Touched With Gold

Chapter 2

-Dhalia-

His melodic voice floated through the air. “Morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well? She rolled over in bed, expecting him to be next to her. When he wasn’t, she looked around for him, finally spying him in the walk in closet. Pulling off the covers, she stretched tentatively. Last night had been a whirlwind of highs, and she wasn’t sure how her body had fared. Feeling her magic warm the sore spots, she put her feet on the cold tile.
“Hello handsome. That was the best sleep I have had in years. It’s nice to know someone is close to me as I drift into slumber. I felt like I was the queen.” She slipped her arms around his waist, hooking her thumbs into his belt loops.
Turning toward her, he managed to wrap his arms around her, and he kissed her softly. “You are not just the queen, sweetheart. No, you are my queen, and I am never letting you go now.”
Dhalia smiled sweetly and laid her head on his shoulder. “But Ashton, my love, I still have to work. I can’t call in sick twice in the same week., You know that.”
“Yes, love, but other than that, I will never leave your side.”
Smiling at her lover, she allowed him another gentle, passionate kiss. Coming up for air, she gently pushed him away. “No more right now love, I need to get ready. But when I am not working or studying, I am more than happy to be by your side forever.”

Dhalia frowned slightly. When had the passion turned to demand? His touch had become harsher and rough. Kisses were no longer as gentle and sweet. He used to worship the ground she walked upon. It was not totally unusual; even on the mainland he had been a little rough. She brushed the concern away. There were no words to describe the way he made her feel. The world melted away when he was near. And his promises of wealth and happiness lived within her soul. Ashton had her wrapped around his finger; she would do anything for him. Even let him think he is the mastermind. When I find Shavarlo, he will think I went on this mission for him. But his happiness is a side benefit. No one had seen Shavarlo for nearly twenty years, and this mission seemed somewhat impossible. Looking down upon the path before her, she took a deep breath and journeyed toward the forest. Hopefully somewhere along the path as she returned to Ashton, Shavarlo would appear.

-Ashton-

The electricity in the air was fabulous. He could feel the sparks around him. Dhalia really was the best thing to happen to him. Her magic extended to him because of their union. Everything crackled with new life and energy, beckoning, calling to him. Power. He wanted it, needed it constantly. Reaching into the reserve of Dhalia’s magic, he called the life to him. With more magic, he could reach farther distances. With Dhalia under his control, the magic flowed to him almost naturally. There would be no end to his strength while he had her. Especially when she brings Shavarlo to me. Then I will be the most powerful man in the Realms. Both shall answer to me, and Dhalia will be my queen. When Shavarlo is out of the way, no one can beat us.
Dhalia was the ticket to their future. If she could succeed in handling Shavarlo, then all magic would become his. The magic would be rendered useless for any and all that stood in his way. Should Dhalia fail, well, Ashton would deal with that if the need arose. Returning to the task at hand, Ashton gleefully felt Dhalia’s power shifting within him. He thought back to his childhood and wondered what his parents would think of him now.

“Who are the others, Papa?” He looked up with a furrowed brow. Mother and papa had been discussing something he surely was not supposed to know. But he needed to know. All Ashton had heard was that someone had sheltered one of the others. To his young mind, there were no others, everyone was the same to him. This conversation about other people, in hushed tones, confused him.
“No one that you need to concern yourself with, Ash. They are dangerous, and you should never mix with them. Stay away from anyone that seems different, son. I don’t want you hurt.”
“But papa, how can I stay away from someone who seems different if I don’t know anything about them?”
“Ashton, my boy. You are clever, you will know what to avoid when you see it. Here on the mainland, it should generally be safe. Few come here from Kantor, and they are under strict code here. But, they have wily ways around their code, and a broken heart hurts just as much as physical pain. If one of them even get a sliver of your heart, it can cause problems. They are a plague to our society. Heed my warnings, and you should be safe. Let us move to a happier conversation. Tell me son, were you big and strong today?”
“Always, papa. I never let my guard down. Not even a fly could get past me! I’m the toughest of them all!”
“Really, my boy? The toughest?”
“Yes, papa. I learned from the best.”
Ashton’s father pulled him closer, with pride on his face. “That’s my boy. Keep it up and you will go far. You are destined for great things, son, great things.”