Image (Insight #3)(24)
“Are you sure you’re OK?” Landen thought.
“I think Donalt is more powerful than we’ve imagined,” I answered.
“He can’t hurt us, Willow. You have to believe that; I won’t let anything happen to you,” he promised, believing his every word.
We all but ran in through the long hallways that led to the study. When we reached it, Landen stopped in the doorway and pulled me close to him so I’d have to look him in his eyes. Dane leaned against the wall, waiting for Landen to say to me whatever he needed to say.
“Listen to me: everyone may think that our love is tested with these planets, but I know that -like all soulmates - our love is tested every minute. With every breath we take, we make a choice, a choice to love one another; we endure because we know that love is the most powerful thing in the universe - the air our soul breathes,” he thought, cradling my face.
“Landen, I don’t care who or what tests me; I’ll only love you,” I thought, furrowing my eyebrows so he would see how serious I was.
“I can see...I can feel how his words cut through you...you haven’t betrayed anyone; we’ll release them.”
“I know we will.” I tilted my head, questioning how he’d heard what Drake had said.
“I don’t think he can stop time for either of us...an odd flaw, I suppose,” Landen thought, trying to hold back an impish grin.
“You stood frozen,” I thought.
“Your intent was to speak to him alone; I learned the hard way to let you do what you want to do,” he thought in a more serious tone.
“I really do wish we could help him forget,” I thought. Landen smiled and moved his head from side to side. “What?” I thought.
“It’s just ironic that we want this whole world to remember - and one man to forget,” he thought.
“I love you,” I thought. Landen pulled me closer. I closed my eyes as I felt his tender lips on mine as our lips gently moved against each other I felt an undeniable passion, and I pulled him as close as I could. In our embrace, I could feel the panic from the ones around us drift into a peaceful victory, and I knew that on the other side of the world, Drake was standing before them, telling them that he was fine and to back away from the wall that surrounded Delen. Within that second, the palace vibrated all around us and an angry roar rumbled through the hallways. Landen wrapped his arms as tight as he could around me, looking in every direction, and Dane stepped closer to me and Landen; the fear between the three of us was irrefutable.
Silence came, and the stillness seemed just as eerie. I stretched out my senses; the emotions around us were still of victory and peace. Landen looked down at me and smiled.
“Looks like we hit a nerve,” Dane said, looking from shadow to shadow.
Chapter Six
August and Patrick came to the doorway. I could feel their abundant relief; they were unshaken. August smiled at Landen and patted his shoulder.
“Is everyone OK?” Landen asked, intending to heal whoever needed it.
“No one’s hurt. In fact, the ones that did come over the wall are staying here - almost a thousand more,” Patrick answered, grinning from ear to ear.
“Amazing,” I whispered. Landen looked down at me and smiled.
“We’re going to get through this now that we’re all working together,” August said, sighing and feeling relieved. He was proud of Landen. His relief did bring us some comfort, but it couldn’t hinder our anxieties of having Drake there.
Dane shook his head from side to side in disapproval; I knew he wasn’t looking forward to being in the same room with Drake for any length of time.
August sensed the tension between us and reached for Dane’s shoulder, then looked back at Landen. “I know there’s a lot to be resentful about. Forgiveness - or even a simple truce - is too much to ask of any of you, but you have to understand that Donalt is counting on that. We need to pull together to beat this monster, and when this is over...well...then maybe we can find a way to resolve the past.”
His tone was fully of sympathy and left me and Landen with a surge of guilt. Dane, however, held a different emotion. “I respect what you’re saying, August,” he said, leaning closer to me, “but I want you to see this through my eyes. When I was six, I saw terror in my best friend’s eyes; it was so strong, I felt it. It went on, happening once a month like clockwork, and she endured a fear that no one should have to. I couldn’t protect her - no one could. It’s going to take more than an angry ghost to get me to forgive Drake Blakeshire.” Dane looked at Landen and said, “I know you have even more than me to disagree with – so if you tell me you want me to let it go for now, then I will.”
August stared at Landen while holding the emotion of pride and confidence; in his subtle way, he demanded a peaceful compliance from us. Landen let his eyes fall to the floor. I could feel his emotions turning inside of him; he wasn’t ready to forgive Drake either, but his desire to protect and help the people of Esterious outweighed the anger that wanted to surface.
“We’ll treat Drake with as much respect as he gives us,” he said, looking up at August.
August nodded. “That’s all I need to hear,” he said with a sigh.
Perodine approached the doorway. Oddly, she’d changed her clothes; she was now in a black formal gown, and her hair was set perfectly on her head. Jewels decorated her neck and wrist, and she looked the same as she did the first time I saw her: like royalty. On the surface, she was calm and reserved, but inside I could still feel her emotions swarming in every direction.