshua gave Caleb a very manly hug. Eila offered her congratulations to both of us before placing herself conspicuously close to Joshua. Samuel and Annice both embraced me warmly, Annice with tears in her eyes informing me she couldn’t wait to call me her daughter.
I remembered all the times growing up when I felt I was missing out on having my mother around after she died, when really all along I was lucky to have two mothers, my birth mom and then Carmel. Now, I would have Annice too. I felt momentarily greedy with the joy it brought me.
Samuel looked extremely relieved for Caleb; even Ben and Amanda were delighted. Their reaction was a relief, considering how I had reacted when they had announced their intentions. Ben laughed that at least he would have someone to share the heat with when telling Lewis and Carmel he was getting married. That was a bit of a tricky situation; if we didn’t tell them straight away, they would be upset, yet if we didn’t make it through our confrontation with Zeal and Lucien, what difference would it make whether we’d told them or not? I convinced Ben that we should tell them about getting married but leave out everything we had learned about the Council since his arrival. It was fruitless to worry them with information they could do nothing about, and I suspected if Zeal and Lucien got through us, they would be headed to Camden next another reason, as if I needed one, that we would have to defeat them.
Carmel answered the phone when we called.
We were in the bedroom of the suite, the four of us: Ben, Caleb, Amanda, and me. The phone was on speaker not that Ben, Caleb, or I would really need it to hear, but Amanda did.
Oh, hi, kids. She sounded in a good mood; hopefully that would hold.
We didn’t expect to hear from you again so soon. Ben was hovering over the phone on the bedside table, while Amanda and I sat on the bed. Caleb was looking out the window but came over to us as soon as he heard Carmel’s voice on the phone. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought he looked nervous. I knew it wasn’t about our decision to get married, but I imagined facing the wrath of Carmel and Lewis was slightly more daunting.
We’ve got you on speaker. How are things with you guys? Ben asked nonchalantly.
Fine, fine, the weather is beautiful for the time of year. Hang on a minute. Ben and I exchanged glances, and Caleb moved closer to stand beside me, resting a hand on my shoulder and squeezing reassuringly. For once he didn’t attempt to stop me in my nervous habit of rubbing my leg.
Hello? Carmel called through the speaker.
We’re still here, Carmel, I informed her, trying to keep my voice relaxed.
I was just getting Lewis; he’s in his workshop. He’ll be here in a minute.
So, when are you coming home?
My eyes flashed to Caleb. He smiled wryly. Going back to Camden might not be all that easy and anyway I’d only just left a few months ago.
We have a few things we need to deal with here, but Amanda and I will be back soon, Ben told her. His tone was calm and convincingly truthful.
Either he was totally confident that we would succeed, or he was becoming quite an accomplished liar.
What about you, Triona? Carmel asked.
We’ve got a lot to talk about still. Hi, kids, Lewis added.
They must have put us on speaker phone too. Caleb removed his hand from my shoulder and took my hand from my thigh, holding it in his and moving his thumb gently over the back.
I know, but I’m not sure yet — My voice broke on the last word. I took a deep breath to calm myself as a memory jumped to the forefront of my mind. I recalled that the last time I’d talked to them had it only been yesterday? I’d wondered if it would be the last time. Now I was wondering the same thing again. I took another breath.
My eyes darted to Amanda. Her face was beet red, so at least I wasn’t the only one who was flustered by all this. Ben took a step forward and stroked a finger down her flushed cheek, grinning lovingly. She returned his smile, her body relaxing instantly.
Are you okay, Triona? Lewis inquired.
Ye Yeah, I stuttered. We have something we — ah — wanted to tell you. I gulped. I hope you’ll be as happy as we are. My voice was still shaky. Butterflies were gathering in my stomach. Surely it shouldn’t be this hard. I looked up at Caleb. He still looked nervous too, but he would be able to hide it better than I could.
Who’s we? Carmel muttered in a suspicious tone. You and Ben? I glared at Ben to back me up, but he smiled, smugly saying nothing.
Caleb and I, I said sheepishly.
I waited, but there was only silence at the other end; I couldn’t even hear breathing. I suspected they were using the mute button.
