by Kira Hillins
“What? No way.” Gretchen clutched her chest then sighed dreamy-like. “Like Clark Kent.”
“Oh, yes. He looks like Superman.” Cornelia nodded. “And you know what? Maybe he even looks a little like Father Ivan. A younger, better looking Ivan.”
A moment of silence went by as they watched him. When he disappeared behind the tall rosebush, the ladies broke from their huddle.
Anna could see the resemblance. Ivan was a nice looking man with short black hair and dark eyes. His skin was as pale as the handsome stranger in the garden, but his appearance was rougher, older and tired as if he’d worked years in a mine or mill.
“I wish I would’ve asked him his name.” Nena twisted her lips to the side. “Maybe I’ll ask him when he comes out.”
Ivan had forbidden Anna to speak to anyone but the sisters, but it was obvious what she had to do. As nervous as she was, she pulled her hood over her head, then stepped around Nena. “I’ll go in and ask. Then our mystery will be solved.”
“No, Anna. You can’t.” Nena tried to catch Anna’s arm, but she got away.
Anna turned around and walked backward. “I promise I’ll go to bed after this.”
The sisters stood together. They stared as if she were going to pop like a balloon at any moment. The silly ladies had nothing to worry about. Anna knew her body. And one short meet and greet with this man wouldn’t send her into labor.
“Get back here, young lady.” Gretchen motioned with a wave of her hand, a scowl on her wrinkled face.
“Oh come on,” Anna snickered. “I feel fine. I’ll call out if I need you.”
Anna turned around. She could feel their eyes heavy on her back as she waddled up the path. Their whispers grew faint as she strode past the bench in the center of the room. Her heart thumped against her ribs as she stepped behind the rose bush.
With the sisters out of sight, she peered beneath the hood. She breathed in deep through her nostrils then let it pass her parted lips. Be calm. This was just another person to speak to. It’d been a long time since she’d seen a new face within these walls. With Ivan gone, he’d never know that she went behind his back.
She turned the corner. There he stood viewing the mural of the waterfall Ivan had recently painted for her. Excitement washed over her. Her heart jumped to her throat. The man was so beautiful. As she approached, she lowered her gaze to her rounded stomach so he couldn’t see her face.
“Good evening,” he said as she came to stand beside him.
“It’s past midnight,” she replied in a light breathy voice. “Morning would be a more appropriate word.”
“Good morning then.”
She tossed him a quick glance from beneath her hood. His eyes were the color of his hair. That should’ve startled her, but it didn’t bother her in the least. Though the way he stared at her giant belly made her a bit self-conscious.
She straightened her robe. “The sisters were trying to guess your name. I’d hoped to find out from you before they bet their allowances on who is correct.”
He chuckled. “And what are the names they have chosen for me?”
“Clark Kent.” She cleared her throat. “But Cornelia says you look like Superman.”
His laugh was so superb that she joined in on his amusement. Nena was right. He was indeed a remarkable man to speak with.
"And what name have you given me?”
"Oh," she replied shyly. "I don't have an allowance to spend."
“But if you did?”
“I believe…” She stole another glance at his handsome face. “You are much better looking than Superman.”
“Thank you.” He cocked his head to the side. "May I see your face?"
“Oh, I’m not allowed.” She shook her head. "Father Ivan says I shouldn’t show my face to strangers, especially the dark ones. He says your kind is dangerous."
His growl sent a chill up her spine. Maybe she shouldn’t have come here to talk to this being who hungered for blood. When she took a step back, pain crawled through her abdomen.
“Oh god!” She held her stomach as she waddled toward the bench. “Uhhhnn…”
The stranger followed. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll be fine.” She sat on the bench. She breathed the way her doctor had taught her, one short breath in and three out. After a few more inhales and exhales, the pain subsided. “More Braxton-Hicks pains. I can’t wait to have this baby.”
