I stared at the moonlight showing through the trees when I heard her call. The pull of her energy was overwhelming. The need to go to her, intensified with every heartbeat and with every breath.
I should not be doing this. I thought and looked at the map forming on my arm. The magic words crossed my mind and I threw the stones in the air. The archway formed. I took a deep breath and stepped through it. I was in a room, the walls were light yellow and it had a big window on the right wall. Thin fabric panels hung from the top on either side, covering them. I was in her room. This was my Goddess’ room. I looked around me and saw a big bed. It looked comfortable, and well made. There was a soft blanket with embroidered flowers on it. It was white. A long-standing mirror was placed on the left corner of the room next to double doors. There was a narrow table under the window with a small mirror placed on it. The table displayed an array of trivial articles on top. Some vials where placed on the corner next to the mirror. I wondered what they were. Unable to reign in my curiosity, I walked toward the table and picked up one of the vials, opening it. A wonderful flowery smell impregnated the air around me. It flowed from the bottle. It was her fragrance. It smelled of Irises, lilacs, and vanilla but there was a tad of spice in it as well. Just like my Goddess, it was intoxicating. I placed the vial on the table once more and turned just as I heard the door open.
“Well there you are! I’ve been waiting for you for about an hour you know?”
I smiled seeing her enter the room. She had on a white sleeveless shirt much like the one she wore the day I saw her asleep. Her hair was loose and damp, falling over her shoulders all the way down to her waist. She pressed a large towel to it, in her attempt to dry it off. My eyes continued their downward exploration and my breath caught. She had on extremely short trousers. They were made of a thin, light blue fabric. And seemed more like an undergarment. I turned around mortified and faced the wall the moment I realized she was not fully dressed.
“I am deeply sorry. I should have left once I realized I was in your room. Given you a chance to get dressed after your bath.” I closed my eyes tight trying to erase the image of her bare legs from my mind.
She chuckled, “what are you talking about, Cyn? I’m dressed. These are just my pj’s. A white tank top and cotton shorts.”
I swallowed and I tried to understand. “Those are your trousers of choice for sleeping?” I asked tentatively.
She sighed and walked toward me, hanging the towel on a chair I had not seen beside me.
“Yes, these are my sleeping clothes. Why are you being so weird? Turn around and sit down. We can’t exactly have a conversation like this.”
I took a deep breath wondering what I had gotten myself into. I turned and concentrated on looking at her face. I sat on the chair where she placed the towel. She shook her head.
“Not there silly. You can sit on the bed with me.”
“With you?”
She sat on it and crossed her beautiful long legs before her. Her back rested on the pillows. My body began to respond to the sigh. My eyes caressed every single inch of her exposed skin. The tingling began to spread through my body and I held my hands in front of me. This was not the best idea.
She nodded and reached for her brush on the night table and began brushing her hair.
Giving into her wish, I walked to the bed slowly. I could feel the tightness increase against my trousers. She looked away brushing the back of her hair and I took the opportunity to briefly slip my hand down my trousers and adjusted myself. I pulled my shirt out of them, covering my body’s reaction, and sat across from her. I wished the bed was bigger so there would be more space between us. My hands rested on my lap. I cleared my throat before speaking.
“How did you determine I was in your room?”
She stopped brushing her hair and looked at me puzzled. “I felt you here.”
I searched her face astounded by her answer. “You felt me?”
She nodded, “I felt your energy here. Well, it feels like your energy but I guess it’s whatever my subconscious creates as a way of letting me know you are around. I always feel it.”
I blinked utterly confused. She could feel my essence? I was the only one from our people that had ever been able to do that. Even Mo meantóir had not understood how I could. He had never heard or seen anyone else with that ability. I looked at her once more as though the answer was on her face. What was the meaning of this? Was this tied to the reason why she could see me while I was invisible?
“So, did you bring your Gaelic to English dictionary? I want you to teach me more words tonight.”
