Awaken (11 page)

             
“Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s an option,” he warned in a low voice, heavy with bitterness and distaste.

              “Pasha.”

             
The sheets beneath me were cool and soothing as I listened to the wind stirring against the window pane above my head.  The night was undisturbed, but I had the odd sense that something was coming, something of great consequence and reprisal.

             
“Pasha.”  I cracked open a sleepy eye.  Finn was kneeling beside the bed; his handsome face only inches away. “Come to the beach with me,” he whispered with a ghost of a smile and mischief swirling in his blue eyes.  It had to be past two in the morning, but warmth for his adventurous spirit filled my heart and I grinned at the almost boyish hope that garnished his face.

             
After assembling several blankets and one curious canvas bag, contents unknown, we were on our way down the boardwalk towards the deserted beach.  The intoxicating smell of wet sand and sea grass filled my nose, and the roar of the ocean greeted me as I took in the captivating scene we found ourselves immersed in.  The quarter moon hanging above cast a silver lining on every dune, every sleeping flower, and the shoulders of the dark angel walking beside me.  It created a magical backdrop to an otherwise ordinary scene.

             
The tantalizing allure of the rolling ocean curled around my soul and teased me with its promise of freedom.  I closed my eyes and smiled happily, seduced by its magnificent power.  Finn chose a soft spot of sand to spread out the thickest of the blankets.  He knelt down, absent-mindedly searching through a large canvas bag. 

             
Maybe it was the magical moonbeams shining down on us, maybe it was the events of the weekend filling me with renewed courage, or maybe it was the way the light danced on his dark hair and strong shoulders, but either way I peered over the proverbial edge, smiled at the mysteries lurking below, and jumped.  I crawled over to him and took his hand slowly; calling his attention.  I threaded my small fingers through his and he turned to face me with a crooked grin, both of us on our knees.

             
“Come swimming with me,” I said, more timid then I had intended. My heart leapt into the air and my pulse quickened at my own courage.  He glanced down at our clothes and then back at me with questioning eyes.  As his answer, I kept his gaze and carefully pulled the strap of my blue tank top down my shoulder, revealing a pink bra strap. I reached up to pull the other strap down when he suddenly clutched my wrist.

             
Never breaking his suddenly intense gaze, he moved closer and caressed my cheek.  Assuming he was stopping me from making a fool out of myself, I felt an embarrassed grin cross my face.  I held my breath as he lightly ran his fingers down my neck, and onto my shoulder.  With obvious wonderment, he removed the other strap of my tank top, revealing another pink bra strap.  His now hooded eyes met mine once more and I became lost in the powerful emotions I could see shining from them.   He dragged a finger over the bottom of my tank top, sending shivers along the bare skin beneath.

             
He gingerly pulled my tank top over my head and tossed it down on the blanket.  My thin undergarments did little to protect from the cool ocean breeze, but I was too nervous to notice.  With trembling fingers I gripped the bottom of his cotton t-shirt and tugged it over his head, revealing his sturdy, muscular torso.  The moon shined down onto his bronze skin and his blue eyes softened even further.  He climbed to his feet, took my hands and pulled me up with him.  Taking another deep breath, I hastily shrugged off my shorts. Unfortunately, as I stepped out of them, my big toe caught the inside seam.   If you’ve ever tripped up a flight of stairs, dropped something valuable down a drain, or slipped on a patch of ice, you can empathize with the sudden mini heart attack that clutched my heart.  I saw myself crashing face down in the sand, shorts tangled around my ankles, and my butt in the air.  Thankfully, back in reality, Finn had caught my arms and righted my body before my inevitable epic fail came to fruition.

             
As his amused, deep blue eyes took me in: bare, vulnerable, and now completely mortified, a sudden tsunami of insecurity rushed over me.  Despite my shorts mishap, I told myself this was no different than wearing a bikini. Unfortunately, the evasive wind flowing through the thin fabric disagreed. 

             
An entirely new feeling swept over me as he let his own shorts fall to the sand, leaving only thin plaid boxer shorts.  My heart hammered against my chest and my hands began to sweat as he stepped forward and touched my cheek lovingly.

             
“You are so beautiful,” he professed, amazement glittering in his eyes.  His shaded features darkened even further as he became serious.  “I’ve always just gone through the motions of life; always preparing for what was ahead of me and never letting myself feel too much.  I never let myself hope for more.” His eyes searched mine and I felt my knees go weak, “But you.  You’ve changed everything.  You make me want to be something better.  You’ve transformed my world in a way I didn’t think was possible and suddenly life has a million possibilities.  Even normal day things are suddenly extraordinary just because I get to share them with you.  You’ve taught me who I really am and most importantly, who I want to be.”

             
As I tried to figure out how someone like Finn could possibly feel that way about me, I realized he had no idea the impact he had made on my life.  The walls I had held onto so tightly before had all been washed away by his love; leaving the door open for a new, happier me to emerge and flourish.  This new life was exhilarating, if not scary, and I couldn’t believe I had someone as amazing as Finn to share it with. Unfortunately I had no idea how to put that into words.  A tear escaped as I smiled up at him and gave it a shot.

             
“Everything I’ve been through, everything I’ve endured has led me back to you.  I’m beginning to realize just how much I’ve lost.  But I also can see how much I’ve gained. 
You’re
my life now, Finn. 
You’re
my home.  The one place I truly belong is right here…with you.”  Another runaway tear slid down my cheek as he kissed me lightly on the lips and gave me a lopsided grin.

             
“You’re breathtaking when you’re vulnerable,” he whispered and I started to squirm beneath his intense gaze, “and just as cute when you’re nervous,” he chuckled.

             
“I am
not
nervous.” I put my hands on my hips, but felt the heat rise to my face.  I should just wear an electronic ticker across my forehead that broadcasts all of my emotions to the world.

