by Amelia Grace
Ben greeted everyone who had attended the picnic, hugging them warmly, including Jacinta, who breathed in his scent as soon as he hugged her. They all chatted and laughed, and teased each other. They walked around the hanging rock, looking at its formation and discussing the forces that had created it, and shared in a wonderful picnic lunch together.
After lunch, Ben stretched out and lay on his stomach on the picnic blanket. After a while, Jacinta lay next to him quietly, and then gently put her head on his back comfortably. Ben could have moved away from her, but he did not want to spoil everyone’s lovely picnic that they were enjoying.
Jacinta smiled. She had Ben exactly where she wanted him. She would not lose.
As the sun started to set, the group of friends headed back to the village, and Ben accepted Jacinta’s invitation for him to share in the evening meal with her family.
Jacinta’s family was humbled by Ben’s presence at the family table. She looked up at Ben often, making eye contact with him, and touching him more and more as the meal wore on.
At the completion of the meal, Ben excused himself from the table, thanking them for their hospitality, and headed off to his pod for his second last night in this world.
The time that he would finally be able to leave Une Autre Terre was drawing near, and he felt both happiness and sadness, at the prospect of leaving.
Happiness, because he would finally be reunited with his beautiful, beautiful Cate, and yet sadness, because this world was truly amazing and wondrous, peaceful, loving and compassionate, and he would miss his family dearly.
As he walked in deep thought, he felt the light touch of a hand on his shoulder. He knew immediately that it was Jacinta.
“Thank-you for inviting me to eat with your family tonight Jacinta, I had a nice time,” said Ben politely, mind communicating with her.
“You’re very welcome Ben. Please walk with me along the beach. I ate so much I feel that I need to walk if off a little,” Jacinta said, looking into Ben’s eyes.
“I guess I can spare a little time with you Jacinta. But only a short walk.,” said Ben.
“Thanks,” Jacinta replied, smiling at him, still looking into his eyes.
After a short distance, Jacinta decided to take the stepping stone pathway, overdramatizing her imbalance as she walked across them, knowing very well that Ben would offer his hand to help steady her.
And that is exactly what happened. Except that, Jacinta did not let go of Ben’s hand once she was over the stepping stones.
Heading back to the village along the beach, Jacinta stopped Ben and faced him.
She placed her hands on his chest and looked up into his eyes.
She moved her lips to his and kissed him gently. Ben tolerated her kiss, but did not encourage it. Then she pulled him close to her and kissed him again saying his name.
“Ben, I love you. We were promised to each other from birth. You are mine. You belong to me. It is written. Seal us together,“ Jacinta said, trying to burn her eyes into his.
“Jacinta, did the Council Elders not tell you? They released me from the Rule of Marriage from birth, a long time ago, and have made Cate an honorary Terrean, approving our marriage and sealing,” Ben explained.
“Yes, they told me that. But I am very determined. You are mine. Cate cannot have you. We are both Terreans, and we belong together,” Jacinta insisted.
Ben stood shaking his head.
“You have been sly, sneaky, deceitful and manipulative Jacinta. Those are not the qualities of a Terrean. You know the penalties for dishonesty. You will be heavily disciplined, and I truly hope that you come through it all a better person, honest with yourself and others,” Ben said candidly, and then walked away from her, saddened that she would stoop to such lowly actions.
Sleep was not easy for Ben. As the time drew near to returning to the Earth, his heart grew heavy with the burden that he may not find Cate, or that Cate had moved on, and started a new life and a had found a new man. Maybe she had fallen in love with another, and truly severed her bond with him.
The seventh day was spent entirely with his family. They understood his deep feelings for Cate, and that he must go to be with her. They knew that he could never be truly happy without her.
Grandy and James also visited for most of the day, offering words of love and encouragement, confident that he was doing what was right. They knew that he could not be apart from the true love of his life. Their life forces were constantly at work pulling them together.
Evening came, and with it the Farewell Celebration for him, their Warrior. It was a huge event, and Ben talked with everyone that he could, but there were so many Terreans there, that it was impossible to meet and greet everyone. He felt humbled by their presence, that they would attend a simple farewell party just for him.
Ben did not sleep at all on the seventh night. His heart ached for Cate. He was so deeply worried that she would not love him anymore. He recalled clearly the look on her face and in her eyes when he let her believe that he and Jacinta would be together.
It was a look of disbelief, of shock, of emptiness, and he had caused her to feel that way, because he had no other choice.
The rain poured down on the mountains the day that Ben left Une Autre Terre at 7 am. Exactly seven days, seven nights and seven hours from the time that the Council Elders had informed him of that part of the Prophecy.
Ben hugged and kissed his family warmly as he said goodbye to them. His sadness was only relieved because he knew that he would return sometime in the future with Cate. So, it wasn’t a final goodbye. Still, his mum, Grandy Katie and sisters cried. And his father, James and brothers hugged him for longer than usual, and then watched as he left for the rainforest to enter the dome, and then, the violet vortex that led to the portal to Alaska.
