Fated Connection (Book 1)

Chapter 18

I looked at Alana, unable to tear my eyes away from her. It felt so surreal to be near her after all these years of wondering what she looked like, who she was. The crystal on my necklace grew warm against my skin and my hand reflexively traveled to it, tracing the ridges absentmindedly with my fingers. 

Alana's eyes tracked my movements, a ghost of a smile appearing on her elegant features. Her honey streaked hair fell in loose waves just below her shoulders, and I couldn't help but compare it to my own white blonde locks.

"I see you have the necklace still," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.

I looked down at the crystal and remembered that Nova had one nearly identical. So many questions raced through my mind, begging to get out but I didn't know where to start. 

"Yes, I rarely go anywhere without it," I finally managed, my throat starting to grow tight. 

She wore a genuine smile at that and motioned towards my bed. "How about we sit?"

I nodded, my body moving mechanically as I struggled to hold myself together. Everything around me felt like it was colliding and bursting at the seams; crumbling into devastation. I had no idea how I was supposed to act or feel, what to say or do. Why did everything have to always feel so gut wrenching and hard?

After we had sat comfortably on my bed, an awkward silence passed between us. It seemed neither of us knew how to begin. My hands clenched and unclenched nervously in my lap as the seconds ticked by.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions but I want you to hear my side of the story." Alana looked at me, her violet eyes holding mine captive. All I could do was nod my ascent. 

Alana finally looked away, taking a deep shuddering breath as if the thought of talking about it pained her physically. I watched as she began to twist the delicate silver ring on her left ring finger, the intricate design of vines wrapping around a small red stone. Her wedding band.

"I was elated when I found out I was pregnant with you, but also terrified. Dominic and I were on the run, from both kings as well as Torch. " she began but I interrupted. 

"Why from both kings?" I asked, curiosity taking over momentarily. 

"They felt we had betrayed them, betrayed the kingdoms and our own races, committed treason. And I guess we had. Sleeping with the enemy and all." 

"Oh, right," I responded, feeling slightly stupid. "Sorry, continue."

"It's alright. Anyway, during my pregnancy I was vulnerable, my powers unpredictable. Dominic is a powerful warrior, skilled with both power and weapons, but Torch kept getting closer and closer every time. It got harder to escape unscathed." Alana paused and looked up at the ceiling. "We knew we needed a back up plan."

"You were a month old the last time I held you, you're big green eyes looking into my soul. Torch had found us, the place we had been hiding. His men stormed the place like Vikings, luckily Dominic was able to stave off the first wave but just barely." Alana looked at me with tears in her eyes, her lower lip trembling as she struggled to contain her emotions. 

"When he came to me, his face covered in blood and his sword in hand, I knew we had lost you." Her voice broke on the last words along with my heart, silent tears coating my cheeks. "Once more we ran, barely making it out alive with you clutched in my arms. We did the only thing we knew to do, which was to get you to August and have him take you away from all of this madness, to hide you from the monsters that hunted us and you."

She reached out and took my hand, her grasp surprisingly strong. Her fingers were warm as they trembled beneath mine and a spark of recognition shot through me from her touch. Part of me still remembered her.