The Lily's Splendor

Chapter 16

“Henry, what am I going to do for swimming? I mean, you don’t expect me to wear your knife”, I lowered my voice, “with my swimsuit, do you?” I slightly panicked. It was lunch time and we all decided to sit indoors because of the freezing temperatures even though we didn’t mind it, but we still had to act normal. Though it was loud inside the cafeteria, I was still cautious when I mentioned being armed.

“Of course not. You can leave it in my sister’s locker.” Henry said before taking a bite out of his burger.

“Will that be safe?” I twirled my fettuccine that Jacques had packed for me with the plastic fork. Henry set his burger down and looked at me with a reassuring smile.

“I’m sure. Now stop worrying and eat before I eat it.” I sighed but did as I was told.

“So did you guys meet the chap?” Maddox asked as he came over to join us.

“I haven’t,” Lilly said.

“I saw him,” Reeve mumbled.

“We met him.” Henry said brusquely.

“He’s Nikki’s twin brother.” I piped up, taking Henry’s hand in mine and giving it a squeeze.

“That’s how he looked familiar.” Maddox snapped his fingers.

“That’s rather odd that he just now decides to join his sister.” Reeve contemplated as he sipped a can of coke.

“Did he invoke the same kind of weird feeling on you guys?” Maddox asked as he swiped a handful of fries from his sister’s plate.

“Yes.” I admitted for both me and Henry.

“We should keep an eye on him,” Maddox stated. Reeve seconded the motion. Henry just grunted.

“Lets’ get going.” Lilly said after the bell rang.

“I somehow have a strange feeling that he will be in swim class,” I said unenthusiastically. Henry scowled.

“Man, I should have joined your swim class. Football is pretty fun but still.” Maddox looked forlorn to part ways with us, but Lilly gave him a light shove.

“Go on. Shove some guys around. We’ll be fine.” Maddox hesitated but then smiled as he tugged the end of his sister’s braid.

“Fine. Be careful.” he said his last statement to me, and I nodded. Maddox shared a look with his brother before walking away.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

“Are you sure she’s the one?” he looked to his sister.

“Positive. I saw her necklace. It’s the real thing. She’s the real thing,” she said determinedly. Her eyes flashed red with hunger. Her brother looked amused.

“Alright. Don’t do anything rash. Let’s not forget our father’s orders. We mustn’t scare away our dear baby sister.”

“Ugh. What was father thinking?” his sister said disgustedly.

“Who knows? You can’t blame the old man. They are rather pretty things.”

His sister snorted at her brother’s words before suggesting that they depart before they were found out.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

Surprisingly, nothing bad happened in swimming class. Lilly had raised an arched brow when I asked her to keep Henry’s knife and belt in her locker. Guess Henry never told them of his gift to me. Vincent had decided to befriend some of the other guys on the swim team, avoiding Reeve and Henry, who watched him like a hawk. Nikki, on the other hand, watched Henry like he was a piece of chocolate. My hands had fisted by my side, wanting to wipe that dreamy look off her face. But then it had all melted away when Henry had only kept his eyes on me.

The rest of the week went by with no events. Vincent had even pulled away from me and was seen with some brunette tucked underneath his arm. When Friday finally came, I was so tired from my first week of school that I couldn’t wait to relax. My mind conjured wonderful things I could do such as lounge on my chaise with a nice cup of Earl Grey tea and re-read one of my favorite classics. Perhaps watch one of my favorite movies that I haven’t seen in a long time, like The Philadelphia Story.

“Do you have any plans for tomorrow?” Henry asked, breaking me out of my reverie. We were walking out of the gym and to the parking lot. Reeve hung back and was animatedly talking to Lilly about one of his sisters and what to get her for her upcoming birthday.

“What did you have in mind?” I asked as I looked up at him through my lashes. Henry didn’t speak for a while until his mouth broke into a crooked grin.

“I thought you might want to spend the day with me at the beach,” he said.

“Really?” My heart leaped, no longer wanting to settle for a book or a movie, no matter how good they are.

“Yeah, figured you might want to know more about yourself and I happen to know a lot from my childhood studies.” A part of me was disappointed that it wasn’t a date, but it was a start. Henry seemed to read my thoughts and brought his hand up to cup my cheek.

