True Fate (11 page)

"I think we just need to take it slow, but
it doesn't change what I'm feeling.” she said stepping closer and taking his
hand again.

"You're my Guardian right? At least that's
what Eric said. I assume that's at least part of why Lilly came to see you. She
told me something about fate, so I am pretty sure this will all turn out
okay." He said as he squeezed Nia's hand one last time. Grateful for her
strength and understanding.

Aaron was deep in thought about Lilly, what Nia
had described and how she acted was definitely odd behavior. "Why would
Lilly disappear like that? Something isn't right about her. Let's just be
careful who we trust, okay? I trust you and you trust me and everything else we
can weigh out together." Aaron suggested quickly.

The light stopped and Darragh spoke, "This
is it now relax and close your eyes."

Nia bit her lip and closed her eyes then began to
shiver, she was so afraid of what all this meant
.

Aaron was trying hard not to shake but she could
feel him shivering too.

She was starting to worry about him too. '
This
was just too much crap in one day.’
she thought. While Aaron wished someone
could just lay it out for them in plain English! Nia waited as Aaron's hand
went slack in hers. Before she could panic she felt Darragh's pull like a
thread wrapped around gripping her insides and jerking on her. Her ears hummed
then everything faded, all of her feeling, poof! Gone!

Nia felt weightless as her eyes fluttered open.
She was in Aaron's apartment with shivers racking her body. It was darker and
brighter if that made any sense, more vivid maybe. And fully furnished she
noticed. Nice.

"You okay?” Aaron asked brushing his lips
across her cheek causing her shivers to lessen and her mind to slow a bit. He
was comforting her and had no idea how affected she was by it. She squeezed his
hand and responded quietly, "As good as can be I guess.” she gave a weak
smile and tried to get some comfort in his eyes. It worked a little. Nia was
wondering if she should stop grabbing his hand.

She was worried about making this all awkward
later on. She knew what she was feeling and that he felt the same but
seriously, 'I've only known him twenty four hours!’ she reminded herself.

Eric walked in and stopped short staring at their
locked hands, a quick look of hurt washed over his rugged features then
reformed into a mask of nothingness. He gave her a curt nod, "Nia.",
she nodded back and didn't say a word. Her stomach twisted with worry and
relief mixing together. Had he known that she wanted him to kiss her when they
had met?

He was so very sweet and well Aaron was just a
guy she'd met at the time. But with things rapidly changing it was hard to be here
with them both and not feel kind of awkward. There was nothing she hated more
than a love triangle, 'God I hope that's not what this is... Note to self, fate
is a shady character.’ she thought, smirking.

Darragh spoke first. "Eric, this is Aaron
and you already know Nia." He stepped forward and shook Aaron's hand then
took Nia's and bowed slightly letting her hand fall back to her side. That
stung Nia worse than she thought it would. They had been on the verge of a sort
of intimacy when she last saw him and he gave her his soul.

She didn't even know what to think anymore, this
was really, really crappy. She had to make sure and send the right signals to
Eric and to Aaron, but Nia was confused as to what she was feeling herself.
'Ugh.'

"It's time.” Eric said, his voice velvety
soft and warm, as a door appeared in the wall next to the kitchen with light
peeking out from its borders. Darragh opened the door and looked around and
then motioned for them to go in. Eric stood by the doorway,

"After you.” he said to Aaron who moved
forward but Nia hung back.

Aaron went through slowly letting go of Nia's
hand. She followed but not too close behind. Eric came in right after her and
Darragh followed. Eric stepped up to the door they'd just come through and placed
his hand on the wall till it blurred and disappeared.

They turned the corner and were standing in what
looked like a posh waiting room with gold trimmed huge portraits of what looked
like royalty.

There was a receptionist who stood and said,
"She's been expecting you." To which Darragh replied, "Thank you
Alana.” he gave her a curt nod and walked to the door at the end of the short
hall turning to the others he said,” I will wait here."

Eric went in first and motioned for them to
follow him. He ushered them into an elaborate office. There was a regal looking
desk and Lilly, or Lilith as she had told Aaron to call her, was standing by a
large bookshelf returning a book to its spot.

She clapped her hands together as they entered
the room, "I am so happy to see both of you.” she said with a sugary sweet
smile. Her bright golden curls were intricately woven in braids and pincurls.
The white skirt and matching jacket was a very professional look for her. She
no longer resembled that young girl she had seemed to be earlier.

"Please sit.” she motioned to the two chairs
like she was on the Price is Right showing off what you could win.

Nia sat and Aaron followed while Eric stood
behind Nia's chair protectively his eyes were narrowed in Lilly's direction.
She shifted under his scrutinizing gaze increasingly uncomfortable.

"Lilith.", Eric said shortly
acknowledging her with tension evident on his face.

Lilly's smile was full of venom and directed at
Eric.

'That can't be good.’ Nia thought.

Lilly cleared her throat, "Now I know each
of you has a plethora of questions. The fact remains that until Nia discovers
who she truly is my hands are tied, or my tongue rather. At least in that area.
You must find out explicitly on your own or together. But it must be without
mine or any other who is from our world's help." She nodded in Eric's
direction and he sighed heavily.

