by Julia Crane
Rourk knew that having a goal didn’t always help. No matter what he was doing, Keegan was always in the back of his mind. He wondered if the loss of a human love was felt as deeply as the love of a chosen.
Just looking at Tommy, he figured it had to be pretty close.
Chapter 16
Keegan lugged her bags down the stairs, grunting from the effort as she griped, “This is ridiculous, Mom, I really don’t see why we can’t teleport. We are wasting so many hours when we could be there in seconds.”
Emerald glanced up from where she was clipping her luggage tag into place on her plaid suitcase. She raised an eyebrow at Keegan’s load. “I told you, Keegan, we shouldn’t misuse magic. We are perfectly capable of flying like normal humans. It will be fun.”
Richard appeared in the open front door and looked up, frowning at his daughter. “Keegan, what in the world? I told you that you could only bring one bag.”
Keegan rolled her eyes, letting her bags thunk on the floor as she came off the staircase. “As if I could fit everything I need in one bag, Dad. It’s not like we’re just going away for the weekend.”
He closed his eyes and sighed, rubbing his beard. “Well, don’t ask us for help. You are responsible for your own luggage.”
“Whatever. When are we leaving?”
“In about thirty minutes.”
“Where is the itinerary, Richard?” Emerald called from the living room. Keegan stepped over to the archway leading from the foyer. Her mother was on her knees, frantically moving papers around on the coffee table.
“It was right on the table a minute ago,” Richard replied, pushing past Keegan to go help her look.
“Well, it’s not there now!”
They heard giggling and the three of them looked over to find Warrick in the corner, chewing on the itinerary it as if it were candy.
“You have got to be kidding me!” Emerald slammed her hand down on the table, making a crystal candle holder rattle.
“Emerald, just print out another, it’s not a big deal,” Richard soothed.
“Hello?” Donald called, coming through the still open front door with nothing more than a backpack on his shoulder.
“I like you already, Donald,” Richard said, walking over to clap a hand to the boy’s shoulder. He glared at his daughter as she came back into the foyer, smiling at Donald. “Keegan, take note. This is how you are supposed to travel. And Donald, not matter how pouty she gets, do not help her with her bags.”
“Yes, sir. I mean Richard. Sorry that is going to take some getting used to.” Keegan thought it was cute how Donald stuttered when he spoke to her dad.
Once the bags were loaded into the Land Rover, they were on the way. It was an hour’s drive to Nashville and Keegan was peeved that Thaddeus sat between her and Donald. Poor Sammy was stuck in the back with the luggage. It passed quickly, and they arrived at the airport two hours early.
After waiting thirty minutes in line to check-in, the service representative said there wasn’t a ticket issued for Warrick. Keegan watched her dad’s eyes narrow and his lips tighten as he spoke with the representative, sure signs he was pissed. He had to go through the hassle of getting another ticket issued, a process that took almost an hour.
When they finally made it through security and to the departure gate, the agent frowned at the tickets. “Sir, there’s a problem. Are you aware that Warrick’s ticket has been issued for economy class while the rest of your party is in business?”
“That is ridiculous,” Emerald spat. “He is still under two so he sits on my lap. He doesn’t even have his own seat.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the agent responded, not sounding sorry at all. “It’s going to have to be taken care of before you can board.”
After too much back and forth, the ticket was fixed and they were allowed to board right as they made the final boarding call.
“I told you we should have teleported,” Keegan said gleefully as they were hurrying down the jetway.
“Shut-up, Keegan,” three voices chorused, making her giggle.
Sliding his hand into hers, Donald grinned at Keegan as they walked. “I’m really excited about this trip. We don’t get to travel a lot.”
“What is it you want to see while we’re in Italy?” Keegan asked. They paused to greet the flight attendant, an older blonde woman with a pretty smile, and slowly followed the late boarders down the aisle.
“The Colosseum, I’ve always wanted to see that. Oh! Will it matter that we don’t speak Italian? What do you want to see?”
Keegan quickly got caught up in his excitement and they chatted, holding hands, during the entire flight.
***
During the layover in Paris, they were told that Warrick’s stroller was going all the way to Rome. That meant they had to carry all the bags and the baby instead of using his stroller as a cart, and the Charles de Gaulle airport was huge.
Emerald was not happy.
“Is it too much to ask for some competence in customer service?” she snapped, shifting Warrick to her other hip as they searched for the gate for their connecting flight.
Warrick started screaming, unprovoked, and threw his bottle, which hit a nearby man in the head. After profusely apologizing to the man, in a fit of exasperation, Emerald said, “Fine, you win Keegan. We are teleporting back home.”
“Yes!” Keegan was so excited. She had never teleported before. Not to mention she was dying carrying all her luggage, but she wasn’t about to admit that to her father.
Of course, her mother was just being sarcastic.
They arrived in Rome much too early to check into the hotel, so they decided to go for a walk. Thankfully, the hotel had a check room for baggage.
At first, Keegan wasn’t very impressed. The hotel seemed run down and even the neighborhood was a bit on the dingy side. It was nothing at all like she had imagined. However, the deeper they walked into the city, the more its beauty started to emerge. She quickly forgot about the long flight, her tired feet, and her aching back and allowed the magic of the ancient city to take over.
