When I Awaken
We had been sitting in Eden making small talk for what seemed like forever. I didn’t have a sense of time since Eden was always bright and there were no clocks. I felt a little pressure on my lips, and I touched them. I looked over at Aphrodite as she took another sip of her nectar. She smiled and looked back at me, “Something on your mind?” I reached up at my lips again, “I felt pressure on my lips. Was that happening to my physical body?” She placed her teacup on the table then nodded, “I have to confirm why though.” With that her eyes turned white and then she spoke, “Your friends found a witch who knew something about the antidote. She seems to know your family. There was a competition amongst the three young men to get the last ingredient. Blake won and was the one to give you the potion via mouth-to-mouth. Give me your hand, he had to tell you something.” I reached my hand over and heard his voice that had a small huskiness to it. He was apologizing about kissing me without asking. He hoped I would forgive him. I will have to let him know that it was okay since he was trying to save my sanity. There was no reason to apologize in the first place, but I was happy to hear that he was thoughtful enough to take that into consideration. Aphrodite spoke again, “You won’t get a chance to thank him in person, he has to leave to continue to pursue your attackers. This has steeled his resolve to disband The Order.” She put emphasis on disband and knowing Blake, his version of disband wasn’t so simple. I clenched my fist that was sitting in my lap. He was going to get his hands dirty in my honor, I didn’t know how I felt about that.
I nodded at her, “I understand, I will be sure to write him a letter when I am awake. When will that be by the way?” Her eyes turned back to their normal violet, “You will stay here for a day or two so I can be sure your body is back to normal. You are my child, and I can’t have you losing your mind before you get a chance to fulfill your destiny.” I looked over at Hypnos and he nodded at me assuring me that she really only had my best interests at heart. I pulled my hand away from her and folded them in my lap, “I am just concerned about my family and friends. They must be so worried. That’s the reason for my sense of urgency.” Aphrodite reached over and patted my hands, “I understand, sweet child. It amazes me that you were the one poisoned and yet still you are worried about them.” I looked down and nodded, “They are taking good care of me. That is something I am sure of. Naturally, I would worry about them.” I looked up at her and she smiled, “Well luckily for you, time is different in Eden. You’ll be home in no time. We can just have a small chat and then I will send your soul back to your body.” I sighed in relief then nodded my head, “Okay.” Hypnos spoke, “Lovely, why don’t we pass the time having a conversation about your friends? What are they like?”
I thought about this word friends. It was the first time in my life I had any and it was just then that I realized how good that felt to have someone other than my parents and grandfather to fret over me. I spoke, “My first friend ever was Jess.” Aphrodite flicked her hand and a floating screen showed up in front of us and showed a picture of Jess. Hypnos gasped, “She is very pretty but not so gorgeous as you, Aphrodite.” I giggled, “She has been by my side since the moment we met. She’s very quiet and shy but reliable and is a great listener. I sometimes think we lean on each other.” Aphrodite spoke, “I am glad that she is there for you, sweet child. Who else?” I thought about who else I can consider a friend, “Then there’s Derek. I just met him really.” The picture changed to Derek, and he was shirtless, Aphrodite let out a small little purr, “He is delicious looking. I am surprised you merely call him a friend.” I coughed, “I am not interested in dating, Aphrodite. I am just trying to finish school and do what’s best for my home. Besides, he’s a flirt and I don’t take him seriously when he does it. I’d be willing to bet that he does that to all the ladies in Vellum. He was seeing Melody Maigny.” She put a picture of Melody on the screen and Hypnos coughed, “She’s beautiful as well but something about her soul looks wicked. I cannot place my finger on it but there is something off just by looking at her picture.” Aphrodite nodded, “I agree. She’s done some wicked things to muddy up her soul like that. I wouldn’t trust her if I were you.” I shook my head, “Oh trust me, I don’t.”
I moved on, “Then there is Lucien, I have been writing with him. He has a strong sense of duty to his role as King, which I very much admire.” Lucien’s face came on the screen and Aphrodite let out a small whistle. I carried on, “There’s also Blake who is Lucien’s older brother.” Blake came up on the screen and I continued, “He has a slight obsession of me. I know I should be afraid of that but his protection of me is comforting. He hasn’t done me any sort of harm.” Hypnos nodded, “His soul has a tint of purple in it. It must mean that he was touched by your gift, my lovely.” Aphrodite spoke, “Yes, I believe he was touch by my child’s gift when they were children.” I looked down and sighed, “I still feel bad for that, but I don’t know how to help him to get that out of his system.” Aphrodite shook her head, “Dear, you need not feel guilty about that. The affliction that was on him as a result of your ability has long since faded. His feelings for you are genuine.” This revelation shocked me because my parent’s had told me that those who were touched by my ability were obsessed with me. I had wondered just that moment if obsession was the wrong word for his feelings for me. I sighed, “I guess that is all I can really claim as friends. There’s Vanessa but she’s more like family.” Aphrodite smiled and nodded, “Yes, I believe you are right.”
She tapped her temple and then smiled at me, “I meant to tell you that I will be sending you a gift.” I looked at her with astonishment, “How will that work out?” She chuckled, “I have told you before that we can appear before the humans. Well, I will be sending one of my cherubs to Blackwood Manor, once the gift is ready. On that note, I sense that the poison is gone from your body, so it is time to send you back.” I reached out my hand to her and squeezed hers, “Thank you so much for watching over me. I don’t know when we will be able to speak again so I just want you to know that I truly care for you and hope the best for you.” A tear slid down her cheek, “Sweet child, I am speechless. I will surely watch over you and don’t worry Lucien has found a way to summon Zebinezer for you. She should be able to help you out. Until then, please be careful.” I got up and hugged Hypnos, “It was nice meeting you Hypnos.” He smiled at me, “Please reach out to me in your dreams should you need me. Just call my name.” I nodded, “I will. Thank you.” He kissed me on my cheek. I stepped back away from them, and they faded from my view until it was pitch black.
It felt like I was in a void for a little while until I heard a voice call for me, “Open your eyes, little rose.” I felt a squeeze on my hand and my mother’s hand brushed my cheek, “My baby girl, I am here. Please wake up.” I slowly opened my eyes and saw my mother’s worried tear-stained face. I shifted my gaze to my father who looked just as worried. I spoke hoarsely, “How long was I out?” My father looked down and then back up at me, “I believe you were out for two days.” I closed my eyes, “Did I miss the Queen’s tea party?” My mother spoke, “No but you shouldn’t worry about that just now. Just worry about your health, my baby.” I nodded, “Where is everyone else?” My father cleared his throat, “Derek is at the citadel being reprimanded and Jess is at school. Blake has sent a man and woman to guard you. They are just outside your room.”
