Authors: Sarah Brocious
“Why are you here, Elenora?”
“Concern,” she sighed.
“Over me?” Raina laughed. “You expect me to believe that?”
Elenora shrugged. “I think you're going into this blind. You look at him and you see a Saint. You see a protector and someone who has loyalty in the bucket. You don't think that he's capable of hurting or lying.”
Raina frowned.
“You've been misinformed, dear Raina. I'm here to let you know that your little Nolan, he has a secret. Big old secret. I swore under contract that I wouldn’t reveal this. Not a contract between Nolan and I but a contract between another immortal." Her eyes drifted to Thanatos. "Not even a contract between Thanatos and I. It's a juicy secret. Maybe you should ask your dear friend and protector. Or maybe you should confront Nolan." Her dark eyes glittered. "Oh wait, you're not allowed to talk to him." She smiled cruelly at Raina.
Raina felt a chill run down her spine. "What do you mean by a secret?" She blinked back at the she devil.
Elenora scoffed at her. "Nolan isn't perfect. I'm thinking if you knew the secret you'd be done with him. I would never stand for a man holding such information for me. Even your protector would warrant a chastisement from you."
Raina shivered. "I trust both of them of my life," she whispered. She knew her words couldn't be heard over the loud music by anyone but an immortal. "There are no lies between us." She swallowed hard. "You're just trying to stir things up Elenora. You are a jealous unhappy woman and I pity you."
Raina got up from her seat and walked promptly back to her friends. She wasn't about to give Elenora the satisfaction of seeing her disbelief, or seeing her waiver in her own conviction.
“Fine, believe what you want,” she taunted. “You will soon learn. The secret is close at hand, Raina! Your sweet little world may just crumble before your eyes!”
Thanatos eyes were steady on her as she approached. He of course had heard the conversation. He hoped that Raina would not question him now because he didn't know how he would answer. He had dreaded this moment coming up and he knew Nolan dreaded it even more. They had done everything to shelter her. The lie was necessary and he wouldn’t be the one to reveal it. He knew Elenora had signed a contract with said immortal and she could not break it. He would deny it with his last breath. Raina didn't need to know the secret that weighed so heavily on him and his friend.
"Thanatos?" Raina blinked back tears. "I think I've had enough fun tonight. Can we take a cab home?" She stepped up to him and went up on her tip toes so she could be closer to his ear. "I won't ask," she whispered. "I trust you. I trust Nolan. I just can't do this tonight."
Thanatos held her gently to him. "I understand," he sighed. He gave her a gentle squeeze. "Why don't we make a phone call tonight too?" He whispered this gently against her ear so that only she heard. "Is that what you want?"
"It's what I need," she answered. "I need Nolan."
They said a goodbye to very surprised friends. After this, Thanatos made a call for the cab. His hand never let go of hers.
He led her out, shooting Elenora a glare as the woman watched them with her dark eyes.
He helped Raina into the cab and got in silently behind her. He gave the cab driver her address and reached into his jacket for his phone. He unlocked it and ran through his contacts handing Raina the phone.
"Just hit call beautiful."
Raina obeyed and held her breath as she listened to the ring. Her heart stuttered a little and then there was his voice.
"Tell me you took her home and had her change."
Raina smiled sadly. She cradled the phone closer to her face. "It's me," she whispered.
There was silence on the other end for just a moment. "Hello, Aelan," he murmured softly.
"I know this is against all the rules. But I just needed to hear your voice tonight. I had an awful scare and no amount of persuasion from Thanatos would've helped. I still need you."
He sighed into the phone. "And you think I don't need you?"
She smiled. "Oh I know you need me." She thought of the revelation she'd been given tonight. But she didn't talk about that now. It wasn't the time. She had what she wanted at this moment. She was hearing the most beautiful voice in the world.
"What happened, Aelan?"
"The she devil happened," she whispered. "She tried to convince me that you're keeping a secret from me. And I don't mean the secret of what you're doing now for Our Sovereignty. I've learned about that as well. She said there was something else, Nolan."
He drew in a breath. "There is something." Nolan paused, going over the words in his head before they came out of his mouth. "But it's not something I want to talk to you about over the phone. I promise, my love, I will tell you. You just have to trust me that I have your best at heart and that's all that matters."
Raina close your eyes and a tear fell down her cheek. "I trust you. In this whole crazy world, I trust you the most." She swallowed and fought back the tears. "Your voice is all I need tonight. I don't need revelations or secret telling. Just need that voice."
"I have to go my love," he said softly. "I still have training tonight."
Raina shook her head not wanting to say goodbye. "I understand” She drew in a shaky breath. “I love you. I love you so much, Nolan Gregor."
"I love you, Aelan," he groaned. "You will never know how much or how deep and how unconditionally I love you."
She laughed with happiness.
He chuckled softly. "And by the way, you look gorgeous tonight. That picture stopped my heart. I was getting ready to board a plane just to put a sweater on your shoulders." He laughed again. "I should put you over my knee."
Raina giggled through her tears. "I dare you."
Nolan groaned into the phone. "Why must you tempt me?" She could hear his smile through the phone.
She cherished the image almost as much as she would have cherished the frowny face.
"Behave, my love. …I have to go."
"Good night then," she whispered. "Sweet dreams, my Nolan."
She ended the call and handed Thanatos the phone. She then snuggled into his shoulder to cry. She deserved a cry tonight!
Chapter 7 Headaches
Raina rubbed her sore eyes as she came downstairs. She felt completely dazed. It was the kind of feeling you got after imbibing a little too much the night before and you pay for it the next morning.
"Elenora," she growled. The witches mind freak had done this before, and she had no Nolan to massage it away this time. The she devil hangover… this was just lovely.
