299
Lucy
I couldn't sleep. Despite my exhaustion, I lay awake in my bed, my mind racing with questions and fears. I tried to focus on the scent of David still lingering on his jacket. The memories of our time together among the fairies were bittersweet. We had been so close there, and now I felt like I was being punished for that bit of happiness. it felt like I was being torn away from him. I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us.
I buried my face in David's jacket, taking in the familiar scent of his cologne. It was a scent that brought me comfort. I closed my eyes and let myself get lost in the memories.
I remembered the first time I had seen David after we parted as kids. Looking back, he had been so confident and strong, yet so kind and caring. I had always been drawn to him from the moment I laid eyes on him when were kids. I couldn't help but feel a connection to him, a bond that went beyond words.
A bond?
I swallowed. Was it the mate bond? My stomach turned with a apprehension and a bit of joy. Was that what it was supposed to feel like?
As I breathed in the scent of his jacket, I felt a pang of sadness. I had a feeling that our time together was coming to an end. There was something telling me that something was coming, and tonight was just the beginning. I didn't know what the future held for me. I didn't know where I would end up or what I would do. All I knew was that I wanted to be with David. My eyes pricked with tears.
I buried my face in David's jacket once more, but it only added to my unease. What had happened? What would happen next? I had the worst sinking feeling that I just couldn't shake off.
Suddenly, my phone rang. I snatched it up, my heart racing as I answered.
"David?" I asked, my voice trembling with anxiety.
He let out a low sigh. "Somehow, I knew that you woudl be awake. I felt it. Sit down and stop pacing a hole in the floor."
I sank onto the edge of my bed. "Is everyone okay?"
"More or less," he said. "... You're not going to sleep unless I tell you everything, are you?"
"Probably not."
I might not even sleep after he told me.
"Fine."
He told me about the attack, about dealing with Oren, and everything about the Awakening. I shuddered. Just imagining Selene taking over my body and doing who knew what with it made me sick. I could see her walking me back to Blue Moon happily, never to see David again. I wondered if all those women who had been watching the clearing had been her other victims. And what would happen to me if she managed to unseat my soul? Would I end up in that circle of women from that dream or somewhere else entirely?
"Given that," he sighed. "I think we should change the plan for the Crescent Festival."
My heart lurched. "What?"
"Selene's plot regarding you is just one part of it," he said. "With Oren pushing so hard, with my plan to push him harder, it'll be more dangerous than ever. I don't want you to... End up hurt."
"No."
"Lucy--"
"I understand you want to protect me, to keep me safe, and I appreciate that, but I can't just stay behind when you'll be in danger too... Besides, I've done enough running, enough hiding."
I shuddered, my jaw trembling. "I've lived a long time in fear of what will happen if I try to make anything better for myself, so I did nothing... I just did what I had to do to survive with the least amount of pain. With that couple... W-with the twins... If Tina hadn't been at the party, I don't know what I would have done. Where I would be."
Except, I did. I had made a choice to take control of my life and not let fear dictate my actions. Maybe I would have been pregnant already, quietly letting them do whatever they wanted and well on the way to being possessed. Maybe they would have shared me with their father. Maybe it wouldn't have been as bad as I could have imagined, but it didn't matter because I wasn't that person anymore.
"I'm not that Lucy anymore," I said, my voice firm. "That... That's over and done with. I'm not afraid of what happens if I do something... I'm afraid of what will happen if I do nothing."
He said nothing for a long time.
"I'm not going to let Selene and her plans ruin my life anymore, and more than all of that... More than anything, I want to be at your side."
My face heated. "I want to be at the Ball with you and go to the Festival the way your parents did this year... And every year after."
I bit my lip. "I... I want to be your partner, not someone else you have to protect."
He said nothing still.
"P-Please say something."
"... I love you, too, Lucy."
I couldn't believe what I heard. My heart was fluttering with excitement and happiness. I felt like I was floating on air.
"What?"
I had always had a crush on him, but I didn't know if he felt the same way. He had been so kind and caring to me, and now he was telling me that he loved me, too. I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was floating on air.
"I love you too, Lucy," he said, his voice soft. "I love you so much it hurts. But I'm worried about what will happen if you go to the Festival."
"But I—"
"If you're going to insist on going….We'll have to up your training on hand-to-hand combat and using your magic."
I nodded. "I understand…"
He sighed. "You're sure?"
"I'll do whatever it takes to be ready for the Festival."
David chuckled. "Okay. I'll start working on a training plan for you tomorrow. You should get some rest tonight."
"Okay."
"Should I stay on the line with you?"
"Please?"
"What do you want to dream about?" David asked, his voice sounding a little drowsy.
"Why? Can you make it happen?"
"I've been told that thinking about what you want to dream about before bed helps..." He sighed. "And I don't want you to have nightmares..."
I smiled. "Tonight at least... I don't think I could have nightmares."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah..." I bit my lip. "A-And David?"
"Yeah?"
I swallowed, gathering my courage up to get the words out.
"I... I love you, too."
He let out a low, contented sigh. "I wish I was with you now... A hug, some snuggling, would be perfect. Yet again our date got interrupted with Selen and her nonsense."
I smiled, closing my eyes. "How about tomorrow we try again. A-A cuddle date?"
"Sounds amazing."
* * *
When I opened my eyes, I was sitting at a table I had never seen before Outside the window, rain was pouring down. There was a warm mug in my hands, and the longer I looked around, the more I realized that I did recognize this place.
It was the cottage from the dream I had about David and I. I relaxed a little, hoping that the dream would stay pleasant. The rain continued to pour down. Moments ticked on and it started to feel more like I was trapped or waitign for something back to happen. I tried to stand, but my body was too heavy to move.
Suddenly, the door to the room opens, and a woman walks in. She's tall and slender, with long, dark hair that falls in loose waves around her shoulders. She's wearing a flowing white dress. I vaguely recognized her from the circle of women in that dream., and her eyes were piercing, though I couldn't quite make out the color. She smiled at me.
"Lucy," she said, her voice was gentle. "I'm... so very glad you're here."
She settled into a seat.
I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse.
"Who are you?" I managed to croak out.
"I'm Eve Ashgrave," she says, her voice full of sadness. "I'm here to warn you about what's to come... We'll wait for the others."
"What do you mean?" I asked, my heart racing. "What others?"
The door opened, and two other women came in. I didn't recognize the first, but I recognized the third. I went still. My own eyes stared back at me, warm and glossy. The same short curls on my head were on hers, even the cowlick at the top that never seemed to lay down.
"She's beautiful," the other woman said, coming around to sit beside me. Alison, my mother, took a seat on my other side.
She looked about ready to cry.
"My baby…"
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