The Dragonfly Prophecy

by Jacquelyn Castle

  Jeffrey escorted me downstairs and we followed the sound of a beautiful melody until we came upon the ballroom. As we entered arm in arm, my eyes were drawn to the single table, beautifully draped in ivory and red linens and scattered with gardenias. The scent of them filled the air and I couldn’t breathe in deeply enough to satisfy my desire for more. The room was dimly lit with creamy candles that lined the entrance and continued covering the walls. In the darkest corner of the room, I noticed a small group of musicians in tuxedos smile as they caught my glance. It was a breathtaking arrangement that left me awestruck until he spoke.

  “Mr. Preston will be here shortly, Miss Blane. Please make yourself comfortable.” Jeffrey pulled out a chair from the table. I obliged while still trying to absorb every little detail of this incredibly enchanting gesture Chace had made. I knew this had to be his idea of an intimate birthday celebration. My birthday wasn’t actually until Monday and something this grand would never have worked on a school night. Especially not with the plans I had with Aunt Fay and the gang for a small, casual get-together.

  The waiter came over quickly, asking if I needed anything while he lit the candles that stood atop the cozy table. He poured a glass of sparkling water and disappeared. While waiting for Chace, I found myself getting lost in the moment. My eyes closed, as if it would sharpen my hearing of the soft violins. I drew in the fragrance of my favorite flowers with every breath I took. It was peaceful, beautiful and wonderful. I felt his arms slip around me from behind as he kissed my cheek.

  “Well, don’t you look stunning!” Chace remarked as he made his way to the other side of the table. He looked so strapping in his black tuxedo topped off with a red rose on the lapel. His eyes caught the glow of the candlelight. He was so handsome with his hair slicked into a controlled tousle, it almost made me want to run into his arms and profess my love for him. I couldn’t. I couldn’t start something I wasn’t able to finish. Not with him. Not with Chace.

  “This is so beyond words. It’s beautiful and magical and I can’t believe you went to all this trouble for me. I’m so grateful and happy, but I have to ask. Why?”

  “No, you don’t. Lex, can we just let the next few hours be... us? No friends, no families, no talk of the gifts or the other world, no questions. Just us. Celebrating your birthday a wee bit early,” he implored.

  I could do that, but I did want to ask him about the window being open and the picture burning my hand that way. I guessed it could wait another day or so. It wasn’t like that was the first time something off-the-wall had happened to me.

  “We can do that. Just like we did in the beach room at the facility.”

  “Ah, ah, ah. None of that stuff. Just you and me.” He lifted his glass of sparkling water.

  “Ooops! Sorry. Minor slip,” I joked and ran my fingers across my mouth like I was zipping it shut.

  Chace smiled his captivating, handsome smile at me. He was back. Whatever had been bugging him earlier had faded away. He was happy, smiling and almost giddy. I didn’t want to ask any more questions for fear of spoiling his agenda. Whatever he wanted to tell me, he would, in his own time.

  The music continued to play softly in the background while the wait staff came out with beautifully decorated dishes of soup, lobster and all of the trimmings. As they served us, I could feel the weight of Chace’s stare on me. I didn’t want to seem awkward, but I didn’t want to ignore it either. I glanced back at him with a slight smile and brushed my bangs out of my eyes with my finely polished fingertips.

  “Shall we, Miss Blane?” he asked like a movie star, extending his hand for mine.

  “I would love to,” I replied, placing my hand daintily in his.

  The ballroom had a huge dance floor, but since we were alone, it didn’t matter where we danced. Chace took me closer to the band, where it was a bit darker, and pulled me in close to his body, never breaking his stare. I felt the same butterflies that a girl feels when she shares her first kiss. I was enamored with him. Yes, I was captivated, mesmerized and definitely not thinking clearly. Those feelings were too familiar, and were attached to the one man who made me feel that way. William. I felt Chace’s warmth radiate through my skin when our cheeks touched, and the thoughts of William disappeared.

