DESIRE (17 page)

“I’m the third son of the King and Queen of the Nethers, the largest kingdom of the Djinn. My whole life I’ve followed the teachings and battles of your father, General Adon. My admiration for him was boundless and my desire to one day lead his army motivated me to learn, to work hard and to train ceaselessly in order to have the strength and knowledge required.”

I sighed as I looked around me, marveling at the beauty of it all. Torrid floated us down to the drawbridge that crossed the moat. Crystal blue water flowed by as swans and geese bobbed on the gentle waves.

We entered the palace, and I was dazzled by the simplicity and elegance of a home that was suited to the lifestyle of a prince, all while conjuring up a sense of comfort and charm.

Flowers warmed every corner, while chandeliers sparkled with rainbows. Children ran about, barefoot and smudged with finger paint, their faces lined in red, blue and green.

Their tiny footprints led to their bedrooms upstairs, accompanied by a scattering of colorful handprints on the walls.

In any other life, in any other world this would have been deemed outrageous, but in his home, in the home we could have shared together, proof of our children’s love and joy was welcomed and embraced.

We chased them up the stairs, encouraging their shrieks of laughter.

Love reverberated from every wall, bounced off the ceilings and touched our hearts with every step.

“This is what I promise you,” Torrid whispered. “I’ll help you free every last Magical One then bring you home, your true home.

“It all seems so real.” I reached out to touch a crystalline wall, but my hand pierced through it, as if I’d run my fingers through water.

“One day it will be. For now it is just my mind opening up to yours. I wanted to show you where we will one day live, if you so desire.”

I pulled his hands away from my eyes and gazed up at him. “I do, Torrid. More than anything I desire this life with you.”

He kissed me, light and sweet.

Chapter 20

 “
D
o I look okay, Mom?” I stood before the mirror on the bathroom door, looking at myself from every angle. My black slacks were freshly pressed and creased and the violet shirt practically stood on its own it was so crisp.

“You look fine, dear,” she called from the kitchen.

“You don’t even see me,” I complained. I’d pulled my hair back, hoping it’d make me look more serious and mature.

“I saw you two minutes ago and you looked great, honey.  Now come on out or you're going to miss this meeting altogether.”

I gave my hair a last tap into place and rushed out.

“Oh, Mom,” I said as we hurried to the car.  “I forgot…”

She eyed me impatiently as I rushed back inside. I ran back out, the lavender letter in my hand. “I can't show up without the letter.”

The drive down to the capitol building was tense and silent. I opened the lavender letter, reading it again for the hundredth time. Instead of the Life’s Plan I’d anticipated, the letter simply told me to meet with the Committee at eleven o’clock sharp.

The moment Mom pulled into the parking lot, I spotted Liam. Dressed in a dark suit, he was tall and handsome, looking every bit the future governor of Arcadia. He paced the front entrance of the majestic capitol, his figure intermittently disappearing behind the huge Corinthian columns, only to reappear again. No doubt he was just as anxious as I was to finally settle my Life’s Plan.

“The day has finally arrived,” he said when I approached him. He gathered my hands in his and we were silent together a moment. “Your mother coming in?” he said at length.

“She’s parking the car.” The tension was palpable as we looked at each other, our future waiting for us inside the massive doors of the capitol.

“Nervous?” he asked.

“Kind of.” I turned to the front lawn of the capitol, my gaze latching onto the beautiful magnolias in full bloom. They held such promise, such hope. I smiled, remembering the beauty of the home Torrid had shown me. Arcadia held its own tainted beauty. Would I really turn my back on it?

“Sarah is already inside with her parents. She really wanted to be here for you, to offer support.”

I nodded my understanding.

Mom hurried up the steps, her concern for me creasing her brow. This was such a big day for all of us. So much was riding on the information I was soon to learn.

“All ready?” Liam asked, offering an arm to each of us.

We nodded and hooked an arm in his and he led us inside.

The conical dome, visible from miles away, opened above us as we entered the rotunda.  Illuminated by a lavish chandelier, the embellishments added grandeur to the already impressive dome. Ornate woodwork, detailed trim and meticulous workmanship gave the capitol a look of elegance and importance, just as Pim had intended.

