chapter eight
1119 Words
Emerald Pov
I take a steadying breath, trying to tame my frustration.
“I can’t do this,” I say with a stamp of my foot as I once again fail to mist to Arlo. My eyes shoot open and I throw my arms out.
“Just breath,” my father tells me. “You are too frustrated Emerald. You won’t be able to concentrate if you keep getting worked up.”
“How can I not get worked up?” I shout in response. I realise my temper is unwarranted but I am so damn frustrated.
“Come here,” my father opens his arms.
I feel so pathetic as I fall into his embrace. My tears are hot and heavy as I allow the wall containing them to break. Weeks of pent up emotions flood out of me at the mere comfort of my father.
“I’m sorry,” I mumble through tears . Tears that are coating his T-shirt now.
“Don’t apologise Emerald. You are allowed to express your feelings,” he tells me sternly. “It’s not good for you to lock them all up.”
“I- I. I just…” I stammer over my words as they all flood my mind too fast.
“Breathe,” he tells me and holds me an inch away from him by my shoulders. He takes a slow inhale and then a slow exhale. I mimic his breathing and calm myself down.
‘I’m here too Em’ Jamie reassures with a soft caress.
“I don’t know how to do all of this on my own dad. I have two overbearing mates, whom I love but sometimes I just want to tell them to piss off.” As I say this I see his smile starts to appear. “I am running a friggin castle. The royal castle. I couldn’t be any less royal if I tried. I have bad attitude and a terrible mouth to go with it so I sure as f**k am not royal.” His smile grows again. “My sisters are f****d up and I don’t how to help them both. Plus I feel responsible for my baby niece. Who doesn’t even like me by the way.” I roll my eyes. “I miss my stupid brother and feel helpless when trying to search for him. I also miss Nova, she just ditched us and ruined my love story for her and Arlo. I did so much work to get them together.” I sigh. “And most of all I just… I don’t know who I am. I feel pushed into this life and I just want things to slow down for a minute so I can breathe.”
My father is still smiling at me but I suddenly feel so much lighter.
“Emerald,” he chuckles. “Knowing yourself comes with time, experiences and memories. You are absolutely not alone and don’t have to take the weight of it all alone sweetie. I know the twins can seem over bearing but they are just crying out for you to need them. To accept their help. You need to let them in sweetie, let them balance you.” He runs a hand over my hair. “As for your sisters, they are fine. Jessabelle is receiving more than enough support from Reggie.” He says with a roll of his eyes, but I don’t miss the smirk. “And I’ve just received word from Megan that she is mated to Yusef.”
“What?!” I say in surprise, he didn’t tell me before. “Just Megan? Not Jess?”
“They’re not sure yet. Megan and Yusef are coming back to figure it out.” He says.
“But Reggie?” I ask with pity. My stomach drops at the realisation.
“Sweetie,” he says and I look at him. “Jessabelle has made it clear that she will be with Reggie regardless.”
“She’s going to reject Yusef?” I ask in disbelief. I thought we had all learnt our lesson about rejecting mates after Arlo and Nova. My father just nods.
“Wow,” I say and my mind spirals.
“So back to you. You can find your brother. I believe in you Emerald.” He says sternly and steps back with an expectant look.
I nod with determination and close my eyes. I feel that familiar tingle wash over me as I focus my mind on Arlo. I can feel my magic reaching out, stretching to search for Arlo. It feels like an elastic band, stretching further and further. It stretches and stretches and stretches until…
It snaps back and the tingles disappear.
“Goddess I swear!” I shout out again as I open my eyes to see my father.
“It’s okay, just try again Emerald,” he says softly.
I nod and try to calm my breathing again.
“Let me help,” I hear and turn to see Reggie approaching us. “Maybe if we do it together.”
“You haven’t misted before,” I state bluntly.
“That’s presumptuous Emmy. Considering I just misted to here,” he says with a cheeky smirk and winks at me.
I roll my eyes, “just get over here then Reggie. Time is of the essence.”
He laughs and stands beside me. I grasp his hand in mine.
“If you wanted to hold my hand Emmy, you could’ve just asked.” He winks at me again.
“Focus or I will send you packing Reggie,” I grumble and close my eyes ready.
“Okay, both of you picture Arlo, let your magic feel his presence.” My father coaxes.
I get the same feeling again. The same elastic band feeling, stretching and stretching until nothing.
I open my eyes with a sigh.
“I think we need to do this differently,” says Reggie and I turn my glare on him. “What if I concentrate my powers on boosting Emerald’s?” Reggie is speaking to my father.
“That could work,” my father muses.
Now I am totally excluded from this conversation.
‘Em!’ Jamie scolds. ‘They are trying to help. Stop being so crabby’
“When you’re ready Emerald, try it again” my father instructs.
I sigh before closing my eyes.
That power once again surges, the tingles spread through out my body as I search for Arlo. Just as I feel that elastic band stretched to the max another surge hits me. My tight magic suddenly becomes slack, freely searching again.
The mist starts to consume me, and Reggie.
- Writer
