Twice Awakened

Chapter 23

Reaching for her hand, I stepped across the water, not splashing down into the cold but across it. Placing my hand in hers we walked, I spoke to her as if I had known her my whole life, as you would to your favorite aunt at a family gathering. I told her what had happened and why I sobbed. Her name was Lilian Watercress, she was my aunt.

“You did the right thing, as the future queen, the future Luna, and of goddess blood you separated yourself while your emotions ran loose. With the anger from your father running through you, many people would have become hurt if you went head on with a clouded mind.” I glanced at her with the mentioning of my father. “Do not fear as I hear from all around that Vladymir Scott Bloodstone is loyal, faithful, and truly in love with you. The Maria witch is a spy, set into your camp by Daniel Miser Bloodstone.” piecing this together I realized now why her expressions were so wicked towards me. Causing a rift between Vlad and I would fog our minds. However, she was hoping he was like his father who played in many women’s beds. Nothing like the Vlad I knew.

She stopped in the middle of the lake and whirled something from the water. A beautiful necklace in one bubble and in another a pin like my gold one of the goddess, this one of different blue hues. Taking the pin first, she placed it on my chest, smiling at how it complimented against my armor. Satisfied with it’s placement below the gold one, she grabbed the choker-like necklace from the second water bubble. The metal, cool to the touch on my skin. Ribbon of blue that clung to my neck with jewels of blues and whites placed around it. In the middle hung a beautiful tear drop teal sapphire.

“A gift from aunt to niece.” she kissed my tiara, causing blue gems to appear on either side of the crown right after the red jewels. “My beautiful niece I will be with you, just as your mother, once you have met your two uncles and of course your father, your tiara will be completed. That is when you will be ready for battle. Ready for the war that awaits us all. ”

“Two? Uncles?” I questioned biting the corner of my lip.

“Yes Thorn, Nature and Earth god and Winset, Wind and Weather god. They will be thrilled to see you.” a twinkle in her eye as she said their names gave me comfort. The light of the day ebbing slowly away, as we walked back to the shore. She taught me spells that used water from my surroundings, another that called forth animals from its depths, and one to manipulate water into an animals and objects, such as a horse of water or a chair. Every minute spent with her felt amazing.

Vlad’s scent alerts me that he and others are close. Hearing my named called by many she began walking me to the edge of the lake. Lillian produces a dense fog across the water, hiding our whereabouts, Vlad stood at the edge with the search party that he had summoned. I hear him call out my name. Sadness, fear, and guilt in every call. The return of sadness loomed over me. Lillian sensing this, halts me, a few yards away. Hidden in the fog, I can hear him and all the others. The whimpers of sadness afraid I had plunged into the water. She wisps into a stream of water away from me in the direction we here him. I hear her sigh, taking a moment to think. Startled growls and yips from the others. She spoke with gentleness.

“Vladymir, understand this, she pulled away because if she had lost her temper, or acted on the rage she had developed, she would have not only killed the spy but you and others around you. She is still learning, spells, control, and her family. With her father’s temper touching the surface she can be a force of great destruction if she doesn’t separate and gain control.” Vlad listened to hear, soaking every word in. “She truly loves you, she will fight and protect you, and even die for you but remember even as her strength grows, she still needs you to protect her, her heart, her smile, and her love. She isn’t a fragile flower, but even the strongest things crack and break under to much pressure.” Vlad nodded, dropping his head into a bow. The others bowing their heads. Lillian half spinning to me, reaches her hand out towards me. The fog separating, revealing me I walk across the water reaching for her hand once again. She places her forehead against mine, smiles, and hands my hand to Vlad.

Without hesitation he reaches for my hand, tugging me wantingly towards him, into his arms, and into his embrace. His head bowed down into the nape of my neck, taking in my scent, my warmth, afraid to let go.

“Dizapt Illus.”Lillian sang out, another whoosh followed by cheers from everyone in the base.

