Authors: Sarah Brocious
Raina bit her lip knowing he meant when they test the theory on him.
“Aelan?”
His voice broke through when she had been silent for a few seconds.
She shook her head and cleared her throat. “We are heading to Bitter Sweet for lunch.”
“Maxim is with you?”
“Yes.” She rolled her eyes. Of course he was. Maxim was never far now a days. Raina knew she should be thankful she had so many to care for her…a mere mortal. “Can I bring you something?”
“Please,” he growled. “I’m starving!”
She smiled. She liked when she could take care of him now and then. “We won’t be long,” she promised. “Love you.”
“I love you,” he murmured.
Raina heard a teasing remark in the background and knew it was Thanatos. “We’ll bring Bradley and the green eyed one something too,” she promised before she ended the call.
They rode over to Bitter Sweet in Melinda’s car, Maxim drove. He insisted on staying in the car and allowing them their girl time. Raina fussed with it being so chilly outside but he insisted.
Rachel had their order waiting so she personally ran his food out to him. It was then and only then could she relax.
Emily busily made a phone call and scheduled and appointment with her designer for the next afternoon. She was dancing in her chair with excitement.
There was chit chat about food and flowers…conversation dominated by Emily who was more than excited to chime in!
Raina was feeling good about the plans…until she wasn’t. Her stomach tumbled with nerves. Never about being with Nolan and all about it all going right! She didn’t want that other shoe to drop.
“So let’s talk about what you don’t want to talk about,” Melinda chimed in after they had dug into their food. “Nolan and his impending possible change.”
Emily nearly choked on her food. “Wait wah?” she mumbled, mouth full.
Raina glared at Melinda. “It’s not common knowledge at the moment Melinda!” She rubbed her temples, feeling Emily’s eyes on her. “Not everyone has an immortal for a bed fellow with access to pillow talk.” She was sure her words came out with a bite. But this she did not want to discuss! Not weeks before her wedding and especially not with Emily who was just beginning to understand all of this!
Melinda winced slightly. “I’m sorry Raina…I really didn’t know you didn’t want to…”
“Okay, someone tell me what this change is! And if you tell me vampire…”
Raina giggled at this. “You would love that! Miss Twilight!”
Emily smirked and then frowned. “No for real! Tell me what’s happening?”
Raina drew in a deep breath and let it all spill out. She had to admit that by the time she was finished she did feel a weight was lifted off of her chest.
Emily was dumbfounded with mouth open by the end. “That’s amazing news Rain!”
“If it works,” Raina said softly. Her voice trembled as she continued. “They have never tested it before so they have no way of knowing if it will work.”
Emily bit her lip, now understanding Raina’s sadness. “But it has to work,” she said in a small voice. She wiped at her eyes and shook her head. “It just has to!” She reached over and touched her friend’s hand. She blew out a breath. “Well, I certainly won’t be sharing this with Bradley right away.”
Melinda sipped her coffee. “Good idea!”
She frowned. “I really didn’t mean to upset you Raina.”
Raina shrugged. “No, I have to face facts. Emily needed to know too.”
Maxim entered the café and nodded to the restroom. “I’ll be only a minute!”
Raina laughed and waived him on. Overprotective immortals! She glanced toward the kitchen. “Rachel, would you mind getting our take out ready for us? We will be heading out soon!”
Melinda smiled. “In a hurry Miss Raina? I’m sure you are anxious to see Nolan now after all of this talk!”
Raina did have the sudden urge for Nolan.
“Ah new love,” Emily teased.
Raina shrugged and rolled her shoulders. “I guess!”
Melinda patted her hand. ‘We will be there soon enough!”
Raina choked back a denial. It wasn’t going to be soon enough! She needed him! Right now! Just his hand on her skin and she’d be okay! She swallowed and attempted a small smile but panic was rising. She should be spending every second with him…not worrying about a wedding…a dress…anything but him! She could lose him! These could be their last weeks and then never again would she have his touch, his glance, his kiss. Never hear his voice…see those eyes as they ran over her…”Oh Hell,” Raina growled. “Really? Today?”
“Hello bitches!”
“Elenora,” they all groaned in unison.
The dark eyed beauty slipped into the seat across from Raina. She was still in the mortals head and she was relishing it. “I will make this quick…I know your guard will be back!”
Yes, this fit…she was forever an opportunist!
“You know, after the trial…everyone involved in the incident with my father was punished. You heard that right?” She ran her eyes over Raina in disgust. “David was sentenced to do some menial labor…my father and his cohort are still in captivity…the two of them lost anyone who were bestowed to them. Their contracts are void! That means your dear David…”
“He’s not mine.”
“Well he’s free…” She twirled a dark curl around her delicate fingers.
Raina lifted her shoulders.
“Those blue eyes and that all American smile…don’t you miss him? Even after he did the right thing because little Raina begged him to?”
Raina frowned.
“Well he was hoping you would! With all his little heart!”
“Spending time with him are you?” Raina’s fair brow rose.
Elenora seemed to falter a bit. “I wouldn’t waste my time on him. I just thought you should know…he wants another go.”
“Your point Elenora?”
“Just stating facts.”
Raina cleared her throat. “I don’t want David back.”
The dark eyes glazed dangerously. “Do you know Our Sovereignty even punished me? I guess they like to hit where it hurts. Try to guess what I lost sweet Raina?”
