She notices my perusal of her and I instantly feel like an idiot… as usual. She smiles at me with perfect white teeth. “Hello, Aella. It is very nice to meet you.” Her English accent is thick and of course it only makes her more appealing.
“I’m sorry for staring at you, but I’m still so new to this whole world, and I’ve never seen the golden eyes on someone with skin as dark as yours before. It’s really really beautiful.”
Her smile broadens. “Thank you. In my family back in England, it is so normal. It’s quite fun to hear a new perspective.”
Cy stares down at her and his eyebrows raise approvingly. “I sure am lucky to have someone so beautiful, inside and out, choose me.”
Amalia nudges him. “Quit it, you. I don’t think it would be too appropriate for me to kiss you senseless in front of your entire family.”
Jed groans and speaks up from behind his brothers. “I think I’m going to vomit.”
Everyone laughs and Amalia winks at her Intended.
Hagan makes his very noticed appearance into the group and everyone gets silent. “I’m glad each of you has made it here tonight. With the changing of the seasons comes new possibilities and new opportunities for growth. We are all here to bond as a family and feel the love of the ones who have passed.” His words touch my heart and I can’t help but think of my parents. “Now, Gram has brought some plants and shovels for everyone, so let’s get to it.” He claps his hands together once.
I’m shaken by the words from the stoic Hagan. His warm smile for all in attendance makes me think twice about him. Maybe I judged him unfairly.
Gram places a bag of gardening shovels, gloves, and various kinds of plants I couldn’t name if I tried my hardest, onto the ground. Everyone stands and each person takes something from the pile.
Gavin places a green and red plant in my hands and grabs a shovel for himself. “I’ll dig up the dead plants, and you can put the new ones in their place.”
Gram joins Gavin and I as we start to replant various herbs and seeds. “Hey sweeties. You picked a great spot to start.” I look at her, confused, and she points at the headstone nearby. It reads CEDRIC LEO COLE.
I flip around to Gavin. “Your dad,” I say and he nods with a sad smile.
Gavin places a gentle hand above his dad’s grave. “I always start planting here.”
Gram touches Gavin’s shoulder. “They’re the best plants in the whole place.” She smiles, the wrinkles around her eyes deepening.
“Why exactly do you guys plant all of these here at a cemetery? What meaning does it have?” I ask.
Gram answers me, sounding excited. “So, you know by now that a family built from an Intended bond is very connected, and not only emotionally.” I nod. “Generations ago, this spot was chosen as the final resting place for all of the Cole descendants. Now, planting herbs and healing plants on top of the bodies of deceased family members sounds so creepy, I’m sure. But, when a Seer passes on and is buried, the magic and power from within them transfers to the earth.”
“So, does that mean these simple plants become magical when they grow here?” I ask.
Gram nods rapidly. “As strange as it may sound, yes. These healing herbs and remedies are more than just botany combinations that help ailments. They are actually filled with ancestral magic, and the right ones put together in the right way can do so many miracles.”
I glance down at the red and green plant in my hands. It feels so normal, and smells like dirt. I can’t imagine it could have any magical use. “What is this plant for? What can it do when the magic reaches it?”
Gram comes closer and studies the leaves and roots in my hands, feeling the texture of it between her fingertips. “Ahh, this one is commonly known as coleus. It’s very beautiful and fantastic for the heart.” She points to another group of the same plant that is larger and has been growing much longer. “Those there have been growing in this cemetery for twelve years. The magic in them is great. When they grow here, not only are they still good for the heart, but for a Seer, they can heal a heart that has lost the connection of its Intended.” Her eyes grow sad.
I stroke the soon-to-be miraculous plant. “Did you and Camilla use this plant when your husbands passed?” I ask, hoping i’m not bombarding her too much.
“Yes. It’s quite delicious in a tea , and it works wonders.” She wraps me in a hug and does the same for Gavin before heading to speak with more family members.