She palmed her forehead. Her temple was warm, too much to wear this cowl any longer. Going against Ivan's wishes, she pushed the hood to the back of her neck then closed her eyes. “You never told me your name.” She looked up to find him staring down at her, eyes wide, mouth agape.
“Anna,” he whispered. The gorgeous man fell to his knees before her. With tears in his eyes, he grasped her hands and brought them to his lips. “Am I dreaming?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” She shuddered as his eyes turned a brilliant shade of blue. Why did this man cry over her? How did he know her name? And how did so much color blend into the paleness of his skin.
"I never thought I would see you again. Anna, my love.” He looked down at her rounded stomach and his brows arched. “You are… with child. How? How is this possible?” He drew in breath after breath as if he couldn’t catch it. For sure he would hyperventilate if he didn’t slow down, but he cast a brilliant smile. A laugh escaped his open mouth as he very gently placed his hands on the sides of her belly.
He rested his cheek against her abdomen and laughed. This was awkward. She placed her palm on his head. This closeness to him was like the walk through the garden, warm, inviting. He was familiar and yet she couldn't figure why.
“Are you okay?" She brushed her hands over his strong shoulders. “You obviously know my name, but I don’t remember if we’ve met.”
He lifted his head. His eyes glittered in the light. Peach had taken over his pale skin as he lifted his hand to her cheek. Those luscious lips, they longed to be kissed.
“Forgive me, Anna.” He pleaded. “I never meant to hurt you.” He lifted his other hand to her face and stared deep into her eyes. “I love you so much. You are everything to me. And I swear on my life that I will never leave you again.”
To not remember anything of this man who groveled before her was frustrating. “I don’t understand. Who are you?”
He sat back on his ankles. “You do not know me?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t.” Her stomach started to ache. Maybe it was time to end this reunion and go back to her room. “Help me to my feet.”
It took effort even with his hand to help, but she managed to stand. She curled her bare toes in the gravel walkway then rested her hands on her stomach.
“What happened to you, Anna?” he said in strangled voice.
“I can’t remember who I am or where I came from. And I don’t remember you,” she said as she wriggled from his hold on her. “I need to go back to my room.”
Without her touch his pale skin returned. The color strained from his eyes and lips. Strange she’d had such an important gift. Father Ivan had touched her many times, but there’d been no change in him.
“Is that my child you carry?” he asked taking a step toward her.
She raised her hand and he stopped. “I don’t know who the father is.”
His brows lowered against his eyes. “What happened to you?”
“All I know is that I was running from something. When I found this place, I was hemorrhaging. Dying. I would’ve lost my child and my life if Father Ivan hadn’t taken us in. He saved us. I owe him my life. That’s why I’ve agreed to stay here with him and dedicate my time to the convent. He will be my baby's father.”
Tristan’s eyes grew fierce red. A hint of green swirled around his pupils. He fisted his hands then growled as if he meant to rip her apart. Her skin rose, fearing him again, and yet, this seemed all too familiar.
“Do not be afraid of me.” He slid his palm over
her cheek. “On my life, I would never hurt you."
"And yet you stand here growling as if you mean to eat me." She scoffed as she backed away from his touch. It was definitely time to leave the garden. This man didn’t deserve her attention. Not after he’d left her alone to go on a trip. Not after he’d pushed her away because of her healing touch.
She gasped. Was that a memory?
"You and I have a home together,” he said as he closed in on her. “You carry my child. I wish for us to return there.”
She backed down the path. “Father Ivan told me I’d need to hide from your kind. He said you’d covet my gift to have children.” She groaned as pain swept through her gut. “Is that why you’re here? To steal my child from me?”
“Take my hand.” He stretched out his arm, palm open. “Give me a chance to help you regain your memories.”
“I can’t.” She turned her back on him.
“Please. Anna.”
She started down the path toward the exit. The dream she’d had of the man standing inside the house on the hill rushed through her mind. He’d held out his hand in the same way this man behind her had just done. Same outline. Same stance. Was this the man she’d loved? Was he the father of her child?
