Chapter 9 - Erik
ERIK
Ariana lay beside me, her head on my chest, arm draped over me. Sunlight seeping through the window touched her hair, giving it a golden glow around the edges. She looked ethereal. The most beautiful woman I ever had the privilege of knowing, of touching, of sharing time with.
My fingers moved idly over her skin, grazing her back and shoulder. She looked so serene, untouched by worries, her face relaxed. It would all be stolen as soon as her eyes opened to start this dreadful day.
She was leaving in a few hours.
The past several days blew by so quickly.
Ariana improved in her training the entire time.
However, she could never complete the course.
Trying to subdue me without letting me touch her skin was nearly impossible.
I didn’t need to physically take her down, for one touch meant I won, and she then started the whole thing over.
“I can feel you staring at me,” Ariana mumbled, keeping her eyes closed.
My hand pauses over her shoulder at the sound of her voice before continuing its journey over her skin once more. “Can you blame me?”
“You know what I look like.” She opened a single eye, finding me while keeping her cheek pressed to my chest. What I would have done to keep us in the moment longer.
“And you know what a sunset looks like. Doesn’t mean you don’t take the time to marvel at its beauty whenever you can.” I comment, earning a snort from her.
“What time is it?” She asked.
“You have about an hour until you need to get up and get ready to go.”
A shudder moved through her, and she rolled over, pulling sheets to cover up with.
She brought her hands to her face and kept them there.
Though she put on a brave face, I knew fear circled her like a hungry wild cat stalking its prey.
It was all too much for one person to bear.
Even though she had the help of Lysians, she tried to shoulder as much of the burden on her own.
The girl did not even have time to fully mourn the loss of her friend because of the Sidhe looming over her.
“What are you thinking?” I asked, hoping she would let me in.
Her hands fell away from her face, and she turned to me. Her gaze traveled over my chest and stomach before returning to my eyes. “Just about how delicious you look.” She offered a smile that did not quite make it to her eyes.
My arm snaked around her, and I tugged her close, resting my chin on her head as she curled into me. “You will get through this and return to your people, to me.”
She took a deep breath. “I’m scared.” Her words were hardly a whisper.
“You would be crazy not to be. But, you are one of the bravest and most powerful people I know. If anyone can get through this, then it is you.” I said the words for her as much as for myself. They needed to be true.
“What if- What if I can’t find a way out of there? I will do my best to learn as much I can of the Sidhe and their lands. I know I will help win this looming war because of this decision. But if I cannot sneak away before the war breaks out–”
“I will find you,” I said.
She shifted, looking up at me, and began shaking her head. “No. I mean to say that if I am trapped, then so be it. Countless lives shouldn’t be risked for one person.”
My hand found her cheek. “I will come for you,” I said again. She began trying to shake her head once more, but my hand stilled her. “Ariana, I won’t stop searching until I find you. I will find you and bring you back.”
Her eyes swirled with so much emotion, a small glimpse into what was going on in that head of hers. Even as she lay in my arms, she offered me a peek into the pain experienced by her, but no more. Her gut reaction had always been to hide those things from others. To put up a strong front.
Desperation to protect her ate at me. It ripped into my heart, leaving a bloody mess I could hardly conceal. Letting her go to do this was one of the hardest things I ever did.
And now, with her staring at me with those large eyes. They crippled me.
My lips found hers.
In her kiss, I tasted the same desperation I felt. The two of us hopelessly tried to forget the weight of the world pressing on us. Instead, we sought to lose ourselves in each other. A fleeting bliss encased us in a warm cocoon of safety and we thoroughly enjoyed those moments.
In each other, we found an escape and safety.
In her, I found my world.
We stood at the back gate of the Bavadrin city.
One hardly ever used, making it the perfect place for Ariana to leave unnoticed by most. She had already briefly addressed her people, letting them know she would be gone for a while and that Willis would lead in her absence.
When some pressed for more information, she remained vague on her answers.
Ariana patted her horse, the one I had given her what felt like so long ago.
Rain was packed with supplies and looked eager to get going on a trip.
Two guards flanked the horse, on their own mounts.
They were going to accompany Ariana to the border, after which she would continue alone with the wolf, Shay.
“Iver is going to be actively involved in our plans moving forward,” Ariana said to her small parting party.
“Why is the little brother of the King now joining us? Can’t Erik just fill his Lysians in?” Kiora asked.
“You know of me?” Iver smirked, cocking a brow.
“I know you’re trouble.” She leveled her gaze at him.
“He is a conjuror, a strong one. We will need his help.” Ariana informed them.
“Perhaps we should have had a private meeting before deciding such things?” Edda asked.
Ariana’s green eyes snapped to the Seer. “No. I want this to be as transparent as possible. We need each other.”
Edda’s lips thinned. “Perhaps we do. But we are still separate races and people. It is not abnormal to have some level of division.”
