A Slave to Broken Hearts (A Slave to Love Sequel)

Chapter 7: Summer Solstice

"Okay, I've been pretty trusting with your whole blindfolding shtick that you keep pulling on me, but this is ridiculous. It's never been this elaborate before," I said, stumbling uncomfortably. We were outside, I knew that much. I could feel the wind on my face, the grass tickling my ankles, and a heavy heat on my skin.

 "Oh come on, it's not even that elaborate compared to the other times. Those included outfits..."

Using my free hand, I socked him in what I thought was his shoulder, even though I couldn't help but smile at the memories. "Okay fine. There hasn't been this much secrecy before then. So what's going on? Where are we going? You're not going to push me in the pool are you? Because that would be cruel."

That earned me a snort. "Why would I tell you to get all glammed up just to waste it by shoving you in a pool? Do I look like I have a death wish?"

"Well I don't know. Maybe you're just twisted," I replied, gripping his arm tightly. "Are we almost there yet? This grass and heels combination isn't exactly easy."

"Oh, quit your whining. We're here," he said and I could almost hear his eyes rolling. He came to stand behind me, nimble fingers undoing the knot of my blindfold. He stood next to me then pulled it off gently. I blinked slightly against the light of the setting sun and when I finally realized what was in front of me I nearly toppled over. And it wasn't just cause one heel was stuck in the grass. 

There, just a few feet away, was a fire pit that was already lit with a dancing fire and logs nearby to keep it going. Two wicker chairs were placed on the opposite side of where the wind was blowing, presumably so no smoke would get in our faces. There was a picnic basket in between and two long wooden sticks propped up against one of the chairs. On the other chair was a black rose.

"What...what the hell?" I sputtered. 

Blade burst out laughing. "That's not quite the reaction I had been hoping for, but it was the one I was expecting."

"What's going on? What is all this?" I stepped forward to the chairs, then twirled back to look at him, hands on my hips.

"Well, about a year ago a girl went out partying and got drunk," he said, taking my hand before he led me over to the chairs. He stooped down and picked up the rose, examining it for a minute before he met my eyes and continued. "She had the misfortune of being kidnapped, held hostage and made over just in time for the Summer Solstice."

I tilted my head, studying him as I tried to figure out what this all had to do with anything. 

"She was in a tent and some dude was about to sink his teeth into her when someone showed up and got him to leave. And that someone was repaid by being bonded to her for eternity," he continued, offering me the rose.

"Hmm, I wonder who that could be," I mused, taking the rose before I gave it a whiff. Mmm, still smelled as good as ever.

"Oh some really handsome guy I'm sure," he replied as he waved his hand casually before flashing me a wide grin. "Now just to add even more crap to this poor girl's pile, she got her memory wiped."

"Wow it really wasn't her week, huh?" I teased, taking a seat on the now empty chair, crossing one leg over the other as I spun the rose. Blade took the chair next to mine, getting comfortable.

"Not at all. Lucky for her though, the really handsome guy remembered her," he said.

"Of course." After all, how else could the story end?

"And he remembered what happened and when," he said, turning to me now, suddenly serious. "So if we're being technical, this was an actual year ago to the day that all this happened."