Liam seemed to barely notice the beauty of his surroundings, while I stared and gawked at every detail.

As we turned to take the marble stairs leading to the Governor’s office, I ran my hand over the railing, the cool surface calming the heat wave that swept over me. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders as we headed toward the open doors of the Governor’s hall. 

A large oval cherry wood table took center stage, surrounded by thirteen dark leather chairs.  Twelve of them were occupied by a man or woman dressed in a violet and gold robe.  They all seemed intent on reading the documents before them and no one looked up as we entered, not even the few Magical Ones, including Dr. Sanz. 

In the center of it all was Pim Seer, serene, solemn and confident. “Janice,” he called out gently, rising to his feet and coming to greet her.

A few of the Committee members followed Pim’s lead and joined in the greetings, exchanging trivial chatter and momentarily setting aside the true reason we’d all convened.

“Let’s get to the matter at hand,” Pim finally said, bringing the room to order.

Facing the entire Committee, I sat alone in a straight back chair while Liam, Sarah and my mother sat on the sidelines.

“We’re here today to review and revise Kama Johnson’s Life’s Plan.” Pim snapped open an enveloped, glanced at me and proceeded to read the report. “We acknowledge that Kama and her mother Janice are upstanding citizens of Arcadia. Janice gave birth to Kama here in our very own Arcadian Hospital 18 years ago and we’ve watched the little girl grow up here in Arcadia. She was a beautiful baby girl, healthy, happy, and sweet. It didn’t take long for her pleasing personality, intellect, and exquisite beauty to endear her to everyone who met her. She is, without a doubt, one of the most charming young ladies in Arcadia. Is it any wonder so many young men, including my son Liam, fell for her? However, now that she’s reached adulthood, it is time for her to choose, and she can only choose one man to marry and to form her Life’s Plan with. We already know she will graduate with honors, but what comes next?”

Dr. Reynolds, a stern-faced woman in her early forties, looked at me. I sensed her resentment and prepared for what she had to say.

“We understand your original files were altered. You were to graduate from high school with honors, attend college, marry Liam Seer, and become a Committee member along with Liam and Sarah before Liam became Governor.”

I glanced at Liam. Hearing aloud that my original Life’s Plan was exactly what I’d longed for was unreal. Had Torrid’s sudden appearance in my life really changed everything?

“However, something happened unexpectedly; something that brought about a change in your Life’s Plan.” She paused and scrutinized me. “Do you have any idea what could have brought about such a dramatic change in the Life Plan we’d originally plotted out for you?”

I intensified the blockage of my private thoughts, aware of the powerful minds surrounding me. I shoved all thoughts of Torrid aside, every kiss, every word, every lingering touch. I shelved the home he’d shown me, the possible future I could have with him. For this moment, he didn’t exist. He had no place in my life. He mustn’t, or everyone here would surely become aware of it. I thought, instead of Liam – how I have known him since we were children, how he had always been my best friend, how he treated me like a princess, loved me, made all of my concerns his very own. As I thought of him and looked into his earnest eyes, I remembered how much we have shared growing up, how much I had desired him when we were together, how much I wanted to be with him…

Stone-faced, Dr. Reynolds waited patiently while the other members of the Committee looked on.

My gaze turned to Liam.

“Ever since I first saw him, I knew I wanted to marry him.”

A few eyes turned to Liam, joining me in my admiration of the handsome and strong young man sitting there, looking at me with the kind of love that cannot be mistaken.

“At first it was just his blond curls, cute smile and soft eyes that captured my young heart, but I befriended him, learned who he was and my heart completely opened to the genuinely good man I knew he would be.”

He smiled and I felt the wave of warmth and love spread over the room.

“These past years, my love for him has grown, as well as my admiration and respect. I want nothing more than to share my life with him, grow old with him and share in the duties that will one day come to him as Governor.”

I turned to Dr. Reynolds. “I’m smart. I’m articulate. I’m diplomatic and pragmatic. My place here at the Committee would not be that of a simple ornament on my husband’s arm, but a truly valuable role that I would take seriously.”

