by Dee King
“Yep! Just the same as I love you! Don’t worry. It’s only a year. Also, I am hoping to be
able to claim you as my famous surfer sister.” I smile.
“I don’t know about that.” I look away.
“I do!” He exclaims. He pats me on the shoulder.
“There isn’t anyone better than you! I mean that.”
“Thanks. You make sure you send some pictures of all those cars.”
“Of course! Maybe, they will let me have one.” He winks at me.
“Sure.. Keep hope alive, brother.” I smile.
“Hey, take care of yourself alright? If you have any problems, you just call and I will
come home.”
“Okay.” I turn and walk away. I step into the Land Rover.
“HEY!” Chris shouts. I turn my head to see him.
“Nice ride!” He points to the Land Rover. I wave and smile as I drive away. I look to the
passenger seat to see the dress, shoes, and the hair clips from my mom. I have a funeral today,
and I can not even share with my best friends.
Chapter 31 I feel the knots in my stomach getting tighter as I pull into Sebastian’s driveway. Cali and Colin’s car are parked beside one another.
The yacht is still in the same place as it was when I left. I park the Land Rover in the garage. Sebastian walks out the door to the garage.
“Good. Your back.” He comes to my side of the vehicle as I am stepping out.
“Thanks again for letting me take the Land Rover.”
“Of course.” He leans down to kiss me. I kiss him back longer than I should have.
“GODS! Is that all you think about?”
“Excuse me?” I ask Colin.
“We have other stuff to deal with right now, and this is all you two do.” He pushes by Sebastian and I.
“Jealous much?” I giggle while I walk around to the passenger side to get the dress, shoes and hair clips from my mother.
“No, Selene. I am not jealous. I don’t have time for that. I have to deal with real issues.” He slams his hand down on the back of Sebastian’s Land Rover.
“Take it easy, Colin. I was just kidding.” I shut the door.
“Today is not a day for jokes, Selene.” I bow my head in shame.
“I didn’t mean anything by it. I swear.” He hardly looks at me.
“Come on, Selene, obviously Colin needs to deal with his own issues.” Sebastian takes my hand in his.
“You okay?” Sebastian asks once we are inside.
“Yea.. it was hard saying goodbye, but we all have to grow up at some point you know?”
“Sometimes some of us faster then others.” We keep walking hand in hand into the living room. The room is now completely clean. You could never even tell there was a party here last night.
“Wow! You clean fast.” I keep looking around at the living room.
“I had help.” He snickers.
“What’s this?” Sebastian asks while he touches my dress.
“This is for the service.” I look down at my hand that is holding all of the items I brought from my mother’s house.
“I should probably get ready.” I look to Sebastian.
“Okay. The shower is open.” He raises one eyebrow at me.
“I thought I should go back to the mansion, and get ready there.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Whatever is mine, is yours.” He gently leans down.
“Thanks.” I whisper back to him. I smile at myself walking away from him. I climb the stairs to find the door to the bath room already open. I walk in, and there is a towel laying on the counter. To the side is two small boxes. Both boxes have my name written on them. I lay down my dress on the counter. I pick up the box closest to me, first.
I open it to find beads. Bath beads. They smell divine. On top of the beads is another small note.
Selene, these are for your skin. You can use them for the service if you would like.I thought you may need some quiet time, and stress relief.
Love always, Sebastian.
I lift the box to my nose. They smell of lavender and roses. I place the box beside the towel where I had moved it from. I pick up the other box. I open it to find my anchor necklace from Sebastian, attached with a note also.
Selene, I think you lost this. No worries. I found it. Love always, Sebastian. I take the necklace out of the box and hold it to my chest. I look up in the mirror to see my reflection. The necklace is just as radiant as yesterday. I place the anchor back inside the box.
Oh, thank the gods he found this!
I take the little box of beads and toss them inside the bath tub as I start the water. The aroma of the beads is filling the air while I bathe. I guess I was taking longer than I thought because I looked down at my hands and they were wrinkling. I let the bath water out, so that I can wash my hair in the shower. It was just what I needed.
Water, being alone to gather my thoughts, and knowing that I must go with Sebastian to Mount Olympus. We must find the answers for this senseless act, and I want the answers sooner than later.
I wrap the towel around myself while searching for a brush in the many drawers of the bathroom. I finally find one. It looks brand new. It’s gold plated. I hold it in my hand before I decide to brush my hair. It’s heavy. I turn it over to see the back of the brush. It is solid gold. I have never seen a solid gold brush before. The bristles are so soft as I run my hand over the top. I brush my hair out, and look in the mirror.
It looks like I have gold specks in my blonde hair. I glide the dress up my body. I feel totally out of place wearing this for a funeral.
I slide the shoes on. I look down at the clips. I gather my hair in my hands and place one clip on each side of hair. I let my hair fall down around my shoulders. I take one last look in the mirror before I open the door.
I guess this will have to work, I have never looked this fancy for a funeral. I hope that I do Ian justice today.