Stomach in knots, breath lost, she stopped near the rosebush. It felt wrong to leave him, and yet she must. Not only for the sake of her scattered emotions, but because the ache in her stomach was intense.
She picked a rose from the bush. She held it to her nose and breathed in the intoxicating scent. It gave her strength to return to the wounded heart who pleaded with his dark eyes for her to stay.
“I can’t explain it.” She held the beautiful blooming rose out to him. “I want to leave you, but I can’t find the will to do it. I don’t remember you, but you’re familiar to me.”
Instead of taking the rose from her hand he cupped the sides of her neck. “Let me taste your lips,” he whispered. “Just once and I will not ask again.”
A kiss from this handsome stranger? He shouldn’t be this close. She should deny his touch, but yearned to feel his arms around her.
He leaned down and ever so gently pressed his cool lips to hers. His tongue swept into her mouth. Endorphins spread through her like wildfire. She dropped the rose from her hands. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her close. It didn’t matter if she knew him or not, this felt right. Perfect. Familiar.
The home on the hill flashed through her mind. The man who reached for her came into focus. This beautiful stranger was that man. They’d shared so many moments together. She’d lived for him. Died for him. He’d brought her back to life. This man was her maker and the father of her child.
“Tristan,” she whispered against his lips. Tears welled in her eyes. “Oh Tristan.”
“Yes.” He breathed a sigh. “I have searched months to find you. I thought I had lost you to the heavens.”
She gazed up into his blue eyes. Her heart dived as the tears flowed down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”
“It is I who is sorry.” He swept her hair back from her face. “If I had not left you when you needed me, this would never have happened.”
“But you’re here now. You’ve found me and…” She gasped. Tristan was here for the birth of their baby. A smile crept across her face as she placed his hands on her swollen abdomen. “This is our baby. I have so much to tell you.”
“Stop this now!” A loud voice ripped her away from Tristan’s hold on her soul. She turned to find Gwen at the edge of the path, mouth agape—horrified. “What is going on here?” Her stern voice wavered.
Guilt washed over Anna. “Nothing.”
Gwen grabbed Anna’s hand and jerked her away from Tristan. She coaxed her toward the exit door where Nena and the others spread out like an opening gate.
“If Father Ivan had come in and seen you with another man, he’d be furious.”
“He would understand.” Anna leaned back in an attempt to slow the pace, but Gwen kept her moving fast. It hurt her aching feet, but her belly more.
“Father Ivan is on his way home as we speak. If you’re not in bed when he arrives, he’s going to be livid.” She glanced down at her front. “At least he’ll be back before the baby comes.”
“The man in the garden,” Anna said excitedly. “He’s the father of my child. I belong with him.”
“Is that what he told you?" Gwen snapped. "He’s lying to you. He’s trying to trick you so he can steal your baby when it comes.”
“That’s not true.” Anna looked back to see if Tristan was following. He wasn’t far behind. “I’ve remembered everything.”
She reached for him, but Gwen pulled her along forcefully until they got to her room. She ripped the robed off her back then shoved her down on the bed. A sharp pain ripped through her. She moaned as she laid back on the bed.
Tristan strode through the doorway. The vision of the house on the cliff appeared again. The arm of the stranger extended his hand. This time she accepted.
Tristan held her hands between his. She looked into his ice blue eyes and a grin spread over his handsome face. This stranger from the garden was Tristan—the man she loved more than anything in the world. The man she wanted to spend eternity with.
“The house overlooking the ocean…”
“That is our home,” he replied.
“I died there.” Tears crept into her eyes as the memories flooded her mind. "You are my maker and my lover.” Excitement tore through her, but heartache hit her hard and fast. “I’m so sorry that I kept this from you."
He placed his hand on her abdomen. “Why did you not tell me?”
“You had so much to worry about and so many things going on.” She shook her head. “I was scared. I didn’t want to send you further into desperation.”
