The Light of Asteria (15 page)

“Arthur was a good husband and a good man. He
knew his feelings for me were stronger than mine for him. Still, I
loved him in the only way I could. But the day I locked away this
bracelet, I locked away my heart. This is the first time I’ve worn
it in over fifty years.”

“Excuse me for a moment,” Gavin
whispered.

As he passed the table, he briefly cupped his
warm hand against my face; I leaned into his embrace. Edna and I
watched the back door glide to a close.

“I’ve never told anyone but you about
Michael. I’ve not allowed myself to think about the possibilities
of a life with him until today. I see you and Gavin together, and I
remember…. Gavin is your Michael. Don’t lose him.” Her voice broke.
She patted my hand and then walked up the stairs.

I sat alone for a moment mulling over my
thoughts. I couldn’t imagine what that must have been like for
Edna. What if I met Gavin on campus that fateful day and then never
saw him again? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

Gavin came through the backdoor and knelt
beside my chair, his arms wrapped around my waist, his face just
inches from mine, searching my soul for some answer I wasn’t sure I
had. I laid my hand over his heart and gently kissed him. I could
feel the need in him, and I didn’t know what else to do. He held me
for a moment longer and returned to his chair.

Edna made her way down the stairs, and I
changed the conversation to the trivial, for which they both were
grateful. We talked about selling Avery to the farmer up the road.
The cow was getting on in years, and Edna didn’t need fresh milk
like she used to.

The sun marched westward.

“Edna, I would like for you to have something
that once belonged to Michael. It seems only appropriate that it be
yours.”

“What is it?” she asked. His eyes warmed;
emotions flooded through me.

“It’s at the house. Would you mind to come
with me? I know the family would love to meet you.”

I grew concerned. It was already late
afternoon; that meant Gavin and I would have to bring her home when
it was dark. His cool expression met my gaze, as he helped Edna
across the drive.

I tried to make idle conversation on the ride
there, but neither Gavin nor Edna seemed in the mood. The beautiful
mansion arose from the mountainside; Edna remained silent. Gavin
came around, opening her door and then mine. He held his arm out
for her and held my hand on the other side as we walked up the
cobblestone path. The huge front door opened, and warm light
welcomed us in. I placed my blue filter around the fringes of my
mind. Rena smiled as she stood in the entryway, but her emotions
churned with sadness and resolve.

Edna held her own when she was introduced to
the family. They all were so similar with their slender noses and
arched ears. She was comforted by the thought that Michael was not
alone. She sat next to Gavin on the couch, and the elves talked
with her for hours, but I was only half listening to the
conversation. The significance of the bracelet was the key to
something, but I didn’t know what, and Gavin seemed hesitant to
tell me.

As I watched Edna talk, I was relieved that
she was accepted and that her safety had become of paramount
importance. Edna’s expression shone with devotion as they told her
of her Michael. I would have never begrudged her this in a million
years.

Gavin tenderly kissed my cheek, his emotions
heightened. “Edna, would you come with me please?” She agreed, and
together they walked up to the second floor.

Curiosity and a hint of rejection pinched me,
but I kept them at bay. This was meant for Edna alone. If she
wished to share, that would be her choice. Rena came and sat next
to me, putting my hand in hers.

“Gavin said you had the most precious gift in
this world, and until this moment, I thought he was exaggerating.
You truly are unique, and I admire you more than you know. There
will come a time when this knowledge will be yours as well, but for
tonight it is meant only for those who have lived it.” I smiled
through the tears.

“Now, what would you like to do?” Rena
asked.

I thought about it for a moment. A plain door
popped in my head.

“Let’s go exploring. What’s in the attic?”
Rena’s emotions froze. Her jasper brown eyes turned from warmth to
ice. I could sense her caution.

“Rena … what is it?”

“I don’t think exploration at the moment is a
good idea … it’s dark, and there’s just junk and paintings of old.
Let’s start on your second lesson.”

Instinct kicked in. Why couldn’t we explore
the stuff in the attic?