Raina shook her head, trying to ignore the ache already starting in her temple.
“HIM!” she shouted. “They voided my contract too! Nolan knows this…he found out from Grandfather the day he came back here! And then I find the very day after…you are engaged.” She grabbed Raina’s hand.
“Get over it Elenora,” Emily scoffed. “You were never in the race!”
Elenora turned her gaze on Emily.
Maxim came running from the back. Raina shook her head at him and he stilled with uncertainty.
Emily sucked in a sudden shocked breath.
Raina turned quickly and saw her eyes were locked with Elenoras.
“No,” she growled. “Don’t hurt her. It’s me you are angry with.” The blue eyes met the dark with challenge. She jerked her hand back. “What do you hope to accomplish Elenora? What is your purpose in being here?” She felt the deepening pain and knew it would only get worse as time went on. She barely blinked and tried to ignore the watering in her eyes. She lifted her chin stubbornly and waited for an answer.
Elenora drew in a breath, not liking the fact that Raina was not backing down from her. “I don’t know exactly. Maybe to give you some hell…I’m a…”
“Bitch! Yes we know,” Emily growled. “Can we get this over? We have things to do…wedding to plan!”
Elenora ignored Emily and those dark eyes pierced Raina. “I’m not done with you yet sweetheart.”
Raina sighed. “Elenora, do what you must. But I am done with you!” She got up and pulled on her coat. She gave Rachel a brave smile as she handed her the take out bag. Emily was right behind her to grab the drinks.
“You enjoy that headache,” Elenora mocked.
Raina’s phone was going off. It was Nolan. She was receiving a text…that would be Thanatos. Not much got by the two of them!
“Get a life,” Melinda growled at Elenora.
“Brave words from the wife of a Healer. You wouldn’t be so brave otherwise!”
Raina gave her one final glare. ”It must be miserable and lonely in your sad little world Elly,” she bit out. And they left Elenora sitting by herself.
Maxim took Raina by the arm and she looked up at him thankfully. She was in a lot of pain but she would not allow the she devil to see that! He put her carefully into the car. Concern filled the kind eyes.
She was laid in the back seat, her head in Emily’s lap, but only after they were out of sight of the café.
“What do we do?” Emily whimpered, looking to Melinda in the front seat.
“We get her to Nolan,” Melinda answered. “He will know how to take care of her. Poor girl!”
Raina moaned when her phone continued to buzz. “Drive faster Maxim,” she sighed.
“But carefully,” Emily tittered, worrying over the iced roads.
He obeyed.
The moment they entered the building Nolan was striding toward them. He wasn’t upstairs in his own office but had been waiting in the foyer of the building, pacing outside the elevators. He pushed the food aside when Raina offered and cupped her face. “You didn’t answer your phone!” He glared at Maxim. “What happened?”
Maxim stuttered.
“Don’t blame Maxim,” Raina whispered, wincing at her own voice.
“Elenora,” Melinda answered, taking the bag from Raina’s hands and giving Nolan a knowing look.
“Call for my car please, Miss Plum,” he said softly to the girl at the reception.
“Yes, Mr. Gregor”
If Raina were feeling better she would have wanted to super glue the batting eyelashes of Miss Plum.
“Maxim, see to the girls.”
“Yes,” he muttered without hesitation.
“Feel better Rain,” Emily said softly as they were ushered into the elevator.
“Bradley’s meeting,” Raina protested.
Nolan ignored her and enveloped her in his arms. His fingers ran through her hair. “I just need to get you home. I’ll treat you there. There is nothing more important than you.”
She rolled her eyes and then moaned at the action. “Silly overprotective immortal, I’ve survived worse,” she mumbled, nearly falling asleep as the tips of his fingers grazed the base of her skull.
“It’s a short trip,” he growled. “I’ve learned new techniques. I will have you healed faster than you can believe.” He tenderly used his hands to soothe the pain he sensed. He wanted to wring Elenora’s neck. He bit his tongue against questions. He knew Raina was in no condition for explanations right now. He trailed his hands down her spine and up again. “Scale of one to ten, how is the pain?”
“A thousand,” she whimpered, holding to the lapels of his suit.
He wrapped an arm around her waist to ease her weight from her feet. His free hand climbed to the back of her neck and he squeezed gently at just the right point. He felt her body relax. “I could tell you to wake…”
“I want to be awake while you baby me,” she whimpered.
He chuckled, despite his anger. “I will have you all better soon, Aelan. I promise.” He continue to press just so at her muscles.
She knew she was probably drooling; she felt so relaxed now. “If it feels like this; you can take your time.”
He chuckled huskily, tipped her chin and kissed her softly. Right there in the open, in front of flirty reception girl. This made Raina happy.
“Cars here,” he murmured against her lips.
“That was fast,” she grouched.
Nolan gave her his frowny face and swept her up into his arms.
Raina gasped, but happily wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his neck. “Eat your heart out Miss Plum,” she murmured against his skin.
“So catty Aelan,” he growled, but there was a pleased smirk on his lips.
“Nolan your coat!”
“Stop worrying about me, baby!” He pushed through the door and out into the cold wintery afternoon. He didn’t even flinch at the change in temperature.
“Someone has to,” she argued back, and then went silent. The sound of her own voice was echoing in her head.