Loving the Dead

Chapter 11

When I awoke the next morning, somehow in my bed, I realized it had already been a week since Zahara has been gone. She's coming back today! She'll be so proud of my connection with Aiden. I'm not exactly sure what it meant but I was excited to tell her.

I walked down the cold stone corridor and down the stairs to the dining hall for breakfast. We were going to have another meeting tomorrow.

I sat down at the table, and saw food everywhere. Biscuits caught my attention immediately, and I grabbed a few, shoving them into my mouth, my stomach rumbling. I caught a few stares from the other people sitting at the table, so I slowed down a bit.

I was full after four biscuits, so I decided to go back to my room to see if Zahara was back yet. I got up from the table and turned around to be meet with Jacob.

Guilt flooded through me for running away from him the other evening on the beach. I stared at my feet, not knowing what to say.

"Good Morning Annora." He said brightly.

"Morning Jacob." I said.

"What have you been up to these past few days? I haven't really seen you around." He asked.

"Oh well just going for runs and training, the usual." I said. "Look Jacob, lets cut the small talk. Will you walk with me out to the gardens?"

He nodded briskly, not meeting my gaze. We walked in an awkward silence through the doors out to the gardens.

We walked over to a bench and sat down. I sighed, then began.

"Look here Jacob. I'm deeply sorry I ran away from you on the beach, and I shouldn't have done that, I just didn't expect that from you. I want you to know that I've grown very fond of you, but I have some issues back at home that I just can't involve my love life with. I really would like to get to know you better and I hope you don't leave me. " I said, and looked up to his bright blue eyes filled with sadness.

"Alright Annora. I want to let you know that I've gotten very very fond of you too, and I'm glad to let you know you feel the same way. And don't worry, I'll always been there for me. I've been with many girls but I feel something a lot different with you." He said, looking a lot brighter.

"Ok." I said with a smile. "Can you promise me something?"

He looked at me, eyes full of curiosity. "Of course. What is it?" He asked.

"That no matter what happens to me or what defines who I am even if you don't completely like it, you'll promise to always be there, right next to me?" I asked.

"Of course Annora." He said smiling.

"Thank you Jacob." I said, leaning forward and giving him a kiss lightly on the cheek. I got up and walked back to my room, feeling at peace.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I got to my room, I saw a figure out on the balcony.

"Zahara!" I said brightly and ran out to meet her.

"Hello Annora! I missed you. How was it been going?" She asked.

"Well, I have somethings I need to tell you, but very good overall." I said. "First of all, what did my parents say?"

"They said they miss and love you, and send their thanks for the warning. They are gathering allies right as we speak. Now, what was is you needed to tell me?" She asked.

I told her about my swim to depths of the ocean and my meeting with Aiden. When I finished I looked up into her gaze. She was beaming with pride.

"Annora this is amazing! You've bonded with your spiritual side and opened the spirit world. Since Aiden is your past life, this will definitely help you build up your power." Zahara said, looking happier than ever.

I had opened up to the spirit world? I had only heard about that in myths.

"That's amazing Zahara! I didn't know I could do that." I said.

"Of course! You're one of the most powerful beings to ever walk this Earth. But Annora you need to remember that you need to be careful with this power, and not let it get out of hand." She warned.

I nodded. I could see myself getting out of hand if I didn't learn to control my power. It now made sense why Zahara pressured to learn control.

"Has anything else happened?" Zahara asked.

"Well, um, Jacob kissed me." I said looking down at my boots, my face heating up.

"What!? Annora that's great! Do you two have any feelings toward each other?" She asked, an eager look on her face.

"Yes we do, but I told him that I couldn't be with him for now because I was having problems back at home." I said.

"Ok love, well what ever happens, I'll be right here for you." She said with a smile.

"And Zahara? Did you happen to hear anything from Breccan?" I asked. I realized I was really missing his company.

"Yes actually I did. He said that he misses you, and that to keep training, so that the two of you could finally bring down the British together." She said.

I missed Breccan. His hazel eyes and the comfort and protection I felt around him. But right now, I had other things I needed to think about.