“Maddie, I have missed this so much.” He bent his head into her neck and inhaled deeply. Then, he surprised her by picking her up in his arms and carrying her to the bed. He laid her down and stretched out alongside her and began caressing her. He ran his finger down her chest until he reached the swell of her breast, where he stopped.
She lifted her head and looked at him. “I want us to get married, Rayn. I don’t want to wait any longer than necessary. I think we have waited long enough, and this war doesn’t look like it’s going to have the quick resolution everyone had hoped for.”
Maddie wanted to have their unity ceremony as soon as possible. They could have a big reception when everyone was home on Vesturon again. Right now, simply put, she had to be by Rayn’s side. Her Commander at the academy told her she would be stationed wherever Rayn was, acting as his second in command. They had waited long enough to be together. Besides all the logical reasons, they would also make an awesome team.
“But what about Xarrid, Therron, and…Sharra will be so upset with us, Maddie! You know she will!”
“No, she won’t! She can do all her party planning. We can even repeat our vows if she wants and have that huge reception of hers when this conflict is over. But for now, we can have a simple ceremony that will be every bit as meaningful to us. Therron, Xarrid, and Sharra can all join us by pictograph if they have to…to see our union. We can get your parents and my grandparents to come. What else do we need?”
“So…a Guardian, huh?”
“My telekinesis master says I am a force to be reckoned with. He said he doesn’t know any other Guardian with my capability!”
“Maddie! Amazing!”
“Wanna see?” she asked.
At his nod, she raised her arm toward him and elevated him up to the ceiling. Rayn was astounded.
“When you said telekinesis, I just figured small items. This is unbelievable. Um…can you put me down now?”
“One more reason why you need me by your side!” He would be totally shocked when he discovered exactly what she could do telekinetically.
She had a tough argument, and she had thought out all the details. Rayn began to feel hopeful. This is what he had wanted for so long. He could finally live his dream.
Maddie saw the wheels spinning in his mind. She looked at him with a smile as he opened his arms to her. She wrapped herself around him. She tangled her fingers in his hair, nestled her head into the crook of his neck and inhaled deeply. She had missed every fiber of his being, and now that she was here, she wouldn’t ever let him go.
He leaned away from her so that he could look into her eyes and asked, “You are positive this is what you want? You are not doing this for any kind of insane reason?” he wanted to know.
She molded herself around him again, as if she couldn’t bear the thought of not touching him. Then, she touched her lips to his. “Well, I am insanely crazy about you! How about that? This is everything I want Rayn, and I won’t be away from you a moment longer.”
They sensed their need for each other and the urgency to consummate their relationship.
Rayn finally saw something else. Before him was a mature female, full of strength and completely sure of herself and their connection. Gone was the timid girl he had left eleven months ago. As much as he hated to admit it, she had been right about them all along.
“You are different, Maddie—in an extraordinary way. You were right. You needed to grow and become who you are. I am glad you did not let my pigheadedness stop you from doing this. I know I tried to get you to change your mind, but I am happy you paid no attention to me!”
“Oh, Rayn, there is so much I need to share with you. I am truly a Vesturion. I can’t wait to show you my talents.”
Rayn couldn’t wait to see them, but he doubted he was thinking of the kind of talents she was.
“Well, then, I guess that settles it,” he said. “We need to gather everyone here for our ceremony. You want to do this, when?” he asked.
“Well, first we must attend my graduation party. Then, we can discuss all the details with everyone.”
“I guess we do need to make an appearance.”
“Oh, and you must meet my new friend Saylan. After you talk with her a bit, I want your opinion of what you think about her and Xarrid, as a couple.”
“Er, Maddie, I am not so sure matchmaking a good idea.”
“I wasn’t planning on doing any matchmaking other than introducing them.”
“Promise?”
When she nodded, he said, “Good. Let us join the party then. I avoid matchmaking at all costs, because it typically ends up badly.”
By the time they joined the party, it was already in full swing. Therron and Xarrid lifted their brows at Maddie and Rayn as they entered the room. Rayn gave a “What?” look in return.
Maddie weaved her way into the crowd, accepting congratulations and accolades, and her eyes finally landed on what she had been searching for.
