by J. Adams
I turn to him and gently pull his head down, meeting his lips with mine. “How grateful I an for that.”
* * *
As Sebastian soaks in the warmth of his wife's embrace, he struggles to keep his thoughts and emotions free of everything except the intoxicating heat generating between them. Though he is happy to have succeeded in bringing her to the safety of his world, he knows the enemy isn't done and is just taking a brief pause. Lord Derth will work harder now. He will not stop until Celine is no longer a threat. Though the location of their home is hidden, they will still have to be on their guard more now than ever.
Pushing these thoughts away, he clings to her and vows that the enemy will never get near her again.
* * *
An underground fortress near Mount St. Helens, Washington
A group of eight Urchin stand in the throne room before the being that is Lord Derth. To the world he looks like any other man, but power corrupted and corroded his soul ages ago, leaving only the shell of a man.
He looks into the face of each creature he created– created for one purpose: to seek out and destroy the woman who would bear the golden child, or if possible, bring her to him so he would have the opportunity of looking in her eyes before killing her himself. The child must not be allowed to enter the world, for the very moment of its birth would be the evil lord's last. He and all those with him would be destroyed.
“What news of the search?” he asks the leader of the Urchin guard of assassins.
“We tracked them to northern Canada.”
“And?” Lord Derth presses when the minion says nothing else.
“We lost them.”
“And why are you here and not still out searching?”
“My lord, we lost all trace of them. The trail stops cold at Ellesmere Island. Beyond it there is nothing.”
“Well, evidently they reversed their route and you missed them.”
The Urchin continues to speak bravely. “That is impossible, my lord. We were posted all over Canada. If they had changed their direction we would have known. They would not have gotten past us.”
Lord Derth rubs his bearded chin in contemplation. Currently he wears the facade of a medieval knight. His blond hair is slicked back from his forehead and he is dressed in full body armor, as if he is readying himself for battle.
“Surely you don't believe they could have just disappeared in thin air.”
“We have no explanation, my lord, just that they traveled north.”
Lord Derth again pondered silently. There is nothing more north than Ellesmere Island, nothing but snow and ice. Men travel to the North Pole frequently. Could their home be at the North Pole or somewhere near? It is a distinct possibility. He eyes the Urchin leader.
“Prepare your guard to make a thorough sweep of the North Pole. If there is no sign of them, then it is possible they changed course at the Pole and traveled to Russia or Greenland. Dismissed.”
His eyes follow the group of Urchin as they exit. He leans back in the large, bejeweled gold chair.
“Where are they?” he questions aloud. He again rubs his chin. “Where indeed?”
Thirteen
“Very good. Try it again.”
Standing by the small rosebush on the edge of the courtyard, I close my eyes and again open my mind. When I finally open my eyes, the bush that had only donned a few unopened buds is now three times its size and is covered in brilliant red and white blooms.
“Excellent!” Sebastian praises. “You have learned to fully communicate with the land. Your heart truly knows the earth is a living, breathing entity and has a spirit. Instead of commanding the plant to grow, you openly ask and it complies.” He smiles widely. “You are a natural, beloved.”
I grin and admire my handiwork, marveling at how far I have come in my training and how quickly I've been able to grasp everything.
For the past two months, my days have consisted of learning not only the laws and customs of Challis, but how to use my new abilities as well. In the mornings Sebastian attends meetings at the town hall with his father where they discuss the welfare of the people. Afterward, he spends two hours training new warriors. For the duration of the day he devotes every spare moment to helping me master myself in both mind and body. He has been a very patient teacher, and thanks to his diligence, I can move objects, change their structure, fight and defend myself should I need to (very important to me since learning that other than receiving a fatal blow to the heart, the only thing that can kill us would be the loss of a mate because neither can survive without the other) and read the thoughts of others. But my favorite feat is dressing and undressing with no effort. Sebastian favors that ability as well.
“That is enough for today,” he says, walking towards me, pride showing in his eyes. He pulls me close. “How does a run out to the country sound? Give us an opportunity to stretch our legs.”
“It sounds wonderful,” I say, kissing him softly. “But we need to be back in time to go to your parent's place for dinner.”
“I think we can accomplish that. I am ready when you are.”
I glance down at my skinny jeans, peach tunic, and black Mary Jane walking shoes and decide it is the perfect outfit for this most enjoyable activity. I zoom upstairs and grab a blanket, back at his side before he can blink. I grin and he laughs. “I'm ready.”