“And I am also asking you out.” he finished in a low, intimate voice. We had reached my car and I leaned into the driver’s side as I looked up into Henry’s gentle, gray eyes.

I could get lost in them.

My face beamed up at him.

“So where should I meet you?” I asked as I opened my car door and set my stuff on the passenger seat.

“Meet? I’m picking you up, remember? Isn’t that how dates go?” Henry smiled, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Oh. I wouldn’t know except from books and movies.” I looked down but his gentle fingers lifted my chin, so I was looking back into his warm eyes that seemed to darken with tender emotions.

“They are fools. I will pick you up at seven. Is that too early?”

“No, that’s perfect. I find myself waking up at dawn every morning when I don’t wear my necklace,” I admitted.

“All plants, with the exception of the night plants, always blossom early.” He said with a smile of admiration.

“Oh. Huh. I never thought of that.” That made sense.

“Did you want to join us for dinner tomorrow?” Lillian skipped up next tome.

“I would love to, that is if Henry doesn’t have any other plans for us . . . ?” I looked to him.

“Nope. We’ll be there for dinner.” he gave his sister a kiss on her head before she skipped back to the running SUV.

“I better get going.” he said as Reeve walked by and saluted him before nodding to me. Henry looked reluctant to go.

“I’ll be fine. Reeve always drives behind me. I’ll even call you when I get home.”

“Lilly gave me your cell number.” I explained when Henry had stayed silent as he thought about my words.

“Can I have yours?” he smiled slowly at me. Taking out his cell, I recited my number back to him before getting into my car. I watched him go into his car, grinned and waved at Maddox when he gave me a thumbs-up before peeling out of the parking spot and speeding away.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

“Hey Jacques, it smells great in here.” I called out as I set my stuff down on a chair before joining him in the kitchen.

“Shepherd’s pie. Hungry?” he asked as he took out a small bowl from the oven.

“Starving.” From the tall, floor-to-ceiling windows I was able to see my grandmother sitting on a white lounge chair outside as she ate underneath the wrap-around veranda.

“I’ll take mine outside, thanks.” I took the oven mitt and bowl with me along with a spoon before walking through the open back door.

“May I join you?” I asked my grandmother, who blinked and looked up at me.

“Kyra, did you just get home?”

“Yes.” I sat down on the lounge next to her, settling the oven mitt and bowl between my legs as I dunked the spoon in and began to stir to cool it off.

“How are you getting along?” she asked as she set down her empty bowl and picked up her cool glass of iced-tea.

“Fine.” A smile spread across my face at the thought of Henry.

“I see that.” she wiggled her eyebrows. I blushed and looked away. “Be careful dear one. I wouldn’t want to murder anyone who breaks your heart.” she warned.

“Grandma!” I looked at her, astonished.

“Don’t think I won’t, Kyra. It’s enough that I lost your mother. I wouldn’t want to lose you when you’re all I have.” her voice quivered. I set my bowl aside and stretched out next to her until I was tucked underneath her chin with my arms around her waist. She leaned her head against mine as her arms hugged me.

“You know, I sometimes wonder if your mother is alive, somewhere out there in the ocean,” she said as she released a tired sigh.

“I don’t. I have accepted her death. I had to.” I added quickly when my grandmother stiffened and was about to refute my words.“I couldn’t keep living like that with false hope. If she was alive, she would have returned to me. She wouldn’t have left me alone…with a father who gave no thought to me.” My voice came out angry as tears collected in my eyes. I watched as the beautiful sea waves crashed into the sand, mimicking my emotions.

“It wasn’t his fault dear.” she murmured. I lifted my head as I looked at her with surprise. “What?”

“Kyra, there is something else that you need to know about us. About your power. When a siren sings, she lures men to her, enticing them. But they can be brought back to reality. They can blink, either because of a sudden wind or breeze and the spell would break. You have been lucky, Kyra. Our power can chain men to us for all eternity. And if one of us were to leave or die, the man loses his will to live.” she said quietly.

“I can do that?”

“Yes.”

“How? I want to make sure I never do that unless absolutely necessary.”

“Tell me, how do sirens steal music and memories from their victims?”

“By a kiss.”

“That’s how,” my grandmother concluded. I froze.

I’ve kissed Henry.