I make my way down the stairs to see Sebastian standing at the door talking with someone. I stop at the round table where the flowers are from last night. I let their aroma fill my senses.
“A goddess you are, Selene.” Sebastian whispers in my ear.
I feel his hand on the small of my back. I turn around to see him. He looks like a chiseled god. Wearing all white with a golden tie. His dark hair is out of his blue eyes, a slight shadow on his face from where he hasn’t shaved. He is breathtaking. I almost trip backwards trying to stare at him.
“You okay?” He asks.
“Yes.” I feel my cheeks getting warm.
“You look.. amazing.” I say quietly. I look down at his shoes. They are white converse. I start to catch myself smiling.
“In honor of Ian?” I look down at his shoes.
“Yea. He would love this.” He smiles as he looks down at his shoes.
“Who were you talking to?” I look in the direction of the mahogany front door.
“Colin. He is getting ready for us to go.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Are you ready to do this?” He asks me.
“Yes.” I lay my hand inside of his. We walk through the front door together. I can feel his hand twitching in my palm. I squeeze his hand lightly. I see a small smile come across his face. We walk to my Jeep.
“I thought you may want to drive to my dock?”
“Your dock? Boat dock?”
“Yes. We will get on the yacht there.” I look back to see the yacht and row boat have been moved. They are no longer sitting there.
“Of course I can, but I have no idea where we are going.”
“No problem. It’s just around the corner.” He climbs into my Jeep. I step in carefully not to ruin my dress. I look for my keys.
“You may need these.” He dangles my keys in front of the steering wheel. I take them from his hand, and start the Jeep. He leans over towards me.
“By the way, you smell great.” I smile at him. He noticed.
<
br /> I will always notice. I feel my cheeks getting warmer. I back out of the driveway. I stop.
“Which way?”
“Take a left here, then you will see a road to your left again.” I nod yes.
I turn left, we come to a road. I take the next turn. I see the yacht . I park behind Colin’s car. We step out of the Jeep in complete silence.
The Lady Rose looks like she is moving closer to the water. We stand there in silence.
“Let’s go.” Colin says from the top of the yacht. We climb aboard, and set sail out to the ocean. I hear someone saying my name. I look around.
Sebastian is looking straight ahead. I try to focus on the voice I can hear in my mind. I close my eyes.
Selene?
Cato?
Yea, I am sorry to disturb you.
No, your not.
I need to tell you that we have seen what has happened, and this will tilt the fates.
Huh?
We know what has happened with Ian, and we all mourn with you.
All?
Yes, we all are ready for the fight that is coming.
Cato, I don’t want a fight. We just want answers.
I know you are upset today, but answers are coming
Okay, leave me alone now.
One more thing.
What?
You may be right in your feelings that Alexander was not the cause of the accident, and
you are not to tell Sebastian any of this!
Why? He should know that I am not crazy. Plus, you are his brother, he will trust you.
He doesn’t know I am his brother.
My mouth gapes open.
How does he not know?
I told you, I was an illegitimate child, you can not say anything. Promise me, Selene.
No.
Please, I will tell him when the time is right. I promise.
I look out into the ocean pondering this for a moment.
How does Colin know you, then?
Believe me when I say Colin knows a lot more than he has spoken to anyone.
Um okay.
I stand very still watching Sebastian. I look around me to see if Cato is somewhere near by. I do not see anyone.
Knowing this secret will be my undoing. I feel it.
No, it will be the beginning of a journey you were not ready for, but you should get ready.
How am I supposed to get ready for something I don’t even understand?
Believe me, Sebastian has a secret from you, too.
I slowly move my eyes up towards Sebastian.
You will have to stick together if you want this to work in your favor.
Why?
Just trust me.
I stand there with sweaty palms, not understanding what this conversation even means. I wait to hear more words from Cato, but nothing. I now have more questions than when this started.
The yacht carries us far out into the ocean. Sebastian and I stand on the deck of the boat, holding hands with one another.
Still not a word spoken.
“Is it okay for me to stand out here with you?” We both turn around to see Cali. She is in an all white dress. Floor length, with her blonde hair braided down her back. Stunning is the one word that comes to my mind.
“Yes, please do.” Sebastian answers her. She comes and stands to the other side of Sebastian. We all stand in silence as we watch Colin lower the anchor into the water. I hear something in the water. I look to my side. I see dolphins jumping beside the boat.
Colin comes to stand beside us. The four of us stand in silence.
“It’s time.” Colin says aloud. Sebastian nods. I look at Sebastian. He bows his head.
Colin hands the pure gold urn to Cali, then to Sebastian. I can not hold back my tears. I can feel them dropping on my cheeks.
Sebastian opens the lid of the urn, and steps forward. Everything is completely quiet. No more dolphins, no more birds, not even the engine of the yacht is running.
I look to Sebastian. Tears are falling onto his shirt. He has not yet lifted his head. I stay quiet. I can hardly hold back my emotions at this moment. Sebastian places his hand inside of the urn and takes the ashes in his hand.
