The Silvia Saga: Boxset

Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Dara

I spend the next two weeks training with the guys, mastering each one of their specialities. After the arrow hits the target for the fiftieth time that day, I head to the rack and put it away. I am exhausted. No way can I continue any longer.

“Who said you were done, Princess?” Blair folds his arms across his broad chest.

“I did. This bad bitch needs to lie down and regenerate,” I mock, pointing to myself.

Yes, I am one bad-arse bitch. I most certainly proved that today with my kick-arse skills.

Blair smirks and shakes his head.

Get used to it, my Blair-boy. Footsteps approach and Harlan comes into view. I just want to run straight upstairs and ignore him completely, so of course he steps in my path blocking me.

“Now where are you off to, Dara?” he asks with that smug look on his face.

“Well, I was actually just heading upstairs to grab a bite to eat and head to bed. That okay with you, boss man?” I can’t help myself.

“I suppose you did earn it today. Good job with those targets. They sure did catch a beating. Tomorrow you will be with Jolie, learning magic,” he compliments me.

My eyes widen as he moves out of my way. Did Harlan just compliment me? Shaking my head, I smile “Hell, yes! Finally!” I continue up the stairs.

I can’t wait until tomorrow. I am excited about working with Jolie, and learning some awesome magic shit. These past two weeks have been hell. Finally, time with my girl.

For now, though, it is time to feed this crazy-arse ninja. I head to the kitchen and run into Anna. I gasp, placing a hand over my beating heart.

“Sorry, Dara, darling. I didn’t mean to scare you. Now, what’s this I hear about you being hungry?”

I nod all too eagerly.

“Very well. I am cooking up my famous brew. It should give you back all the energy you used today.”

She opens the lid filling the kitchen with the aroma and my stomach rumbles. “That smells so good.”

She smiles. “I hear my boys were very impressed with your skills. I have a good feeling about you, Dara. I truly believe you will help us in regaining our precious Silvia and bringing it back to its former glory. Where everyone could walk around as they pleased and worked together to get everything done. Not like it is now. Now everyone is stuck inside their houses. They are afraid to go outside for too long, scared the slayers will hunt them down, catch them, torture them, and lock them up. They’ve become slaves within James’s kingdom walls. My dear friend Clary was taken a few months back. No one has seen her since. I am determined that we will find her.”

I stand there, not moving a muscle as I listen to Anna. Hearing her talk about Silvia, how it used to be and what James has done, I now have more motivation to bring him down. Silvia is my home now too. I may have been gone for years, but I am back. I won’t let anyone else suffer at the hands of this monster.

“I am so sorry, Anna. Mark my words, I will make him pay for what he has done, even if it takes everything in me to do it. I will. I will get Clary back for you.” I walk over to Anna and pull her in, wrapping my arms around her back. She melts into me and loses it. Just for a brief minute, she lets it all go. Tears soak my shoulder and I rub my hands over her back.

Holding onto me for dear life, she says, “You, my darling, are a blessing. I just wish Sam and Marissa were here to see you. You will make them proud.” All too soon, she pulls back, turning to stir the massive pot on the stove.

I instantly miss the contact with her; she is like the mother I never had. Something about her makes me feel comfortable and loved. For the first time in my life, I feel at home and like I belong.

“Are you sure I can’t help you cook?” I ask, feeling awkward. Having someone else cook for me is not a natural thing. I have always made my own food or with the help of Kayla.

“No, sweetie, go sit down. I have got this,” she says, waving me off with a sweet smile.

Blair struts into the kitchen, breaking our little moment. I am grateful for his interruption. I was just about to lose it completely and let out the tears that have been building up. But not now, not in front of him; Blair, my sweet warrior. I glance up into his eyes as something passes between us. An unspoken promise that he will be right by my side throughout this entire journey. I nod in agreement, confirming that I understand his secret message.

“That smells delish, Mother. Please tell me it’s your famous brew?”

As he walks over to her, giving her a hug from behind, every second I spend with Blair I fall even more in love with him. There is something about him and Oliver. I just can’t stop these feelings that keep coming back up. I have a stupid-arse teenage crush on them all, all my warriors. There’s this energetic pull toward them all that I can’t erase like we are destined to be together.

I need to have a chat with Jolie and get advice from her about my feelings. To hear how she feels about it and tell me what I am supposed to do. It’s impossible to have all four of my warriors. Isn’t it? No, that wouldn’t be fair. I’m being selfish.

I catch Blair staring at me, his face bright pink, confirming he just heard my confession—yet again. Oh well, at least now that’s out in the open. Someone clears their throat from behind me. I spin around to find Oliver standing there, his pupils dilated. Whoops! Looks like he caught me too.

Harlan and Declan choose that moment to stomp into the room. Thank God. The tension within the kitchen is at an all-time high, and I am grateful for their interruption.

Declan gives me a questioning look, telling me he also heard my thoughts. I may as well have shouted it out loud. I shake my head. Stop being so careless. Think about the guys’ feelings.

