The Legions Broken Flame

Chapter Nine

Ophelia

I am once again wrapped in the soft blankets of the Grahams' guest room bed when I wake. Noone is with me this time and I wonder if meeting Soren was all just another dream. The thought makes me frown and causes an unexpected sadness to fill me.

Pushing the feeling aside, I get out of bed feeling better than I had before. Even the injuries from my last encounter with dad don't hurt like they should. The smell of chicken and buttery mashed potatoes reach my nose and my stomach grumbles.

Opening the door slowly, I quietly make my way to the top of the stairs when I hear voices coming from the kitchen. "Why don't you wait for her to wake up before discussing this? Ophelia is just as much a part of this as the rest of us." The mention of my name from Mrs. Graham has my ears perking up, then I hear his voice carry through the air like a perfect melody.

"I intend to explain everything to her when the time is right. I don't want to scare her more than I already have. This will be a lot for her to take in." He sounded defeated and it broke my heart a little.

Surprising myself, I spoke in a quiet voice as I step through the kitchen door. "You didn't scare me." Four pairs of eyes snapped toward me, but I was only focused on the vibrant green ones staring into mine with severe intensity. My cheeks blaze as he continues to practically stare into my soul and I feel that familiar pull toward him. "Hello." I say shyly to break the tense silence.

"Hello, Little Flame." Jeez, his voice is so deep and smooth.

"I thought you were just a dream again."

Soren stood from his seat at the island, striding over to me in a few steps. Our eyes never break contact until I had to drop my head back to look up at him. His rough hands caress my face softly and I gasp at the warmth that spreads throughout my skin from the contact.

"Still very real, Little Flame. I'm sorry I was not there when you woke. We had some things to discuss." Soren exclaimed while he continued to gaze into my eyes, a certain adoration swimming in his that makes my breath catch in my throat.

"To discuss about me." I didn't phrase it as a question because it was clearly a statement.

"Yes." Sorens answer is simple and honest. He had said he wouldn't lie to me, and he wasn't. I nod my understanding, but my head is spinning. I'm not scared, as they thought, but definitely confused. Just then my stomach grumbles again and I feel my face heat up, at which Soren chuckles.

"Come on. Let's get some food in you first." He steps back, gesturing to the kitchen island. The loss of contact makes my body feel cold and empty, but I'm grateful for the space to breathe. After all, Soren is a stranger still. I am also able to think more clearly now that he's stepped back, and it's not till then that I realize how close we were to eachother. In fact, I even fell asleep in his arms earlier.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I take a seat on one of the stools and , thankfully, Soren doesn't sit next to me. Instead he seats himself right across from me as we all serve ourselves and begin to eat in silence. Sorens eyes never leave me. Even when I'm not looking at him I can feel his gaze burning into my skin.

Finally, I've had enough of the quiet and set my fork down. "So am I supposed to start or is will someone tell me what's going on?" I ask quietly. Mrs. Graham went stiff and Ezra sighs, dropping his head back. Soren and Keegan didn't look phased at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure I saw Sorens lips turn up in a smirk.

"Well what would you like to know first?" Keegan asks nonchalantly as he takes a sip of his water.

"Umm... well what is a Twin Flame?" That question had been running through my head since Soren said I was his.

"A Twin Flame is one's other half. Their destined partner to walk through life with. Twin Flames are born specifically for eachother and make eachother stronger as they grow closer together through the years. They belong with, and to, one another." Keegan answer, leaving me stunned.

"So.. like a soulmate?" I choke the words out.

He shrugs. "Yes, like a soulmate."

Realization dawns on me and I speak slowly. "And, you think that-"

"You're mine." Soren states firmly and matter-of-factly making me lock my eyes on his.

I swallow down the lump in my throat. "But...but how do you know that?"

"Our dreams. They start when we're both of age, to help us find eachother. Though, I've been dreaming of you for months." Sorens voice gets softer towards the end, his eyes softening as well, and Ezras head shot up.

"What do you mean months?! She just turned eighteen. That's impossible!" He says, obviously flustered.

"Trust me, that's what I thought too." Soren sighs. "I spent the last six months going crazy trying to figure out what was happening. My thoughts were completely consumed by a girl from my dreams whose face I'd never seen before. I could never catch her. Running through busy streets, malls, the woods... but never able to catch her."

I remembered those dreams. Always feeling like someone was watching me, hearing my voice as almost a whisper in the wind. But something pushed me forward, forcing me not to look back and just run, no matter how strong the pull to turn back was.

Soren turned to me, his eyes having a strange look. "Our dream the morning of your birthday..." He trailed off.

"The one on that strange beach." I finished his sentence. He nods in response, his gaze softening, but that weird expression still in them.

"Yes. It was cut short." His entire face darkened suddenly. "It wasn't supposed to end like that." Soren spat out through gritted teeth as he looked down, his chest rising and falling rapidly and his muscles tensing like he's trying to control himself.

My eyes widen and my body freezes as his words wash over me like a bucket of ice. He couldn't have seen that. There was just no way. "Wha-what are you talking about?" The words tumble out of my mouth, my voice shaking. Soren raises his head to meet my gaze again with pain in his eyes, that same look from before, and that's all the conformation I need.

Standing from my seat abruptly, I can feel everyone's eyes on me as I stare at Soren. My eyes have grown so wide they could have popped out by now. My voice is barely a whisper as I speak. "How did you see that?"

Ezra looks at me and his brows furrowed. "See what? What did he see?"

"Nothing!" I snap, but shut my mouth instantly, regretting my tone as fear crept in. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to snap." I rush out as I look at Ezra , terrified. His expression only shows sympathy and concern, but my mind has already gone overboard. Ezra moves to reach for me, but I flinch away and step back. "I'm sorry. I-I won't do it again." I hadn't realized I was crying until a tear fell onto my chest. Ezra took another step forward, to which I took another step back.

"It's okay, O." Ezra spoke gently. My back hitting the counter behind me makes me realize I had no more space to escape. I know Ezra would never hurt me, but the irrational part of my brain doesn't care. Easing my voice means being disrespectful and would ultimately end in some form of punishment.

My breathing was becoming erratic and my heart was pounding in my ears as my vision tunneled.