Gavin crouches and digs up a rotted plant from the ground with his small gardening shovel. He puts his hand out and I give him the coleus. He places it in the dirt and fills in the empty space with his shovel. If only I had real faith in my future. Then, I could come back here each year and watch our magical plant grow, but at this moment, my future only feels lost.
Chapter 8
I cannot stop the thoughts that threaten to never leave me alone. I know I have such a wonderful life here with Gavin and his family. I also have friends that I plan to keep for life, and that’s really the issue. If I want to keep these people with me, I need to give us that life, and protect them. I need to go straight to the danger and stop it before it can hurt everyone because of me.
Since the other night at the cemetery, I’ve had an idea in my mind. Maybe a stupid idea. Actually, I’m sure it's completely bonkers, but I’m going through with it anyways, if I can.
Alexa has left me in Gavin’s library while she does some laps around the house. It’s a normal occurrence, now that everyone is on extra alert for Barron. The moment she walked out, I immediately dove into research.
After scanning many of the books, I pull out one titled: “The Intended Bond: A History.” I flip through the pages, hoping to find some sort of answer on how to temporarily break the bond. In my heart, just the thought of breaking our connection, even for a little while, feels painful. It’s the only way I can do what I need to do without him following me, though.
I find the page I’m looking for and it reads:
“An Intended bond cannot be broken without the use of magic. If at least one recipient is unable or unwilling to bond, they must create The Remedy of An Intended’s Passing . This is a commonly known remedy for suppressing a bond after one of the Intendeds dies. In the case of a chosen separation, the instructions are the same. With the help of a Seer herbalist, the recipient would take the remedy daily for the span of three months. This would only be successful if the chosen Intendeds were not within proximity of one another until the three months were over. At that point, the bond can be broken permanently.”
The words sprawled on the off-white page hit me hard. I wasn’t even sure I’d find a way to leave Gavin, and now I don’t feel certain I will even be able to force myself to do it. He has been everything to me, and all I want is to spend my life with him, blissfully happy and entirely free. But, how can I have that life, with Barron threatening to end it before it begins?
“El, the coast is all clear! No baddies out there today!” Alexa’s shouting from the living room slices through my thoughts like a sudden onslaught. I shut the book as quickly as I can, trying to hide my research.
Before I can stick the book back on the shelf, Alexa is already standing beside me. She peers over my shoulder and grins. “Doing some research on Intendeds, huh? Aren’t you just smitten!”
I slowly release the breath I was holding and smile up at her. “I was just curious. There is so much I still don’t know and I feel like I might never catch up.”
Alexa sits on the brown leather love-seat next to me. “Ask me anything and I’ll help you.”
I mull over my recent questions, and figure it couldn’t hurt to get some answers, as long as I don’t stupidly give my plans away. “Well, the other night, Gram told me about that plant that helps heal hearts after an Intended dies. I guess it has made me wonder. If anything ever happened to me, would Gavin be in a lot of pain?”
Alexa tilts her head at my question, and pears into my eyes, seemingly understanding. “Do
n’t worry about that new demon guy, El. He won't get to you.”
I shake my head and my ponytail tickles the back of my neck. “I’m not worried.” Actually, I am very worried. “I’m just curious. Things happen, you know?”
“Well, if you and Gavin were to have a Bonding Ceremony and complete the bond officially, it could be really painful to lose the other. That’s what the herbs are for. It is supposed to almost fully suppress the pain, but it takes months to completely go away. As you two are now, if you were to die, Gavin would feel some pain, but not as bad. The herbs would help in the same way though.”
I am quiet as I ponder her words. She nudges me softly with her bare elbow.
“But, El. Like I said, you have a family behind you. We aren’t going to let anything happen, okay?” She smiles softly at me.
I nod back and force a small smile, baring no teeth. “Thanks, Lex.”
She stands and begins perusing the books along the wall. I’m left feeling lost about what to do next. I know that I need to protect the people I love, but I don’t want to hurt Gavin. As of now, if I leave him and make sure he knows to continually take the herb tea, he won’t be in pain. And if I can get my own hands on some, it will suppress the bond so he can’t find me, at least until I stop the evil coming for all of us.