  I thought we would stand there and rock back and forth like everyone did at the high school dances, but he had a little something different in mind. We danced around the room with spins, dips and turns. I never knew Chace could dance that way—in fact, I never knew he could dance at all. Just as he led me through my new existence, he led me in dance and I danced like Ginger Rogers even though I didn’t know how.

  Our dinner was spectacular and the staff catered to our every whim. They even came flying out of nowhere when I accidentally dropped my napkin from my lap. I had to chuckle a little at that. I came from humble parents with nowhere near the luxuries that Chace and Aunt Fay had. At times I felt out of place, but neither of them ever made me feel like I didn’t belong.

  As we dipped our strawberries into the flowing chocolate waterfall, Chace moved his chair closer to mine. He smiled while he dipped his strawberry and fed it to me.

  “Happy Birthday, my Lexi.”

  I laughed at the thought of how I must have looked trying to chomp down a dripping strawberry without making a mess.

  “Thank you,” I managed to say with strawberry remnants still in my mouth. “This was a wonderful birthday present, Chace. I’ll never forget it.”

  “You’re welcome, but it’s not over yet.”

  “You mean there’s more? What else could you have possibly done, Chace? This is perfect just the way it is. You and me, dressed to the nines, beautiful music, lovely ambiance, great food. I don’t want anything else other than to stay here with you for the rest of the night.”

  Chace wiped a drop of chocolate fondue from my lips with his thumb. He didn’t stop when the chocolate was gone. His finger continued to outline my lips while his eyes pierced mine. I tugged his hand from my lips and enveloped it in mine, holding it against my cheek. I nuzzled my face into his palm while my heart burned with a mixture of uncontrollable emotions. His other hand stroked the opposite side of my head, until he was cradling my face in his hands. We didn’t say a word. I felt my heart race and my entire body lose all control. I leaned into him, giving in to the desire to have him in my arms. Chace gently pulled me closer and gave me the softest, sweetest, most delicate kiss. I opened my eyes as he took my hand toward his face and kissed it softly. When he stood, he didn’t let go of my hand, but used it to pull me into him. I didn’t fight him or the urge I had to be with him. In a millisecond, I was standing in a full body embrace with Chace, looking up into his gorgeous eyes, smelling his manly fragrance, being held in those strong, protective arms. Screw Paradise Island. This was my paradise.

  Chace looked at me sheepishly, almost as if he had something to say, but was restrained by the emotion he felt. He smiled a small grin and then kissed me with such passion that I didn’t want him to stop. His arms held me so close to him, but it still felt I wasn’t close enough. He gave me chills when he ran his fingers through my hair and down my back. I squeezed him so tightly I thought he would stop me in agony. I was losing the little bit of control I had left. There was no reason or strength to fight it, so I kissed his neck, his chin, his ear, everywhere his skin was exposed. I didn’t want to miss an inch. I wanted him. I wanted to be with him in a way that I have never been with anyone. His lips found mine again and we devoured each other as was fitting for the years of resistance we maintained. He grabbed my arms from around his neck and pulled away from me, holding my hands in a gentle but firm grip.

  “Lex. We have to talk. Please. Don’t say anything until I’m through.”

  Fear of rejection flooded my mind. Finally, I was giving in to him and he didn’t want me. I could only imagine he was going to tell me this was all a big mistake. I started to feel embarrassed. I was so caught up in the moment I couldn’t remember who initiate
d the kiss or the fervent entanglement that followed. We stayed standing as the music continued and Chace began.

  “I’ve loved you my whole life, Lexi. Most of that time you didn’t know it, but now you do. I told you that the energy you give me allows me to see that you feel the same. You can’t hide it from me. I don’t know why you won’t tell me, Lex. I need you to tell me. I can only guess that your apprehension is this William guy who wants you to go to the other world. It’s not that easy. There are laws in both worlds and if they are broken, there are consequences. If you choose to keep resisting me, I’ll deal with that, but you can’t go to the other world. It’s just too dangerous for you. I will stop you, Lexi. I know you don’t like hearing that, but I will, because I love you too much to let anything happen to you.”

