The Source: Moonlight's Heir

Chapter 4

Blaine walked in looking as handsome as ever. His soft brown hair was pushed back out of his face falling slightly above his ears and his chocolate eyes were sparkling with some emotion I couldn't place. His cream shirt was untucked slightly opening at the neck allowing a small amount of chest hair to be seen, and his dark green pants were tucked neatly in his black leather boots. His tattoo peeked out from the collar of his shirt as well, the mark of his family, sitting right below his left clavicle. Right above his heart.

A tribal circle surrounding twin battle axes, between the blades sat a northern star, and on the bottom sat a pine. The black ink created a stark contrast on his tanned skin. I was always fascinated by it. I moved my eyes down to where he held a small intricately carved wooden trinket box delicately in his large, callused hands.

"What you got there?" I asked, glancing away from the unknown sparkle in his eyes. I shifted my focus to the box while leaning in to get a better view. My hair fell in waves, cascading over his hands.

He gave no response, just a calculated glance down at his hands where my hair had hit. The corners of his mouth turned upwards into one of the goofy grins he reserved just for me. One corner upturned making a slight dimple appear in his right cheek.

His rough, callused hand intertwined with mine, our fingers creating a complex and intricate dance as he swung our hands back and forth, his touch sending shivers down my spine. The contrast of his tanned skin against the delicate porcelain of my hand was a beautiful sight to behold.

"Okay, Beth, I was walking around the market when I passed this cart that I assume was from out of town. Never seen it before. Anyways, it was full of jewels and trinkets. I immediately thought of you, and your special day...Happy Birthday," Blaine lifted the box up in front of our faces. His smile grew, eyes crinkling.

Our hands dropped as he went to open the small golden latch that held the lid to the body of the box, protecting whatever lay within. The lid clicked open with ease. Inside, wrapped in fine red velvet, sat a golden chained amulet with a marvelous, oval iridescent gem within it. Moonstone. It had a delicate crescent moon carved into it. I was in awe as I closed my mouth abruptly. However, I struggled to keep the blush from forming on my cheeks. I blanked, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Blaine...this is beautiful," I breathed, gently reaching out to trace my fingertips over the smooth surface of the moonstone. The amulet felt cool against my skin but warmed quickly under my touch.

"I'm glad you like it," Blaine said softly, his eyes never leaving mine. "I saw it and immediately thought of you."

I couldn't stop smiling as I continued to admire the amulet. It was perfect in every way: delicate yet sturdy, with just the right amount of sparkle. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on.

"I can't accept this!" I said, pushing the lid closed and the box further away from me. A hot flush of embarrassment rushed through me, causing my voice to rise an octave higher than normal. The intensity of the emotion felt out of place in the small, confined walls of my home, as a buzz started to crackle and hum around me... within me, like lightning trapped in a jar. I couldn't shake it off, no matter how hard I tried, and every passing second only made the buzz more intense. My cheeks flushed with heat as I desperately searched for an escape from this suffocating feeling that I was starting to believe was coming from the necklace itself and not necessarily my embarrassment at such an exquisite gift as I originally thought.

It was odd...I hadn't noticed the buzz in the air before the box was opened, nor the suffocating feeling. I closed the box with vigor. Closing the lid to the box diminished the buzz almost instantly. Something was not right.