“Sharra!” she called out. Sharra turned, and they both crashed into each other’s arms, jumping up and down and turning circles at the same time. Words poured from each of them, and Rayn rubbed his face, trying to understand how they could communicate in such a fashion.
“Maddie, you have been such a snitch! I cannot believe you are a Guardian!”
“Ohmagosh, Shar! I have missed you and your Sharbabble! You mean sneak…not snitch!”
“Oh, yes, well that too. How did you ever manage to keep all of this from us?”
“Rowan and Annalise were a blessing. They helped me so much, especially with Rayn,” Maddie explained as she glanced his way, smiling.
He wasted no time in grabbing her in his arms again. It seemed they could not keep their hands off of each other.
Maddie gave Sharra the rundown of how her quest to become a Guardian turned into reality, and Sharra did not hide how impressed she was.
“Maddie, I am so proud of you. It is not easy going through the training program, particularly when you cannot tell others what you are doing. You have amazed me!”
Rayn was watching Maddie, and he, too, was terribly proud of her. He pulled her to him, leaning into her and whispered, “She is right, Sunshine. If I did not say so earlier, I am so very proud of you too. Just when I think I know you, you astound me with something new. I will be honored to not only have you as my mate, but to also serve with you as a Guardian.”
Maddie felt her eyes tearing up, and a lump the size of the moon formed in her throat, rendering her speechless. She swallowed several times, and finally, her voice returned.
“Rayn, I don’t know what to say. I have always looked up to you and admired your integrity and character. You not only talk the talk, but you also walk it as well. For you to say something like that to me means more than I can tell you.” She embraced him and held him tightly to her until they heard Sharra clearing her throat.
“Do you two mind? We are in the company of many. I know that you want to be alone, but gracious! I have not seen you, Maddie, for nearly a year, and I want to have you to myself for awhile.”
They all started laughing, and Rayn took his cue, “Excuse me, ladies. I think I shall seek out my brothers.”
Maddie brought Sharra up to speed on everything that had happened in her life, minus the incident with Ondine. That was something that would stay between her, Therron, Xarrid, and Rowan. They had been sworn to secrecy, and they all were acutely aware that if Rayn found out, there would be hell to pay.
The party went on for hours. Maddie introduced Saylan to Xarrid, and the two of them spent most of the party together. Maddie spied them on more than one occasion slipping out to the terrace to find some alone time.
Maddie was returning from the restroom when Saylan intercepted her. They chatted as they made their way back to the party.
“Maddie, your Rayn is more handsome in person than he is in the pictures I have seen of him. He is unquestionably one of the most attractive males I have ever seen. To be certain, all of his brothers are gorgeous too. It must be a family trait.”
“I know, right? Saylan, I couldn’t help but notice that you and Xarrid seem to be hitting it off.”
Saylan flashed Maddie a huge grin and nodded. “He is a very interesting male. I like him, Maddie. Very much!”
“I thought you two would hit it off. I think you are alike in many ways. Will you be seeing him again?”
“Most definitely. He is here for three days before he must leave, so I think we will be spending some time together.”
Maddie nodded, smiling. “I am happy for the two of you. Xarrid is a great guy. The Yarristers are all so honorable. They are loyal and honest; they would never betray your trust. If a relationship ensues, you will not regret it.”
Speaking of the devils, suddenly the two of them were surrounded by all the brothers. Rayn had come up to Maddie, followed by Xarrid and the rest of them.
The banter began, with Tesslar’s comedic side making an appearance. Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves when Saylan dropped the bomb on everyone.
Maddie couldn’t blame her, as she never told Saylan to keep this to herself. Tesslar was regaling Saylan with “Maddie Stories from Earth.” He had just finished telling of the time Maddie crashed through the garage, driving Rayn’s brand new Lamborghini. He had even detailed the value of the Lamborghini and how much Rayn doted on the car.
The next thing Maddie knew, the conversation turned to Maddie’s awful luck issue.