From there it would be easy to arrange his journey back to his earth home. Although the Grand Canyon portal was closer, the fact was that he would be in desert somewhere, unknown if he could return home quickly. This was what made a difference in his choice of portals. When it came down to time, and the nitty gritty of things, the Northern Lights portal won hands down.
Using his wits and charm, Ben managed to secure a journey from Alaska with no trouble at all. However, the journey took one week.
Chapter 36
Irresistible
Training was very intensive, and I didn’t see Nic for days at time. It bothered me a lot. I had grown very attached to him, and was starting to see him in my future happily ever after. He tried to stay over for the night with me occasionally, and sometimes he could. At other times, he ran from me.
I tried to keep him distracted when we were together. I continually invited friends over as often as I could, so that I wasn’t alone with Nic all of the time. However, when he had to show restraint, it seemed to have the opposite effect to what I had intended. When our friends left, his attraction to me seemed intensified, our passion more ignited.
One day, unexpectedly, I received an invitation in the mail. It was the Masquerade Ball that I had attended numerous times in the past. It was a very fun Masquerade Ball to attend, dressing up in costume, wearing a mask to cover at least three quarters of your face, dancing with all of the men, and then finally being able to remove your mask sometime before the stroke of midnight. I had nothing but fond memories of it. It was one week away. I became excited at the possibility of going to the event, and meeting Nic there. The mysteriousness of the masked men, and trying to identify your beau was exhilarating to say the least.
On Nic’s return from his latest racing schedule, I showed him the invitation to the Masquerade Ball.
He smiled shyly as he read it.
“Mmm a Ball. Dancing with Madame? How could I say no?”
Then Nic took my right hand in his right hand and brought it to his lips.
“Madame, would you kindly do me the honour of accompanying me to the Masquerade Ball this Saturday Evening?” Nic asked in his French accent.
>
I curtsied him.
“It would be my pleasure to accompany you kind Sir,” I replied, battering my eyelashes at him, and smiling at his playfulness.
“No, the pleasure will be all mine, I assure you Madame!” And then he lightly kissed my hand again.
“What shall you be wearing Madame?” he continued.
“The same as all of the women at the ball Sir. It will be very exciting,” I replied, bubbling over with enthusiasm.
“Will this be a challenge to identify you Madame?” Nic asked, his eyebrows raised.
“It will be mysterious, and compelling Sir,” I answered as Nic brought his lips onto mine, kissing me deeply, taking my breath away.
What are you doing to me Nic?
Then Nic handed me three tickets.
“Cate, I have a track cycling meet the Friday evening before. I have bought you and you parents tickets to come along. I would love for you to be there,” he said, hope in his eyes.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world Nic.”
He kissed me briefly and then hugged me.
“I have to go Cate. I’m sorry I can’t stay longer with you. I’ll see you Friday night,” he called as he moved away from me quickly. I watched him until his car was out of sight.
Friday seemed to take forever to come. Then I found myself waiting in anticipation to catch sight of Nic at the cycling. It was the sport that he loved the most. And of course I agreed. I loved to watch him at any time, especially in his body hugging cycling suit that he had to wear.
Nic organized a seat for me and my parents in with the VIPs. I was sure that he wanted to show my parents what he was capable of, his strength and power, and that he was worthy of my love. But he didn’t have to. My parents loved him to death.
I loved the intensity of the races. I loved the time trials. I loved the team pursuits, and the cat and mouse game they seemed to play in some races. I was amazed by Nic’s commitment, his intense concentration and his good sportsmanship at the completion of each event that he entered into. I loved the colours on his cycling suit. I loved the streamlined shape of the bike helmet that he wore, and the style of his night glasses that wrapped around his eyes for each event. I loved him so much that I thought I couldn’t contain my love for him anymore.
Then after the completion of the events for the night, the riders warmed down by riding their cycles sedately around the track. Some of the spectators stayed for this part, trying to talk to the cyclists, and even asking for their autographs or photos.
None of the cyclists wore their helmets at this time, and many had unzipped their cycling suit and peeled them down to their waists revealing their athletic build.
Nic rode to warm down, sometimes holding on to the handle bars, sometimes not, and often riding with another competitor talking and laughing with him.
My parents had left after the final race and the presentations, leaving me there on my own, so I decided to walk down to the cycling track and try to catch Nic as he rode past.
I pushed my way through the screaming girls, and called out his name as he approached. Nic was in conversation with his team mate, but at the sound of my voice, he turned to see me, smiled, and then rode his bike up to the fence that separated the spectators from the track.
Nic stopped right in front of me and removed his riding glasses, revealing his deep blue eyes, and then brought his face to mine and kissed me, making the crowd scream and go wild.
He helped me over the fence and sat me sideways on his bike and slowly returned to the centre of the velodrome, dismounting the bike and then helping me off. He placed his bike in the bike racks, and then led me down the steps in the centre of the velodrome which led to the massage and physio rooms, and showers and change rooms.
Nic introduced me to the team doctors and physios. They talked to me while he showered and got changed. Then he checked out of the velodrome and ushered me quickly to his car. He was unusually quiet.