As it turns out, I guess I know exactly what to do next...
***
“Liam, that isn’t going to work! She’ll know right away what you’re up to.” I raise my hands, exasperated about trying to plan a birthday party for a girl who can see right through my lies.
Liam and I sit across from each other on the floor of Gavin’s living room. We have been trying to figure out what lie to tell Kassy, in order to take her to A Midsummer Night’s Dream tomorrow night. It’s been a half hour since she and Alexa went on a “test drive” in Alexa’s new BMW.
“El, Kassy will come through the door any minute. Just go with my plan, okay?” His puppy-dog-eyes really hit my girlish feelings too easily.
I roll my eyes and sigh, a slight groan joining the breath. “Alright, but if it fails, I’m blaming you!” I smile so he knows I’m teasing.
He does an arm-pump, too excited. “Yes! So, when you guys all get to the theater, just hand them your tickets and sit in the seats I told you. Then I’ll bring her in just before the show begins.”
I shake my head. “You’re lucky she likes you so much. She’d normally never be okay with us not going out together on her birthday. For you though, I bet she’ll be plenty happy for some boyfriend alone time.” I fake gag for extra effect.
“I am pretty awesome.” His grin is addictive and I can’t help but smile right back at him.
The front door shuts and Kassy comes running in, flipping her messy brown hair behind her. “That car is flippin’ saweeet !” she shouts at us.
She plops down next to Liam on the large blue rug, and gives him a swift kiss on the cheek. He winks at me and I just roll my eyes again. Incorrigible. One of these days, my eyes are going to roll right out of my head.
Alexa joins us on the rug and hands me a peanut butter granola bar. “Eat, before you forget.” What a good trainer I have.
I chew on the nutty bar and make yummy sounds to satisfy Alexa. She smiles and turns to Kassy. “I’ll let you take my car out sometime, Kass. Just don’t let Liam drive.” She points a finger in his direction with a warning look.
Liam’s mouth drops open. “What?! I’m a great driver! And what makes you think I’d even want to drive your girly car anyways?”
Kassy smiles at him. “Trust me, Liam. You’d love driving it. I’m sorry you’ll never get the chance.” We all laugh and Liam stands.
“I think I’m going to leave before I get any more bullying from you ladies. It’s no fun being outnumbered.” He grabs Kassy’s hand and pulls her to her feet. “Will you go out with me tomorrow night? I know it’s your birthday and you usually spend it with El, but I was hoping you’d give me a turn.” He looks down at her with those killer puppy-dog-eyes again.
Kassy raises her eyebrows at him and turns a questioning look to me. I try to use the least amount of words possible so she doesn’t see straight through me. “Go for it,” is all I say.
She wraps her arms around Liam, having to stand on her toes to reach him properly. “I’d love to go out with you, Liam. I can’t wait.” She kisses him, pulling at the back of his neck and I have to look away. I don’t know what it is about those two, but they do not shy away from public displays of affection. I on the other hand, definitely do.
“Gross!” I say and cover my eyes like the “see no evil” monkey.
Alexa laughs, just as shameless as the rest of them. Kassy pulls away from Liam, landing back on her heels, and blushes. “I’m going to Liam’s for a movie with Kyler and his new fling. I’ll see you guys tonight.” They both wave and leave the room smiling like a couple of kids with a good secret.
I turn to Alexa. “Thanks for always making me eat. I sometimes forget.” I have had a lot on my mind recently.
“Just looking out for my future sister-in-law.” She winks and wiggles her eyebrows at me.
I gawk at her. “Stop that, Lex! I don’t need any more pressure.”
She just flicks a hand at me. “I know, I know. You have been a little distracted lately. I hope you know you can talk to me.” She props her chin up with her hand and her wild red hair falls against her cheeks.
I nod. “I know I can talk to you. I love that I have you in my life. I guess I just can’t help but be worried. The future is a little scary.” Especially considering I might not have a future.