I love the feeling of exhilaration that enters me when we run, and the freedom I feel is indescribable. I've never really considered running fun before, just a lot of hard and exhaustive work. I definitely don't feel that way anymore.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, I am sitting on a blanket in the middle of a lush, green grassy field. Sebastian's eyes are closed as he lies with his head in my lap. I softly run my fingers through his silky mane and let my eyes take in the scenery as we soak in the peace surrounding us. Using my fine-tuned senses, I inhale deeply the intoxicating fragrance of flowers, pine trees, and grass laced with the subtle scent of wildlife and fresh water from the four massive waterfalls running down the sides of the distant mountains. Across the large field, a family of leopards lounge in the sun. I smile as I watch the mother grooming her little cub. In a nearby tree, a band of Kampuchea monkeys sit on the limbs chattering away. On a far hill, a herd of sheep graze peacefully. Beyond my view I sense the presence of mammoths, large elk, kangaroos, various other animals, and even several types of small dinosaurs. It is still hard for me to believe they exists here, even though I've walked among the peaceful creatures several times since arriving. All the animals live together in harmony, and it goes without saying that Challis is a place unlike any other.
“Do you think we will ever let the outside world know
Challis exists?” I ask.
“I don't know. Maybe someday. If The One wills it.” I contemplate his answer. “Do you think it would be
possible for anyone to find this place?”
“I pray not. We do everything in our power to keep that
from happening. The warriors that have gone out are
especially careful when they return.” He pauses a moment.
“Now that you are here, things will most likely change. No
one else will be leaving and the few that live on the surface
are being called home. We have always done what we could
to help the people without interfering, but the outer world
becomes more corrupt every day and there is only so much
we have been allowed to do. The natural man isn't as strong
as he once was and the enemy preys on their weaknesses.
And though Lord Derth's minions are not allowed to be
seen, some humans make it easy for their bodies to be used
by the Urchins. Now the people must be left on their own
while we prepare.” He finally opens his eyes and smiles. “Hopefully one day soon you will conceive. With pregnancy
only lasting five months, peace is just around
the corner.” I smile back warmly and decide it is time. Fully opening
my thoughts to him, I allow what I have hidden for the past
week to move to the forefront of my mind, having held it
back only because I needed to be sure. I watch his blue eyes
widen and he immediately sits up and stares at me with his
mouth open slightly. He takes my face in his hands. “You are with child?” he asks in wonder, as if he needs
verification by hearing me speak the words.
“Yes,” I answer with tears in my voice as well as my
eyes. “Another part of the prophecy is being fulfilled, my
love.”
He laughs and I can feel the magnitude of his joy
welling up inside me. He pulls me close and kisses me
deeply. I melt against him as words of love spill from his
thoughts into mine, heating the very core of me.
You are my heart, beloved. My heart and my soul. “And you are mine,” I whisper against his lips. He draws back slightly, caressing my face with his gaze.
“We must tell Mother and Father, and then the council.” I nod, again guarding my thoughts. The immediacy in
which I shut him out hits him hard and I hear a soft grunt. “What is it?” His voice and eyes are heavily filled with
concern. “What's wrong?”
“I'm scared.” I am suddenly feeling very inadequate. “Why are you afraid?” I slowly open my thoughts to
him again and he understands. “You again feel unworthy of
the calling and wonder if you will be a good enough
mother.”
I nod, disappointed that hearing my concerns voiced out
loud does not make me feel at least a little relieved. “He will
need to be taught so much, not only about life, but about his
people, his destiny. Not to mention I don't know the first
thing about babies or raising a child.”
Sebastian smiles and caresses my face, resting his warm
hand on the back of my neck beneath my hair. “You will be
a wonderful mother, Celine. I think it will be as natural to
you as breathing. And as for your worthiness, The One chose
you because he deemed you worthy.” He caresses my neck,
moving his hands gently into my hair and presses his
forehead to mine. “The One does not make mistakes,
beloved.”
I heave a deep sigh and let his comments settle. I have
always felt The One's presence, but since arriving in Challis, I
have felt it a great deal more. It always leaves me with a
sense of peace. I draw upon that peace now. I heave another
small sigh and smile, touching his face, slowly trailing a
finger across his lips. “You will be a wonderful father.” He says nothing else, simply presses his mouth to mine,
and the last traces of my concern fade into nothingness.
Fourteen
The Challissian council consists of the president, twelve counselors, and one hundred forty-four thousand peace keepers. The council meets every afternoon in a large room on the upper floor of the town hall. The crystal and white granite building coordinates with the rest of the elegant structures. It houses fifteen floors of offices and boasts a large glass clock above the top floor. Thinking about the clock reminds me of Sebastian's remarks about his father hiding it, which he hastily interrupted. I make a mental note to bring it up again later.
As we share our news with the council, I feel the same deep love radiating from them as I had from Sebastian's parents when we told them of my pregnancy before coming here.
President Simon approaches me and takes my hand in his.
“We are so happy for you, for our people, and for the world above. For peace is coming soon. In your womb lives our future.”
Swallowing hard, I nod and smile at the older man, taking in the kindness of his features. A foot shorter than Sebastian, President Simon looks down at me through wise, green eyes that have seen much in life. His long blond hair is pulled back and secured with a gray leather tie, the color of which matches his tunic. Like the rest of the Challissian race, his features are perfect. I momentarily wonder if our child will be as perfect since I was once a normal mortal. I quickly put the thought out of my mind. Sebastian's blood now flows through my veins and I am one of his people now. Nothing else matters.
