Chapter 44 #2
By the time I landed in front of Grace’s cottage, it was well past lunch time.
All my gloomy thoughts vanished without a trace as soon as I spotted Alina dragging the laundry basket outside.
Her hair was done in a simple updo, with locks framing her beautiful face.
Her cheeks were glowing and her eyes sparkled when she finally spotted me.
“I . . . Where have you been?” She laughed when I picked her up and spun us around.
“I missed you,” I whispered in her hair.
“Why didn’t you come home for lunch? I made you something.” She searched my eyes.
You will never know what you are to me. You are my moon and stars, sun and earth, the air I need to survive.
“What did you make?” I cupped her cheeks.
“Eggs.” She grinned, and I could not wait any longer, and kissed her smiling lips.
I love you, I love you, I love you. As long as my heart is still beating, I am yours.
“Come on. Victor is teaching Frid how to make bread.” Alina pulled me toward the cottage.
When we walked in, the whole kitchen floor, and every surface around the counter was dusted with flour. Frid stood by the table, white powder covered her cheeks and hair. Victor looked like he was enjoying himself as he observed the girl in front of him forming the dough.
“This pathetic . . . piece of –”
“You’re doing great, babe.” Victor shifted his eyes to the dough.
“I can’t feel my hands anymore.” Frid threw the piece on the table but it attached itself to her skin and she growled, trying to get rid of it.
“Don’t be so impatient,” Victor gently chided.
“I’m ready to burn the whole place down. Why did I ever listen to you? You said it was as easy as making an omelet.” She hissed.
“It is. In a way.” Victor helped scrape the dough from Frid’s skin. “Do you want me to finish up?” he asked.
There was so much feeling in his eyes. I could not understand how Frid did not see it before.
“No, it’s between me, and this ball of hate.” Frid returned to the dough.
“Need any help?” I asked.
“No, I’ve got this,” Victor said.
“I didn’t know you could cook.” Alina touched my elbow.
“I can’t. I meant burning the house down.”
Alina smiled at me openly, without holding anything back, and I swear it was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.
Suddenly, I was reminded of Sage’s words.
The mating bond, how he was mated to my stepmother and the way he described it.
I watched Alina’s face as she turned to say something to Frid, and admired her porcelain skin and aristocratic profile.
I could no longer envision my life without her.
I could not bear the thought that something could ever separate us.
I needed her more than I needed anything.
Did that mean that there was a bond between us?
I searched my memories. The way we met, the way I could almost sense her presence, her moods.
The way her voice sounded like the sweetest melody.
The way I searched for her in the crowd every time we were separated.
The way it shocked me when she touched me for the first time.
I remembered how ominous it felt when we spent our first night together, as if fate was telling me there was no way back.
The way I could not help biting her neck, as if something primal and dominant was going to awaken and tear me apart from within if I did not.
“What do you say?” Alina turned to face me.
“About what?”
“See, he wasn’t even listening.” Frid laughed.
“I said that we could go together tonight,” Alina said.
“Sure. If you want,” I responded.
“Let’s put it in the oven and see what happens.” Victor pushed the baking dish inside.
“It’s too small,” Frid protested.
“Just trust me.” Victor smiled encouragingly.
“Alright, alright.” Frid raised her hands.
After it was done, both girls went to change and Victor and I sat on the couch waiting for them to come back.
“How is your business with Sage?” Victor asked.
“It’s not going anywhere,” I sighed and picked up one of Grace’s albums.
“He should know something. He was the best seer in the capital,” Victor said.
“Yes, he knows. He just doesn’t want to tell me anything.”
“Do you want me to try?” Victor asked.
“I don’t think it would work. He told me he was in love with my mother,” I said watching Victor.
He only nodded, looking away.
“Did you know?” I asked.
“Well, yeah. We all knew. It wasn’t a big secret. He made all kinds of scenes and people would make fun of him all the time. But, she chose your father, and there was nothing anyone could do about it,” Victor said.
“Do you think they were mated?” I continued.
“Oh, man. I don’t know if that’s a thing. I mean, I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never seen it.”
I looked at the door when something fell in the bedroom, and Frid’s loud swearing exploded in the silence.
“What are we going to do, Ty? We can’t stay here.”