“I disagree.” She then turned to Willis. “However, regardless, what happens after I leave will largely be in your hands.”
“I will follow your example,” Willis stated. “The Lysians will have a part in planning how to get you and the others trapped by the Sidhe back.”
It pleased me to hear not all Bavadrins were so adamantly against this union.
Ariana viewed us, gaze moving among our faces. “When I saw the Spirit at my ascension, I was told that a conjuror of illumination would help me. I think that person might be Iver.”
“What?” Iver glanced at her, eyes rounded in a look of surprise.
“The Spirit told me that the conjuror of illumination would be of help. I thought it meant Erik at first, but now, I think it may be you.”
Iver turned to Edda. “I definitely need to try that magical juice.”
I sighed. “Why can you not stay on topic?”
My brother smirked. “I am. That magic juice helped Ariana see the Spirit. Maybe we all should drink some and see what happens.”
Edda snorted. “That’s not how it works, little one.” Her use of the term little one, when Iver towered over her was nearly comical. Though she certainly had all of us beat in age.
“You’re just old and grumpy,” Iver mumbled at her with a fake pout before turning to Ariana. When he viewed the Leader Superior of the Bavadrins, the look on his face lost all of its mischievousness. “I will do what I can to help you and both of our homes.”
Ariana moved towards him. “Thank you.” She then hugged him.
Surprise touched Iver’s features before he draped a single arm around her. “You are stronger than you know,” he said to her by way of farewell.
Ariana stepped back, and her gaze landed on Willis. She closed the distance between them and hugged him. “Good luck with everything.”
“We will be ready. If anything ever happens, and you need us to get you out of there, tell Shay. We will prepare for war until that moment.”
She nodded before moving on to the next person, Edda. Ariana hugged the old woman without hesitations. “Stay safe,” she said to her.
Edda scoffed as if the words were unnecessary. “Try to not push Clause too much for answers. He can have a short temper.” She gave her a bit of parting advice. “And, remember who you are, where you come from.” The last bit was said with an air of warning. It sent a chill down my spine.
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” Ariana moved to step away, but Edda grabbed onto her arm, halting her.
“You will return to your people,” Edda said to her. “I know it in my bones to be true.”
Ariana released a breath. “I do not typically ask you of the future, for you never give straightforward answers. I have always waited for you to choose to share things with me. And yet, I find myself overwhelmed with the desire to ask you this. If you have seen my return, can you tell me whether we will win against the Sidhe?”
Edda frowned, her hand remaining on Ariana’s forearm. “That is unclear.”
She swallowed, hesitating. “What about me? Will I even recognize myself after this is over?”
Edda’s response was a second embrace. “I have loved you for your entire life. And I will love you until the day I die.” Not an encouraging answer. What was the Seer getting at? What did she know?
Ariana visibly shuddered, her eyes shutting, yet a single tear still managed to slip through. “I have always loved you too,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
When Edda released her that time, she did not stop Ariana from finally moving away.
The next goodbye was with Kiora. The Sparrow looked like she was both angry yet on the verge of tears. They embraced. “May the Spirit give you strength and shelter from the storm you are about to enter,” Kiora said.
“I’ll miss you,” Ariana whispered to her before turning to Kole.
As she approached, Kole stiffened as though uncertain about how to take the hug that would be thrown his way.
Ariana tried to wrap her arms around his massive body, and a heartbeat later, he wrapped his around her in return.
“I have no doubt you will have that Sidhe King wrapped around your finger just like you had us,” Kole grumbled to her.
Ariana pulled away from him, a look of surprise on her face. “And here I thought no one could ever get one over on you and your King.”
Kole chortled. “Only you.”
Ariana’s eyes softened, lips wanting to tug into a small smile. “Thanks.” She then looked to me.
As soon as she stepped towards me, my arms accepted her. Warmth accompanied the feel of her body. I welcomed the scent of her, breathing her in.
My lips found hers, and she did not shy away from the kiss. Instead, she rose onto her toes and deepened it. Her fingers tangled in my hair, keeping me close as our mouths moved in sync.
It was as if the world evaporated. Briefly, it was just the two of us sharing a moment outside. Until the weight of everything tinged everything with heartache.
Ariana broke the kiss first, but she did not move away. Instead, her eyes remained shut while she inhaled deeply, as if trying to memorize my scent too. And when her eyes finally slid open, her gaze drifted over my face as if making an effort to commit it to memory.
“I’ll see you soon,” I said to her, my voice like gravel.
Her eyes swirled with something I couldn’t quite place. It was like pain and hope melded into something entirely different.
“You will,” she said firmly.
I kissed her once more, desperate to prolong the moment. Overcome with the desire to not let her slip through my fingers.
And yet, slip away she did, into the home of a murderous crazed King.
I swore to the Spirit then and there that I would do whatever was necessary to bring Ariana safely home. To bring her back to me.