Chapter 16

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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

My room was magnificent. The walls were a beautiful raspberry color that popped with the turquoise accent pillows and furniture that were scattered about the room in a neat disarray. My bags were already in a neat pile by the door and for that I was extremely grateful.

Dallas let out an inward groan and started complaining about how my room was bigger than his. His hand had never left mine except if it were to wrap it around my waist or shoulder as we walked. He was so secure, I never wanted him to let me go. But sometimes, a girls gotta rest. The plane ride had tired me out, nonetheless and a repeat with Dallas the night before in his room would've been nice, but I didn't want to give him the wrong idea of us going somewhere too fast where I certainly wasn't comfortable.

His beautiful green eyes shone with understanding at my tiredness and didn't mock me or make any sexual jokes surprisingly. I guess I didn't look very awake at the moment. He gave me a soft peck on my cheek and said goodnight before wrapping me up in a humongous bear hug that caused a fit of giggles to rise up in my throat. Giggles for Christ sake! I was not going to turn into one of those girls who fawned all over a guy and followed him around like a puppy dog. As much as I liked Dallas, I was going to be an independent woman.

I unpacked all my things after he left and got out my favorite red blanket and shoved my favorite pillows where they should be and prayed for sleep. Thankfully, though provocatively slow and overwhelming, sleep came down upon me.

I let the dream scape wash over me with the fear of what was to come. I didn't want to be here, I wanted to be back in the Academy house. Elias couldn't show up now! But show up he did. And I don't know why I didn't just wake myself up. Until I saw his face. Then everything made perfect sense.

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We were sitting under a canopy of a towering weeping willow tree that haunted your eyes at first sight. They looked broken and battered down, but under their glorious shade they offered protection and happiness. Such a strange living thing. So misunderstood by its own looks.

Elias looked down at me with a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"So, have you given much thought to my offer?"

His voice rang out like a million bells inside my head. His rainstorm eyes crackled with electricity under my unwavering stare. I couldn't take my eyes away, obviously. It felt like a trance, almost. Like if I looked away, my whole world would shatter and I would be broken over and over again.

"I-I don't know...I can't just drop everything and come live in this magical world. Earth is my home and I don't plan on leaving it or the people inside it anytime soon."

Although he might have had a hold over my eyes, it wasn't over my mind. I needed to see all the facts before I made any decisions-about anything or anyone. How am I supposed to choose something when I don't even know the whole story?

"Well, my dear, just think it over some more. You know I can not find you at your home anymore. It seems all your belongings are gone and you haven't been home for quite some time. Care to tell me where you are?"

I knew he could read my mind and I immediately thought if that was the reason no one told me where I was going. At this thought, Elias growled, an actual low guttural, animal sounding growl.

"So the Brotherhood has taken you? Probably to a safe house I don't know about. They want to hide you from me, but kidnapping you to teach you irrelevant baby tricks to make you think you're controlling your powers will do nothing! I will find you, Chaossandria Allesia! You have my word on that. And a gentleman never breaks his promises."

And with that, he placed a gentle kiss on my hand before the entire atmosphere was filled with animosity. The skies turned black. I couldn't see five inches in front of my face. Elias was gone, and it felt like there was a hole in my heart from where I had disappointed him. A large crack of thunder sounded ominously overhead and I shrieked out in pain as it almost burst my eardrums. I woke up in a puddle of my own tears and a very concerned looking Dallas holding my still shrieking, trembling body.

I had no clue why I was crying. When I was away from Elias, everything in my head was both more clear and yet more confusing at the exact same time. I knew now that he must have put some sort of trance over me, but I couldn't control myself in the dream scape. Here, in the real world, I remembered everything we said and did but the power he held and obviously still holds over me must be so strong that to make him angry or to disappoint him drove me to the verge of hysterical tears.

After I had calmed down, I took soothing breaths in and out and leaned back into Dallas' warm and strong arms. They enveloped me in the very best way and I allowed myself to be wrapped in his warmth and comfort. Maybe sleeping without him tonight was a bad idea...it made me wonder if Dallas could keep Elias away at night. Time to test that theory. I drifted into a much more peaceful sleep while resting my aching head on Dallas' chest. I wrapped my arms around him and just before I fell asleep, I whispered a soft, "Thank you."

"For what?" His deep voice rumbled in my ears and it reminded me of a soft summer storm, not the ear breaking thunderclap Elias produced in the dream scape.

"For being there when I didn't know anything and for not pushing my boundaries, for protecting me when my attitude didn't warrant it...everything." I hoped he knew I was referring to the incident where I thought he was cheating.

"I'll always be there for you, even if you say you hate my guts and push me away as far as you can, I'll always be there. Now try to get some sleep, I'll check on you in the morning."

A thread of panic streaked through me. He couldn't leave, what if Elias came back?

"Wait." I said cautiously as he started to get up.

"Will you stay?" I furiously hoped he wouldn't mind too much.

A slow, cocky smile spread across his perfect face.

"Of course."

And with that, I slept just as soundly as I had the first night Dallas had stayed with me.

Author's Note-

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! The next one will be up soon, I feel like I'm on a roll! So tell me what you think, who do you want her to be with????!!? Do you like the book so far? Who's your favorite guy?? Comment and please please please give feedback thank you guys sooo much for who is reading this book it means a lot! Love you guys!

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