             
“And you’re
not
bright red either,” he teased, reaching for me.  I stepped back and smirked at him.  I drew a line in the sand with my toe and glared back up at him.

             
“I stay over here, you stay over there,” I declared, but he reached across anyway. “That includes your arms,” I scolded him.

             
“I hate to tell you, but these arms are about to throw you into the water.”

             
“Only if they can catch me!” I challenged him and took off into the waves.  The ocean spray chilled my bare skin and the rough, foamy waves crashed against my body, but with the splashes of my pursuer right on my heels, adrenaline filled me and I dove in head first.  The water was clear and calm beneath the waves and I instantly felt at home.  I took a breath of water and reveled in the comfort of my lungs expanding and filling my body with energy.  I swam as fast as I could until I was sure Finn had stopped chasing me.  I confidently turned to look back when a dark haired torpedo flew towards me; clasping his arms around my body and taking me on a spiraling, dizzying journey that left me disoriented and woozy, but not enough for me to give up on the fight.  My spinning eyes found him and I lunged forward, grabbing his ankle.  The tips of my fingers grazed the four onyx beads dangling from the strap of leather and pulsing warmth spread through my fingers and up my arm.  He kicked free and I watched him swim around me; resembling a shark circling a potential meal.  And if he wanted me, who was I to tell him otherwise?

             
Suddenly, slimy fingers wrapped around my legs and tightened with a jolt.  I looked down to see a forest of kelp below me, several of which were securely twisted around my calves.  This could not be happening again.  I looked up at Finn in panic as I began descending at a rapid pace; pulled down by the massive seaweed that I was supposed to have an affinity for.  I was beginning to seriously doubt that claim.  This was the first time I’d been attacked by kelp, the largest of seaweeds, but that didn’t do much to calm my nerves.  Even though there was no possibility of drowning, I still felt a twist of fear take hold of my stomach. 

             
“Finn!” I yelled up at him.  Unfortunately he just shrugged, grinned widely, and waved at me.  Some dark Prince Charming he was.  The thought of Nadia’s words sent my imagination running wild as a sharp image of Keto flashed in my mind; her kelp dress draped over her body.  An entirely new sense of terror filled me and I began to struggle against my bonds.  Trying to calm myself, I took a deep breath of cool salt water and closed my eyes.  I concentrated on what I ‘felt’ from the kelp.  Surprisingly, I only got a sense of playfulness and anticipation, so I focused on relaxing my body as it pulled me farther and farther down into the depths of the ocean.

             
Finally, my legs were freed; allowing me the chance to evaluate my surroundings. I’d never been claustrophobic, but that was quickly changing amidst the giant swaying stalks of kelp. It towered around me in every direction and blocked any view of the world above. It reached towards the surface as a whole, searching for any inkling of sunlight that may filter down to those depths.  I suddenly felt very small and insignificant.  All at once an overwhelming sense of infinite patience and wisdom drenched my soul and instantly calmed my nerves.  I got the odd feeling that the forest was welcoming me. 

             
As I parted the thick curtains of kelly green, tiny electric sparks shot through my arms; making me smile.  That’s when I realized I was far from lost.  If anything, I’d been found. As the soft blades brushed against me, I began to catch glimpses of a clearing up ahead.  As I swam through the edge of the dense forest, a hauntingly tragic scene stretched out before me; taking my breath away.

             
Naked planks of iron splintered up from the ocean floor, which had created an eerie skeleton that would forever point accusingly up at the surface it would never again see. Several algae-covered cannons lay near the main wreck, along with other bronze and iron structures I didn’t recognize.  The entire wreck site oozed with history and reverence, shadowed by a tragic end.  Amidst the field of debris, one object in particular had my full attention. She was poised at what used to be the bow and she was looking directly at me.

             
She was a dark garnet hue; rusted and aged to perfection by the waters of the Atlantic.  Her eyes were kind, gazing at me with a look of serenity and truth.  She had long, flowing hair that elegantly disappeared behind her shoulders with a crown of flowers adorning the top of her head.  Her body was at least ten feet tall and the scales running down the length of her were intricately crafted, leading down to a sweeping fish tail.  She was magnificent.  I swam closer, completely mesmerized by her enchanting presence.  She was made that much more magical by the effects of the ocean slowly devouring her surface.  Algae and moss clung to her features, while tiny sea creatures made their homes within her nooks and crannies.  I slowly reached out and ran my hand along her side.

             
A litany of images assaulted my mind in the span of two seconds. Raging seas.  Colossal waves. Dark skies.  I pulled my hand away in surprise and stared up at her serene face with wonder.

             
“She was attached to the front of the ship. They believed she would give them protection and safe seas.”  I turned to find Finn several yards away, partially hidden in the shadows of the kelp forest.  I was reminded of the first time I had seen him at the Hole.  I’d been right.  He didn’t belong amongst the flowers, birds or sunshine. He belonged beneath the waves; where the sun scatters instead of shines, where time becomes muted, and darkness protects.  He was a part of the ocean as much as the ocean was a part of him.  Just like me.  Just like the forgotten Sea Goddess before me who was lost to the sea so many years ago. 

             
“She’s amazing…” I grinned at him, contemplating the irony of her final resting place, “…apparently not very effective, but still amazing.”

             
“You wouldn’t believe how many ship wrecks are off the Outerbanks of North Carolina.  It’s referred to as the Graveyard of the Atlantic.” His eyes seemed far away, “So much history…so many souls lost…” 

             
“When I touched her, I saw a bunch of images…just like I experienced with the sea turtles.”

             
“You have an affinity for all things connected to the ocean, not just the animals,” he explained.  I immediately reverted back to the memory of Nadia accusing me of violating her mind.  That’s when I remembered something else much less threatening.