  Hearing him even hint at my not wanting him made me cringe. I did want him—as much as I wanted William. But I was one of those people who held true to the old adage ‘You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.’ I had to make a decision to either wolf down my cake or spend the rest of my life looking at it.

  “I love you, Chace,” I confessed.

  He knew it anyway and he obviously knew about William and my plan. His speech didn’t change anything, though. I was already in limbo with the big decision. The only part that worried me was that he said he would stop me. I didn’t know all of the abilities he had, but I knew he could, and would, stop me. If I did follow through with the plan, I would have to be sure he knew nothing about it. I didn’t say anything further. The last thing I wanted to do was argue with him. He would never see it my way because he just didn’t understand.

  Chace lifted my arms back up to his shoulders and kissed me again. He was evidently pretty happy with my admission. I really did love him. I was positive he wasn’t a crutch and my love for him was real. It was deep, true and unadulterated.

  “I know,” Chace said lightly.

  As we stood there in that overzealous embrace, I started thinking of William and how I had managed to destroy everything I touched. I couldn’t make a decision between Chace and William, this world or that one, my parents or Aunt Fay. I had lied to all of them at one time or another. I tried to put it out of my mind. I still had some time to make a decision and I didn’t want to ruin this night with Chace.

  In one quick move, Chace reached into his jacket and whipped out a small red velvet box. Inside rested a beautiful white gold ring with one solitary square diamond encircled by deep red rubies. The gem was large enough to catch the glimmer of the candlelight and cast it over Chace’s handsome face. It made him look like he was glowing.

  “I want to be with you forever, Lexi. Promise me you’ll stay with me. Marry me, please,” he said.

  After all I had been through and all I had learned, nothing was as shocking as that. My lip started to quiver as I scurried to find the right words to say. I knew Chace had dug deep to muster that kind of courage and I didn’t want to wound him. But it was too much. It was too soon. I was too young. I was in love with another man. My head filled with anger and dismay for all I had done to all of the people I loved. I tried so hard to protect them, but instead I hurt them. Or I would hurt them in the coming weeks. I abolished those thoughts and cleared my mind. I had to answer him, and it had to come from my heart.

  “Chace, I... I really love you. This is so unex...” I wasn’t making much sense, so I stopped before I said something stupid. Or worse, something I didn’t mean.

  I fell to my knees, shoving aside Chace’s hand holding the little red box. I locked him in my arms and kissed him over and over again. The band played a simple piano piece while we displayed our affections for each other. We never parted lips as we knelt there, on the floor of the ballroom, letting our carnal magnetism take over.

  I knew he wouldn’t let it get much farther because he was just that kind of guy. I was counting on that, knowing I couldn’t tear myself away from him. I wanted to save myself for the man I would be with for the rest of my life. I didn’t know who that was anymore. I couldn’t just stop loving William, but I was in a completely different place with Chace. A tear welled up in my eye and I blinked it away, hoping he didn’t see it.

  “Sweetheart, you don’t have to answer me now,” he said as he lifted my chin, bringing my eyes level with his. “Think of it as a promise ring.” His stare was mesmerizing.

  “Our relationship has always been special and it always will be, no matter where we go from here. We’re more connected to each other than to anyone else. Yeah, we’re attached through our gifts and my mentoring you, but it goes far beyond that. Farther than the depths of the deepest ocean. Our emotions weren’t programmed into either of us and can’t be controlled by anyone. Not even us. Our lives are complicated and that won’t change. I know it’s against the laws and it could be dangerous, but it’ll work, Lex. We’ll find a way. It’s our destiny to be together, Lexi. Your energy said so.”

  “I... I do love you, Chace,” I whispered. “More than any energy you can read or any ocean you can swim,” I added. I held him close to my rapidly beating heart.