Saylan was still giggling over Tesslar’s rendition of Maddie driving when she blurted out, “Well, that is nothing compared to when Maddie was kidnapped by Ondine and dumped in the Unforgiving Forest, left without a weapon, and had to defend herself against that disgusting
heptamorg
. Yeesh, she nearly bit the dust for good that time!”
You could have heard a pin drop in the silence that ensued. Everyone just stared at Saylan with their mouths hanging open.
Finally, Rayn said in his deadly calm voice, “Could you please repeat that?”
Saylan, unaware of what had just happened continued on, “Oh, yes, that nasty Ondine drugged Maddie and kidnapped her. Then, she dumped Maddie in the Unforgiving Forest, with her hands and ankles bound, by the way. Maddie was nearly naked and left with no water, food, or even shoes for that matter. Then, when the
heptamorg
captured her, she would have died if Xarrid hadn’t rescued her.”
Maddie’s eyes darted to Therron and Xarrid. The three of them truly did resemble deer in the headlights. Bless Saylan’s heart; she still was unaware of what she had done.
Rayn looked at Maddie, and she immediately recognized his pain. She extended her arm, but he backed away from her.
I have hurt him beyond measure.
Rayn turned and stormed out of the room. Maddie quickly followed. He was walking so fast that she had to run to catch up with him. She finally reached him on the front lawn.
“Rayn, stop…please,” she called as she took a hold of his arm. He fiercely tore it out of her grasp.
“Do not touch me! I no longer desire to be in your presence. Leave me.”
“Rayn, let me explain.”
“Maddie, I am tired of you having to explain. You withheld information from me, and I cannot continue on like this with you. It is always something! I do not like being lied to, and this is something that I cannot tolerate. Just leave!” His voice was quietly disturbing.
“I did not lie, Rayn.”
“No, you did not this time, but you kept the truth from me, which is equally as bad. What is it you humans call it? Oh, yes, a sin of omission. You have humiliated and dishonored me, and that is unforgiveable. Leave me…NOW!”
She flinched as his words pierced the depths of her soul, but she refused to obey him, desperately trying to get him to stop. He finally turned to her, held out his hand and bellowed, “I command you to stay and be silent!”
Rayn had never used his Power of Command on her in this manner. Every muscle of hers locked down, making it impossible for her to so much as wiggle a finger.
“You seem to be misinterpreting me, so let me be clear about this.” Rayn’s voice was now deafening. “I have asked and even begged you to not put yourself in danger—repeatedly, I might add. But you continually, blatantly, ignore my wishes like I am a child with no mind of my own, but I chose to live with that. I have explained to you why I am so protective of you, but you seem to care not. I could live with that as well. You have misled me in more ways than I truly want to know. How many times did you lie to me, Maddie, to cover up your activities? I am sure it is more than you can count, and for your information, I could also live with that. What I cannot and will not live with is your unconcealed and deliberate disregard for my feelings in all of this as well as having me be the last to know. How many others were aware of your activities…that you nearly died…again?”
Rayn’s chest was heaving with the intensity of his anger. His eyes had turned to ice and bore through hers like frozen daggers. His power was rolling off of him and smashing into her like a tidal wave. Maddie was paralyzed and unable to move or even respond. Her tears blinded her, and the pain of his accusations brutally sliced through her. She wanted more than anything to tell him he was right and that she had been a fool chasing a dream of trying to live up to his expectations—expectations that were self-imposed and never his to begin with. Her arms and legs were ramrod straight, and she was positively helpless…and dying inside.
After regaining his composure, he spoke again in a lifeless manner, “There is no answer you could conjure up in that mind of yours that would ever justify your actions.”
He left her standing like that, and never released her from his Command. Half an hour later, Xarrid and Saylan came looking for her and found her in that condition.
Xarrid immediately reached out to Rayn telepathically saying, “Rayn, you must release Maddie now.”
Moments later, Maddie heard his voice come through her mind, “I release you.” She instantaneously crumpled to the ground, her muscles convulsing and quivering, like a pathetic bowl of jello. She gulped in oxygen as if she had been drowning. When at last she felt a trace of control return, she silently and unsteadily rose to her feet and limped away. The warm evening suddenly turned icy, leaving Maddie shivering. What had begun as a celebration had deteriorated into the worst night of her life.