Chosen by the Fates

Echo of a Dream

Sol ~

I check my phone. The only message from Aisling is the one time stamped a little over three weeks ago without a reply from me. A glaring reminder of my grievous misstep. Still no new messages since our talk at the masquerade.

Briefly I consider leaving a text. I’m sorry.- I quickly delete that. I am sorry, but it's not enough. 

Have you considered my request? I delete that, too. I have to apologize.

Please give me another chance to prove I’m a better man than you think. That sounds blaming. Erased. 

I have a good reason for everything. Well, that sounds even worse, backspace. 

We need to talk. She may not think so, deleted. I need to tell you something important and very private about me. You’re my soul mate. Please don’t give up on me. I tap out each thing, then quickly delete it all. 

There is nothing more I can say.

My heart twists in my chest, and my skin feels too hot.

I close my eyes, leaning my head back against the seat of my car. I’d left the metropolis the morning after the masquerade. After reporting everything back to my family, I was finally given time off.

Since returning home, every day I have let my wolf run, and every evening I rested. My wolf is slowly waking for our usual daily run.

At first, we used to explore the woods near her house, but her scent was growing cold. She hadn’t come home. After a several days we couldn’t bear the feelings elicited by her fading scent or the implications. Now we run through the mountains, hunting small game and howling in sorrow with the wind.

I have begun to spend so long as a wolf each day that even when I dream, I am running as my wolf. If she messages… No. When she messages… I want to be ready to be there for her. As I should have been the first time.

Today is no different. My wolf and I are already of one mind before the shift. We step from the vehicle, approaching the forest in long strides. I barely feel the soft fibers of our scarf as we pull it free, unbuttoning our shirt next. By the time we reach the clearing we are topless and carrying our footwear. The pants are the last to go before the clothing is stashed in the usual spot.

Then we run.

***

Still no message before getting into bed.

I set my phone down on the charger. With my wolf quiet I am alone in my thoughts, staring up at the ceiling until sleep takes me.

Slowly I become aware that I am standing in the dense forest. A cold wind tangles my hair, brushing against my naked body. My hot breath comes out as a mist in the pale light of the moon, carried away by the same breeze that plays across my skin. 

Looking around, I stand in the mountain forests behind the city where my wolf and I have been running each day. As I search, my eyes fall on her. The wind pulls at her hair and nightgown, her body silhouetted in the moonlight. Our eyes lock.

My breath catches, my heart hammers. Her scent overwhelms me, my wolf stirring awake. It’s as if my body is compelled toward her, and I can sense her body as it reacts to mine.

The snow crunches beneath my feet with each step. When her intoxicating scent becomes too overwhelming, my wolf surges forward. I feel my body reformed by the winds themselves until I stand as my wolf just beyond her.

The way she looks at me… at us. Her eyes are filled with the genuine openness from the day we met. No pain or betrayal, only blushing fascination writ across her features. My heart races.

I want to run to her.

We want to run with her.

With that, my wolf has already taken off into the woods.

No...! I feel myself cry out, she was right there, she can’t – my panicked thought is cut short when suddenly I feel a new wind join ours. Her scent is keeping up with us, she is pursuing. My wolf senses the same thing we felt at the masquerade. Some part of her that is different. That is ours.

Mate.

She is rushing through the trees, easily gaining on us. We hear the soft crunching of paws in the snow, the swish of a tail. Elation fills my wolf. We sense every part of her as she catches up to us, and my wolf leads her through paths and trails of the forest.

We play in the snow, chase around hills after one another. I feel the pure joy of simply being, my senses completely attuned to her.  

An unfamiliar howl calls out in the distance. We are drawn toward the call before we realize that she is gone. The forest fades, and the darkness of the beyond floods my mind.

I open my eyes to find myself still in my own bed. First Ashleigh and the shadow creature, and now Aisling? I know what I have to do.

Reaching for my phone, I finally tap out a message.

“I’d like to take responsibility for how I’ve wronged you. Please, talk with me? I can meet you wherever and whenever that works best for you.”

Before I can question the wording, or second guess whether it is the best approach, I hit send.

***

Aisling ~

Our vacation almost seems like a dream after being home for a few days. The brothers still come by to spend the days and evenings with us. Tiffa is back to her regular school schedule and I am back to my typical work schedule.

After a particularly long shift I am stretched out on the couch with a warm drink held in my hands, legs propped in Ashleigh’s lap. He rubs at my feet while discussing a schedule their manager had sent with Sionainn.

I’m still apprehensive about their departure, but Ashleigh had promised me that nothing could keep them from returning to us between work. The brothers consider Tiffa and I family, and also enjoy the quiet of our remote city. He assured me that ‘come hell or high water,’ we are in this life together now.

Grateful for his comforting words, I find myself holding to them like a life raft when topics of their work come up.

It’s been nearly a week since our trip, and we still haven’t shared a dream space together. I’ve been able to reach the beach as Delphi within my dreamscape every evening now.

Being Delphi in my sleep gives me a sense about my dreamscape, or insight about my interactions from the day. Even so, I’ve still had no new memories. I think the brothers may be able to help by joining my dreams now. But I haven’t gotten around to ask them, yet.

Cian and Tiffa disappeared to her room a while ago. Maybe Sionainn and Ashleigh would be willing, though?

When their conversation seems to be over, I finally speak. “I need your help with something.”

The brothers both look to me as I continue, “I’d like you to try and join my dream again, if you would? “

Sionainn and Ashleigh exchange a look I don’t quite understand. Finally, Ashleigh speaks with a sigh, “I’ve been worried about pushing you too hard on this.”