“I’ll go back to Sage and try again. It didn’t go so well this morning.” I leaned back on the couch, dreading the idea of it.
“You know . . . I don’t care much about what happens to me, but Frid . . .Can you fix it?”
I was going to respond, but the door swung open and Alina and Frid appeared in the doorway.
The light color of Alina’s dress contrasted with the dark copper in her hair.
I lost myself in her one more time, devouring her agonizing beauty.
She was a creature from another world, ethereal, breathtaking, and mine.
“It’s just not fair that we have to wear stupid dresses while all of you just wear your flying suits.” Frid stormed through the room.
“You look . . .” Victor carefully touched her back.
“What?” Frid’s voice softened.
“Actually, I have something I need to ask you.” Victor pulled Frid back to their bedroom.
Alina lowered her eyes to the floor, I could detect a delightful shade of pink coloring her cheeks.
“Well, that’s it. I think we’re on our own.” A light smile played on her lips.
“Come here,” I said.
Alina stepped into my arms, watching me with her enchanting eyes.
“I forget how beautiful you are, every time,” I whispered.
“Really?”
I pulled her closer, kissing her lips.
The next hour moved almost in a haze of colors and sounds.
The festive music was pouring out of the main hall of the castle where Hanoch was seated at the center of the massive wooden table.
It was the first time I ever saw all his family gathered together.
His wife turned out to be a petite, light haired woman who looked much younger than him.
His children were creating havoc at the table and around it.
The noise and all the guests agitated the kids, and the full attention of their parents was on the four of them.
Despite all of that, Hanoch looked like he was enjoying himself, even as one of his children, probably not more than three, climbed on top of his chair and another stole food off his plate.
I shifted my attention back to Alina, who was dancing with other girls.
Colorful ribbons flew in the air, and she was laughing, so carefree and endlessly bewitching that something within me gave way, and I could not take my eyes off her.
Absent-mindedly, I cupped my goblet, watching Alina’s narrow back and the curve of her hips, her shiny, red curls.
“I see you made the right choice.” Hanoch placed his hand on my shoulder.
In the time I was staring at Alina, he had made his way toward me.
“You as well,” I said.
Hanoch looked back at the table where his family was seated.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. People don’t talk about it much, but there’s nothing better than having a family. A wife you can go back to, children who wait for you to return home. I am a lucky man. I thank the gods every day for everything I have.” He dropped into a chair beside me.
“Good.”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a while, but I didn’t know how you’d take it. I’m sorry about everything. I was a terrible brother and I was not there for you,” he said.
“It’s alright. You had your own problems.”
“No. I should have been there for you.” He looked up at the dancing women. “She really is pretty. If I were you, I would not let anyone steal her.”
I followed his gaze, finding that Denis was dancing with Alina. I clenched my jaw until I felt the pain in my muscles.
“That fucker!” I got up, ignoring Hanoch’s light chuckle.
Alina’s eyes followed me, and she smiled when I approached her.
“Ty,” she whispered and her eyes sparkled.
I loved the way she said my name, and I was so greedy, too greedy. I wanted to hear it over and over.
“Is he bothering you?” I concentrated on her face, ignoring Denis’ sour expression.
“We were just talking,” he sounded irritated.
Alina shifted her weight looking uncomfortable. It was still astonishing that I knew what she was feeling. I reached out and took her hand in mine, pulling her away from her dance partner. From the corner of my eye, I saw that Denis went back to the tables and I could not help smiling.
“You are really mean to him,” Alina said.
“Am I?” I moved closer, inhaling her flowery scent.
My body immediately reacted to her closeness. I wanted her, right now, and if I could not get us out of here, I would do something crazy. The music played louder and the dancing couples laughed, clapping their hands. I did not care to check what was happening, I was pulling Alina toward the exit.
“Where are we going?” She giggled.
“I need to be alone with you. Now.”
“You are so demanding!”
I got her out of the hall and up the set of stars to one of the side balconies.
“What are you doing?”
She was still laughing, when I sat her up on the stone railing. Then she stilled, before leaning forward and cupping my face.
“I . . .” she started saying, but I pressed my lips to hers and she moaned, making me instantly hard.
“You are . . . so sweet.” I closed my eyes, touching her, tasting her.