The Human Girl's Mate

Chapter ten: The incomplete bond

It's been the most miserable two weeks of my life! I don't know how I  have managed not to drive Sara's head through a wall! Since her and Idril started their bond two weeks ago she has been insufferable, mainly because they haven't managed to finish bonding. I never imagined an incomplete bond could cause so much havoc, but I have been proved wrong. My fierce, independent friend has turned into a clingy, whiny mess of a woman! She has been off work for the last four days because Princess Ellania couldn't cope with her crying and whimpering anymore. So she has been staying with me in my room. I woke today to find her kneeling on the floor, her face inches from mine, her eyes puffed up and red from crying, as soon as she my eyes flutter she asked for Idril. It's driving me insane. I mean, I'm terrified, is this what I will became if I don't bond with Calen? I don't want to turn into a desperate version of myself, yes I'm very attracted to Calen, but I can't be sure we really are mates, I mean after our talk at the waterfall all I  really learned was the effects a completed bond could have on two elves. But nothing about human/ elf bonds, I tried asking some of the girls but they have no idea either. I even tried bringing the subject up to Elbert and Miss Susan but they both chided me for talking of such things! Sara's hand waving in front of my eyes snaps me from my day dreaming. She looks confused, I have no clue as to why. 'Did you hear me Nina?' It's clear I didn't so she keeps babbling on, probably about Idril again. 'So you think I can come with you?' Her question baffles me, go with me where? What in the world is she on about, I must look completely puzzled, because Sara stands and grabs something from my chest of drawers and points to it. 'Adam's eighteenth birthday on Sunday, can I come with you? I need to get away from this place please!' 

Oh s**t, s**t and more s**t! I forgot my best friends birthday! I need to get him a gift. I look at Sara and nod 'You can come, but you have to help me find  him a gift!' She beams at me and I can see the relief in her, I think being so close to Idril and not being able to be with him is what's causing her so much pain. 'Come with me Sara, let's have some food and head to the garden, I have to pick some flowers for the Queen and the Princess, you can come and help me.' She watches me perplexed, yes I know she's not supposed to be working due to her "illness" but I really feel she needs to keep busy, otherwise she will go back to obsessing about Idril. Damn elf, couldn't he have controlled himself?! 

We head to the garden and I tell her to go cut the peach roses for princess Ellania, I love Sara but she has begun her monologue about how amazing Idril is and well, he may be amazing but I don't care.  I need some peace and quiet. I watch her round the corner and head for the roses and I sigh deeply, finally, some proper me time, I smell the roses, I love how sweet they smell, their petals are so soft, it's no wonder they are the Queen's favourite flowers, well her absolute favourites are the white ones, but there's all colours of roses  in these gardens. I haven't been to the Queen's private garden yet, but Mary tells me it's like walking in the snow, every flower is white, the only contrasts are the big giant brown trunk from the oak tree and the Queen's wooden bench, even the path leading to and from the garden is white marble slabs. I'm so entranced by my thoughts that I don't hear him, I don't really see him either, but I feel him. I feel his presence, the heat of his eyes on my body, I feel the way my skin starts to tingle, my heart rate picks up, my hands start to tremble. I turn around  expecting him to be  right behind me, but he is no where near me. I scan the garden and I finally spot him, he is leaning on a willow tree, the long branches draping down and around him, hiding his face from me, but I know he is smirking at me. I'm one hundred per cent sure that he knows exactly what I was feeling. Cocky bastard! I put down my basket and scissors and walk slowly to him. 

