Bloom: The Kingdom of Archer Series: Book I

by J Rose

  “Hold on,” Parker spoke after I put the helmet on my head. I didn’t think much of it or at least I tried to ignore the feeling of my heart that seemed to flutter just as fast as the motorcycle moved.

  #

  There was no need to speak. All that was needed was to enjoy the night sky that lit our way and the empty road that paved a path for us. This was the way we had begun to pave our own lives together. This moment had so many mixed emotions but none negative if anything they carried excitement and hope for a new tomorrow that we both wanted. For what felt like minutes, but must have been hours, we drove against the night sky and down the open road until we reached nothingness once more. The land free of anything that was not green grass. Accompanying the night sky were hundreds of fireflies only this time along with the beautiful night there was true peace for that moment. The owls around the beautiful trees that seemed to surround us began to hoot. They appeared to sing a melody along with crickets that could only be described as the song of the earth singing.

  “This place is beautiful,” I found myself saying to him, untangling my arms from his waist and getting off the motorcycle. taking the helmet off and placing it on the motorcycle seat.

  “What is this place?” I asked him taking the helmet off and placing it on the motorcycle seat.

  “This is the Nova Plane,” Parker spoke, his voice soft and a smile on his face. He took my hand in his giving it a soft squeeze and offering me a smile that seemed to melt my already concaving walls. His eyes flickered with so much that it only made my heart continue to race the way it had been since the moment we met.

  “The Nova Plane?” I questioned.

  “It is said that these stars carry all the connections in the world. This is where it all begins. Where everything began, this is the place where all our ancestors first appeared,” He explained.

  The Nova Plane was something everyone learns about in our world from the moment you attend school. It was sacred ground. Where the world became what it was today. I’d never seen this place, not because I had not wanted to but because this was where soulmates came together. Standing in the middle of the empty field was the biggest and most beautiful tree that glowed in a beautiful blue hue. Each tree branch appeared to extend up into the glowing blue stars and lit up the entire ground in a glowing neon blue hue around us. It was all so beautiful.

  “This is Catherine Archer’s tree,” He spoke.

  “Catherine. The first Nova Queen. The most powerful, fair, and most beautiful queen there has ever been, until you,” He spoke. Though I realized his words should have been comforting to some extent they weren’t. Not when I did not feel adequate to be queen, and certainly not when I didn’t feel beautiful.

  “Don’t,” Parker spoke, pain in his voice, his eyes portraying sadness. I had not noticed, but I’d unconsciously shifted away from him. I tried to hide what we both knew was that burn from the fire that had partially been hidden away by my long hair.

  “I-”

  “You’ll be a great queen Lyric. Your kind. You think of others. My father always says that people who have suffered in this world are always the ones that seem to understand the most. The ones that truly listen to the people,” Parker said before reaching to caress my cheek the way he had done so many times before. It was almost impossible not to close my eyes at the feel of his touch. It felt as though I was suddenly overwhelmed by too many butterfly like emotions.

  “You are beautiful, every single inch of you, every part of you. Nothing and no one in this world that exists or will exist will be more beautiful to me than you are.”

  “But I’m-”

  “I don’t see it. And you shouldn’t either. Don’t live confined to the ideals of others. You are so beautiful and I think it’s time you realized that too,” He whispered.

  “Parker I-” Pressing his forehead against my own he cut me off before reaching to caress my cheek gently with his thumb softly grazing against my skin. There would be no interruptions I could feel it now. My heart thumped wildly in my ears. The peace that surrounded us, perfect. Looking into his eyes became difficult and my eyes began to close on their own accord waiting for what I knew was to come.

  “Lyric,” He whispered my name almost chiming out in his velvet like voice that only caused my breath to hitch and my heart to race. Soft… His lips were soft against my own and I could feel every single fiber of my heart, body, and soul burst with that one kiss. Part of me felt so breathless, so beautiful and soft that I wished to stay like this.

  When his lips left my own, there was such a feeling of loss and cold on my lips but at the same time, there was warmth covering my body. I couldn’t open my eyes not when this had happened so beautifully. Would I have ever thought such perfection would happen to someone like me? Much less with Parker Archer? No.

  “Lyric,” He spoke again his thumb gently grazing my bottom lip, his touch felt so warm. Opening my eyes to meet his hazel ones I could see something different in his eyes. Something I had not discovered yet, but his hazel pools invited me into such warmth that I wanted to embrace it.

  For the longest and the shortest of times, we stayed like this. His arms wrapped around my waist bringing me close while I myself felt the need to press myself to his chest for warmth. The peaceful silence lingered between us until I could no longer stand to be without words, mostly due to my own shyness and my racing hear.

  “Catherine’s tree,” I found myself saying afraid he would hear my racing heart once more. Instead, he offered me a smile and once again took hold of my hand before he turned back to explain. Though there was a certain air of love which now lingered between us.

  “Alexander Archer planted this tree here for her after Lazarus Cray tried to kill her.” Parker explained.

  “After the war, though things were far from perfect there was peace for some time. Even though Alexander was plagued by the division of the Kingdom, he was still a blessed man and King.”

