The Awakening (39 page)

              Nolan followed his mentor willingly, but even after seated, Joseph did not have his full attention. He could not stray long from Raina. Her joy made his day.

              "I trust you are treating her well," Joseph said softly.

              Nolan turned quickly to him. "Yes of course."

              Joseph lifted an eyebrow.

              Nolan ducked his head. "I have tried to enforce the boundaries you taught me. The ones you tried to teach Thanatos."

              Joseph’s eyes lit. "Boundaries?"

              Nolan shrugged.

              "But you've never felt the necessity to implement boundaries. You've always just...abstained."

              "I've never needed boundaries until now," Nolan sighed. "I can’t...stay away from her. Not want to touch her...have her touch me. Its torture."

              Joseph grinned. "The best kind of torture," he chuckled.

              Nolan ran his hand down the back of his neck and shook his head. "All these years I wondered why you had given me those points. Until Raina," his voice was soft.

              Joseph sipped his coffee, and studied the younger man before him. "She is the reason behind Elenora’s anger." He looked across the big room. Raina was still stuck to the window. "She’s precious Nolan. Sweet...open...pretty. You can see why my granddaughter hates her."

              Nolan swallowed. "You know I never invited that jealousy. Now all I want is to try..."

              "Try what Nolan? She’s a mortal...you are not. How is it fair?"

              Nolan nodded. "I know. But I would like to have happiness with her," he nodded toward the object of his affection," for as long as possible." His jaw clenched. "I am selfish. I won't deny that."

              "I cannot control Elenora’s actions. I do not approve of them. But I control no one."

              "You could," Nolan sighed. "She controls people around her…. It’s just...she’s out of control with this Joseph. I fear for Raina's life!"

              "Yet you keep her at risk by keeping her," Joseph said in a low controlled voice. "Your own desires...or rather, giving into them can affect her life."

              "I just told you I'm selfish! I can't be without Raina."

              Joseph’s eyes softened. "You can…but won’t." He shook his head. "The two of you...you fit...I saw that the moment you walked in....felt it the first time you spoke her name over the phone. But it can't be Nolan."

              Nolan growled, and looked away. "It’s not fair," he whispered. "I did not choose this!"

              Joseph touched his arm to get his attention. "You protect her, you love her...but you cannot promise her more."

              "That is why I put up boundaries..."

              "Nolan, do not play with me," he softened the words with a chuckle. "You have crossed those boundaries, haven't you?" His knowing eyes revealed he knew the answer to the question.

              "It’s never gone beyond a kiss." Nolan’s cheeks flushed.

              Joseph shook his head in amusement. "I know this isn't fair. In a perfect world...you would have meet her all those years ago. You would have been so engrossed in her, making friends with Thanatos wouldn't have been an option. And you never would have met my granddaughter." He cocked his head. "But you would be dead by now."

              Nolan rubbed his neck again.

              "I know you aren't here to get my permission to be with Raina. You have already made up your mind to be with her. I only ask that you please be careful with her. Her heart is so tender....her love for you untainted...she will be hurt greatly if something happens. We both know you don't want to steal any life from her.  Continue to use boundaries...let her choose to be nearer to you." Joseph patted Nolan’s hand.

              "I have," Nolan spoke truthfully.

              Joseph tipped his head. "You know...if ever it came down to it...I could gift her."

              Nolan shook his head. "I don't plan on her getting near to death any time soon. And I would never wish this curse on her...ever!"

              Josephs white brow lifted. "Curse to you Nolan. I do not find forever life an inconvenience...only when I have to move about every twenty years or so." His dark eyes narrowed. "You feel it cursed because you care for the mortals around you too much...then you lose them. Tell me this, young one....would you think this such a curse if Raina too was immortal? And you could be with her...forever, no boundaries, no rules, and no fear of losing her ever?"

              Nolan drew in a startled breath.

              "Hmm, hmmm," Joseph smiled. "I didn't think you'd ever entertained that thought."

              Raina was walking toward them now. Her cheeks flushed with excitement over her alligators. "I really could get use to this," she laughed, taking her seat. She smiled at Joseph then looked to Nolan. His gorgeous frowny face was in place.

              "Now Raina here...she would make a spectacular immortal."

              Raina glanced back in shock.

              "Joseph..." Nolan warned.

              "Now, now Nolan...I'm just pondering. I mean no harm." He patted Raina’s hand. "You see...the gifts...the personality we have as mortals is magnified so much more as an immortal. Thanatos was very persuasive...It grew after he received the gift. I have to admit he’s gotten it over on me more than once. My Elenora...she was...is beautiful and vain and selfish...more so now. She has other gifts though too...she would be a therapist in this day and age...if she were mortal. She has an uncanny way of knowing what another is feeling, and manipulating, without a word spoken."

              Raina didn't like anyone complementing the She-devil, but Joseph love for his granddaughter was apparent. "And Nolan?" She shivered, hearing his growl.

