Post 37: How It All Works Out

“Don’t you think she’s be gone along time?” Annalise asked Anders who sat beside her on the couch. Her feet were tucked firmly behind his knees and her arms circled his waist. Her head rested against his chest. He’d tucked her under his arm and softly played in her hair. They’d been separated for so long he could barely keep his hands from touching her. Kissing her temple, Anders evened his breathing.

            “She should’ve made it to Egeria Shen by now. There is a questioning process I’m sure.”

            “What do you mean questioning process?” Chase asked from across the room where he sat next to Adrian’s body. Her head rested against large down pillows and her legs were stretched out on the bed. “Since we already know that you are going to take her place on Malvroy what else needs to happen?” A worried look had crossed his face.

            “Just because I volunteered to be the Healer on Malvroy doesn’t mean that I get to make that decision on my own.”

            “I don’t understand.” Tristan spoke.

            “Most of the prophecies that Egeria Shen gives have loop holes. They are all questionable. It’s as if she wants to make sure that the person she is bequeathing this duty to is actually worthy to do it.” Anders spoke and tensed as Annalise lifted from his lap.

            “You didn’t tell us this! Why wouldn’t you tell us this! She could fail!” Her voice rose hysterically. The rest of the crew chimed in their disagreement with his secrecy.

            “I didn’t tell you because I knew she wouldn’t fail.” Anders reached forward and touched his hand to the side of his mates face. “She is very much you but she is also me. She will not fail.”

            “Well that is the most conceited thing I’ve ever heard you say, Warrior Anders.” A commanding voice rang out in the air. The team looked around and was instantly on edge. Devlirus swore under his breath from where he stood between Tristan and Shepard. A beautiful woman with long flowing hair appeared from a soft cloud just beside the bed. She leaned a hand over and touched Adrian’s hand.

Adrian took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She sat up from where she lay and glanced at Chase beside her. Tears immediately filled her eyes and she threw herself at him. Gasping against the tears that choked her, Adrian felt as if his warmed seeped into her skin.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I love you but I had to do it.” She spoke, her voice unsteady.

“What did you have to do?” Chase kissed her face and tried to wipe the tears away.

“I made a deal with Prophet Egeria Shen that I would stay on Malvroy and be their Healer.” The entire team was silent with shock. “We will be separated, you and I, until their land is healed. I love you but I couldn’t leave those people to suffer. She told me it was prophesied that I would heal their land but that I had a choice to stay with you. I couldn’t do that. I just couldn’t.” The more she spoke the harder the tears came.

“You don’t have to do that, Adrian.” Anders rose from his position on the couch. He stepped over to where Chase had lifted her from the bed.

“Uhhh…I thought…Dad?” Adrian sputtered and released Chase. She took a few steps toward him before her breath caught in her throat. “You look…just like your Essence! You look…like me!”

“No, daughter, I’m positive that you look like me. Which one came first?” A chuckle went as a dimple appeared in his cheek. He reached forward and took her into his arms, hugging her tight.

“Anders is correct, Adrian. I spoke of two Healers in my prophecy, not one. The second person spoken of in the end, who would be separated, wasn’t you and Adrian. Should you pass, it would be you and Anders.” Egeria Shen walked over to them and smiled, her hands clasp before her.

“But…I just got you!” Adrian exclaimed.

“Now that you’ve Transcended, you can come back and walk amongst the people of Malvroy any time you like. It’s apart of your gift, both of yours.” Egeria Shen responded, nodding toward her and then towards her mother.

“You mean…She could come to Malvroy and see me and I can come to Earth and see her?” Annalise almost jumped from the couch with joy.

“What do you mean? You are going to Malvroy?” Adrian asked.

“Yes, I’ve been without Anders for too long. He and I didn’t get our time, our chance. I am going to Malvroy with him but we can always visit! It’ll be like I’m coming down for the weekend!” She smiled cautiously. She hoped that Adrian would understand.

“That is perfect! I am so happy with the way that worked out!” Adrian ran forward and threw her arms around her mother.

“Now, with you and your men. You disappoint me greatly. To Malvroy, now!” Egeria Shen stomped over to Devlirus and slapped a hand to his forehead. A second later he disappeared along with a few of the other soldiers that stood in the room with them.

Glancing out the window, Tristan nodded to the others as he noticed all of the other soldiers they’d left in the courtyard had disappeared. He walked over to Adrian and dropped to a knee before her.

“I apologize for not trusting you. I hope that you do us the honor of being the…second lady in our house.” They all chuckled as they heard Arinth mumble under her breath that she was the first. “I know that I messed up and I guess almost single handedly caused all of this but please, know that I will protect you with all I have.”

“I messed up as well…” Julius started.

“…as did I…” Vectio’s deep voice rang out.

“of course I did as well.” Mendax spoke. 

“I’m not sure if I fully was apart of this mess up, but I’ll add my apologies just in case.” Technik spoke up causing laughter to fill the room.

“I’d be honored if you’d be our second lady.” Julius stated seriously and the rest of the warriors followed suit.

“As would I!” Arinth stepped forward from where she stood in the corner. “I would love you to stay. You’ve known that from the beginning!” She smiled and so did the rest as they remembered her sentiments.

“See, I will be gone but you won’t be alone. Thank you all for taking care of my daughter.” Annalise smiled at the warriors and Arinth as she stood holding Anders hand. He nodded his head in agreement, his handsome face smiling. The group began talking in merriment, trying to speak over each other. One person yelled at her to give their answer. They all quieted as Chase held up both of his hands.

“Adrian. I know that you love me. I love you also. It’s not just because of our destinies and the Codra Mauma. I love who you and I love the sacrifice that you were going to make for people you didn’t know. Being a Dark Warrior, though apart of who I am, is my job. It’s my life mission. I was bequeathed to take care of Earth. You had no knowledge of your destiny on Malvroy and yet you were going to give up your freedom to be with our families, and me to save them. My heart aches for you.” He dropped to his knees before her and touched one hand to his heart. The other he reached towards her and smiled as her eyes filled with tears. “I won’t ask you for your hand in marriage just yet. I will court you, date you, treat you as my queen and anything else that you want before we do that. Marriage is an Earth tradition and I’m sure that will come, eventually. I will, however ask you to be with me…forever. Be my eternity.” He took a deep breath and held it in as he awaited her answer.

“I love you also. I have no long speech to give you. I have no extraterrestrial…” the group chuckled, “tradition to say for you. I understand what you are saying; I feel it in my heart and in my soul. I feel your love. I will be with you for forever. I promise to be your eternity.” She finished and reached forward to kiss his lips.

“I just had a thought, I don’t mean to disrupt this happy moment.” Vectio stepped forward to speak. “If Egeria Shen took Devlirus and all of his men, why are you still here?” He pointed across the room where Dvakart, Nile, stood.

“Why don’t you ask your mother?” Nile stated. A silence rolled through the room, then it exploded with sound. Vectio transported over to Nile, long sword drawn and the tip pressed tightly against his neck.

"The only way to be a writer is to write, write and write. The only way...is to write." -Jade Elyzabeth