“Perhaps another day.” Rena smiled, pulling
me off the couch.

My first painting was simply colors of every
hue running vertically down the canvas in clean, straight lines.
Rena assured me all artists do this first to help learn to control
the paint for shading. I wasn’t sure if that was true or if she
thought this was the height of my artistic talent. She playfully
nudged my shoulder.

“Can I learn to sculpt?” The wheel and all of
the supplies were only a few yards away.

“One thing at a time, Nora.” Her laughter
rang in the cave. Spending time with Rena was wonderful, and I felt
lighter than I had since the morning. Several hours flew by, and
when Gavin came down, he was alone.

Rena zipped up the stairs, quickly shutting
the door. Gavin took me in his arms and kissed me. I purposefully
didn’t search for him during this time to give him and Edna some
privacy. His gratitude soaked through to my center. I could feel
the weight of some unknown responsibility pressing on him.

As we entered the living room, the lights
were low but no one was there. Gavin headed for the stairs, and we
walked the two flights to his landing.

Where’s Edna?

“She’s sleeping in her room. She told me to
tell you she would see you in the morning.”

Her room?
I doubted Edna had ever
slept in a different bed.

His emotions pleaded not to ask. I sighed;
this was going to be harder than I thought. He turned the winged
handle, and we entered the large sitting room. Clearing my mind of
the blue fog was a relief. Gavin was cautious as we made our way to
his bedroom. My pulse raced at the thought of the last time we were
here.

He held my hand, guiding me to the bathroom.
My toothbrush was in the holder to the side along with my toiletry
bag. Elias and Elaine must have gone to the farmhouse to pick up a
few things. This realization made my stomach flip.

His emotions heaved with turmoil as he led me
to the closet. All of my clothes hung on one side. I didn’t have
much, and so I was sure it didn’t take long to clean out the
room.

“I’m not going back, am I?”

Gavin’s emotions were anxious. He wouldn’t
risk my safety. Today had solidified his resolve. My eyes flooded
with tears. The thought of never seeing the sun rise or set over
Edna’s mountain was painful. His arms surrounded me in comfort as
protection warmed my heart.

“You’re right; you won’t go back there. We
found traces of the Dokkalfar under your ridge. The nightmare you
had was Jakkar, their leader. He was searching the memories of
those who dwelled in the house. They now know Edna was Michael’s
source. Neither one of you will return to her mountain.”

“Does Edna know?” I whispered, tears
streaming down my face.

“She does not wish to leave this house, and
so I felt it unnecessary to tell her anything more.”

She doesn’t want to go home?
That
didn’t seem possible.
Does she have all of her things as
well?

“Elias and Elaine brought the things they
thought may be meaningful. We will pick up anything else tomorrow.
She doesn’t want to leave, but she’s also extremely fragile, and I
would request you not ask her about it.”

Anger rankled. Edna and I had been taking
care of each other for a long time, and it seemed as if he were
trying to take my place. Of course I wouldn’t ask her. I didn’t
know what was wrong with her, and I worried about the strain this
day had caused.

“I’m sorry,” Gavin apologized. “I know you
love her, but it’s now my responsibility to make sure she lives out
the rest of her life in the best way possible. Michael would want
it that way.” He wrapped his arms around me.

I’ll respect that.

I found myself alone in the huge bathroom. My
favorite satin long pajama bottoms and matching T-shirt were in the
top drawer on my side of the long closet. A strange thrill coursed
through me. My hand rested on the burnished handle, and I paused,
clearing my mind, feeling the air in my lungs and nothing more.
Calmly, I stepped into his room.

Gavin’s appreciation swirled around me. I
could feel the heat of his thoughts as passion rattled its cage,
but he easily ignored it.

“You look incredible,” he said, kissing my
forehead. My hazel eyes were wide with excitement, his green
extremely controlled. “You sleep in my bed and I’ll take the couch
in the front room.”

Indignation flashed. “I’ll do nothing of the
sort. This is your room. I’ll take the couch. I’m smaller than you
are, and it’s probably softer than my bed at home.”

