Cora's Kismet (The Twin Destinies Saga Book 1)
Page 20
“It is a rather short ceremony, but when your powers are unbound, it will be a feeling the likes of which you have never experienced. You will feel as if your entire body is engulfed in flames and, at the same time, a block of ice, because you are dealing with the powers from both sides of your natures. It will be overwhelming, but you need to find that place inside of yourself where your powers stem from and use that part to control them. When you reach that control center inside of yourself, pull the power inside of it. The power will resist you at first, so you will have to have a stronger will than it does to control it. We will be there to help you as much as we can but, in the end, it has to be the two of you who rein it in, otherwise it will release from you and attack anyone within reach who has powers,” Thomas said in a grave voice.
“Wow. That sounds intense,” Viola said, trying to picture and absorb everything she’d just heard.
“Yeah. I sure hope we’re up for this,” Cora responded, releasing a pent up breath.
“Do either of you have any questions?” Thomas asked, rather impatient to get everything started.
Cora and Viola looked at each other trying, to search their brains for something they needed to ask and seemed to come up empty.
Cora shook her head, “Not that I can think of at the moment, but my head is kind of reeling from all of the information that it just absorbed.”
“Once you leave this study to go get dressed, you will not have any time to ask questions again before the ceremony. So make sure there isn’t anything you need to ask, now,” Thomas reinforced his earlier statement.
“How do we look inside to find the part of us that controls our powers?” Viola asked out of nowhere, as if the thought had just occurred to her.
“The easiest way is to close your eyes and concentrate on the different parts of your body until you feel it,” Angelica responded.
“How will we know when we’ve found it?” Cora asked.
“There’s no way to describe that with words. You will know, without a doubt, that you’ve found it when you do,” she answered back, being very cryptic, and irritating Cora even more.
“So if we find that, how do we use it to pull in the powers and control them?” Viola asked.
“Not if Dear, when you find it, because you will. It’s a part of who you are and who you were meant to be. To control the powers and pull them in, you must will them there. They are strong but they are an extension of yourself, therefore you will be able to force them to bend to your will. It seems like a lot, but really it’s not. We both have the utmost confidence that you will succeed at this far better than anyone else has in the past. Look at how Cora controlled her bound powers, she already has some connection with that part of herself,” Angelica said, smiling at Cora. “To be honest, I believe both of you have accessed this part of yourselves in the past, without ever realizing what you were doing at the time, during your childhoods.”
Cora and Viola looked at each other with wide eyes, not sure what to make of their mother’s words. Neither remembered doing such a thing before a few days ago, when their world had been turned upside down.
“What do you mean?” Viola broke the silence and asked.
“The other morning, when you told us everything Patrick and Anna had put you both through while you were growing up, something you said Viola struck me as odd. I hate to even bring this up, because I know the memories hurt you girls, but when you said Patrick tried to pimp you out, something clicked. Tried means he was unsuccessful, which then means somehow you prevented it from happening, even if you didn’t realize you were doing it at the time,” Angelica said, keeping her voice as even as she could, but pride welled up in her voice toward the end of her statement.
Again Cora and Viola looked at each other, but this time their eyes widened in understanding instead of confusion.
“So, what you’re saying is, that we were controlling our powers even when they were bound, and we couldn’t access them, well the Lunarian ones anyway, when we shouldn’t have been able to access them at all?” Cora asked, slowing her words to make sure she understood each one, as everything was beginning to unravel in her mind and started clicking into perfect place.
“Yes, that is what your mother is telling you. I agree with her, this is the only reasonable explanation, otherwise Patrick would have succeeded in what he was trying to do, because you were just defenseless children,” Thomas said, pride and fury conflicting in his voice.
“So, does that mean we locked away the Solarian powers we possess on our own, without knowing what we were doing, because we didn’t know we had them to begin with?” Viola asked, catching on.
Thomas nodded once, “That is the theory we are working off of at the moment.”
“Theory? You mean you don’t know?” Cora asked, shocked.
“There has never been a situation like this before. None of our ancestors, that possessed the powers of both Solarian and Lunarian, have been bound, therefore we have to work from theories to figure out how you’ve been capable of doing the things you have done,” Angelica explained in a gentle tone of voice and the girls nodded their heads in understanding. Everyone was winging it with them, the freaks who were destined to save their world. Not exactly comforting, but understandable.
Cora stood up and straightened her back with a confidence she didn’t feel. “I think I’m going to go get dressed now. I am tired of theories, I am ready to take action. That bitch hurt my mate, and she will pay for her actions.”
Angelica gasped at Cora’s language, but Viola laughed under her breath. She’d never seen her more passive sister ready to do battle like she was now and was bursting with pride for her. She would back her sister up in every way, because she was beginning to understand just how intense the feelings between mates were. Not that she’d be admitting that anytime soon, there were other matters to take care of first.
