True Fate (12 page)

"I do... accept I mean.” she said automatically,
with fully blushing cheeks. Aaron grinned broadly and gave Nia’s hands a
squeeze.

Lilly took the golden cord she'd removed from her
drawer and she began to speak sounding very official, "On this day we are
gathered to complete that which fate has blessed.", she grabbed their
joined hands and began to wind the cord around them. It shimmered and their
skin started buzzing with heat.

"Repeat after me, Aaron." He nodded.

"I, Aaron Alexander Pierce vow to protect
you Epifania Marguerite Du Monte De La Garza, laying down my life and all that
is necessary to complete the given task. I promise to protect your fate and
your future.” he repeated the words without question or hesitation and with a
grin. His eyes were full of a seriousness Nia recognized as determination and
his eyes shimmered with wetness.

Nia gasped as her wrists began to feel pressure
and intense heat.

"Nia, repeat after me," she nodded at
Lilly shaking like a leaf.

"I, Epifania Marguerite Du Monte De La Garza
swear to honor my Guardian's vow. Aaron Alexander Pierce, I accept your promise
to protect me in my fate and my future."

While Nia repeated the words their tattooed
wrists began to glow and Nia yelped. You could see the glowing light going from
the cord into their skin sizzling and hissing. The intricate designs made their
way around each wrist encircling them completely then going up slightly from
where Aaron’s were before.

 
His
breathing was heavy and Nia felt like she might pass out if it got any more
intense. Her original tattoo remained untouched only linking with the rest as the
center glowed a pale blue, contrasting the golden light running through the
rest of it. It looked like liquid gold was etching their promises onto their
skin.

As Lilly slowly unwrapped the cord she spoke
softly, "From this day forward the two of you are now joined as one,
connected in body, mind and soul. An unbreakable bond that will stand the test
of time."

She then bowed her head with the cord in hand as
the glowing dimmed and the beauty of their markings were all that was left.

Lilly remained silent as Aaron looked at Nia and
thought, 'I wish you knew how much I care about you.’ Nia's eyes widened.

'Did I just hear you in my mind?’ she thought
directing it at Aaron.

'It figures. That was embarrassing.’ he sent back
with a chuckle.

She smiled wide slowly releasing their hands. 'I
care about you too.'

He grinned and Lilly cleared her throat.

"Okay then, you should be able to
communicate without speaking but no worries you will learn to put up a shield
from each other in time. That way you do not annoy one another. Believe me it
can be tiresome worrying of what another may think of your thoughts. I have
been bonded for years. I would have banished my Guardian long ago had we not
learned to filter our thoughts.” She said with a look of disdain on her face. “Eric
will teach the both of you these things. He will also help you, Nia as your
many gifts begin to emerge."

They nodded once again barely sparing Lilly a
glance, staring at eachother and feeling the new connection they listened as
best as they could. "Aaron, as for you, Eric and Darragh will be able to
assist you in the ways of the Guardian. You do after all have only days before
your journey begins.” she placed a hand on each of their shoulders as they
turned to face her.

"I know you are taking a leap of faith here
trusting us with things you don't know yet, believe me I wish that were not the
case.", she gave them a teary eyed grin.

As if on cue, Eric entered the room with Darragh
close behind with a look of urgency crossing his rugged features.

"We must go now. I have been informed that
Eliara is en route to have audience with you, Your... err I mean Lilith."
Darragh said actually blushing a little at his stuttering ending.

Nia looked at Eric questioningly but he only
afforded a tight smile.

Eric went directly to her and Nia automatically
handed him her left wrist. He glanced at Aaron's wrists and sighed lightly
looking away quickly with his jaw working. His sadness was evident as he rubbed
his thumb over their mark sending shivers down Nia’s spine. Gently putting the
bracelet back in place, sealing it once more then placing his hand over the
blue stone.

"My vows remain and will stand the test of
time.” he nodded and the blue glow between his fingers started to dim. He let
her wrist fall to her side and went to stand with Darragh looking like a
soldier wearing his mask that showed no emotion.

Lilly spoke quickly, "Leave out of the back
door and be safe. All of you. I trust you have everything you need?” she said
looking at Darragh and Eric. They bowed slightly, "Yes.", they
answered simultaneously.

"Oh yes, I have produced a glamour to
protect you from discovery or tracking by anyone. It will last until you have
met your destination unless something goes wrong. Eric will be in charge of
that but I warn you it isn't completely impenetrable so you must be aware at
all times. As I said before he will be training you both in the ways you need
most. You will have the protection of Avery and Darragh on your journey at any
time for anything. Please, please do anything that Eric asks of you in
desperate times, I assure you it is for your own safety." She said rushing
them all along.

Walking to stand directly in front of Aaron,
Lilith spoke low. "I hope you are adjusting properly to your newfound
gifts. Eric, Darragh and Avery can help to explain it all to you and Nia. Now
you must go. Eliara approaches."

And with that Darragh and Eric went to the
bookcase, each had a large duffle bag with them. Darragh took a book from the
shelf and reached behind where it had been.