  I was relieved that he gave me the out and said he didn’t need an immediate answer. It occurred to me, on more than one occasion, that Chace knew more than he was telling. He already knew about William and my wanting to go with him, but I didn’t know if he could tell how I felt about William. That may have been why the ‘promise proposal’ was so sudden. I had both of them asking for major commitments in the very near future. I knew what William’s rush was, but what was Chace’s?

  “Just think about it. Take the ring with you. I bought it for you and it’s yours, no matter what you decide.” He carefully pressed the ring into my hand and held it there while he kissed me again. “You will marry me, Lex, maybe not now, maybe not next year, but you will, someday. I’ve seen it through a gifted one’s eyes.”

  I believed him. Mostly because I wanted to, but partly because I knew if it weren’t for William, I would’ve married Chace right there. I was lost in the moment, but not enough to realize there was a pretty good chance, no an excellent chance, that I would change my mind a dozen times before the next day.

  With his arms still wrapped around me, he continued. “There’s nothing in this world, or the other, that could make me stop loving, wanting, or waiting for you. Nothing.”

  Chapter 17

  The Babes in Black

  Aunt Fay was out when I got home. She hadn’t mentioned any plans, but something must have come up last minute. I stopped in the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and found the note on the counter:

  Lex,

  I hope you and Chace had a great day. I’m over at the Prestons’ house and will probably be there until late tonight. Katrina needed my help in writing a report about some scientific experiment she’s working on. Wish me luck! I was never any good in Science! Ha-ha-ha.

  Sleep well,

  Aunt Fay

  It was a blessing in disguise since I really didn’t feel like talking. I crawled up to my room and threw myself on the bed, still holding the little red box in my hand with its priceless trinket inside. I took out the ring and twirled it in my fingers as I reminisced about the events leading up to it. I was more bewildered than I ever thought possible. Each time I thought things couldn’t get more out of hand, they did. I put the ring back inside the box and set it on my dresser, leaving the top open as a reminder that I had some serious soul-searching to do.

  I ran through my nightly beauty regimen and jumped into bed. I wanted William to come so I could ask about the open window and the picture burning my hand. And because I just loved seeing him. But there was a part of me that hoped he wouldn’t show up that night. After having the evening I had with Chace, I didn’t think I could deal with any more emotional drama. I almost felt like I was cheating on both of them, because my heart, in its entirety, didn’t really belong to either of them.

  The voices and slamming doors shocked me out of my sleep. Before I could leap out of my bed, one of the
women sat down beside me while the other two were unpacking their knapsacks.

  “Hello, Lexi. Welcome to your life,” she sneered. She was dressed in black from head to toe and looked very much like a cat burglar. She locked her arm over me so that I couldn’t get up from the half-lying position I was in.

  “My name is Melody. I’m with the Commission. I’m sure Chace told you all about us. I do hope he didn’t scare you,” she mocked as her face came uncomfortably close to mine. It was obvious that this woman loved her job and got her jollies by intimidating phyters.

  “Oh, and just so you know, you don’t get any special treatment for being Chace’s student,” she scoffed.

  “I... I don’t expect any,” I muttered.

  “Good. Then let’s get this party started, shall we?” she asked rhetorically. She pulled back my comforter and jerked her head as a sign for me to get up. I did as she ordered. Something told me it wasn’t in my best interest to piss her off.

  “Take off your clothes and put this on,” Melody demanded. She handed me an outfit identical to hers. Actually, everyone in the room wore the same black cat suit that looked like they were poured into them. I walked fast into my bathroom and closed the door until it bounced back at me. “That’s far enough,” she said. “You’ll learn we are very efficient and don’t like our time being wasted. You might want to move your ass before one of us gets restless.”

  Chace forgot to tell me the Commission had its share of bitches, too. But even through all of her venom spewing, I could see she was very attractive and probably not much older than me. She had thick, dark hair that was slicked back into a perfect ballerina bun, dark eyes and the face of an old time movie star. Too bad she is so hideous on the inside.

  I tore off my clothes and pulled on the skin-tight black suit as fast as I could. Seconds later, I stood before her, waiting like a puppy in training for my next command.