She stood as well, and together they left the study, and started towards their room, eager to begin the new chapter in their lives, before Cora stopped dead in her tracks in the hall.
“What’s wrong?” Viola asked.
“There is something I have to do, and I have to do it before the ceremony,” Cora exclaimed, her loud voice echoing in the empty hall. “I can’t believe I forgot about him, yet again.”
“Oh, yeah, that would be good idea,” Viola said catching onto her sister’s train of thought. “Well, let’s go handle that then shall we?”
“You know where he’s at?” Cora asked, shocked.
“Yep, heard him throwing a fit earlier and followed the commotion right to him. I didn’t let him see me though, so as far as I know, he doesn’t know why he’s here,” Viola responded, walking down the hall in a different direction than their room.
As they got closer to where Charlie was, Cora became more and more nervous. She didn’t know how to tell him there was nothing between them. Before she figured anything out though, they were there.
There were two guards standing outside of the room, who looked very irritated with their job assignment.
“Hey, we’re gonna go in and talk to him for just a minute, and then you can take him back to the dumpster you found him under and leave him there, sound good?” Viola said, with a cheerful voice and a bright smile on her face.
Both guards nodded, a bit too enthusiastic at Viola’s statement. “Please, get us off of this duty. This guy has made me want to defy orders and beat him since he got here,” one of them said.
“I’m sorry about that. It’ll all be over for you very soon,” Cora apologized, sympathizing with them.
The guards moved to the sides as the girls stepped up to the door. Before they could enter though, one of the guards placed his hand on Cora’s shoulder. “If you need any back up in there, don’t hesitate to shout. We will be there in an instant.”
Cora nodded, grateful for their presence, but hoping it wouldn’t come to that. “Thank you,” she said and opened the door before she changed her mind.
“Yeah Charlie, it’s me,” she said and stepped forward.
“I am so glad you’re alright. I have been so worried since you were kidnapped from your foster parents. Are they treating you good? What do they want with all of us?” Charlie was so full of questions, Cora almost lost her nerve. He almost seemed like he did care. She saw Viola roll her eyes out of the corner of hers and realized it was all just an act.
“Look, I’m going to make this quick and easy. I asked them to bring you here because I have to tell you something,” Cora began and licked her lips with a nervous energy.
“What’s wrong? You know you can tell me anything,” Charlie said, taking her hands into his.
“Charlie, it’s over between us. To be honest, it never started. I just want to be fair to you and tell you that straight to your face,” she said, and felt instant relief flood through her.
“Cora, Honey, I know you better than this. What are they using to force you to say these things? We’ve been together for so long I know you can’t mean that,” Charlie said, reaching up and touching her face.
“No one is forcing me to say anything. I found where I belong, and the man I am meant to spend my life with. That man is not you and never will be,” Cora said, brushing his hand from her face.
“Are you kidding me? You had me kidnapped to dump me?” Charlie asked in total disbelief. “Nobody dumps me. Never happens. I know they had to have done something to you for you to be saying these things to me.”
“Oh get real!” Viola exploded. “Nobody’s ever dumped you? I doubt that. You are an egotistical jerk who’s only after Cora’s virginity, and if you can ever manage to convince Cora that you love her enough for her to give it to you, you’ll dump her quicker than you’d dump a baby’s poopy diaper in the trash. Trust me, there is no one here who is fooled by your act anymore, so save it for some blonde cheerleader who has no clue what you’re about.”
“Wow Sis. Got something to say?” Cora asked with a snicker.
“Not anymore, unless he keeps talking,” Viola said, grinning with joy. It was obvious she’d been waiting a while to say those words to him without upsetting Cora.
“I think we’re done here. We have somewhere to be, and then I need to go give Liam a huge hug and kiss and see if the good doctor will let me spend the night with my mate,” Cora said with a wink and started walking toward the door, already forgetting Charlie was even there for the fourth time.
“What? You’re sleeping with some looser instead of with your boyfriend? You slut,” Charlie snarled and came rushing at her.
“Guards,” Cora screeched out, when she glanced over her shoulder and saw Charlie advancing. Before she knew what was happening, Charlie was plastered against the far wall, and the two guards were standing between her and him.
“Thanks guys. You can take out the trash now if you’d like,” Viola said and grabbed Cora’s arm.
“Our pleasure,” both guards said in unison and smiled.
The girls left the room and went straight to their own, more than ready to start down the road toward their destiny.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
After helping each other dress in the identical flowing gowns of pink and purple silk, Cora and Viola took turns doing their hair in simple yet elegant matching updos with straggling strands strategically left undone.
When they were satisfied with their hair, Cora applied a minimal amount of make up to her face while Viola went for her usual flare. It was one of the few ways anyone would be able to tell them apart.
As she looked at her image in the mirror, she wished again that Liam could be there to support her, because no matter how hard she fought it, she was scared. She almost didn’t recognize her own reflection looking back at her.