With a small click the bookshelf opened right up
the middle. They passed through and followed close behind Darragh as Eric
trailed behind. Lilly clicked the secret door back into place and dim lights
were all they had. They reached a wall and it had nothing on it at all and Nia
and Aaron glanced at each other.

"What the..", Nia's words were cut off
as Eric placed his hand on the wall and golden light seeped in through what
looked to be the cracks of a doorway.

"It's time to go." Eric said without
looking at Nia. Darragh spoke up then.

"I will lead you through once again and Eric
will meet us on the other side." they went through the door hurriedly and
were standing once again in Aaron's living room. Darragh walked up to them and
asked, "Ready?” he looked to both of them for confirmation.

They both nodded and Nia felt a touch and then
pressure but so did Aaron, ‘That’s crazy. She could feel him now? 'That has to
be the bond.'

Blinking repeatedly Nia felt like they were back
and moments later she could hear Avery talking. Aaron rubbed his eyes and
focused quickly going to Nia's side.

Darragh and Avery were busily packing stuff up.

"Well you will have to inform your friend of
the company on your journey Nia and we must think up a more suitable name for
Darragh. Hmmm.” Avery said clearly amused tapping a finger to her chin like she
was deep in thought.

Darragh was the first to speak up, "A name,
seriously. What is wrong with the name I have?”

Laughter bounced off the back wall as Avery
doubled over laughing. “Seriously Darragh? I mean it would work with the
mortals for a last name. Sometimes the last name is used for a nickname if
you'd have a problem remembering that you're Bob.” she nearly spat as the next
laugh seemed to force its way out of her.

Speaking up Nia suggested, "How about Sean,
Darragh? It'll go with your accent but you'll have to say you grew up in
Scotland not that it would be far off. Maybe moved over here when you were a
teenager?" Darragh smiled

"That's fine Nia, great thinking and I am
from around Scotland any way. So you will introduce me as Sean Darragh and
simply call me Darragh. Brilliant!"

Eric hung back in the shadows watching her from
afar, he hadn't seen Avery since the day before his banishment. There she was,
his best friend, he never thought he would get to see her again let alone hug
her. He wanted to go to her and squeeze her tight but he wouldn't do that with
Darragh around, no. Darragh answers to Lilith and that would be dangerous for
them both for her to know they held any sort of affection for each other.

Avery smacked Darragh, "That was my idea!”
he smiled what Nia assumed to be a rare smile.

Nia thought for a moment.

"As a matter of fact you should all have
back stories ready because Rhea is super nosy." she said with a laugh.

"Aaron, are you okay?” Avery asked.

Turning towards him Nia was surprised to see that
he looked pale and frozen with shock.

"Avery did you just say
mortals
,"
he said gulping and dragging out the last word like it was sticky, "As in
whatever we are it's not mortal?” he nearly stuttered out.

Avery froze all eyes on her, "Crap.",
was her immediate response.

"Look I can tell you that myself and Darragh
here, are not mortal. As for you two I'm not permitted to say either way, I'm
sorry.” she hung her head and continued packing up their equipment.

Shaking his head with his color coming back
slowly Aaron said, "This sucks. I cannot wait till someone is finally
permitted!" then he went to stand beside Nia who was staring at her
wrists.

She could feel heated vibrations where Aaron's
shoulder came close to hers. She'd have to get used to that. She felt mildly
bad for Eric, he looked pained every time he looked at her bond marks. He had a
duty to protect her so she understood that part. They were bound by an oath,
not some sort of cosmically destined love, right?

Clearing his throat, Eric seemingly appeared out
of the shadows. "I will see you both tonight and I am going to link your
dreams when you decide to sleep. Then I can show you some stuff you will need
as soon as possible."

There was a loud crash and Eric turned to Avery
whose jaw was practically on the floor at the sight of him.

Eric spoke to her softly.

"We need to find a place to stay for the
rest of this week.” she just nodded with tears threatening her strong resolve. She
made it a point to build up the façade she had. She was the strong one but he
was right there in front of her and she was ecstatic!

"Already on it.", Avery said and winked
at him her smile lighting up she bent over to pick up the equipment she had
dropped on the floor at the sight of him.

Aaron left Nia and went to shake the other's
hands. Darragh gave him something that looked like a cell phone and he stuffed
it in his back pocket. Then gave him a sheathed dagger that Nia was sure turned
into a behemoth sword like Avery's. He handed it back to Darragh and took off
his hoodie.

That definitely gained her undivided attention.
His t-shirt hugged his body in places where there was clearly muscle. His blue
eyes shone when he caught the grin on her face while looking at him.
'I saw
that.'
he teased through the bond. She wondered if she could stick her tongue
out at him without anyone seeing.

He was quite beautiful to look at with eyes as
blue as a bright sky on a cloudless day tinged with green making them look a
bright turquoise. His tattoos really were awesome, she would have to inspect
them closer sometime.
'Oh crap!'
she thought as she saw his smile widen
at that. She felt her cheeks heat just thinking about him hearing it.

She watched on in wonder as Darragh placed his
hand over Aaron's hands with the dagger between and a faint glow came from the dagger
itself. Aaron closed his eyes and seemed to be repeating something after him
and Nia was so mesmerized that she didn't notice that Eric had moved towards
her.