She narrowly avoided tripping over Percy on her way down and suddenly realized Turk hadn’t followed her. She didn’t even remember the sound of him jumping from the bed. She felt a bit of panic looking back up the stairs. Her heart skipped a beat, and she started back up, and then froze for an instant.
"He found the couch more comfortable," a voice deep with sleep caused her to spin about. She begged her heart to slow down when she realized she was in no danger. The site before her made her smile.
Thanatos was laid out on the couch and a tongue lolling Turk shook his tail at her, as he lounged alongside him. They looked nice and comfy.
Raina shook her head, smiled, and then stifled a yawn with her hand. She had never seen him so disheveled. He who always dressed to the nines with every hair in place was handsomely in disarray. The blonde hair stuck out in points all over his head. His T-shirt was a wrinkled mess, and he still wore his dress slacks from the night before. His disheveled mess made him more likable and revealed a little bit more of the true Thanatos inside. She wondered why he always tried to put on a front… why he felt he must be perfect.
"Morning," she greeted. "I didn't know you were staying over."
He ran a hand through his hair, and then scratched the stubble across his chin. "Well I wasn't leaving you in your state.” His eyes softened. “I knew for a fact Nolan would have had my head if he’d ever found out I did! And Elenora showing up like that gave me cause for concern. Yeah I wasn’t about to leave you." He sat up, straightened his shirt, and shoved Turk off the couch playfully.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
"How are you feeling?" The sleepy green eyes studied her as if to determine for himself the answer before she spoke a word.
Raina rubbed the back of her skull and moaned. "Like crap." She closed her eyes tightly "I could use some magic fingers," she admitted.
He lifted his brows and gave his signature smirk. Raina shook a finger at him "Oh no… you know what I mean." She turned toward the kitchen for some coffee. "As in Nolan's magic fingers," she threw over her shoulder.
Thanatos chuckled getting up with ease. "I know what her mind tricks can do. I've learned a few ways of coping." He followed her into the kitchen and opened the cupboard nearest the sink. He pulled out a bottle and shook it at her.
She winced at the sound. "Oh aspirin. You're a genius," she growled sarcastically and measured coffee into a filter. She felt so irritable with pain.
"Okay sassy pants. Do you want my help or not?"
She rolled her eyes. And gave a meek nod.
"Take these, go upstairs, and take a bath. I will make the coffee and take care of the critters. Then come back down and I will have another trick to help you." He reached over and ran a hand gently over her forehead. He frowned and set a kiss there as well. "I'm sorry I can't protect you in that way…against the pain? I know Nolan was really good at that. And for you I wish he was here.” He sighed and lifted a shoulder. “But we will get through this."
Raina smiled sweetly at him. She squeezed his hand. "You're doing a good job, Thanatos. I'm still alive aren't I?"
“Gee, thanks,” he snorted. He turned her about and pushed her toward the stair. "Up! Bath…now!"
She groaned, rubbing her temples. “Okay, okay!”
He watched her fumble her way up the stairs and felt great empathy. One day he hoped Elenora could get a taste of her own medicine!
He quickly got the coffee going. He needed that himself since he felt out of sorts. Firstly, last night had not gone as planned, and secondly, he was a mess! He didn't like to be in this disheveled state. It made him feel ill prepared, and weak even. He tugged at the wrinkled mess his undershirt was, and frowned.
The funny thing was…with Raina, he didn't feel quite as vulnerable. He thought of all the times that Elenora had insisted on perfection. He was always groomed, always perfectly dressed for her. She wouldn't have allowed him in her presence without being that way. He had constantly questioned his worth!
“That’s all over,” he reminded himself. He wasn’t quite over the shock of that statement being true. Nolan would forever have his respect for that! He’d forever have his appreciation as well for allowing him to be around Raina. Nolan had known he’d need her in this transition time…as much as she needed him!
Never before had he considered he could be of any worth to anyone unless he was perfect. With Raina he felt very worthy. The problem was, he wanted to feel that with someone that could be his.
Shaking his head, he let Turk out the back to do his business and fed Percy. He heard the water running upstairs and hoped that she would soak for a good long time. She would need that. How well did he know!
He went to check his phone for any calls. He saw a text from Nolan and quickly answered that all was well. A slow grin pulled at his lips when he looked at his call log. He thought of the conversation that he had had last night after Raina had gone to sleep. Not with Nolan but with someone of the feminine persuasion.
"Arabella," he said with amusement. It had been a lovely conversation. He had not found her number on his person until after he ushered Raina to bed. It was in the pocket of his suit jacket. She must have placed it there as they danced. At first he thought it too overly bold. But then he thought of dark eyes, perfect skin, and a lovely soft voice. Why not? And so he had called her and they spoke for hours. He wondered if he should tell Raina. He wondered what her reaction would be. But she had been taken by Arabella, so he just may have her approval. Besides it was far too hard to hide anything from Raina.
Everything but one thing. The one thing he was sure she was going ask about today. The one thing Nolan wouldn’t even tell her. This was the first and only time that Thanatos had envied Nolan's geographical location. Nolan wouldn’t have to look into those big blue eyes, as she pleaded to know!
He was not going to tell her, no, he would never tell her, but not revealing the secret, was going to be tough. She could be persistent. And for being a human, she could be very persuasive. Joseph had said that she would have the gift of changing if she were immortal. But Thanatos was sure that she would also have the gift of persuasion as he did. She may even be stronger in it than he was.
What other changes would happen in her? He found himself wondering at the color those blues would change into if she were changed…then thought it a shame that they would change at all. They were perfect just as they were. He smiled, and shook his head.