“Isn’t this amazing?” Keegan murmured, squeezing Donald’s hand. “Imagine all the artists and masonries that were involved in building this city.”
Donald’s whispered answer was awed. “I am speechless. I expected it to be pretty since I’ve seen pictures, but this is magnificent. I feel so small, as if I don’t belong here. This is a place fit for the gods.”
Thaddeus and Sam were anxious to go to the Colosseum, so they grabbed a taxi instead of making the hour-long walk. Keegan had to admit it was a breathtaking site. She found it incredible that it was still standing and that so much took place beyond its walls. They signed up for a guided tour, but quickly ditched it when they realized the guide was boring. Everyone wanted to explore on their own.
Keegan could tell the guys were in awe, and as she wandered, she had the fleeting thought that Rourk would have enjoyed it, too. Where did that come from? she wondered, remembering a flash of Rourk’s soft gray eyes and his tousled dark hair.
She shook herself from her counter-productive thoughts, looking around for the others, and noticed Thaddeus. He was standing as still as a statue with his eyes closed and his face slightly tilted up to the sky. Keegan watched him curiously for several minutes as he did nothing but breathe, wondering if he was having a vision.
Donald’s eyes were large, trying to see everything at once. When he drew near her and spoke, his voice was low and hallowed. “I feel like their ghosts are still here.”
Thaddeus, with his eyes still closed, smiled and said, “They are. Some of them couldn’t let the place go and still wander around. They seem annoyed that tourists have taken over the grounds.”
Eventually he opened his eyes. Keegan asked, “Were you having a vision?”
“More like a flashback. It was insane, I was actually watching a gladiator contest. You think elves are cool? Those guys were ridiculously crazy. I could feel the g
round shake from the roars of the crowd. It was a whole different world back then. Humans have gotten soft.”
“I envy your gift, my son,” Richard said, walking up in time to catch Thaddeus’ explanation. “I would do anything to go back in time and witness what took place here. You can feel the electricity running through even now.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, a smile on his face as he placed his hand on the marble pillar. With his large, imposing form and thick beard, he could have passed for a gladiator.
“Donald, I also sense the spirits that walk amongst us today. I have traveled far and wide yet I have never felt anything as magnificent as the energy that claims these grounds.” He put his arms around Donald and Thaddeus. “Remember this day. This is what we strive to live up to. The history of great warriors.”
“Well, warriors,” Keegan said with a chuckle as she took Donald’s hand. “I’m starving so I think it’s time for some pizza. We can’t visit Italy and not have a slice or two.”
Emerald nodded her agreement. “I agree. Warrick is getting fussy and needs to eat. This was definitely worth the trip. I hope we come back here someday. Perhaps when Warrick is old enough to understand.” They all looked over at the baby. He was walking around with a twig, striking the ground with it at odd intervals.
“Perhaps, he already understands.” Richard smiled down at his youngest son.
The rest of the day went by in a blur. They walked many miles and saw many beautiful monuments, fountains, and statues. By the time they made it back to the hotel, everyone was ready to crash. There was one more day in Rome and then they were headed to Venice, where the cruise ship would depart.
Chapter 17
They took a train to Venice, which Keegan loved. There was something about a train station that she found very romantic as she watched the people bustling around, getting ready to head off on their own adventures. She thought she probably enjoyed train stations even more than coffee shops.
Keegan pulled out her camera and started snapping pictures of the travelers. She always felt a little odd taking photos of people without their permission, but they were in a public place after all.
As they took their seats on the train, Keegan noticed another elf seated near them. She was beautiful, with long curly red hair to her waist. She had the sides pinned back as if she were trying to show off her pointed ears. She looked very elfish, so Keegan thought her bloodline must be strong.
Keegan glanced over at Donald to see if he had noticed her, but he was deep in conversation with Thaddeus. Keegan made eye contact with the elf and they exchanged knowing smiles.
Thankfully, Warrick slept almost the whole train ride so they didn’t have to listen to him screaming at completely random times as he usually did. Keegan spent most of the ride snapping pictures through the window. She wished the windows had been cleaned. They were so dirty it would take forever to clean up the images on photoshop.
After a while, it was hard to keep her eyes open so she laid her head on Donald’s shoulder and dozed off. The next thing she knew, Donald was shaking her awake and laughing as she wiped the drool off her face.
“You missed some.” He wiped the corner of her mouth with his sleeve.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Venice!” she told him excitedly. “I have to get a mask to add to my collection.” Jumping up a little too quickly, she hit her head on the overhang. “Ouch.”
A parade was passing as they left the train station via a small side road. People were dancing and singing, wearing brightly colored robes and dresses. Some were playing instruments, the music carrying over the exclamations of the crowd lining the street to watch, while some held signs and danced.
Keegan laughed in delight, jumping out into the street to join them as they danced to the lilting music. She shared smiles with several of the parade members, who clapped their hands to encourage her.