Sionainn leans back in his chair, sipping at his own drink wordlessly. I’m actually surprised he has nothing to say.

“It’s true I don’t remember being Delphi, but I used to lucid dream when I was little. My dad taught me how. And I’ve been returning to the beach regularly as Delphi since our vacation. But I think I need you guys there to help with our memories. You don’t need to tell me anything... Just be there to help guide me.”

Sionainn’s eyebrows raise, Ashleigh regards me with cool curiosity. It is Sionainn who speaks first, “This is certainly an interesting turn of events. I wonder what it could mean.”

Ashleigh nods slowly, “Whatever you need.”

“Awesome. Is now alright? I have tomorrow off.”

Sionainn considers, “It is best if we warn Cian and Tiffa before we do this.”

We all quiet, none of us wanting to volunteer to interrupt them.

With a sigh, Sionainn rises. “Very well, I’ll do it.” He heads down the hall to interrupt the happy couple.

Ashleigh’s voice is teasing, “Do you think she’ll kill him for interrupting her millionth attempt at seducing our little brother?”

I chuckle at that. While Cian dotes on her like a lovesick puppy, the most they ever do is make out.

Tiffa has fluctuated widely between finding Cian’s abstinence adorable to wondering what could be so horribly wrong that he won’t ‘take her in a manly fashion.’ I have done my best to remind her that plenty of perfectly normal people who are in love don’t jump each other’s bones within weeks of meeting, but Tiffa isn’t used to that in her own relationships.

Much to our surprise, both Tiffa and Cian return. Tiffa looks unperturbed, and Sionainn’s lips are drawn into his typical warm smile. Ashleigh leans closer as we watch them, “I guess not.”

“We want to help, too.” Tiffa announces.

Surprised I look between everyone, “Wait, we?”

“Well, Cian does. And I’ll keep watch here in case of any weird void things.” Tiffa winks at me.

I can’t help but smile, my heart feeling full. “You guys are the literal best, you know that right?”

Cian stretches out in a chair, smiling shyly at me. “Oh we know.”

Sionainn takes up a spot on the love seat, “To be fair, we’ve had a millennium of practice at loving you and being your friend.”

“And I’ve lived with you.” Tiffa shrugs, voice teasing.

I chuckle, “Thank you all for that.”

Ashleigh offers his hand to me. When I take it, he pulls me gently into his arms on the couch. “The contact will help our connection in the dreaming.”

A blush rises to my cheeks, but I acquiesce to his directions by stretching out against the length of him on the couch. His heartbeat is soothing against my ear, the warmth of his body puts mine at ease.

Sionainn’s teasing voice interrupts, “Don’t forget, next time it’s my turn.”

Ashleigh snorts, and I giggle. I’ve come to see Sionainn’s flirting as mostly playful, meant to encourage me from a place of endearment while getting a rise from Ashleigh.

Tiffa slaps at Cian’s arm in jest, “No cuddle dreaming for you though.” He laughs, pulling her down into his lap. Her arms circle his neck, drawing Cian into a chaste kiss. His cheeks flush even as she gets up from his lap.

“I’ll put some coffee on for after!” Tiffa’s sing song voice trails after her into the kitchen.

We all laugh, then quiet settles through the living room.  

I focus on the beating sound of Ashleigh’s heart. In my final moments of waking awareness, I feel Miss Meow Meow pad onto us. Her tiny warm body settling in to join our nap.  

***

Delphi ~

Waves wash across my bare feet. Ultraviolet sand parts and squishes between my toes. The salty winds coil through my hair and across my broad, bare chest. It is after dark, and the night sky is filled with falling stars.

After so many dreams together, Aisling and I are no longer fractured. We are one. Yet still we don’t remember.

“Aisling…?” Ashleigh’s voice is hesitant, I can feel his eyes on my body.

“Delphi.” My tenor is soft. The name feels right though.

 I turn, my own eyes holding the bright gaze of the man before me. I understand now that Ashleigh’s body is new, specific to Aisling’s memory. However, flashes of another raw memory come to me.

The pouring rain. Our mouths and naked forms are tangled together, sharing heat. The feel of being inside him, and him inside of me.

I feel myself hardening, my breath quickening. Ashleigh’s bright eyes search mine, and I reach for him.

Everything we have been together, and to one another spans lifetimes. In the dreaming we have been lovers, but in so many lives we have been something else or more. Siblings, parents, family, companions.

My large hand gently caresses the strong length of his jaw, and his hand closes over mine. His eyes close.  

“Delphi.” The baritone voice is filled with an unfamiliar expression of excitement. Cian. He runs to me, throwing his arms around me in greeting. With the contact, I am met with the memory of a young girl being lifted and spun in my arms, a brother fighting to protect me, my mother, and my best friend.

Sionainn stands behind Cian, his charming returned by one of my own. He looks up, pointing, “I see your sky is still filled with a meteor shower.”

I nod, “It has been since that evening when we watched together.”

“Peculiar, is it not?” His voice is soft, eyes lifted to the sky. His expression writ with lines of deep contemplation.

Ashleigh steps back, keeping my hand in his, “What would you have us do?”

“I’ve been thinking even your presence might be enough to remind me more of Delphi. Especially now that I have a handle on this part of me. Which appears to be true.” I close my eyes, savoring the fresh impressions and memories drawn to the surface.

“But-” I smile warmly, “-I’ve also started to feel more about this space,” I gesture to the beach and sky, “I’ve come to realize boundaries of this dream and space within my mind.

I am hoping for your help to try traveling beyond it.”