Not happy Nia huffed and made it obvious, nearly
growling at Lilith. "How the heck am I supposed to figure this out on my
own!? I mean this is all interesting but it's really annoying too!" she
said trying not to sound like a whiny child.

Aaron started to speak but Lilith waved him
silent and spoke sternly.

"You must go on the journey that you had
planned prior to any knowledge of all of this. That will lead you to the truth,
of that I have no doubt at all. I do realize this is difficult Nia but it will
all fall into place when you have completed your journey.”

Nia sighed heavily and crossed her arms in
frustration.

"I'm going with her.", Aaron blurted
without even considering how he was going to explain all of the time off to
Leo.

Lilith smiled thoughtfully. "You are
supposed to be there, young Aaron.” she said.

Nia beamed at Aaron with tears threatening to
spill, "Thank You,” she whispered.

 
"Now
then Nia, Aaron knows only slightly more than you and I do hope that you won't
hold it against him. He knows only what he needs to know, nothing more. It is
so he may provide you the proper protection." Lilith explained glancing
between them both.

"Eric will go with you as well. I have
personally made it possible for him to do so." Eric's eyes went wide.
Apparently this was news to him too.

"But how?” Eric asked dumbfounded.

"You will keep your current form to do so, I
hope you are okay with this, Eric.” she said gracing him with another vehement
grin.

"I have a question.” Nia interrupted holding
up her like a kid in a classroom.

"So Aaron is my Guardian and Eric is my
Protector, right?"

Lilith smiled, "My you catch on quickly dear.
Yes they are both sworn to you, but in very different ways.” she said reaching
for her desk drawer.

"Now this was going to happen much later but
since you have discovered that Aaron is your Guardian we can seal that bond now
if you aren’t opposed. It will also be safer for the two of you." Nia
looked at her questioningly and Eric clenched his fists by his side.

"What do you mean safer?” Nia inquired.

“Well once you are bound you will have a closer
connection and he will be able to protect you better.”

"I have begun the process on Aaron. He has
the marks to prove it." She said coming to look at Aaron's wrist.
"Hmm... the two of you have had contact, a kiss perhaps?” she asked with a
giggle.

"You can see it has already begun to
spread." She said with a grin.

Both Nia and Aaron were slack jawed at that
revelation and Eric was a stoic statue. There were in fact new lines Aaron hadn't
noticed reaching around up the back of his wrist.

 
"Alright Nia now would be the time for
your inquiries, after this it will be done. There's no turning back."
Standing, Nia pulled Aaron up with her then asked Lilith a question.

"What do the marks he has now mean?"

Lilly touched the marks just barely causing Aaron
to twitch. "These marks signify Aaron's oath to be your Guardian. It was
his agreement that got these marks started. Usually both parties are present
but you were not aware and were going to need him sooner rather than
later."

Nia nodded her understanding then looked at
Aaron, who was staring at her with his arms crossed tightly in front of his
broad chest. "Are you sure about this?"

Snapping out of a daze he quickly responded,
"Yes.", meeting her sparking amber eyes.

"I'm willing to do anything to keep you
safe. There's no doubt in my mind this is just how it's supposed to be." Aaron
was so certain, his gut was telling him this was more than right.

Smiling broadly Nia stared in Aaron’s eyes and
felt warmth spread throughout her body. How could she possibly not follow
through with this? His eyes spoke volumes to her and she knew this was meant to
be, her and Aaron, it was fate, even if it was a guardian thing.

They stared at each other as Lilly spoke.

"Eric, please come and remove the amulet
until the bonding has been completed. I am sure you know what would happen if
it were I who was to remove it."

Eric stiffened then nodded, clenching his jaw. He
walked to Nia and she turned towards him. Aaron took a step forward and asked
Lilly a hushed question Nia couldn't hear it and she wasn't worried about that
now.

Her full attention was given to the set of
crystal clear blue eyes that had her insides doing somersaults. In those
precious seconds she swore his mouth twitched the smallest grin indicating he
was indeed aware of her reaction to him. What in the world was wrong with her?
She wasn't the dumb fickle girl! That was Lena's job.

"Nia.", he breathed almost inaudibly
and took her wrist. "This will change nothing of my promise. Our oath has
already been sealed." He gave a brief smile took a deep breath and put a
finger to the clasp and it glowed a bright blue. Carefully he removed the
bracelet and held it in his hand with a deep sigh.

"I will be right outside." He patted
her shoulder on his way out of the door. Nia couldn't help but feel at a loss
without his soul on her tattoo. Her skin still burned where he'd touched her
shoulder.

She would have to figure out what was up with the
weird attraction she felt whenever he touched her. 'Later', she told herself
almost scolding.

Lilly walked to her side and Aaron moved to be
directly in front of her. Immediately Nia noticed how a wedding would feel,
face to face with Aaron.

"Today we will complete the bond that has
already begun. Are you in agreement with this Nia?"

Aaron took both of Nia's hands in his and she
felt herself tremble, she wasn't scared so much as weighed down by the
seriousness of what they were doing. She figured as her Guardian, Aaron would
put his life on the line and she wasn't sure how she felt about that factor.