He drove to a lookout high on the top of a mountain. He parked the car there and then got out, opening my door and holding my hand. I was in awe of him, and I couldn’t believe that fateful day as my house was being built that our lives crossed tracks. I was so in love with him, and Ben was starting to fade into the distance, barely visible at all.
Nic walked me around the lookout, pointing out landmarks and stars. He stood closely next to me, and ran his hand lightly over my back. He stood behind me and wrapped his arms around the front of me. It was then that I turned in his arms to face him, and looked deeply into his eyes.
I moved my lips to his, and kissed him deeply, placing my hand behind his head and entwining my fingers in his hair. He groaned and whispered my name.
“Nic, I truly, deeply love you,” I whispered.
Nic looked at me, tears in his eyes.
“Cate, be mine forever,” he whispered as he held me tenderly.
“Stay with me tonight,“ I whispered. He kissed me gently,“I’ll try.”
We stood together at the top of the lookout for a little while longer, in each other’s arms, soaking in the warm loving presence of each other. Then Nic drove me home, and came inside the house with me.
He was silent, serious.
“Nic….”I said, concerned.
He looked deeply into my eyes. “Just trying to shut down my emotions so that I don’t give in to my desires for you Cate,” he whispered. I quietly and calmly led him up to my bedroom, and then had a shower and left Nic to himself on the queen size bed.
When I returned from the shower, in my ugliest pajamas, Nic was laying on the bed on his stomach with his shirt off. I stopped myself and breathed in deeply at the sight of his gorgeous body, then slowly went over to the bed to lie beside him. He smelled delicious. I placed my hand lightly on his back, and then kissed his back. I found myself running my hand over his back lightly, and over his muscular arms. I couldn’t help myself. He was absolutely beautiful. Nic lay there without moving. He had never allowed this before.
After a while he rolled over, his well defined chest and stomach muscles spectacular, and I could not stop myself from touching him. Irresistible….
My fingers traced the contours of his muscles on his body. He shivered at my touch and kept his eyes on me. My fingers wandered to Nic’s face, where I traced lightly over his lips. Then he reached down to me and lifted my face to his, and kissed me, moaning as if in pleasure and pain. He gently pulled away from me.
“I’m not going to run away from you tonight Cate. I’ll sleep on the floor!” he said roughly.
He took a pillow and rolled off the bed and onto the floor. It was much safer that way, and then he would still be here in the morning.
“I love you Nicholas,” I whispered.
“And I love you deeply,” he replied, his face serious.
I opened my eyes slowly as I felt the warm morning rays of sunshine on my bed, and then I stretched, arching my back. Then I saw him, and smiled, and pushed him back teasingly, before getting out of bed to look out the window.
I felt his warmth as he stood closely behind me. Nic kissed me gently on the head, and then pushed my hair to the side and kissed me lightly on my neck, creating goosebumps over my body.
Then held me against his body. I closed my eyes enjoying the feel of his body against mine, and lifted my arms up behind me to go around his neck. I stood there for quite a while in Nic’s arms, enjoying our closeness.
I knew that he would have to go soon, but I didn’t want him too. I turned around and wrapped my arms around him properly, pushing my body into his, and then I lifted my lips to his to kiss him.
He only let me kiss him briefly, before he said,” Now I do have to run away from you my beautiful Cate. I will look forward to seeing you at the Masquerade Ball tonight. Until we meet again Madame!”
Then he gave me a soft, tender, lingering kiss before he put his shirt back. My heart skipped a beat. I was breathless.
He left in his sports car. I couldn’t wait until th
e Masquerade Ball tonight, to see my beautiful Nic again.
Chapter 37
Heartbreak
The red sports car pulled up outside the Boswell family home. Nic was on a mission. He was there to ask for permission to marry Cate. He couldn’t be apart from her anymore. He wanted to become one with her. He wanted to give her everything that he had.
He rang to doorbell, and then went inside.
“Nic, it’s so good to see you,” said Cate’s mum, hugging him.
“Is everything okay son?” asked Cate’s father.
“Yes, definitely,“ Nic said nervously.
“Thank-you both for seeing me at such short notice. I just want to.. ah … ask for your permission to ask Cate to marry me. I will not marry her without your blessing. I know how important her family is to her,” Nic said sincerely.
Cate’s mum rushed over and hugged him with tears in her eyes, while Cate’s dad walked over to him and shook his hand.
“You have our blessing Nic. We’d be proud to have you as part of our family,” Cate’s dad said sincerely.
Nic breathed out relieved at their approval, his heart jumping for joy. He shared a quick drink and a bite to eat with Cate’s parents before he left, making sure that they were sworn to secrecy. He wanted Cate to have no idea that he was about to ask her to marry him at the Masquerade Ball tonight.
***
The day went slowly, and seemed so long. I looked outside my bedroom window. The sky was blue, clear and crisp. Birds jumped happily in amongst the trees singing songs of joy, and I could hear the sounds of children’s sweet voices playing happily in a yard nearby.
Nic enter my daydream. I couldn’t wait to find him at the Ball, and dance with him, and kiss him after our masks were off. I sighed dreamily, and then kept myself very busy to make the day go faster.