              Joseph paused for a moment. "Such fair skin you have Raina. It looks as though you've healed to a soft pink. Tell me, did you burn recently?"

              Raina gave him a strange glance, and then looked down on her arms, and half laughed. "Well, I was fire red last night."

              "Usually heal that quickly?"

              Raina frowned. "No...just lucky I guess."

              Joseph grinned. "Nolan? Is she just lucky?"

              Nolan’s eyes were somber, he didn't answer.

              "He's not happy with me," Joseph chuckled. He doesn't want me uncovering all his secrets. He wants to appear to you as normal as a mere mortal...no offense my dear to the mere mortal. He won't let me glorify the incredible gift he has been given because he’s afraid it will change how you look at him."

              Raina was confused over the whole thing. "Nothing will change my feelings toward him," she said softly.

              Nolan’s jaw clenched.

              "You want to know Nolan’s gift? Now Nolan, he was a kind, very gifted doctor. Gave everything to his practice.” Joseph paused, as if he'd heard something, and looked to Nolan.

              Nolan just shook his head once.

              Joseph nodded. "I will respect your wishes," he murmured to Nolan.

              Raina’s eyes lifted to Nolan’s, but he was only staring at Joseph...she could read nothing.

              "Thank you," Nolan breathed.

              Raina frowned.

              Joseph cleared his throat. "Now you, little Raina...you could give him a run for his money."

              "What about me?" Raina’s blue eyes twinkled at Joseph. "What kind of immortal would I be?"

              "Raina," Nolan protested.

              "A lot like me," Joseph spoke firmly. "You'd be a changer. A teacher...you are a teacher, aren’t you?"

              "Not anymore," she admitted softly.

              "You should not give that up," Joseph’s voice was commanding.

              She nodded, unable to speak with the intense brown eyes on her.

              "You would make Nolan a very acceptable mate...if you were immortal. Too bad it isn't so."

              "Enough," Nolan growled.

              "If?" Raina swallowed. "If I were immortal? I couldn't be his mate now?"

              "Not as a mortal," Joseph continued, ignoring Nolan. "We have rules about such things. You can befriend a mortal...care for a mortal...you cannot mate..."

              "JOSEPH! Have you no heart? Stop this now!"

              Joseph blinked at the explosion.

              "It’s a rule?" Raina bit her lip.

              Joseph nodded.

              "Boundaries," Raina whispered.

              "Yes," Nolan said softly.

              "But Thanatos doesn't..."

              "Some don't follow the rules," Joseph sighed. "My granddaughter included."

              "But they don't get in trouble."

              Joseph drew in a breath. "They don't consider the hurt they cause those mortals."

              Nolan stood to his feet. "This is not appropriate talk Joseph, not with the lady."

              "She should know Nolan. Does her heart not suffer every time you push her away? Shouldn't she know the reason?"

              Nolan walked away, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn't want to hear any of this.  He needed to tamp down his temper.

              "As I was saying...Thanatos does not mind hurting the mortals he chooses to be with."

              "Hurting? Raina’s eyes widened.

              Joseph cleared his throat. "You are a lady, and I don't much like to speak of such things....but obviously Nolan won't tell you." He studied his hands before him. "When an immortal...is...intimate with a mortal...they steal some of the life from that mortal."

              Raina paled. "It’s that good?" Her cheeks then warmed in a pretty flush.

              Joseph roared with laughter at Raina’s words. "That’s what you get from that is it little Raina?"

              "Oh Hell," Nolan growled from across the room.

              Joseph wiped a tear and patted her hand. "It’s as good as any two beings can be together....not necessarily better. It’s just what happens...the time...the life is taken."

              Nolan shoved his hands in his pockets. "Are we done with this talk?"

              Joseph laughed again. "Nolan...this kind of talk will help reinforce boundaries."

              Raina wanted to argue, but Nolan’s scowl stopped her.

              "We're done," Joseph sighed. "Sit...we will order breakfast now."

              Nolan obeyed, not even looking Raina’s way.

              Raina bit her lip, and felt for him. He truly had her best in mind. She thought of his reaction over his passion for her this morning. He wasn't into stealing anything from her. "Thank you," she whispered. Her hand slipped into his.

              Nolan’s mouth quirked, knowing exactly what she was implying. "You're welcome, Aelan," he whispered. His thumb brushed her knuckles.

              Raina bit her lip, when the touch warmed her. His eyes watched her closely, and yes, he reacted much the same, letting her hand go quickly.

              Joseph grinned, and called for the servants.

Chapter 14 The Others

            
 
"Come, walk with me," Joseph invited, once the breakfast plates had been cleared. He held a hand out to Raina, and turned to Nolan. "Just Raina and I."

              Nolan frowned.

              "I bought a few new toys. They're in the garage. Why don't you go test drive?"