“And what would you change here in Arcadia?”

“Whatever needed change. I want what’s best for the city and its people. I want to uphold the tradition of peaceful harmony, tranquil neighborhoods, pleasant festivities and the overall beauty of the city.”

Dr. Reynolds nodded and hesitated before speaking. “I apologize, Ms. Johnson. It is rare that a glitch of this magnitude occurs in the Life’s Plan we so diligently put together. It’s obvious the love you and Liam have for one another and it’s clear to anyone and everyone that you're meant to be together.” She turned to Pim and whispered into his ear.

Pim nodded repeatedly, glanced at Liam then back at the papers before him. As he continued to listen to Dr. Reynolds, he looked up at me, his eyes questioning and unsure.

I doubled my barriers around my private thoughts again and smiled sweetly at him.

After more whispering, Pim shuffled the sheets of paper that represented my life, stacked them neatly in a pile and dropped them into a file. After a brief glance and nod at all the members around the table, he stood. “The Committee has requested time to deliberate. We’ll look over all the information we have in addition to the statements made here today.”

Befuddled, I nodded and stood. 

“It should only take a few moments.” Pim led the way into the large antechamber to the left of the grand office and the twelve Committee members solemnly followed suit.

The moment the door closed behind them, Liam was at my side, my hand enveloped in his and his lips pressing to my temple. “You were great, Kama. You said exactly what was in your heart and they saw it. They can’t deny you your rightful Life’s Plan now.”

“I was so nervous. All those eyes… all those people looking at me, so expectantly.”

“I love you, Kama,” he whispered into my ear. “I love you so much, and I can’t wait to start my life with you.”

Sarah approached, apprehensive and unsure of the intimate moment she was intruding upon. I smiled, inviting her to join us.

“You were so incredibly brave, Kama. I don’t know how you did it. No one has ever stood up to the Committee and insisted a change be made in a Life’s Plan. The gall you had to confront them and tell them what you truly desire… They all seemed eager to watch you fail, to see you falter and run away like a little girl. You sure showed them.”

I pressed my lips together in an attempt to smile at her praise, but I felt the tension surrounding my mouth, tension from the heaviness in my heart. In my periphery, I saw my mother, sitting quietly at the far end of the room, but I could feel her, feel her questions and doubt.

Patting Liam’s hand with adequate affection and giving Sarah a forced but friendly enough wink, I walked away from them and came to my mother’s side.

“Aren’t you proud of me, too?” I spoke softly, sensing her desire to have a private moment with me.

“I’m always proud of you, honey.” Her gaze was distant a moment. When she turned to me, I saw the depths of concern and fear in her eyes. “But you're not being true to yourself. I have no doubt you’re truly fond of Liam, but I know you. I know your heart has drifted away and I know it is Torrid who has captured your heart in a way Liam never could.”

“Mom,” I gasped, glancing sidelong at Liam.

“I’m sorry, Kama.” She clasped my hand in hers. “I know this is your life and you’ll do as you choose, but I can’t sit by and watch you throw your life away without at least giving you a word of caution.”

“Throw my life away?”

“You know very well where your marriage to Liam will lead. I know of the plans your father has for you. I know of the role you're to play in this marriage, in the Governor’s mansion. The direction you're choosing will affect everyone here in Arcadia as well as the Magical Ones still in the Nethers. You will be shattering the dreams of thousands of people, Kama. You’ll be shattering the hopes and dreams of Liam. Have you thought of that?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Your father has set you on a path of destruction. You're to start a revolution, Kama,” she said in a loud whisper. She regained control and lowered her voice. “Is that really what you want?”

“I want to do what I can to save the Magical Ones. I want to do what’s right, Mom.”

“Arcadia will once again find itself in the grips of a war, a long, deadly and bloody war. I’ve seen what war can do to a state, to a people. It’s devastating, Kama. It’s devastating and it scars you for life.”

I turned away, blinking desperately at the tears that threatened to stream down my face. This was supposed to be a happy day; a day in which I finally started living my dream, my destiny. I didn’t need the added weight of guilt. How was I going to bear the weight of two worlds on my shoulders?