I chuckled, my focus returning to her. “I shall teach you anything you desire, or I could show you. Take you somewhere you have never been before, my Goddess,” I said, offering my hand to her.
She frowned looking at my hand for a moment then sighed.
“Bri,” she reminded me. “I don’t think I’m ready for that type of hallucination yet. That kind of craziness requires serious commitment. I am definitely nowhere near that level.”
I laughed, letting my hand drop. “Very well. Then we shall talk. What do you wish to know?
She held a finger up and reached for her night table once more. She took her planner and pen from it. Then began to read.
“How do you say friend?”
I chuckled. “You made a list,” I said as a matter of fact more than a question.
She smiled. “I like being prepared.”
“I see that. The word for friend is Cara. If it is a close friend you cherish, you say a chara,” I smiled seeing her write it down.
“How do you say loved one?”
“Leannan.”
She wrote it down.
Her teeth bit her lip gently and she frowned while she gazed at her notes. She erased it and corrected something. She swept her hair backwards with her hand, and I watched the strands fall softly on to her back. I wished I could touch it. Loop a strand of her hair between my fingers. Unconsciously I moved closer.
“Family?”
“Teaghlach.”
“Grandpa?”
I smiled. “Seanair.”
“Love?”
“Gràdh.”
“Boyfriend?”
I frowned, “why do you wish to know?”
She shrugged and the deep rose hue spread on her cheeks.
“Bràmair,” I answered displeased by her question.
“And Girlfriend?” She asked still embarrassed.
“The same,” I answered. She wrote it down.
She glanced at me briefly then concentrated on her notes, “So do you have one? I mean not that it matters since you are in my mind, but I’m just saying you must have one. So do you? Have one? In the imaginary world I mean. A girlfriend?” She asked then rolled her eyes admonishing herself for her jabber. “Smooth Bri.” She mumbled focused on the page and refusing to look at me.
I struggled not to laugh. “No, I do not have one in my life. Or in your mind, nor do I have one in the ‘imaginary world’ either.”
“Oh ok” she said nonchalant. She raised her planner to her face, still writing on it and hid from my gaze.
Hiding a smile, I slid closer to her. When she noticed me next to her, she tentatively raised her gaze to meet mine. The rose color of her cheeks deepened.
“Would it matter if I had one? In the imaginary world I mean?” I asked looking into her eyes.
She shook her head. “No, of course not.” then looked down.
A strange need arose inside me. “Bri, gaze upon me.”
She raised her gaze once more and her eyes settled on mine.
“I am real, not a figment of your imagination or created by your subconscious. I am your friend and I shall be for as long as you want me to be. Nevertheless, I am not in your mind. I am here with you. I am real.” Every word came from my growing need to have her realize the truth. I needed her to know.
“Touch me and you will see the truth.”
She took a
deep breath and looked into my eyes but did not move.
“Please Bri, I need you to touch me,” I pleaded softly. I felt the need in every cell of my body. I needed to connect with her, regardless of the consequences. She remained quiet looking into my eyes, and for a moment I thought she would grant my wish. She blinked and turned around placing the planner on the night table next to her.
“So tell me a bit about you Cyn. I still can’t seem to figure out how I created you in my mind.” She said changing the subject.
“Bri…”
“No Cyn, I know you want to be real, for me, to help me but you are not. Normal people don’t just appear and disappear out of thin air. They don’t speak like you do or wear ancient clothing. All which happens to coincide with one of my favorite stories. You are a creation of my mind. I am hallucinating you. I’m sorry.”
I shook my head. An overwhelming need pushed away all logic and reason. It blinded me. “I am real, Bri. But you are correct. I am not normal. I am a Druid, one the few left in this world and I am immortal. I have lived for over two thousand years. The Romans attacked my village one night. They massacred my people leaving only half of them alive. We escaped and have been living in hiding for the past two millennia. I can connect to the elemental essence that pulsates around us and channel it. I can use magic to travel between the layers of space through stone portals. That is how I come to you. The energy you feel from me is real. It is my essence and I can feel yours. I do not know or understand why but our essences are connected. Yours calls to mine. That is how I found you. There is a link between us that I cannot comprehend but it is there, undeniably. It pulls me to you with such force that I am not able to resist it. I need you to believe me. Touch me Bri. Feel me. I am real.”