The scooped neckline of the dress accented her long slender neck and made her narrow, oval face stand out more than her normal clothing choices did. The colors of pink and purple swirling through the silk gown accented the light dusting of rose blush she’d used on her high cheekbones, and the effect made her almond shaped, hazel eyes stand out from her face. Her lips almost looked like they were pouting from the lip gloss she’d matched to her blush and applied to her lips.
Her lips parted in awe when Viola stepped up next to her to appraise her own image in the mirror. She knew there wasn’t anyone who would be present that would be able to take their eyes off of them and that bothered her, deep down inside, for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, even to herself. Maybe it was just her nervousness, and fear that something bad would happen, that was making her feel that way. It could also be the fact that she hated being the center of attention in large crowds, whereas Viola was the opposite, and blossomed when the attention was being lavished on her. Viola would even go to extremes sometimes, just to get the attention she felt she should be getting.
“I’d say we’re ready,” Viola said and threw her arm around Cora’s shoulders, hugging her tight for a moment. “Let’s go get this party started. Maybe if it’s finished early enough you can go show Liam how hot you looked for the ceremony.”
Cora laughed at that because she wasn’t certain if she wanted Liam to see her dressed up like this, or not. It just didn’t feel like her, and she only wanted to be herself with him. With that thought, she put the turmoil over Liam’s inability to be at the ceremony out of her mind and concentrated on the ceremony itself and trying to find the core of her power inside of her as practice.
She continued sensing for it as Viola linked her arm through her own, and they left the room, heading through the house and straight out the back door towards the amphitheater.
When they reached the amphitheater, Thomas and Angelica were waiting for them, as anticipated, and had already changed into their ceremonial clothing as well. Thomas looked smart in his crisp suit that fit him perfectly. Cora suspected he had his own tailor custom create his clothing and had for a while. Angelica was wearing a gown very similar to the ones the twins were wearing, but hers was accented with glistening beads in just the right places, making it even more beautiful. Cora felt more like they were going to an outdoor ball than an unbinding ceremony, but kept her lips sealed.
“You two look stunning,” Angelica exclaimed with pride to her daughters. The love she felt for them radiated from her and created a calming effect for both of them.
“Yes, you are both beautiful young ladies. It is almost sunset, so we need to proceed. There are those who you must meet before the ceremony begins because they are the ones who are the strongest and most able to help you should you need it,” Thomas said, giving each of them a light kiss on the cheek, shocking them both speechless.
After a minute, Viola found her voice, “Why do we have to meet them?”
“Because you need at least a small connection with them, even if it’s just a handshake, for them to be able to help direct your power,” Thomas explained. Cora nodded her head because in some strange way, it made sense to her, even if she didn’t know why. Maybe it was her bloodlines that were coming to life inside of her, because she could feel her blood thrumming through her in eager anticipation. She wondered for a moment if Viola felt the same way, but didn’t get a chance to ask her as they were led into the amphitheater.
Faces began to blur after about the third person she’d been introduced to and had shaken hands with. Her mind went into overload and stopped processing each new name and face, so she just went through the motions shaking hands, murmuring pleasantries and moving on, more like a robot than a living person. The power pulsing in her veins was also becoming harder and harder to ignore, to the point that it was becoming uncomfortable to be in her own skin.
Minutes began to feel like hours until she started to feel a pull that wasn’t related to the one in her veins. This pull originated from her heart, and she knew it could only mean one ve
ry special person to her was nearby. After shaking the hand of yet another person she would never remember the face or name of, she began to search the crowd. He was there somewhere, she just knew he was. That’s when she noticed they’d almost reached the center of the huge open-ceilinged arena.
She felt a small tug on her elbow as she stared in awe at the beauty of the ceremonial ground in the center. The entire building was circular in shape, but not quite as enormous as the Coliseum in Rome. It was just big enough to seat about two hundred people, at most. She wondered for a moment how they kept this place hidden, but dismissed the thought as the beauty of the scene pulled at every one of her senses.
The center of the amphitheater was done in exquisite tiling. The outer circle of tiles were the color of the sky, half beautiful light with puffy white clouds, the Solarian side, which faded into the night sky with stars. Dead center of the circle, the tiling was laid to reveal a flaring sun and a glowing full moon overlapping each other on their respective sides of light and dark. Viewing this, Cora understood how Solarians and Lunarians were one race meant to stay joined together and not pulled apart forever to become extinct.
The sound of Thomas clearing his throat broke her of her internal reverie and back to the matter at hand, meeting dignitaries, for what she didn’t know. She still felt the tugging on her heart and wished she could be done shaking hands, so she could find him and look into his clear, sky blue eyes as she ran her fingers through his amazing blond hair. Pulling herself back into the moment once again, she forced herself to concentrate so she could make her way over to him.
Shaking hand after hand, they made it to the bottom level where there were no more hands to shake. Sighing in relief, she looked around eager to find him when she spotted Sage, who stood and waved to her with a grin.