He opens his hand. The ashes start to scatter in the water. He does this three more times. “Goodbye, Ian..” I whisper to myself. I feel Sebastian squeeze my hand while he hands the urn back to Cali. Cali places the lid on top of the golden urn, then hands it to Colin who lays it silently beside him.
Sebastian’s body is slightly swaying back and forth. I hear something. I look to my other side again. It’s the dolphins, swimming harder and faster than they had been. There are two pods to each side of the yacht. They swim in unison. The ashes are now sparkling in the water.
They form into an arrow of gold, then it disappears completely.
This was a beautiful ceremony.
I hear the engine of the yacht start again.
Colin moves fast towards the anchor.
He joins us again as the anchor is being raised from the water. I look back out the ocean. The sun is starting to hide behind the ocean.
The sunset is a beautiful pink. It has to be the most gorgeous sunset I have ever seen in my life.
We start towards the direction we had came. Not one word has yet to be spoken. I feel very out of place with the three of them. They all stand like stone gods, and I can barely keep my shoulders from slouching.
“When we get back, we need to talk.” Sebastian leans over towards me. “Okay.” I hear the hesitation in his voice. I suddenly have a queasy feeling in my stomach. We make it to shore faster than I had wanted to. We all step onto the sand.
“From here you two are on your own for the evening. We will see you in the morning. Sebastian take good care of my sister.” He nods towards me. I smile slightly.
“I will.” Sebastian moves his hand towards Colin to shake his hand. They shake hands and hug one another.
“We will get the answers we want soon, and believe me they will pay for this.” Colin looks to the sky. Sebastian nods in accordance with Colin.
“Thank you, Cali.” Sebastian looks to Cali. She nods, not saying a word. They leave us standing on the sandy beach. I look at Cali, remembering Cato’s words to me. I walk towards the Jeep. Sebastian follows behind me.
We both step into the Jeep at the same moment. I start the engine, and go back to Sebastian’s house.
I park.
I still feel uneasy.
He walks in front of me to the front door of the house. I slowly walk behind him. He opens the door for me. I follow him inside. He closes the door behind me.
I suddenly feel very aware that we are alone. He walks to the living room. I do the same. I feel like I am dragging my body. He is sitting on the couch facing the fire place. I sit across from him.
“Why are you sitting over there?” He asks me.
“Anytime someone says they need to talk, it’s never good.” I don’t even look up at him.
“This isn’t bad, Selene. This about what you want to happen next.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, do you want to stay with me?”
“Of course I do.” I am puzzled by this question.
“What do you mean stay with you? Like live here?”
“No, I mean us be together for our lifetime?”
“Do you understand that we would be together forever?” He leans forward.
“I think I do. I know that I feel I love you, and I don’t want to lose you.” He smiles.
“We are about to endure something most couples will never have to go through, let alone at our age.”
“What does that mean?”
“I mean we have to chose this.” He points at me, then back to him.
“We have to chose to love each other?” I am getting lost on what he is asking me.
“Do you not want to be with me? If so, just say that. Stop being so cryptic.” I stand to my feet. He stands to his feet. He mov
es closer to me.
“Selene, you are all that I want. You are all that I need.” He looks into my eyes.
“But, what I have to show you, may scare you. I need to know that you make this choice to be with me before anyone else or anything else can stop us from being together.”
“ I chose you, Sebastian.” I slowly move closer to him.
“All I know is my heart says that I need you.” Sebastian lowers his head.
“And my heart says that I need you.” I step up on my toes and kiss his pink lips ever so softly.
I step back down from kissing him. He looks solemn. “I am sorry about today. I didn’t even know what to wear. My mom had to help me.” I look at my dress.
“I figured you would go to your mom. She is pretty cool.”
“Yea, she is.” I smile thinking of my mother.
“What happens now, and how are you dealing with all this?”
“I am dealing. It’s odd not to have him around.” He sits back down on the couch. I sit beside him.
“I know.. it’s weird for me too.” We both sit in silence.
“My mom says that we can see him again, though.” Sebastian moves his body to face towards me.
“Yea, we can. If we go to Mount Olympus.” He doesn’t look at me though when he speaks.
“Sebastian, I wanted to tell you. I made a choice about that.” His body slumps.
“I want to go. I think that we should find out what happened last night, and if we have to go there to get the answers then..” Sebastian’s eyes perk up.
“Really?”
“Yes. I would go anywhere you wanted to go, if that meant we were going to be together.” Sebastian leans onto me.
“Well, then I guess the next thing I need to do is show you what we got yesterday.” I give him a puzzling face.
“We got this as in a couple?” He stands. I start to think of what Cato had told me about a secret Sebastian had. This must be it.
“I had to wait to open it till we were alone. That was the rule I was given.”
“Okay, your scaring me.” I stand.
“To be honest, I am scared too.” We both stare at one another for a moment.
“If your scared, then that can not be good.” He shakes his head no.
“What?” I ask.
“It can’t be great. I know who it’s from.”
“Who?” I ask.