Chapter Seventeen
Derek
The familiar scent of Nolen was the first thing I noticed when I woke up. I groaned as I pushed myself to sit upright. Why was I in bed? We’d done the memory thing, right? Had it worked?
“Hey, darling,” Nolen’s voice calmed me and I snuggled back into his side. I frowned as I felt his guilt and worry.
“What happened?”
He sighed. “They found something troubling. They figured erasing the memories they unlocked would be for the best until they found your father and got more information.”
“Was it that bad?”
“Worse,” he admitted.
I wiped the fresh tears away from my eyes. “Do you think they were right to take them away from me?”
“Yes. You will get them back soon, but I agreed that we need to wait. Your core is still mending itself together, and they haven’t located your father, yet. They do know his name and have his features down, so it shouldn’t take them long.”
“So, that means he was the reason for my trauma, then?”
“Yes.” Was all he said to that.
I decided to trust the rulers and Nolen. If all six of them felt I shouldn’t know, then I would wait. Besides, I had much healing to do, and I selfishly wanted more time with Nolen, even if his emotions were still raw from the information he’d learned.
Nolen’s slate dinged and he accepted the call without checking who it was. Nix was then projected in front of us, his smile beaming.
“Nolen! Congratulations! I just realized I never got to congratulate you both.”
Nolen smiled, which had to mean he liked Nix. “Thank you. I know it was rather hectic so I don’t blame you for how you reacted.”
Nix seemed to relax hearing that. “I’m glad, but I also called because I selfishly need your advice.”
Nolen tilted his head. “Anything wrong?”
Nix shook his head. “I don’t think so, but I talked to both Juno and Mint about their mates, and how they felt a pull. I’ve felt the same since Juno and I started attending college, but it’s like my mate is slipping through my fingers.”
I surprised myself by asking, “How so?”
Nix’s projected image turned towards me as he explained. “I feel pulled in a certain direction, and when I follow it, it feels right, like I’m closing in on my fate, but then just as suddenly, it’s gone. It’s driving me mad!”
“Could just be a student who evades you unknowingly,” Nolen supplied helpfully.
Nix glared. “I wasn’t saying my mate was actively avoiding me. Why would they? But you have to admit it seems weird.”
Nolen nodded. “Yeah,” he sighed. “I would’ve gone mad, too.”
“Uh!” I exclaimed, sitting up excitedly. “Look through the database.”
Nix blinked. “Database?”
“Yeah. Look through the students on your computer. That way you’ll know if one is your mate, right? Wouldn’t a picture be enough for you to know? If you find one attractive, they’re yours.”
Nix blinked again before a grin overtook his face. “Got to go!” Then he was gone.
Nolen chuckled. “That’ll keep him occupied for a while.”
I smiled, snuggling into his side. Talking to Nix had helped with Nolen’s emotions, and it selfishly made it easier for me to enjoy our time together.
I knew he was worried because he was my mate and cared for me, but I wanted him to be happy.
Whatever my father had done to the younger me would have to wait, and while the truth waited, I wanted to enjoy life with Nolen.
“Want some breakfast?”
I nodded, feeling torn on what to do to help Nolen feel better. I was the reason for his mood, but maybe I could change it for the better.
“Want some help?” I offered, sliding out of bed and feeling weak all over. Maybe the memory thing did something to my muscles, too. It was like I’d been through an intense work-out, and I hated working out.
Nolen’s smile was full of affection as he handed me the T-shirt he’d slept in. “I would love that.”
An hour later, we sat and ate some bagels with butter and scrambled eggs. He’d even fried some bacon for us, but that had somehow ended up in our bellies while we cooked. Oops.
“So,” Nolen said, taking our finished plates from the table. “Anything special you want to do today?”
Shaking my head, I stood and helped clear the table. I wasn’t from around here so how would I know what to do? Maybe some grass time would be good for me, even if I couldn’t feel the difference it made.
Nolen’s slate rang and soon projected the rulers above it.
“Good morning, you two. We need to have a word with Nolen sometime today, if possible,” Trise informed us. Her expression was kind and a tad guilty, as if she knew withholding information from me was something Nolen wasn’t happy about.
It was still weird to feel so cared for and protected.
Nolen had shown me how love should be, even if we’d only just met.
I felt our bond was fully there now. The people in this world I was in now were used to this being the norm.
I liked it. I imagined if I’d grown up here, I would’ve felt much more at home and accepted.
There was just something beautiful about knowing one day you’d find your person.
“We can definitely do that,” Nolen agreed easily, but I could feel his unease. I didn’t like parting from him either. “Derek can stay in the garden while I speak with you, if that’s okay? I don’t want us to be too far from one another.”
I smiled at that.
“Of course!” Trise hurriedly agreed. “Alec will stay outside with Derek and keep him company while the rest of us speak inside. We wouldn’t keep you two apart for longer than necessary.”
Nolen let out a relieved sigh before we said goodbye and ended the call.
We only had an hour before they’d be here, so I grabbed Nolen’s hand and led him outside.
It was weird, but I felt like the ground was calling to me, needing it to center me.
Maybe I could feel the effect it had on me after all.
When we were both laying on the grass side by side, I figured I should say something before the rulers came.
“Whatever they tell you,” I began, needing to think on how to phrase the next part.
“I trust your judgement on whether I should know or not. I know it’s a lot of pressure to put on you, but I feel better about it when I know the decision was yours and not the rulers. ”
I hoped it made sense to him, it did to me.
I had a bond with Nolen, meaning I trusted him completely, and even though the rulers had been nothing but kind to me, I still didn’t trust them fully, it was simply something I had a hard time doing.
Trusting in general was just hard. But I trusted Nolen, so him making the decisions regarding my memories was easier.
I knew he would do what was best for me.
His green eyes met mine. “You’re sure?”
I nodded. “Whatever you think is right for me. And when you think I’m ready to hear it, I will. No matter how hard it will be that day, I do want to know eventually.”
I had to, simple as that. No matter the fallout and nightmare fuel, I had to know so that I could move on with my life. It was time I faced my trauma, and now that I had Nolen in my life, I knew I could survive it.