“Don’t worry. It won’t happen to every guy you kiss. When you want to e*****e them, you must unleash your power into them. Making them drink it in. It is like light, our power.” I sighed in relief. I never wanted to e*****e Henry, and if he had been, then his being with me would be meaningless.

“Does this only work on men? Or can we also do it to girls?”

“You can do it to girls too. It’s slightly different. Thankfully, we don’t have to kiss them.” she said with a chuckle. “For girls, you place your hand over their heart and release through your palm . . . you’re not planning on doing this to anyone are you?”

“No, of course not. I just didn’t want to slip up or accidentally, err, e*****e someone to me.” I wonder if Henry knew this about me. I’ll have to ask him tomorrow, which reminds me . . .

“Grandma, is it okay if I go out tomorrow with Henry?”

“Of course it’s okay. You don’t have to ask me, Kyra, though I would like to meet this young man who did save your life and I presume was the one that has given you this happy glow.” her perfectly arched brow rose as she stared at me. I blushed.

“Sure. He’s picking me up tomorrow at seven. You can meet him then.” I offered.

“No no. I want to spend some time with him and observe him. See if he’s worthy enough for my granddaughter.” she winked.

“I can invite him for breakfast on Sunday?” I suggested.

“Brilliant! I’ll let Jacques know.” she patted my head before getting up and grabbing her dishes. “You might want to get that reheated.” she gestured to my bowl. I picked it up and followed her back into the house where I listened to her help Jacques plan for Sunday’s breakfast.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

The next morning, I undid my necklace and placed it in a silver dish on my vanity. Slowly, my body stopped shivering from the freezing temperatures outside. I began to feel warm as I slipped into my bathing suit and shorts, not feeling the chilling 40 degree weather. My skin seemed to expand and embrace the cold like an old friend.

After running a comb through my hair, I took a deep breath as butterflies hatched in my stomach. This is my first date! And with Henry!

Noticing the clock read ten minutes to seven, I raced out of my room and down the stairs, almost plowing into Reeve who was headed to the kitchen with a steaming mug of cocoa, the top practically overflowing with marshmallows.

“And where are you off to?” he asked as he took in my appearance.

“I’m going out with Henry. There’s no need to accompany me. I’ll be safe.” I added, not wanting Reeve to tag along on my date. He seemed to read this and curtly nodded before walking away. The soft door-bell echoed through the house and I went to open the door. I could feel my eyes slightly widen. Henry stood there in a simple white t-shirt that emphasized the swell of his biceps, khaki shorts that fit snug around his narrow hips, and flip-flops. He couldn’t have looked more handsome. A breeze passed by, blowing strands of his hair across his forehead. His lips slowly broadened into a smile.

“Good morning.” He said in a voice so deep and warm.

“You can say that again.” I said rather breathlessly. Henry’s eyes glistened with laughter as his mouth tried to suppress a laugh.

“Are you ready?” he asked me as he offered his hand. I slipped mine into his warm palm and nodded.

We stayed in silence as we followed a trail that led to the beach, enjoying each other’s company as we listened to the morning bird calls.

“Are we going to the same cliffs?” I asked.

“Nope. I’m taking you to a surprise.” He released my hand to put his arm around me, drawing me closer. “By the way, I noticed that you aren’t carrying my knife.” He looked down at me, waiting for my excuse.

“I couldn’t possibly strap it underneath my bathing suit or over it either. Then it will be seen.” I began . . .

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

Henry looked down at Kyra as she explained why she hadn’t brought his knife. His eyes went to her naturally pink lips, the memory of their kiss flooding through his mind. Her lips had been soft, warm, full, and innocent.

My sweet Kyra. His heart swelled with tenderness at the thought of her being his. He loved the way she fit perfectly into his arms, as if they had been designed for each other. The way her blue-green eyes would quickly change into a raging sea, or a tranquil lake, depending on her mood.

Henry noticed that they had stopped walking and she had asked him a question and was waiting for him to reply.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” he blinked.

“I wondered where you went. It didn’t look like you heard a word I said.”

“Forgive me. I meant no disrespect. I just became lost.” His hand went up to touch her cheek. He watched her eyes deepen as her breath caught in her throat.

“Lost?” she asked as her voice hitched when Henry began to lean closer until their foreheads were brushing each other. He gently tilted her face up and their lips met.