Well? Lewis prompted. His voice was steeled to expect bad news.
Caleb lifted my hand and kissed the back, smiling serenely.
We’re engaged. I held my breath.
More silence. I stared at Ben, horrified at the length of time it was taking either of them to respond. I could feel my heart speeding rapidly. Say something? I pleaded.
Carmel spoke first. Is he there? I thought she was covering a sniffle.
I turned to Caleb, beseeching him to help me out. I was mesmerized for a moment until Amanda jammed her elbow into my arm, then pulled back, frowning and rubbing her elbow.
Yes, I’m here, Caleb replied in his smoothest soothing voice.
Ben was kneeling in front of Amanda, touching her elbow while she scowled at his amused face; after a few moments her face mirrored his. I wondered for a fraction of a second if Caleb and I mirrored each other like that.
I thought the custom was to ask permission of the bride’s family? Lewis asked casually. Too casually to gauge the question’s intent.
Caleb’s eyes dropped to my hand, his thumb now tracing circles over my palm. Ben’s abruptly worried face caught my attention. Ha! He’d forgotten that little custom too. I smirked at him and then grumbled to Lewis.
Isn’t that all a bit old fashioned?
I heard Carmel sniffle again before Lewis reminded me. Caleb is old.
Yes, of course, Caleb apologized. I should have come to you first. He shot me a half smile. I’m afraid I was so overcome with the emotion of the moment. You see, I love your daughter more than I would have thought any man capable of love.
I squeezed his hand.
I’ve been through this with Triona, he continued, and I know I shouldn’t consider myself worthy of someone as special, beautiful, as altogether exquisite as she is.
Ben mouthed the words He’s good! I glowered at him; he should be working on his own excuses for Amanda’s parents. Caleb continued.
I promised Triona, and I promise you, I won’t leave again, ever. I felt a slight ache in my heart; of course he would have to leave me someday. Even he was mortal and well over a hundred years older than me.
Right now I was going to force myself to ignore that fact.
I will do anything in my power to make up for what I did to her. I will make her happy, I swear it, Caleb finished.
That did it; no one could doubt the conviction in his voice. He leaned over and lightly kissed the top of my forehead, just below my hairline.
Well, Lewis answered, his voice softer now. I knew he was convinced.
At least someone thought to give us a heads up. Your parents were no older than you are, Triona, when they married.
W-what? I stammered, taken aback by both comments. I studied the faces around me, all guiltless. What do you mean? I paused, then clarified. About both.
&nb
sp; Samuel warned me yesterday that this would happen now that you are together again.
I looked up to Caleb; his jaw was tightened, and there was a slight blush in his cheeks. He apparently didn’t know about that part of his father’s conversation with Lewis. I stood up for a moment and reached up to kiss his face, then smiled at him. His jaw relaxed, and his expression eased. I sat back down.
And your parents
Honestly, Triona, Carmel interrupted her husband, didn’t you read the papers we gave Ben? Or listen to us when we talked about your parents as you grew up?
What? I whispered to Ben mystified.
They were barely kids, he prompted in a whisper, as if it should be apparent already.
Oh, I murmured. I’d presumed that was a cover story. So, my parents truly were soul mates, each from a different race but essentially, spiritually, the same on the inside.
It also dawned on me with great sadness and pity how early in her supernaturally-long life my mother had been struck down by Lucien and Zeal. Carmel was right; over the last few days I had been allowing people to give me second-hand information. It was a bit late to correct that at this stage, so I lied.
Of course I read it. I just haven’t gotten all the way through yet. Caleb, Ben, and Amanda all cast me exasperated looks. I grimaced back.
If you’re happy, Carmel sighed. I suppose we are happy for you, babes.
And Caleb too, Lewis added. I doubted his sincerity, but at least we had their blessing and support, however reluctant that might be.
Thank you, Caleb said graciously.
Don’t you have something to tell us too, Ben? Carmel hinted.
Ben’s face dropped; Samuel had tattled on him too, it seemed. He must have sensed something when Ben insisted on Amanda coming to Dublin with us. I smirked at him.
I love you guys, I said to Carmel and Lewis, leaving Ben to the conversation. Thanks again — for everything.