  “How so?” I asked causing Parker to smile.

  “Alexander saved his people. His son was safe and his wife who he had thought lost was still with him. He brought Catherine here after she recovered and planted this tree for her. This tree represented the beginning of our world but also the beginning to soulmates. Finding love. Finding her. That was what this tree represented to him. After both Catherine and Alexander passed of old age Noel their son spread their ashes here. The tree then began to glow blue inexplicably after that. It is said they guide souls together now.”

  “That’s a beautiful notion,” I found myself thinking.

  “Though does it apply to us?” I wondered out loud to which he smiled.

  “I’d like to think so. It might not be one hundred percent perfect but I wouldn’t change you for anyone else,” He spoke.

  “This place. It’s where every Nova in Archer takes their mate for their first run. I made a promise to Spencer that I wouldn’t take my mate here without him bringing his mate and I’ll still keep my promise,” Parker said.

  “But-”

  “As I said. I’m not going to be in my Nova form. But riding the motorcycle with you won’t technically be a real run.” His answer causing both of us to smile. Hopping back onto the motorcycle we let the wind, the earth, the stars and the night above us lead the way for us.

  #

  (Parker)

  The sound of the music pounded through my head like a loud blast, drumming through my ears over and over, the tempo maintained its usual rhythm. The smell of alcohol was clear in the air. Around me, there were around two dozen other men if not more. All of them drinking and playing pool while they laughed.

  “This bachelor party sucks,” Brad spoke up, walking over to sit next to me at the bar.

  “It’s not bad. Everyone’s having fun,” Spencer spoke up, his answer caused Brad to laugh wholeheartedly.

  “Really man?” He questioned.

  “If this were a real bachelor party, there would be women and said women wouldn’t be on the ot
her side of the bar,” Brad spoke.

  “Plus there would be strippers, lots of them. Right man?” Brad spoke to Oliver, who didn’t say a word to him. Not that it wasn’t normal for Oliver to still keep his professional demeanor, though I realized this time, he simply didn’t want to answer Brad’s immature comment.

  “I’m getting married to my soulmate, the woman I have been in love with since I was a kid.”

  “It’s called ruining your life,” Brad spoke swinging back his shot of tequila, before placing his empty shot glass on the counter.

  “Not everyone sees it that way. In fact, I think you might be the only one,” Spencer spoke up.

  “I don’t think so. What guy wants to commit to a relationship? I sure as hell don’t,”

  “And that’s why Jane hate’s you,” Andrew spoke up coming to stand next to us at the bar. Though the moment he did, Brad seemed to glare as if something Andrew did had greatly pissed him off. Part of me was glad I wasn’t the only one that felt that way about the guy, but then again, what reason could Brad possibly have to hate him?

  “Who invited the cat?” Brad questioned.

  “I did,” Spencer spoke up. Although I knew my brother and realized it was more of a formality than anything having to do with Green being a guest in our home.

  “Why so hostile Jacobs?” Green asks Brad, though there is something in his eyes that told me there’s something more going on between them. Confirming my notion when Green throws an arm casually around Brad’s shoulders and Brad glares at him pushing him off.

  “Tell me Green. Is it really your duty to mess with things that don’t belong to you?” Brad snapped his eyes furious the way I had never seen him act before.

  This was supposed to be my goofy friend, the one who never took anything seriously, the one that was always joking and laughing and now he was pissed off.

  “That’s funny coming from you Jacobs. When was the last time you followed that rule? Green questioned.

  “Scotch please,” Green told the bartender who served him his drink and then he proceeded to smirk and face Spencer, Brad and I again.

  “Gentlemen,” Green spoke before walking away with his drink in hand towards a table of Nova council kids.

  “I’m going to pummel him,” Brad spoke.

  “Dude! Calm down,” Spencer spoke surprised at Brads’ outburst.

  “What’s up with you?” I asked, both Spencer and I had to hold him back to give him time to calm before he settled back on to the barstool and sighed.

  “Nothing,” Brad spoke though he was visibly stressed out.

  “Seriously man. That wasn’t nothing,” I said to him.

  “Three words,” Brad spoke.

  “Women. Are. Crazy,” He said before he threw back another shot of tequila, wincing slightly. Exchanging a look with Spencer I realized that even if we wanted to pressure him into talking there really wasn’t much to say. I had my own issues when it came to soulmates I could never understand Brads’. He had his parents together. In fact, from what I gathered his parents had been happily married for over thirty years. Still, I realized no one really knew what went on in someone’s head but their own.

  “I’m going to get some air,” I spoke to Spencer patting him on the back before heading outside. It wasn’t a surprise to see Lyric standing outside either. The moonlight sky shining down on her, making her look even more beautiful than she already was.

  #

  Being with Lyric could only ever be described as peaceful and beautiful, much like herself. There was no need for words between us at the moment. The night sky brought peace to the two of us while the wind brought racing hearts thumping wildly in sync. I could feel her holding on to me while we road through the Nova plane. Everything around us was quiet and peaceful. With as much speed as we could, we raced through the empty pastures enclosed by trees. Part of me was glad that we had this moment to ourselves. This moment, allowed us to breathe and finally allowed us to be together in a way that I realized we had both wanted for quite a while now.