When I reach the hanging willow branches he pushes himself away from the tree and lunges for me, I'm catapulted into his chest, his arms tighten around like vines, he moves one of his hands to the back of my head and leans down to inhale my hair. 'Ah petal, I have missed your scent. You smell like spring and sunshine' He places a soft kiss on my head and pulls me away from him so I can look at him, his smile is so genuine, he is really happy to see me, I smile at him too and he strokes my arms, moving his hands down to mine, we stare at each other for a while, his beautiful blue eyes shinning with amusement, I take my time exploring his face and his body I'm surprised to notice he is not in his armour. How could I not feel it when he hugged me? Am I so consumed with his touch that I can't even notice the big things!? 'Petal, how is your friend?' His concern for Sara is sweet. 'She is not ok Cal, whatever the hell your friend did to her it's changed her.' I shake my head in sadness. I can't believe she has changed so much. 'It's the incomplete bond Petal, the day after our date, I had to run to the warriors quarters to help some of the guys with him, he was shouting and fighting anyone in his path his eyes were bright red the whole time, I had to knock him out to stop him. Ever since that day, we have to keep at least three elves with him at all times. He is craving her, he wants to finish the bond. I can't keep knocking him out whenever he senses her near.' I'm shocked I didn't think Idril would be worse than Sara. Wow, this bond stuff is really dangerous.  I feel awful for Calen, he has to keep hurting his friend, to stop him from doing something silly. 'Cal, all Sara does is mope around and daydream about him. She's been told not to work because she keeps getting distracted and messing up, and then she just randomly starts crying. She has been with me for four days and I'm starting to get really worried.' Calen hugs me again, and when we pull apart, I don't know why, maybe all the talk about bonds and feelings have made me crave him but i go on my tip toes and kiss him, gently at first, and then Calen takes over, the kiss becomes hungry and deep,  I open my lips and let his tongue in to explore mine. He pulls me into his body and I moan at the feel of his hard muscles rubbing on me.

 We kiss lazily for what seems like hours, until we hear screaming and swords clashing. 'Serena!!' The sound of Sara's scream breaks our contact. I forgot Sara was with me. Calen's face tells me everything I need to know, Idril can sense her and has gone batshit crazy again. We both run towards the sounds, and when we reach the courtyard I am terrified. Idril has indeed gone crazy, he has wounded at least ten other warriors judging by the blood curdling screams there's got to be a lot of broken bones and torn muscles out there. Calen springs into action and I am momentarily awestruck, his movements are precise and coordinated , it's like he is dancing. He manages to get to Idril only with a broken nose and maybe a couple of cracked ribs, he's too busy trying to keep Idril contained he doesn't see what I can now see. A crazed Sara running towards them with a sword. I scream and start running as fast as I can, I need to stop Sara, she is going to kill Calen. One of the warriors has seen her, he throws a small knife at her and I scream again, my friend, she can't die, I watch in horror as the knife spins towards her only to knock her on the head handle side, effectively rendering her unconscious. He looks at me and shrugs. Bloody elves!  Somehow I manage to carry Sara away into our room, unfortunately for her and Idril the commotion in the yard caught the attention of the king. He is now aware that they are fated mates, an I'm afraid for my friend. While she sleeps on my bed I go to her room and pack her a small bag, we leave for my house in the morning. 

The next day I wake up extra early, I head out while Sara sleeps, I need to find Calen, I never got the chance to tell him I was leaving for the weekend. I ask some of the guards if they've seen him and after a few strange looks they tell me he is in the throne room with Idril and the king. I slowly make my way there, I won't interrupt them, but I don't want to have to sit outside and wait, people might think I'm eavesdropping. 

Just as I get near the doors burst open and the king storms out, shouting, I only catch some of what he says, but what I hear causes me to stop. 'Impertinent children, why was I cursed with son's who only live to defy me? Two sons fated to be with humans, I won't have it . As for you, do as you please with your mate.' The way he says mate, drips with disgust. The two elves walk slowly out behind the king. Calen sees me straight away and runs to me, he hugs me quickly and then takes a step backwards. 'What are you doing here?' He seems upset by my presence why? 'I came to find you, I'm going home for the weekend.' I look at Idril and offer him a smile 'Sara is coming with me.' Once again I look at Idril and flinch. He smiles gently and leaves. 'He will be a nightmare all weekend, but I will take care of him.' He looks distracted so I give him a  kind of a curtsy and start to leave when he grabs my arm 'Petal' he sighs and opens his mouth a few times before he finally says ' enjoy yourself.' His shoulders slump and he leaves after Idril. I get the feeling that enjoy yourself was not what he wanted to say.  I head back to my room ad Sara is already up and ready to go. We hit the road and I can't help but think that this weekend is going to be a blast for all the wrong reasons.