Chapter 18
2338 Words
Eva
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Our queen was a Scion.
The thought whirled around my head while I got ready for bed. After being on the run for so long, the shower felt incredible, and I spent a little longer than usual as the hot water eased my muscles.
The queen was a Scion. Somehow, that made sense; she was an important person. I was a nobody. Why me?
“We should go to our queen,” Niamh said in my mind.
“That would mean we accept this role they’re forcing on us,” I replied uneasily. “I don’t want that, Niamh; I can’t fight to save my life, much less anyone else’s. Do you want to die?”
“You are not as weak as you think. Look at what you’ve done already; I bet you never guessed you could do that. Don’t sell yourself short; you are capable of so much more. Have faith.”
I paused to consider her words. Regardless of my abilities, I just wanted a peaceful life with my mate. I wanted a calm life with a small comfortable home and a few pups. I’d spent so many nights dreaming of the happy life I’d have with my little family. When despair and helplessness threatened to drown me, it was the only thing that kept me going.
Now everyone wanted me to ditch my dream and follow some dangerous path that would likely lead to my destruction. Again, others wanted to direct my life and tell me what to do, and my wants and needs didn’t matter.
“I can’t, Niamh. I am finally free, and I can do as I please for the first time in my life. I don’t want to get involved in a war. I don’t want to die, and I don’t want to live through death and destruction. Just witnessing the atrocities of war will break my soul; what will be left after that?”
I thought of my mother and her twisted outlook on life. Something had happened to her, something devastating, leaving her warped. In turn, it had affected everything in my life too.
“Don’t you want to live a happy life? Don’t you want pups with our mate?” I asked.
“Of course I do, but I don’t think it will be as easy as just choosing to walk away. These creatures have been coming for us even here, far from home. If we leave, will we be running forever? What happens when one of them catches up with us, and we can’t outrun or defeat it? I hate to say it, but we might need help to get through this.”
She had a point, but I was still not willing to let go of my hard-won independence. I knew I was being stubborn, but I had finally taken the reins of my life, and I wanted to keep it.
“I’m sorry, Niamh, but I have to try at least. I need to follow my own path.”
I’d made up my mind. I would leave Oran in the morning and go… where? I could decide after a good sleep. Niamh huffed and retreated to the back of my mind.
I finished up in the bathroom feeling much better. It was amazing what a hot shower and clean teeth could do. A steaming pot of tea sat on the dresser along with some cookies. Oran was so kind, and my skin warmed as a wave of guilt washed over me. Despite his excellent hospitality, I’d be leaving in the morning.
I poured some tea and grabbed a cookie, but my eyes were drooping and burning before I’d even got halfway through the cup. I set it down and climbed under the covers. The bed felt like snuggling into a soft cloud, and I was gone as soon as my head hit the pillow.
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The sun was high in the sky when I finally opened my eyes; it felt a little gritty. The Oilliphéist had chased me through my dreams yet again, taunting me and promising my destruction. Now that I’d seen it in person, it was that much more terrifying. Its eyes haunted me; I hadn’t noticed the intelligence until I’d seen it in the flesh.
Despite the nightmares, I felt refreshed and more rested than I had for a long time. I could think clearly, but even so, I hadn’t changed my mind; I would leave.
I headed to the bathroom and took another shower, not knowing when I’d be able to again. I chose comfortable clothes and shoes that would allow me to walk long distances. I had no idea what the day had in store for me, but I would prepare as much as possible.
I needed a map. I was in a foreign country and could explore wherever I wanted, budget permitting, of course. Excitement blossomed inside me, and I smiled. What did I want to see? I could probably take a bus wherever I wanted to go. That was freedom.
I left the room and went downstairs, following the scent of bacon, my stomach pushing me to move faster. Oran was in the kitchen, cooking. His large frame looked out of place in front of a stove.
“Good evening,” he said sarcastically, but his perfect smile told me he was joking.
I smiled. I’d needed the rest, and I wouldn’t feel bad about it.
The kitchen was small with a counter on one side and a stove on the other, a two-seater table, and chairs in the middle. It was compact but had everything one needed.
“Hi,” I replied with a small smile, not wanting to get too friendly before leaving. “Smells good.”
Oran turned the bacon, and then I noticed another pan with near-perfect sunny-side-up eggs. My mouth watered; it looked like a veritable feast.
“It should be ready in a few minutes. Help yourself to some coffee in the meantime,” he said, gesturing to a freshly brewed pot in the corner on the counter. He popped some bread in the toaster, and my stomach grumbled. I cringed as he stifled a laugh. “Grab a seat.”
“Thanks,” I said, pouring the coffee and sitting down. I sighed as I swallowed the first sip, the hot, bitter liquid warming my mouth and throat and waking me up like nothing else could. It was like a jumpstart for my body and mind.
“Did you sleep well?” Oran asked, his back still to me as he put the finished bacon in a serving dish. The toast popped.
“Like the dead.”
He turned and looked at me, his expression hard to read. It was those damned eyes; they threw me every time. He said nothing and brought the dishes of bacon and eggs over to the table, then the toast followed. The butter dish was already there, along with various sauces.
