Thicker than Water

Chapter Twenty Seven

Explaining to everyone how Haden had somehow came back to life was difficult.  People reacted by fainting, reciting prayers, or crying.  Our father reacted by hugging his son like he was completely thrilled to have him back.  We went with the story that Haden had simply woken up and came to find me.  We told them that as soon as he found me, we came to them.  There was no way we were telling them we had made love then came there.  Hell, they didn't even know that we were in love.  So, as far as they knew, we were siblings with a really tight bond.  Which was painful.

Victor had came by, but I hadn't noticed until we announced Haden was alive.  He approached me and quietly apologized, because he knew how I felt for Haden.  "I'm really sorry," he told me in a hushed tone.  I was standing next to Haden who was casting us an evil glare.  I nodded to Victor and he pulled me into a hug.  "I was really worried about you," he said by my ear then let me go.  Haden draped an an over my shoulders then guided me away from him.

You're mine, remember, Haden told me, but soon let me go.  I just smiled, earning a strange look from my mother.  My body began to fill with rage now that I knew she wasn't my real mother.  I had the urge to shove a wooden stake in her chest.  Calm down, Haden told me. I know you're angry.  We'll deal with her later.

Victor casted us both a strange look, before adding quietly, "If you ever change your mind, you always have me."  His cheeks turned pink and he scurried off onto the crowd.

I knew I had hurt him.  But even now he still wanted me.  After so much pain and torture I had put him through, he still wanted me.  But I'd never leave Haden.  I obviously couldn't be without him.  I already knew that was hell to go through and I didn't think I'd survive of that ever happened again.

I took a deep breath and endured the thousand questions that bombarded us.  Our aunt, a woman in her forties with dark brown hair and hazel eyes, came over to us and began with her questioning.  "Where have you been," she asked us both and I flinched.  Beside me, Haden looked just as worried.  "You, young lady, you vanished without a word said to William!  You just left without telling anyone.  Have you anything to say for yourself?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but Haden spoke for me.  "She came to help me in the capital with work, that's all," he said.  "My sincere apologies, Aunt Sarah.  It's my fault -"

"Hush, she needs to own up to her own mistakes.  You can't protect her forever."

Haden almost snapped, but I intervened, saying, "Yes, ma'am.  I'm really sorry."

"Good girl," she said, smiling with prefect teeth.  "But cut the bullshit.  What happened between you and Mr. Trinity?  You two haven't really spoken.  He keeps looking at you, but you're ignoring him.  Tell me, what's going on?"

I was speechless.  I knew Aunt Sarah was a very upfront kind of person who didn't take bullshit.  When I found words, I said, "I'm not really with Victor anymore."  I immediately felt Haden's tension leave his body.

She tilted her head like she didn't understand.  "But, he's really in love with you..."

I smiled, being completely honest, "I know that.  But I don't feel the same.  I love someone else."

I swear the look on her face was golden.  She was beaming with pride.  "That's wonderful, I hope to meet him some day then."

If only she knew, Haden told me with an inner chuckle.

Who said I was talking about you, I teased.

You're going to get it later.  Keep it up, Rogue, he retorted playfully.  I will get payback!