“The future will always feel daunting, no matter where you are in life. You have been through an enormous amount of changes in such a short time. You’re stronger than you think, El. My brother knows it too. You should talk to him more, you know.”
I shrug and tuck a lost strand of hair behind my ear. “You are always right. I’m heading over to your house in a minute to see Gram and your mom. Gavin is supposed to meet me there after his training with Jed and Egan. Will you come with me? I’m not exactly supposed to be off on my own, per Gavin’s request.”
She jumps up from the floor in one swift movement. “Let’s hit it, girl!”
She drags me behind her as we exit the house. I wish I could tell her the real reason I want to go see Gram, but my whole life is a secret lately. I’ve been lying so much, I’m bound to get better at it soon. What a wonderful accomplishment that’ll be....
Chapter 9
“Honey, we’re home!” Alexa shouts as we walk through the Cole’s front door.
“In here, sweetie!” calls Camilla from the back of the house.
We enter through a large archway into the kitchen, to find Gram and Camilla sitting on a couple of stools at the marble kitchen island. Gram looks up from the newspaper they were reading together and gives us a big grin.
“Well, hello there beautiful girls. Come on in and plant your tushies on a stool,” she says and pats the empty spot next to her.
I sit by Gram, and Alexa takes the spot near her mom. “What are you guys up to today, mommy dearest?” Alexa asks.
Camilla holds the paper up and points to the comics section. I can’t help but choke on a smothered laugh. “You distinguished women with full-grown successful children are sitting here reading comics?”
Gram points a finger at me. “You’re darn right we are! Grown women have every right to laugh along with you youngins.”
I hold my hands up. “Hey, I never said you didn’t. You’ve earned all the laughing rights and more, Gram.”
She proves it by chuckling at me, along with Alexa and Camilla. Camilla stands and runs to a large cupboard, looking for something. Over her shoulder, I notice a container of herbs on a high shelf and I’m reminded of the real reason I wanted to come over.
I clear my throat and turn back to Gram. “So, I wanted to ask you something, Gram. I had a lot of fun the other night at the cemetery.” That
was a weird thing to say. “I was thinking that I could get into the whole plant learning thing. Would you be willing to teach me some stuff?” I chew on my lower lip, nervous about lying to her.
Gram’s eyes go wide. “I’d love to! All the other kids think botany is boring old lady jargon.” She nods her head toward Alexa and smiles with her wrinkled eyes squinting.
Alexa gasps and places a hand on her chest. “Who, me? I’m an angel, Gram. Everything you love, I love.” She leans in and wraps an arm around her grandmother for extra emphasis.
Gram presses her lips together with a slight smirk. “Okay then, if you both want to learn a thing or two, where should we begin?”
I speak up again. “I’ve actually been thinking about that remedy you told me about, to heal a heart after an Intended dies. I’d love to learn how that process goes… you know, cause I planted that one with Gavin.”
Gram eyes me suspiciously, but quickly her face softens. “I’d be happy to show you that one. I think I have everything for it right here in this kitchen.” She stands and walks to the same cupboard Camilla is still standing by and she pulls out two small containers. One is labeled coleus and the other is labeled ginger.
Then she opens another cupboard and finds a box of empty tea bags and a jar of honey shaped like a small bear. I watch as she lays the ingredients on the countertop. She waves me over and I come around the island to her side.
“So, this remedy is quite simple. The way I like to make the coleus is in a tea. Otherwise the plain leaves taste like dirt, in my opinion.”
Camilla raises a hand. “I agree with that statement.” Her nose scrunches up as she remembers the flavor.
I point to the crushed coleus. “Is this just the coleus leaves ground up?” I ask, trying to learn as much as I can.
Gram shakes her head and dumps out a small amount of the herbs. “For the very best effect, I grind up the entire plant, down to the roots.” She then hands me a tea bag. “Go ahead and fill this bag with that coleus mixture there, and add some ground ginger in there. Then seal the bag with one of these strings.”
Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6 Page 23