  *Screech*

  It was the sound of what I realized was Oliver that brought both of us back to our reality. Lyric gasped softly her hold tightened around my waist and I myself had to hit the break of the motorcycle which threw us slightly forward.

  “What’s going on?” Lyric questioned, and I could see the fear in her eyes. Not only was she afraid for her safety but for my own.

  “It’s alright,” I answered her, trying to reassure her.

  “Oliver is just upset. I didn’t let anyone know we were going off on our own,” I explained to her.

  “We should probably go back.”

  “Okay,” She whispered back. Feeling the need to be close to her and kiss her once more at the moment all I could do was press my forehead against hers.

  *Screech*

  “Alright we’re going damn it”, I shouted causing Lyric to shake her head and smile softly. Although I realized being guarded was for her safety, it was not fun. Being followed by Nova guards and being interrupted by your friends and family was invasive.

  “Let’s head back then. And don’t say a word to Crystal about this. She’d tell Spencer,” I said to her, causing her to laugh lightly before we took off once again back on the road. This time Oliver was flying above us.

  I could feel Lyric holding on to me and at the same time pulling me. Turning my head slightly I found myself smiling. Her body was slightly shifted away from me while she threw her head back. The wind carried her hair that seemed to fly wildly along with it with the way she was positioned on the motorcycle seated to one side only. Her eyes were closed though there was a prominent smile on her lips. She looked so beautiful this way.

  *Screech*

  Oliver’s eagle cry lets me know we were safe when I turned back to the road. It seemed like Oliver’s eagle cry was a happy one because each time he called out Lyric seemed to laugh. She raised her left hand up while Oliver himself seemed to fly lower letting her touch his feathers and causing her to laugh once more. For the first time, I realized Lyric had been truly happy with me. The smile she carried on her lips and the spark her eyes showed was that of someone who was truly happy.

  #

  By the time we arrived back to the bar, Oliver simply flew passed us while Lyric and I headed back to the starting point. The bar was still rambunctious with noise and I realized upon looking inside that everyone was now on the same side of the bar dancing, drinking. Spencer and Crystal seemed to have blurred everything and everyone around them slow dancing together in the middle of the bar looking at each other with love.

  “We should probably head back inside,” I said to Lyric who smiled but otherwise nodded.

  “I had fun Parker. Thank you,” She whispered looking down at the ground, a small smile on her lips before she looked back up to me shyly. There really was no need for me to say anything else or for her to speak anymore. There was no need to even think too much about it. Reaching to pull her close I simply kissed her. Like before, she let out a soft little gasp from her lips. This time, however, her arms slowly entangled around my neck. My own hands went to her waist as we moved out lips in sync. She meant so many things to me. Kissing her felt like thousands of needles prickling at my palms and hundreds of shocks that ran through my body that made me nervous and happy

  “No Brad! You don’t just get to play this game with me I-” It was Lyric’s friend that caused us to pull apart. Lyric herself let go of me; though I simply kept my hands where they had previously been.

  “Jane,” Lyric spoke to her friend, who simply shook her head tears forming in her eyes almost as if she’d seen the worst thing possible. Behind her, Brad was standing with a surprised expression on his face.

  “You fell for it,” Jane spoke up, slurring her words out.

  “I can’t believe you fell for this guy’s bullshit,” She spoke to Lyric harshly. Even so, Lyric removed herself from my hold and went over to her friend in order to calm her.

&n
bsp; “Jane. What’s wrong? Why?-”

  “No!” Her friend shouted, pushing past Lyric and stumbling her way toward me. I really wasn’t expecting what she did next to happen. If anything I was expecting for her to fall which was why I didn’t move if I needed to catch her. Instead, she raised her hand up and managed to land a slap on my face.

  “Jane,” Lyric gasped, out trying to pull her friend away from me though, she had already fallen on to me.

  “You are all the same,” Her friend cried out slurring her words out.

  “All of you!” She shouted.

  “They all hurt us. They all don’t care. They all don’t”- She sobbed hitting at my chest and I realized this had nothing to do with me or Lyric.

  “That’s enough. Come on,” Brad spoke up. As Brad tried to get to Jane, however, Lyric stood in front of her friend.

  “No. I think she’s had enough,” Lyric spoke protectively. There was anger in Lyric’s voice as she spoke and defended her friend, it was a side of Lyric I had never seen before.

  “Come on Jane,” Lyric spoke to her friend, gently prying her away from me, causing the girl to lean close to her and begin to sob into her.

  “Parker. Is it alright if Jane comes home with us?” She questioned quietly.

  “But she’s-”

  “No. She’s had enough!” Lyric snapped at Brad angrily.

  “Parker,” She spoke again. Though I could see Brad silently pleading for me not to agree it was my own mate’s pleading for the contrary that got me to cave in.

  “Alight,” I said to her.

  “I don’t want Crystal and Spencer’s night to be ruined. I’ll go get Andrew,” She spoke to me, before pushing her friend gently back to me, while she continued to cry silently.