My heart thundered in my chest while I gazed into her eyes pleading. I had told her the truth. I had willingly put myself, and my people at risk by telling a mortal about us. Yet all my cares lay on whether or not she believed me. I needed her to believe me.
She sighed. “I’m sorry Cyn. I’m kind of tired, and I need to wake up early in the morning. Do you mind if we talk tomorrow? We can meet in the copy room again.”
The sting of disappointment pierced through me. I raised my gaze and looked into her eyes once more, searching for any indication that at least a part of her believed me. She turned and reached for her phone adverting my gaze. I took a breath and stood from the bed.
“I will see you tomorrow my Goddess. Have a peaceful night.” I turned around, throwing the stones on the floor. The blue light illuminated the room. I jumped through the portal leaving my Goddess behind.
“Daingead,” I cursed walking through the village. What in the Goddess’ name was I doing? Nothing good would come of this. Anxiety took hold of me and I struggled for breath. A thousand scenarios ran through my mind. I had told her everything. I had confessed to her my powers, told her about my home. Stopping abruptly, I pushed my hands through my hair and turned in a slow circle. My eyes took in the sleeping village before me. What was happening to me? What kind of hold was this she had on me? I could not eat, sleep or even breathe without feeling her essence inside me? As if answering my question, her energy pulsated within, pulling me to her as though she needed me. I was not entirely certain whether to keep walking or return to her. I dragged my hands down my face and took a deep breath trying to release the tension. Glancing up at the moon, I began to walk towards my hut knowing only one thing for certain. I needed to find a way to make Bri understand I was real. This feeling… Whatever it was that pulled me to her, connected us, was too strong. I could not be close to her and pretend this was a fantasy.
I stepped inside my hut and stared at my bed. Walking towards the wall, I dipped my hands into the cold water of the washbasin and splashed my face. It felt good. Tying my hair with a leather cord I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection. My gaze was puzzled. Her energy pulsed inside me once more, calling me into action. I listened.
I picked up the stones from the floor once the portal closed, and placed them on the windowsill careful not to make any noise. The light of the moon seeped through the thin curtains, illuminating her silhouette on the bed. I smiled. The blanket covered half of her face, however, her body was not fully concealed. I stepped closer and sat on the bed slowly. My fingers reached for the blanket and I pulled it carefully over her shoulder. A sigh escaped her and her head moved slightly on the pillow. There was an almost nonexistent smile on her lips. She seemed as comfortable as she could be, but I knew that not to be true. She would feel better in my arms. Laying my body down, I stretched besides her, and placed my head on the pillow next to hers. Careful to not touch her, every part of my being screamed that she belonged with me. I wholeheartedly agreed.
Her long hair cascaded loosely over her back. The light from the moon, giving her red strands a magical gleam. Her pale skin shimmered as if a fairy had bestowed her blessing upon her. The delicate freckles adorned her better than any jewel ever could and her glorious rose, plump lips spoke of secrets I was dying to discover. She looked ethereal, a Goddess in her own right. She was such a mesmerizing sight that a fleeing thought crossed my mind. Could I be the one imagining her? Dreaming her? Had my mind conjured her up to alleviate my existence? If that were the case I would never awaken. There was nowhere else I would rather be than here with her. I would endure the cruelty of her hand not being in mine, my lips not tasting hers and my arms not holding her tight, just as long as I could be here… beside her.
I brazenly watched her sleep until the moon disappeared on the horizon. Dragging myself away from her was one of the hardest things I had ever done. I stood on the other side of the archway, my gaze still on her as the portal closed.
“Deep peace my Goddess.”