They scatter and help set up the family table, no doubt trying to find a distraction. Anna dishes up everyone’s portions as Albert walks in, choosing the perfect moment to return home. He is usually out all day.

My curiosity gets the best of me, and I surprise myself by asking outright, “Where do you go during the day, Albert?” To my shock, he smirks. He motions for me to sit next to him at the table. I join everyone and wait to hear what Albert has to say.

He keeps me hanging for a few more seconds. “Your curiosity is getting the better of you, is it, Dara?”

I nod in response, motioning him to continue.

“I protect the area we live in. Silvia isn’t safe like it used to be. Everyone within this zone is trusted and rallies against James. We have guards stationed at every checkpoint. My boys normally help with the guarding, but they have had their hands full with you of late. So, I have had to step up,” he explains.

It hits me how important my mission truly is. I need to be strong and make sure I don’t let everyone down. It’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders, but I must step up. The future of Silvia depends on it.

We continue dinner with the conversations flowing easily as they usually do. For the first time in my life, I actually feel at home—with the guys, Jolie, Anna, and Albert. They make me feel loved and welcomed in their home as if I am one of them, part of the family.

After dinner, I help Anna with cleaning up the kitchen. By the time we are finished, I am exhausted and say goodnight to everyone and make my way upstairs.

Blair follows me quietly. “Hey, Dara,” he says softly. “Would you join me up on the balcony? I know you are tired, but I just want to spend some time with you.”

I stop and turn around to look at Blair. How can I possibly say no to him? I can’t. Blair’s heart is made of pure gold, and it would crush me to deny him. Damn you, Blair. His lip curves upward. He grabs hold of my hand and drags me up the stairs.

He opens the door to the balcony. As I enter the space, I feel all tension leave my body. I sigh, sinking into a feeling of relaxation. After my hectic week of training, I haven’t had a chance to come back here. We head over to one of the hammocks and Blair hops on, motioning for me to join him.

I stand there, tucking some hair behind my ear and frown. “You want me to join you in the same hammock?”

He smirks, grabs my hand, and pulls me onto the hammock, giving me no choice in the matter. I was going to join him, but he didn’t need to know that. I wiggle around until I am comfortable. These hammocks are quite small, making my body and Blair’s very close together. I’m not complaining. I rest my head against Blair’s rapidly beating heart and wrap my leg over his. He freezes.

“Hey, Blair, can I talk with you about something personal?” I ask, confiding in him.

“Of course, Dara.” His voice breaks.

I rush to get my words before I lose courage. “So, I am just going to come out and say it. I have feelings for each one of you guys. I feel terrible, and I don’t know what I am supposed to do about it. I know I can’t have you all—that would be so selfish and unfair.”

There, I said it. It’s out in the open now. I cover my face in embarrassment, not wanting to see his reaction.

He surprises me by letting out a chuckle.

I peel open my eyes and am shocked to find all of my warriors surrounding us. I could die from humiliation, right here, right now. “Oh, my god, you did not just all hear that, did you?” I ask, hoping they didn’t but knowing they did.

They all nod, confirming my worst nightmare.

“Dara, please don’t feel embarrassed at all or like you can’t be honest with us. It’s absolutely normal for you to have these feelings for each one of us. We have been bound to you as your warriors from a young age. It’s only natural that there is this attachment,” Harlan says.

“But doesn’t that mean I am selfish? You guys can’t be okay with me having feelings for each of you, can you? Am I the only one with these feelings?” I question, wanting answers now the subject is out in the open.

“Not at all, Dara,” Declan says, speaking up for the group. “Each one of us has feelings beyond friendship. We have had those since we were bound to you, all of those years ago. It’s a part of our connection to you. It’s natural, and we are okay with sharing you. Please don’t feel bad for how you feel. It’s all right, I promise.”

I glance around at all my warriors as they nod in agreement. I let out a huge breath. I have been fighting all of this since I first met my warriors, not understanding how I felt. Now it makes sense why I do, and it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

“Thank you. It’s good to know where you all stand with this. Can we just see what happens and not push anything? Just go with the flow?” I ask, not wanting anything to be awkward or forced between us.

Blair wraps his arm over my shoulder, pulling me even closer against his body. “Of course, Princess. Anything to make you happy.”

Everyone else heads toward the surrounding hammocks, taking one each. I snuggle into him and let my eyes shut. A huge smile spreads across my face. This is home, here with my warriors.

We lie there in silence, just listening to the birds sing and enjoying each other’s company.

I must have dozed off as I wake to Blair lifting me from the hammock. I try not to stir as I am enjoying his embrace far too much. He takes me down the stairs to my bedroom. Gently, he lays me down on my bed and tucks me in tightly. He kisses my forehead and whispers, “Sweet dreams, Princess.”

Being a complete gentleman, he walks out of the room. That’s my Blair—too sweet to handle. I fall straight back into a dreamless sleep. The first one in several months.