“Keegan! Get back here!” Her mother yelled, irritation in her voice.
Pouting, Keegan danced back to the side of the road, waving goodbye to the parade goers.
The streets were lined with shops and tons of people were milling around, chatting and gesturing to one another. It was so bright and cheerful with so much going on around her, Keegan didn’t know where to look first. She continued to take photos and thought of how easy it was to get good pictures when the scenery was so amazing.
Venice was beautiful, and exciting. The colorful buildings were so close to the edge of the canals, they seemed to shoot out of the water. Tourists clogged the streets, though Keegan didn’t think they could be called streets. More like a cobblestone maze, she thought more than once as she followed her family.
The city was bisected by canals, so sections of it were connected by bridge. However, they weren’t normal bridges; they were made completely of stairs. That meant Warrick and his stroller had to be carried over every one.
Keegan felt bad for anyone in a wheelchair.
“This place is not stroller friendly at all,” Emerald remarked as they hefted Warrick over yet another set of stairs.
“If we ever return it will be without children,” Richard laughed.
“I agree,” Emerald said, tossing him a smile, “but I’m glad the kids got to see it. Though it would be better if Warrick was older.”
They had some time before they could check into the hotel, so they browsed shops and picked out some souvenirs and gifts. Keegan also got a mask for her collection.
Seeing all the masks lining the shop wall gave her a great idea. She sent Lauren a text. Great idea. Masquerade theme for our prom.
Lauren replied back. Genuis. How’s trip?
Amazing
Jealous have fun xoxo
Everyone was pretty tired so they took a water taxi back to the hotel to get some sleep for the cruise in the morning. Keegan couldn’t wait. Cruise ships always had the best food and you could eat as much as you wanted.
Their hotel was dirty and smelly, so Keegan was glad they only had to stay one night.
“Donald, can you come to my room and watch a movie?” Keegan wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I don’t think so, Keegan.” Her father gave her a stern look.
“You guys are lame. We aren’t going to do anything.”
“Why don’t you just go to the boys’ room and watch a movie?” Her mother was clearly trying to keep the peace.
“Thanks a lot, Mom. As if we haven’t had enough of Keegan for one day,” Thaddeus grumbled under his breath. "Come on Sam let's at least pick out the movie before she ruins that too.
“You’ll live, son.”
“Let’s order some room service!” Keegan exclaimed, pulling Donald towards Thaddeus’s room.
They stayed up till after midnight, snacking and watching movies, before Keegan headed to her own room.
Donald walked her to her door, their hands swinging playfully between them.
As they came to a stop at her door, he whispered, “Good night,” and leaned down to kiss her. Her stomach filled with butterflies at the touch of his hands on her waist as he pulled her close to him. She fell into his kiss, forgetting anything but how it felt.
Keegan closed the door and leaned back against it. How can this be wrong when it feels so right?
Racing across the room, she threw herself on to the bed. She had feelings for Donald, it was true, but despite the way she felt, Rourk still remained in her thoughts.
She thought of her chosen at the oddest times. He was probably doing well at basic training and was almost done by now, or at least the first phase. Her father explained the process to her, and it was a long one. He said Rourk would break many of the records while he was there because he was that good of a solider.
If only she knew more about her chosen. She couldn’t even remember what he liked to do. Maybe I should have given him more of a chance, she thought, staring at the ceiling. Too late for that.
Besides, she had Donald.
Grinning at the thought of him, Keeg
an rolled off the bed and jumped in the shower. After such a long day of traveling, the hot water felt so good on her skin. She stayed in the shower until it turned cold and then went to bed.
***
The next morning she was awakened by her brother banging on the door and yelling, “You better get up. The breakfast bar closes in fifteen minutes.”
That was enough to get her out of bed. “I’ll be right out.”
She threw on a pair of blue, worn sweatpants and a school t-shirt. Tossing her hair up in a ponytail she ran down to eat. It was obvious everyone had been awake much longer than she since they were already showered and ready to go. Keegan wolfed down a couple of croissants, some ham and eggs, and coffee in record time. The food wasn’t that good, but she couldn’t expect the best from a stinky hotel.
The worst part about a cruise was waiting in the line to get on the ship. That took forever. “Come on, Mom, can’t we use magic to skip the line?”
“Keegan, you are getting ridiculous. We’ll be onboard before you know it.”
An hour later they were finally able to get to their room and settle in. They decided to grab lunch while they waited for the mandatory safety brief. Keegan refused to go. “I’ll just stay in my room and disappear when I hear the door for the check.”
Her mom was so fed up with her by that time that she agreed. Keegan grinned and went and laid back on her bed. She’d go through her photos while they wasted an hour or so on the drill. Thirty minutes later she heard the doorknob turn and she felt the familiar tingling as she disappeared. She loved her gift. Too bad she wasn’t able to use it more often.
When everyone returned they went and checked out the boat. It was huge; there were sixteen floors for the guests alone. They had a rock climbing wall, miniature golf, skating rink, basketball, and a cool teen room. Plus all the pools and hot tubs. It was too cold for swimming, but Keegan planned on spending a lot of time in the hot tub.