Gwen clutched the sides of her white robe. “You should take your medication now.” She lifted a glass of water and held out her hand.
Anna stared at the pill on Gwen’s palm. The day she’d come to this place, they’d drugged her. This entire time, they’d stuffed pills down her throat to suppress her memories. They made her forget everything about her life. They made her forget Tristan.
“You! You did this to me. Ungh!” Another stabbing pain shot through her abdomen and radiated between her legs. She grabbed hold of Tristan’s hand and squeezed. She bit her lip to quiet her cries, but it came out in a low drawn out moan.
Liquid gushed between her legs and soaked the bed beneath her. “Oh god, no. Not now. I just want to go home.”
“Her water broke. Go get the doctor now.” Gwen glared at Tristan as she pointed at the door. “His room is down the hall to your left. Tell him the baby is on its way.”
Anna let out a shriek of pain as if the knife that had stabbed her twisted into her gut. She breathed to control the ache, but it was no use.
She held Tristan’s hand tighter. “Don’t you dare leave my side.”
“Anna.” He laughed excitedly. “Nothing will keep me away from you, but you are having a baby. Our baby. I swear I will return as soon as I get the doctor.”
She lifted her knees and bellowed again. "Then hurry up!"
***
It pained Tristan to leave, but he let go of her hand. Her cries grew as he rushed down the hall. He followed Gwen’s directions to the doctor’s room then pounded on the door. Nobody answered.
“You’ve finally arrived." The voice behind him sent chills over his skin. It was deep and frighteningly familiar. The high he was on spiraled into the abyss as he thought of the man who had taught him to fight with a sword. The man who left him after his mother died. It was the voice of the man who committed suicide centuries ago and left him lord of a broken castle.
Tristan slowly turned around, hoping he was wrong. This was nothing but a strange nightmare. The Ivan Anna had mentioned couldn’t be the same one he’d hated since the day he was born. No. To see that man’s face before him would be impossible.
Tristan leaned
back against the door and looked Ivan square in the eyes. “Father?”
Ivan pulled him in his arms and held him close. “It has been a long time, my son.”
“But you died…when I was a child. I watched them bury your body in the ground beside my mother.”
Ivan parted from their embrace and a grin crept across his face. “A lie, of course. I had no other way to leave you."
"Why?" Tristan drew in several deep breaths. “How?”
"I could not bear the disappointment that I had a son instead of a daughter, though that didn’t mean I didn’t care about you. When your mother became ill, I didn’t have the heart to stay.”
“I do not understand.”
“Oh, yes,” Ivan said with a chuckle. “I suppose I should explain. Come on.” He motioned with his hand for him to follow. “I will explain everything in a more...private room.”
Tristan wasn’t sure what to do. Anna’s cries called to him. He was desperate to return to her, to witness the birth of his child. But he couldn’t pass up this opportunity to find out more about his father and the secrets of his past.
“She will be fine. There’s plenty of time to get back to her before the baby is born.” Ivan reassured him with a gentle pat on his shoulder. “The doctor is with her now.”
Nothing about this felt right, but Tristan was stunned. He followed Ivan down the stairs and into the dark hall. Ivan led him into a small room then shut them both inside.
Ivan lit the candles along the far wall. “I have been in this world for nine hundred years, just shy of Gerard."
“You know Gerard?”
“Yes,” Ivan replied with a snicker. “We were friends once, centuries ago.”
Tristan growled. He should’ve known there were more lies lurking around that man. He’d never forgive Gerard for keeping him in the dark about his father.
Ivan leaned his shoulder against the wall then crossed his ankles. "Gerard and I desired the same woman. The fool fell in love with her, but I had a much different agenda. After all, she was the descendant of one of the four angels.”
“Four angels?” Tristan said with a shrug. Elric had mentioned the angels. The journal also told of the powers they’d held. It was a far-fetched story, one he couldn’t believe.