“Tonight we will announce this joyful news to the people, that all prayers might be with you.”
“Thank you.” I smile and he returns it with a bow.
Taking my hand, Sebastian leads me from the office. His parents follow. When we are outside the building, Devon and Sarah embrace me.
“How are you feeling?” she asks.
“I feel wonderful!” I grin jubilantly and they laugh. “I don't feel like they say you're supposed to feel when you're pregnant, but I guess that is to be expected.”
“Indeed,” Sarah says with a grin. “In another week or so your stomach will start expanding quickly. So quickly in fact, you will seem to need a new wardrobe weekly.” She laughs at my look of dismay. “Roomy tunics and elastic waist trousers will work nicely, but you will need to have gowns made that can adjust to accommodate growth. Tomorrow I will take you to my friend Rachael's shop. She will make sure you have everything you need.”
“Sounds good. I definitely enjoy shopping.”
Sebastian laughs, pulling me close. “Clothes are her hobby, Mother. You two are kindred spirits.”
“Yes,” Devon says. “Remind Mother to give you a tour of her closet sometime. The woman has an outer earth shopping mall in there.”
Sarah shoots her husband an exasperated frown. “Women need variety. It's not just for us, you know. We do it for you men.”
“Of course you do, dear. And we are very appreciative of that fact.” He pulls her close, bringing a soft smile to her face and a twinkle to her bright eyes. “We count ourselves fortunate men to be the property of the two most beautiful women on or in the planet.”
“Amen,” Sebastian agrees.
* * *
A gentle breeze from the ceiling fan stirs the sheer curtains hanging in our bedroom window. With all the window panes in the house darkened to shield the daylight, I lay in our massive bed on my back and stare up at the expansive night sky on our ceiling. With our combined efforts, each night we draw on memories of the night sky on the surface and recreate the visual to appear above us. The stars twinkle brightly and the half moon displays its beautifully shadowed craters. In our night sky, Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, and Mars loom in the distance. It is a most perfect vision and an amazingly beautiful display.
The silky white sheets are comfortable and cool against my skin, and because we can't hear the real thing through closed windows, the replicated sounds of chirping crickets and croaking frogs serenade us with a soft night symphony. A few fireflies hover just inside the window, their florescent lights blinking on and off, creating a separate light show.
I smile, a feeling of contentment washing over me as Sebastian caresses my bare, still flat stomach. He lightly rests his head on me with his ear pressed against my skin. Not an hour ago, I felt movement for the first time. I couldn't believe it. It had been light, but I could definitely feel it. Now we lay peacefully, communing with our son.
“You know,” I finally say, “I have to remind myself that even though his birth will change the world, he will still be just a baby, with the same needs as any other baby. He will need us to love and care for him, teach him to walk, to talk, to be obedient, and to love The One above all things.” I sigh. “It is a bit overwhelming to think about.”
He softly kisses my stomach. “As I said before, I am sure motherhood will be as natural to you as breathing. Our son could not be blessed with a better mother.”
“Nor a better father,” I say, burying my fingers in his silky hair
. It seems we cannot be near one another without me touching him or him touching me in some way. It is impossible. However, we treasure moments like these, being wrapped up in one another. And though we will have a little one soon, these moments will never cease.
“Do you think he will know, when he's older, of the importance of his birth? Will we need to tell him, or will we raise him as a normal child?”
He adjusts his head so he can look at me. “I think something inside him will know what the purpose is for his life. We must teach him his history, why his birth was so anticipated. But he must understand that his life will also be an example, and the way he lives it will touch all those he comes in contact with. With The One's help, we will teach him to cultivate unconditional love, to be a true friend, to be honest, and to treat others the way he would want to be treated.” He smiles and touches my face. “He will grow into a good man one day.”
“Like his father,” I say with a smile.
“He will be much better than me.” He settles himself next to me and takes me in his arms, sighing as he whispers against my temple his final thought of the night. “I can ask no more than that.”
Fifteen
Standing only half a foot taller than me, with flaming red hair and sea green eyes, dressed in a belted, bright fuchsia, floral print ankle-length dress, Rachael Walton is a breath of fresh air with an underlying tornado attached. She is bold, beautiful, and bubbly, with a major flair for fashion, and I can easily see why expectant mothers flock to her shop. Every article of clothing she designs is a masterpiece and no two pieces of clothing are the same. Shopping at Rachael's means knowing you are getting the best quality for a more than fair price. Not to mention she is a joy to be around. I can definitely understand why she and Sarah are such good friends.
Knowing what I do about her personal life, I am impressed with her effervescent personality, her wit and charm. Before coming to Rachael's shop, Sarah shared a little about her friend with me. Having lost her husband in battle with the enemy on the surface, she has been alone for over a hundred years. Her mate bravely gave his life while protecting my ancestors so my bloodline would continue and I could be born. Because of this, I felt an immediate kinship with the woman, as well as a great sense of gratitude for her sacrifice. Her parents have been living on the surface for the past fifty years but have recently returned. She had missed them and is glad they are back.
