Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(88)

“Are you telling me that it doesn’t matter that August is walking around with a birth chart that says that I’m Aliyanna? That I selfishly left others behind to suffer?”

“I’m telling you that you are Willow Haywood, and Willow Haywood decides her fate, not the stars,” Rose said, lowering her head and looking up at me. “Listen to me, you have the strength to do this.”

“I have to have Landen. I don’t care if he doesn’t want me. That means I’m as selfish as he said I was.”

Rose reached for my face and ran her hand across my cheek, then stared at me, smiling, pride coursing through her.

“You have the heart of a woman, and a woman’s heart is the strongest thing in any dimension. We love without reason, and we can turn a heart of stone into water.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“You follow your heart. When you do that, everything will find its way. The woman who began this world knew that, and so do you.”

“I didn’t go back. I stayed here, and so many have suffered.”

“Do you honestly believe that you didn’t have a reason for staying in Chara?”

I tilted my head and let my mind try to conceive what would have stopped me. Rose smiled as she felt me calm down.

“Today, you do not have one. Go back with Landen and right what is wronged, side by side.”

“He doesn’t want me. He wants me to be with Drake.”

“Now, I doubt that,” Rose said, standing. She smiled over her shoulder at me as she walked over the hill in front of her house. I sat stunned for a moment. What was my reason? A moment later, I felt a strong emotion of love and knew Landen was coming to find me, and he was coming fast.

In the distance, in the light of the moon, I could see Landen running in my direction.

I was so mad at him.

So freaking in love with him.

I ran to him.

I was running home, where I belonged.

When we reached each other, our bodies collided with powerful force. His lips found mine and as they moved with mine you would have thought it was the air we were breathing. He was holding me so tight, it almost hurt.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it. I love you, and I would die before I let you leave me for anyone. I love you, Willow. I’ve loved you from my first breath.”

“I love you.”

We fell to the ground, holding one another. In the field of beautiful flowers surrounded by darkness, under a moon that was nearly full, we loved each other. Our kisses were deep and full of raw passion at first, but with each touch, each stroke of our tongues we became gentler. Instead of hiding behind our wickedly dark emotions we started to use our insights, we started to make sure that every desire was granted. His presence completely consumed me.

At that moment we owned the night. The flowers were our bed, the warmth of the summer air and the stars were our blankets, and the rhythm of our passion was serenaded by the distant sounds of nature.

I wanted to crawl inside of him and hide there for the rest of my life. I wanted to forget who I was, who I am, and what was still left to be done.

Once back at our house, in our room, Landen reached in his pocket and pulled out my necklace and ring. He clasped the necklace around my neck. I felt a tingle as the medallion touched my chest. He gently reached for my hand and slid the silver ring on. It hummed and brightened as it rested on my skin. He looked deeply into my eyes; my window to his soul was opened again, and the blue was breathtaking. I lost myself. If it were possible, I think I fell deeper in love with him.

“We’ll do this together, me and you,” he said softly.

I wrapped my arms around him and closed my eyes, knowing that I’d never choose anyone above him. I wouldn’t let any one get hurt because of us either.

After drifting to sleep, Landen made good on his promise, and we went to Marc’s house. We found him pacing the floor in his room, wanting to go, daring to see if he would be able to get away with it. Landen walked over to his bed pulled back the covers, and Marc jumped with a startle. I reached for the light and turned it off. He walked slowly to his bed and laid down stiffly. We sat against the wall and watched him stare at the ceiling.

“I still feel her,” Marc said into the room. “I’m not crazy. I will find her one day,” he finished.

I could feel the words hit Landen like a ton of bricks. “Why is Marc alone?” I thought.

Landen stared at Marc with compassion. “The urge to look doesn’t come until at least the age of twenty, but for some it comes much later. Some say it’s because those have a purpose to fill,” Landen explained.

“You think he hasn’t looked because he’s still looking for his mother?”

“He remembers her more clearly than Chrispin. I can see how his search for her would cloud over the urge to want to find his soul mate.”

“Doesn’t he realize when he finds her that she’ll make him stronger?”

Landen glanced at me letting that sinful grin emerge before wrapping his arms around me. “He knows we’re not meant to be alone. He just needs his time.”

After Marc drifted to sleep, we made our way to my father’s house to check on Jessica and Hannah. They were both in the guest room, sound asleep. There were no demons; our plan to protect them had worked.

Before leaving, we checked in on our little princess, Libby. Her eyes were closed as they fluttered back and forth. I pulled the blanket up over her shoulder. Just as we went to leave, she said, “How many?” We looked quickly at her to see her still sleeping. “What color?” she said, a little louder.