War (Book 3 in Destined Series)

32

I blink open my eyes as the door opens. Luke steps in and I follow him with my eyes as he walks over to drawers. I keep still, without a word, as he pulls his shirt over his head. He places it into the drawer and the tattoo on his back stands out to me more then ever. How have I never seen it before? I trace the ink with my eyes. Spirals form into a circle leaving space in between each one as it circles. He pulls off his jeans next and changes into sweatpants. I catch sight of another tattoo hidden on his hip; just below the waistband of his sweatpants. This one is two wings, both left un filled, but outlined. I guess his pants always covered it.

"I can feel your eyes on me." he says and I bite my lip as he turns around and looks at me.

"I'm sorry, I just- those tattoos... I've never seen them before."

"I wasn't hiding them if that's what you think. That's just where I happened to get them.

"What do they mean?" I ask as he sits down beside me and I push onto my elbow.

"The top one, with all the spirals means chaotic peace. The spirals symbolize the chaos but the circle they come into symbolizes the peace that can be created even in the most chaotic of times."

"Wow." I say and he nods

"What about that one on your lower hip?"

"It means protector. Shane probably had one similar to it somewhere." he says and I try to think back to if I ever saw it or not.

"Maybe." I say and he nods

"He's not real open about his tattoos all that much." he says and I nod in understanding.

"Anyways. I got it the day I became a trainer at the academy. It was my way to show that I never gave up and that I have protected and helped many, everyday."

"Well you are a protector." I say gently and he nods

"I almost gave up at one point though."

"Why?" I ask and he sighs

"Honestly, I don't know. I just hit a rough patch. Actually it was the week before you came to the Academy. I thought everything was over, then you showed up. You showed me the reason I got that tattoo to begin with, and why I continued to fight and protect those who needed it." he says and I nod in understanding.

"I have one like that too." I say and he raises an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes. It's two wings and a sword in between." I say

"I got it the day my parents were taken from me. It was kind of my way of hope and faith. While also showing that I was protected and I'd stop at nothing to switch places, and be the protector of those I loved, when it came down to it."

"I never knew that." he says gently.

"Yeah, I purposefully kept it hidden." I say

"Why?" he asks and I bite my lip

"Cause it also reflects weakness and symbolizes loss. I don't want to have to continuously explain it and see it every day." I say and he nods

"It's on my lower back." I say sensing his curiosity.

"But Shane-

"He saw it, the day Alec took
those photos." I say gently

"Oh." he responds and I nod laying back off my elbow and looking at him sideways.

"Yeah. But I didn't tell him the story behind it. I actually haven't told anyone aside from you." I say shocked at it myself.

He smiles and pushes some hair out of my face. I nudge my cheek against his hand and shut my eyes. Silence passes before I slowly open my eyes back up. He continues to stare at me and I gently lean forward and press my lips to his. He kisses me back gently cupping my cheek as he does.

"You asked me if I loved you." I whisper against his lips, breaking the gentle kiss. He nods slowly opening his eyes too.

"I told you that I didn't know." I whisper and he nods again.

"But I never asked you, if you loved me." I whisper pressing my hand to his cheek. He blinks a few times then puts his hand over mine.

"I've told you that I do." he says and I nod

"Your lips spoke the words yes. But did your mind and heart speak them too?" I ask breathing gently against his lips. He slides my hand down against his chest and I feel the rhythmic yet wild beating of his heart as he gently holds my hand there.

"Do you feel that Christina?" he asks gently and I nod

"Each time you speak, each time you lay this close to me, each time you walk into a room, and each time you smile, my heart does this. I cannot stop thinking about you when you sleep. I cannot stop thinking about if you'd be here with me if Shane hadn't gotten caught in the darkness and it tears me apart, to even think, that maybe you wouldn't be. Each time you look at me my heart beats more wildly in my chest. I thought I would never learn to truly love. I thought I was bound to be a one night stand guy for the rest of my life. But then you came into my life, and everything was turned upside down. Can you even imagine how it felt, to travel everywhere with you, but be unable to speak to you or touch you? Can you imagine how heartbreaking it was to think that Shane, my best friend had once again gotten the only thing I could ever wish for? Love... And to make matters worse, love from the woman I wanted? I was selfish when he was taken, I thought wow maybe it's gods way of giving me a shot. But then you always talked about him and couldn't forget him. He had your heart, and I feared that's how it was destined to be. But the day in the queens castle when Shane was forgotten and you held Grace in your arms. The way you looked at her then at me, it was the most amazing thing ever. I thought that I had you. That you might actually be mine for once. But then Shane came back. I told you to call out to him, to work out how you were feeling. The whole time though, I feared he had gotten you again, that I wasn't gonna get you back. But then you did come back. You kissed me like I was the one, like I was who you wanted. But when I asked you if you loved me, you froze. You said I don't know, and that scared me yet again. And then tonight, when I held you in my arms as you cried from the storm, I fell even more head over heels for you. And now, you're laying here beside me, your kiss still lingers on my lips... And you ask me if I love you?" he asks and I nod putting my forehead to his.

"Yes." I whisper and he tilts my chin back so I'm looking into his eyes.

"If everything I've told you, doesn't show how much I love you, then I don't know what will." he whispers

"I want you to say it Luke. I want your heart to feel it and your mind to mean it."

"How can you ask that of me when you won't even tell me, if you love me?" he asks

"Because maybe, I just need a push in the right direction." I whisper and he looks back to me.

"You know how I feel about you Christina, I'm spilling my heart out to you."

"Then say it." I whisper 

"All you have to do is say it." I say and he shakes his head.

"I want you to tell me, how you feel." he says and I smile gently

"I don't know how I feel." I whisper and he forces his eyes from mine.

"Then don't expect me to tell you, that I am in love with you all over again. That I love you, all over again." he says and I turn his head back to mine.

"You just did." I whisper then press my lips to his for a quick kiss, then put my head down in the crook of his arm as it rests. I shut my eyes and soon fall asleep, to the rhythmic beating of his heart.

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