Loving the Dead

Chapter 16

I awoke the next morning with bruises and scratches all over my body. The sun was just rising, and the orange of the morning was seeping into the darkness of the night. I felt exhausted and just wanted to fall back asleep, when with a sudden ache in my heart I remembered my actions of yesterday.

I knew I had to face Jacob, Zahara, and Aiden sometime, but I was nervous and embarrased. I really wanted to tell Jacob, but what if Aiden said no? And bonding with one of the Keepers in a ritual that has to be completed, but I want peace to find it's way with Belmiro, but Aiden won't let me.

I might as well face them now.

I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom to already set the tub filled with hot water. Calypso must have come in here earlier.

I don't understand Calypso. While she is a servant, she acts like she is the boss around here. She has this authority about her that draws me towards her, and I love talking to her. While I adore talking to Zahara, Calypso is an alive human that I can actually touch and feel comforted by. I've wanted to tell Calypso all about my problems with the Spirits, but I know that would never end well. I would get punished severely by Aiden.

As I sat in the warm water letting my head run wild, my thoughts kept returning to Jacob. He deserved to know, I've been hiding long enough and he  has shown his trust to me. My heart warmed as I thought about his blue eyes that reminded me of the sea.

I got out of the tub and dried myself off, dressing in loose black pants, a flowy cream shirt that cinched at my waist and wrists, and my riding boots I got when I first arrived here. I put my long black hair into a low bun and grabbed my knife and slipped it into my boot. Calypso has sown clothes just for me because the only choices I hadh here were mens tight pants or womens dresses. Just another thing I appreciated about her.

There was an apple sitting on the dresser in my room and I grabbed and took a big bite out it, the juice dribbling down my mouth. I wiped it away and walked out to my balcony soaking in the sun. I hadn't been out to the training grounds with Zahara for a few days, and I had a sudden urge to go out there hit something. I held back though knowing I needed to talk to Zahara and Aiden.

I jumped down from the balcony and did a front flip on the way down and landed perfectly on my feet. Oh how I loved the feeling of power.

I sat down crossed legged on the grass with rocks all around me. I took a deep breathe in sat like that for a few minutes letting all my worries drip away off my skin.

I then stood up and opened my eyes, and saw Aiden and Zahara standing in front of me. Aiden stepped forward but before he could say anything I spoke out first.

"Aiden, Zahara, I am deeply sorry for the way I acted yesterday, no Princess should ever act that way." I said, and I looked both of the them in the eyes.

"Annora, do not worry. I am proud of you for speaking up for something you believe in. I should not be the one to decide what you do and do not do. Your ways will bring peace and light to this world and the next. I must warn you. Belmiro is a force not to be taken lightly. I will do whatever I can in my power to help you, because I believe I did not give him a chance. But darkness does not stop. It will consume you Annora if you do not be careful." Aiden warned, and I nodded. My duty is to watch over and protect the lives of two worlds, and while Belmiro is a powerful Keeper, he is still a Spirit I need to protect.

I said my thanks but I still needed to talk about Jacob.

"Aiden, when you fell in love with Zahara, did you want to tell her all about your powers?" I asked.

"Of course. I trusted Zahara more than anything but I wasn't supposed to tell her. I knew Zahara would never tell that's why I told her and she never said anything to anyone else. Why?" Aiden asked.

"Well we are invading in threes against my people and Jacob is bound to find out who I am. I didn't expect to find myself falling in love with him so I wouldn't have though it mattered but I am falling in love and I want to tel him more than anything and I know he would listen and not tell anyone. I love Breccan too, but I realized that do you really love that person when you found another that you loved more? I know Breccan with be upset but I want make sure I'm happy too, not just the people around me." I said.

"Well Annora, if you really do trust this Jacob you speak of, go on and tell him. But if he says a word to any other living thing, you will be faced with consequences." Aiden said looking me in the eye. I knew that was warning.

"Ok well I think I need to go and talk to Jacob. I didn't end things exactly on good note with him. I appreciate your help so much. Also Zahara I was wondering if we could train tomorrow." I asked.

"Of course we can. We've got alot to catch up on don't we?" She said and she winked, giving me a smile. She twined her hand in Aiden's and they disappeared.

Now time for Jacob.

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So how do you think Jacob will react? Can he keep a secret? Or will he spill?

I'd love to hear what you think and remember to vote!