“I will not allow you to sleep on the couch,
Nora.”

Not allow?

“I didn’t know it was up to you to allow me
to do anything. You’ve requested I sleep in the bed … I prefer to
sleep on the couch. What … are you going to force me to sleep in
the bed for the sake of chivalry? Really?”

His anger growled, bringing out the
definition of the jewel quality in his hard determined expression.
I held my ground; my chin rose as I sensed the challenge. Bringing
up the blue sky, I formed almost a solid shield around my thoughts.
Gavin’s eyes went blank as he tried to see past it. The struggle I
sensed in his emotions told he wasn’t having much luck. Victory
shot through me; I realized I could think through the thick haze
blocking him.

With my thoughts briefly my own—those huge
windows were ominous. The night held a new terror and half this
room was glass. Gavin grew impatient as I tried to think of a
solution. Emotions that a moment ago swam in turmoil now became
resolved.

He combed his fingers through my hair and
pulled my lips to his. His other hand leisurely traced my spine,
resting at the top of the satin pants. My senses reeled from the
onslaught; the blue vanished as my arms wound around his neck. I
barely kept my promise and did not open my mind, but drained all
thoughts, willing only to feel. His scent overwhelmed me, and my
pulse pounded with his touch.

I completely surrendered to him, and if he
didn’t have control, we would be in serious trouble. He pulled his
lips from mine and kissed down my neck to the concave line above my
collarbone. Whisper soft kisses found their way to the other side,
and the tip of his nose traced up my neck as he lifted me in his
arms. I gasped in protest, but his lips found mine and I was lost
again. The passion that had been caged was now on a short tether,
and I knew Gavin was in control, but not by much. He crossed the
room; my breath echoed at a hurried pace. I felt the soft pillow
beneath my head, and I thought my heart would fly out of my chest.
I pulled him close and could feel the full outline of his very warm
body against mine. I held my breath, trying with all my might not
to open my mind. Suddenly, the covers were over me as he stroked my
face with his smooth hand. He slowed his breathing and softly
kissed my lips once more. Amusement tickled through me; a deep
chuckle filled the room.

“Goodnight, my love,” he whispered in my ear.
He turned to leave—I was in the bed, he was on the couch.
Frustration ruled momentarily and then gave way. A smile played at
my lips, and I realized losing the challenge didn’t seem so
bad.

Will you at least leave the door open?
Even though I knew I was safe, with the new knowledge of what
lurked in the dark, those huge windows were menacing. The sitting
room was an inner room and held no outside view.

Gavin came back to the bed and put his arms
around me. “I won’t let anything happen to you Nora; you have to
believe that,” he whispered.

I nuzzled my head in his chest. His scent was
warm and delicious, and my pulse slowed under its strength.

“Please … stay with me,” I whispered. I
didn’t care anymore that he could hear my thoughts; the idea of
being in this room without him was unbearable. His embrace
tightened at the same time his protective creature nestled around
my heart, and I relaxed. My eyes became heavy, and I wound one arm
around his waist. It was extremely comfortable, and the few hours
of sleep this morning caught up with me.

“I love you,” I mumbled, falling into
oblivion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 10—The Soul
Stone

Fall gave way to winter, and Edna and I spent
the next few months getting to know our new home. Gavin joined the
wonderful world of community college, and Elaine and Elias stayed
with Edna while we were at school.

The town was abuzz with my new boyfriend (the
term still made me cringe), and Mr. Vernor understood when I had to
give my notice. I resisted at first, until Elias explained the
Dokkalfar were growing stronger and I might put the Vernors at risk
if I stayed.

We soon discovered the elves were vegans.
Dinner was always a festive affair full of flavorful soups,
vegetables, fruits, and great conversation. Edna had taken to the
new diet, finding it yet another adventure. I was relieved never to
have to smell searing flesh again.

Edna was surprisingly agreeable about not
going to Wednesday night service. She never brought it up, and I
had no idea how much Gavin had told her. I suspected she knew more
than I did, but I kept my word and didn’t pry.