The Final Storm (Part 3)

Silver Ralem

“What the heck?” Arianna muttered as her vision became overwhelmed by a sea of shiny white. Suddenly she felt a hand wrap around her waist and found herself in a cool embrace. “It’s okay,” a familiar voice whispered, “I’m right here. I’ll protect you.”

“Woah!” Arianna said, flopping backwards, away from his grasp. Is that really who I think it is? She thought.

And sure enough, there stood Ralem, with his familiar lopsided smile and cute little dimples indenting both cheeks. The only thing different about him was that he seemed to also be made of swirling, shimmering silver. His warm green eyes were now bright silver, along with his crazy black hair. She couldn’t believe her eyes. “Ralem? Is that you? Are we dead?”

He laughed lightly. “Us? Dead? Of course not. No, we’re survivors.”

Arianna let out a breath, relieved. “Then this must be a dream.” Ralem opened his mouth but before he could say anything she continued, “Well even if you are a dream, maybe you’re real, you know?” her heart started pumping furiously at the sparking of an idea. “I mean, I remember when I was in a dream with Jaydon, so that means I could have a dream with you, right? Right?”

Ralem scratched the back of his neck, his silver eyes lowered, “Well I suppose so, but-”

“Well then, I simply must tell you something before we wake up,” she said, starting to pace within the small enclosure. “Okay, here it goes.” She gave a deep breath before looking him in the eyes.  They were so dopey and big, like a fluffy teddy bear’s and she just wanted to hug him. She restrained herself. “Ralem, I want you to know that… I love your dimples and your crazy laugh. I love the way you get embarrassed and blush like a girl. I love the way you treat me like an equal even when you discovered I was the Princess. I love the way we can talk on and on about stupid stuff. I love your big green eyes and the way you can always make me laugh. I even love that crazy hair!” She took his hand in her own, watching his shocked expression, “Ralem, I came all the way from Grunde to be with you. I can’t believe you just up and flew away! We have been looking for you for two weeks now, because… because I choose you. Come back to me,” she whispered and she wrapped her arms around his head, pulling him down to her height. Then she kissed him, full on the lips, the first kiss she ever gave in her life.

For a second he just stood there, unresponsive. Then she felt his arms around her, pulling her close to his body as he returned it, soft and sweet. His body was firm and strong against her own, even if he was made of silver. Arianna hadn’t expected him to be such a good kisser. A jolt of electricity shot up her spine as she let herself fall into his arms. It was the good kind of electricity, the kind that she  found she could easily get addicted to.

Finally she broke away from the kiss, breathing hard and lightheaded. She looked away. Was what she just did wrong? But how could it be if it felt that… good. Does he feel the same way? She glanced over at him to gauge his reaction.

A huge, stupid smile was spreading from one ear to the next. “That was… amazing. Except that I’m not the real Ralem, but one more?” he stepped closer.

She edged away from him, hands on hips. “What do you mean, ‘not the real Ralem’?”

He ran his hands through his hair like he always did when he was nervous. “I mean I am Ralem, but I’m not really at the same time, you know what I mean?”

Her eyes narrowed and she tapped her foot impatiently, “No. I do not ‘know what you mean’.”

“Okay, I’ll tell you the whole thing. So, remember when you left us in Baroke?”

“Yes,” she said icily.

“Well remember the blessing Jaydon gave you? He told you that he would prove to you that Ralem loved you and told you that we would always protect you. That’s what I am. Protection.” He gestured to the silver sphere, “I am your shield. A perfect copy of Ralem to be your protector when he isn’t around.”