CHAPTER 7. CAPTIVATED
BRIANA
I stared at the monitor as my mind replayed every detail of my conversations with my, oh so delectable imaginary friend. I seriously needed a boyfriend. When you start having sexy thoughts about a figment of your imagination, you should probably get help. I mean it is not like I hadn’t gotten the message by now, but this was serious.
“Damn those sexy dimples, it was all their fault.”
I’ve never seen anything so enticing in my life. And let me tell you, those are big words after you have witnessed the perfection that is Chris Hemsworth. Just saying. At one point I was blurting out the first crazy thing that came into my mind just so I could see them again. I loved hearing Cyn laugh. Those little devils formed so flawlessly they deserved applause. His smile was art in its purest form. I wondered if the tip of my little finger would fill out the flirty little dimple on his right cheek. There were so many things I wanted to do to that dimple. And that hair…
Sweet mother of all things sensual, I never thought I liked men with long hair, well except Thor, who was played by Chris Hemsworth.
“I wonder if Cyn has a warrior outfit.”
He said he was a warrior. I bet his muscles would look tight and ripped like Chris’ in his Thor outfit.
Ok, don’t say it. I’m beginning to see the pattern.
Anyway, Cyn… I sighed. Another part of our conversation came to me.
“Please… I need you to believe me. Touch me Bri. Feel me. I am real…”
The hopelessness in his voice, the need in his eyes was so strong I almost reached for him. But it wouldn’t change anything. My heart hurt for not doing what he asked, but that was the problem. I was getting too deep into this fantasy of mine and that scared me. I was always thinking of him, expecting him. Last night I had a dream of him. Well, not exactly him but his essence near me. I sensed him with me and I felt… whole. I loved the way I felt with him around, and that was a serious problem.
I took a deep breath pushing the thought away from my mind and looked at my phone wishing the day would pass by faster. I was excited to have my lunch date with Lia, a real person. In only five minutes and 30 seconds, I’d have my very first official lunch w
ith a friend. Did that mean that Cyn would stop coming to me once her and I became friends? Just the thought made me gloomy. I wanted Cyn to stay. I wasn’t sure why I felt this way but I needed his presence, his smile. I was just starting to get to know him and there was so much more I wanted to learn about him. I needed more time with him.
“Please don’t let Cyn leave yet.” I begged to my subconscious.
“I shall stay as long as you wish, my Goddess.”
I gasped so loud I think the whole office heard me. I turned to find Cyn smiling wide. His dimples greeted me first then I saw his eyes. They sparkled with mischief. He was leaning against the partition of my cubicle, arms and legs crossed at the ankles while he looked at me and winked.
“Hello, my Goddess. I missed you too.”
I tried to recover. “Damn that naughty dimple… Are you trying to kill me?”
I asked with my hand over my heart. It was slamming against my chest so hard I feared it would go right through it. Not surprisingly, no one in the office came to my rescue after that reaction. What if I was gasping for air while having some sort of episode or having an actual heart attack? Nobody cared?
Crapola, he’d heard me!
“I didn’t miss you. And I wasn’t talking about you, get over yourself.”
He chuckled and crouched beside me so his eyes were leveled with mine.
“You said my name. And I must be honest; I was deeply pleased by it. It sounded as though you were pleading to someone for me to stay with you. But I shall tell you now, your plea is not required, my Goddess. There is nothing that can keep me away from you.”
I looked into his eyes and I felt the heat spread over my cheeks. He smiled wider. I cleared my throat.
“I thought we would meet in the copy room. Wait, how did I not feel you? I always feel you,” I asked confused. My mind usually gave me what I’d like to call “a nudge” whenever he was near. I felt what I could only describe as a strong energy connecting with me. Calling me to him.
He shrugged. “Perhaps you were too focused on thinking about me to feel my essence,” he winked at me and I wanted to smack him… Then kiss him. Sigh, he was probably right though. I had been drooling over him in my mind, Still, he didn’t need to know that.
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