“This looks amazing. Thank you so much,” I said, genuinely grateful; starting the day with a solid meal would stand me in good stead.
“You’re welcome. Please, go ahead and help yourself.”
He joined me at the table and gestured for me to dish some food. He didn’t need to ask me twice. Soon I had everything I needed and dug into it like a starving child.
We sat in companionable silence until we’d almost finished eating.
“So, have you decided what you would like to do?” he finally asked.
I knew it was coming but still cringed internally. I needed to find the right words; I didn’t want to offend him after all he’d done.
“You know, Oran, my parents wanted me to mate with the Alpha of our pack even though we were not fated. They spent my entire life telling me what to do and never considered my feelings.”
I ran a hand through my hair. I was going to leave, so the least I could do was tell him why. Oran sat quietly, a neutral expression on his face; at least, I thought it was neutral, but who knew?
“ A couple of days ago, I ran away to avoid it; I wanted to wait for my fated mate, but they were going to force me.” My heart sped up, and my jaw clenched. I breathed deeply; there was no use getting upset. “The point is, I’m tired of living my life the way others want. I finally left so I could choose my own destiny. I don’t want to be a part of whatever it is you’re talking about. I don’t want to be a part of this war; I don’t want to be a Scion. I am choosing to leave.”
Oran stared at me for a moment, and I held my breath, waiting for the backlash. What was he thinking? The longer he said nothing, the more I tensed.
“I guess I can understand that,” he said, breaking the awkward silence. I sighed with relief. “But, I’m not sure you have a choice.”
“What do you mean?” Heat rose in my body, anger. He lifted his hands, palms facing me.
“I mean, sometimes all paths lead to the same place. It is not always in our control.”
“In that case, I will still choose my path, and that is to leave,” I said with an air of finality, stubbornly clinging to my decision.
“Okay,” Oran said.
“Okay?” I asked. Would he really just let it go?
“Okay. Would you allow me to accompany you on your travels?” he asked, grinning.
What?
“Why would you want to?” My eyes narrowed. Was this some kind of trick to make me do what he wanted?
“I am supposed to help you. If that means I help you sight-see, find a job, or go wherever you want, I’ll do it. I just don’t want you alone out there.”
I looked at him carefully, still couldn’t read his expression, but it didn’t feel like he had any bad intentions. It was tempting to have someone by my side, not to have to navigate this world alone, someone who could watch my back.
“Fine, but please respect my choice. No war.”
Oran nodded and smiled.
“Done. So where are we off to?”
I rubbed the back of my neck and looked down.
“I don’t know yet; I haven’t decided. Do you have a map?”
His smile widened into a grin.
“Sure, I’ll get it.”
I refilled my cup. That was not quite what I expected, but it wasn’t bad. I’d have someone to hang out with, to experience things with. Oran was nice enough; it might even be fun.
After pouring over the map for a while, we decided on a road trip to New York. I’d always wanted to see the Statue of Liberty, and who didn’t want to see the city that never sleeps? Oran had a small car, so it would be easy. We packed some supplies and within the hour, we were piling into the car and heading out.
As soon as I left the shop, a feeling of uneasiness came across me. Was it because the barrier no longer protected me? I ignored it; New York was waiting.
It would be a six-hour drive, and I was fascinated by the country I’d only ever seen on television. I was uneasy any time we got close to the ocean but managed the discomfort. Oran kept up a steady stream of random facts and trivia about the towns and cities we passed. He would have made a great tour guide.
Three hours into the drive on a deserted stretch of road, a tire popped, and then another, and another. I screamed as Oran veered across the street, trying not to crash, the metal of the rims sparking across the tar.
In the distance, I could see something coming toward us, a man on a horse. My blood ran cold, and I screamed louder. The figure was dressed in dark clothes, the horse black, and it was fast. More horrifying, the man was holding his head in his hand. I knew what he was.
The Dullahan.
“Sh.it,” Oran cursed, wrestling with the steering and trying to accelerate. “Hold on, Aoife,” he screamed.
I held tight, frozen in horror, watching the headless horseman draw closer. It came alongside the car, and from its mouth, it spewed a stream of blood straight into Oran’s eyes. The rims screeched, and the car spun out of control.
“No!” I screamed as the car overturned. Panic washed over me and then sudden anger. What the he.ll did the creature want with me? Why did it have to hurt Oran? My chest clenched, and then I felt a tug. I knew the feeling; I was about to teleport, but what about Oran?
The world spun, and I found myself in a room full of wolves, but one woman stood out. She was bathed in a blazing white light. I gasped and stumbled toward her, her light calling to me, willing me to her.
I reached out, and as soon as I touched her hand, the most incredible thing happened. Something inside me broke open, and energy flowed from it, then mixed with hers. In a split second, our souls connected, and I experienced her entire life, the tragedy of her father’s attempt on her life, losing her grandmother that day, her grandfather years later, her drama with her mate, her trials as a Scion, and her victory over the wolf, Fenrir.
I saw it all, and my heart bled for her. Then a dark force clamped down on the energy, forcing it to submit.
And then there was only darkness.
- Writer
