Blue-Eyed Secrets

Chapter 22

Tes

"One time I caught Bryant kissing the mirror in our bathroom!" Everyone in the room erupts in laughter as Scar recounts the story. "I guess even the king of Altearis needs to know how to kiss.

Bryant's face turns red and I struggle not to laugh. "I thought we were spending quality time together, not making fun of me," he grumbles.

It's the day before the battle and it was decided that we'd spend most of the day together, as a family. Ron, Sadie and Gordon, Scar, Bryant and I. Yesterday everyone went their separate ways. Ron went home to see his parents, Sadie and Dextor went to the Berial realm and Scar went wherever she goes.

"Poor man, I bet he was only practicing for your queen," Dextor says, coming to Bryant's defense, but still laughing.

"Actually, I was." Bryant kisses my cheek.

"And the practice paid off!" I giggle. I feel jealousy spike from Ron and quickly disappear. I know I should be more considerate, but I can't contain my love for Bryant and I don't want to. I don't feel much for Ron now that I've got my powers and can suppress our bond. In fact, all I can think of is yesterday.

Bryant tells a story about Scar next, but I only focus on his lips and the way they felt on my skin. The need to be with him wells up in me and I think I might burst if it isn't satisfied. Will he always make me feel like this? I hope so, that is, if I make it through tomorrow.

Someone else is speaking, but Bryant is staring at me and Ron is glowering. Oh no, I forgot to keep my emotions to myself. Well the guilt of that is enough to quell my lust for Bryant. I excuse myself and go into the kitchen for some water.

I stay in there for a few minutes, trying to push away thoughts from yesterday. Bryant gazing at me for hours, just smiling, and me gazing back. We couldn't get enough of each other...

Ron storms past me, on his way to the door. I grab his arm, but he snatches it back.

"Are you leaving?" I don't want him to leave, he's still family. What if something happens to me tomorrow?

"I can't be around you, Tes. I need to leave." Ron stares hard at the ground while he speaks.

"Ron...I'm trying to..." He can't leave like this, what if I never see him again?

"Tes..." The pain in his eyes as he looks at me, beats me down. "I can't." Ron twists around and leaves, slamming the door behind him.

"Hey," Bryant says and takes me in his arms. "You'll be okay and you will see him again. I won't let anything happen to either of you tomorrow."

How can he say that? How can he say that when I know he knows who might die tomorrow and that there's a huge possibility it will be me? Why is he keeping it from me?

"You don't know anything! Ron could die tomorrow! I could die!" Bryant winces at my last words, it's me, it has to be. "You can't save everyone," I whisper.

Bryant squeezes me tight. "I can try."

"Come on, Bryant!" Scar shouts. "Stop stalling!"

What's she talking about? I pull away from Bryant, he's got a goofy smile on his face. He pulls me back into the living room. The lights are off and everyone is holding a candle; Seelina is here now too.