“They’re back.” “The Luna is back.””Anya has returned.” shouts, cheers, surrounded us, still in Vlad’s embrace. My face is still against his chest, my eyes pink and puffy from the tears. Aches of sore muscles when I ran, jumped, and hurtled through the woods for hours. Vlad never releasing his embrace, faced the crowd.

“We must crack down and start patrols. We will build a fortress, we will put newcomers through trials before allowing them in. Spies, headhunters, assassin's, and other’s have started to come to infiltrate our base. They fear our growing army, our strength, and the fire that burns through us. Let’s shake them to their core, keep them guessing, and attack when they are most vulnerable.” Vlad’s voice boomed across the people. Cheers cascading across the vast crowd. I felt him nod to someone, in a quick movement I was swept up into his arms, a kiss gently place atop my head. He began moving to our little home on the hill.

As we entered our home, I could hear the merriments of the crowd outside, singing, dancing, and laughter. Still numbing my self Vlad sat me on our bed, kneeling before me, cupping my face.

“Anya, please forgive me, please speak to me.” His eyes were full of grief and guilt. His blue eyes searching mine. I finally released the numbing and he felt everything. Tears streamed his face feeling the emotions I felt. Love for him had still flowed heavily through me, it had never wavered but grew stronger.

“You have done nothing wrong to seek my forgiveness.” my voice was gentle and cool.

“You were hurt because I grew to cocky, I wasn’t alert to my surroundings, and in turn, hurt you.” his voice wavered. Cupping his face I began gently kissing his lips, to sooth his guilt and grief. To show him I was still all his, I was still behind him, and my love was still strong as ever. He wrapped my waist and I held his head to my chest.

“Do you hear that?” I whispered. “It beats for you.” He began sobbing. “I love you Vladymir Scott Bloodstone, I will always love you.” He crawls up onto the bed, facing me, as I wipe away his tears.

‘I love you so much. I will prove to you everyday how much I love you Anya!” He gently covers me in his kisses. We sit in each others embrace for awhile before he starts to move. The festivities growing louder. I began moving only for pain from my body to cause me to inhale sharply. Seeing the pain, Vlad rushed to me. Checking me over looking for any marks.

“It’s from our massive game of hide and seek today.” I say bending slowly as I untie my boots. “I don’t think I’ve ran, twisted, jumped, and hurtled like that since I was a little kid.” He moves my hands from my boots slipping them off gently.

“Hide and seek? That was one hell of a game, however, it seems you have paid the price for being an excellent hider.”

“Make it a training game, with how sore and achy I am. They’ll be pros in no time.”

“It seems they would have a fighting run for the title since it took us four hours to find you.” He had finally chuckled. I give him a lazy grin and begin trying to undress. Laying back to unbuckle my belt just for my hands to be pushed away and him to do it. He went to the bathroom and began filling the tub with warm water and a powder that Granny had given him. I struggled a bit with my pants but got them unbuttoned.

He gently took of my pants, gently unstrapped, and unbuttoned my top and slid it off. Bruises from the bumps into trees, whips of branches, brushing against rocks lay scattered around my body. His hand trailing different ones as I felt a sadness grow from him. He still blamed himself.

“The repercussions of being clumsy. It is not your fault babe.” He perked up with the last little nickname. I spread joy through him.

“May I ask how you knew my middle name?” he seemed to question as to when I had heard it.

“My aunt told me.” I smiled mischievously.

“Hmm well now it only seems fair I know yours.” he seemed unsure about his statement

“Dawn. Anya Dawn Grayson.” He seemed to light up. “Shocking you’ve never heard Liz use it.” I snickered. “She’s notorious for using it when I am being stubborn.” He chuckled at the stubborn part and side shrugged a bit before taking off my bra and panties. I felt his arousal surface and dim a bit as he picked me up and causing me to flinch a bit.

“Did I hurt you?”His question laced with worry.

“I am ok, I promise.” He gently took me to the bath, setting me in the hot water soothed my aches and pain on contact. Rolling a towel and placing it under my neck, he watched me for a few minutes.

“I sm going to run to Edna’s hut real quick. She may have something to soothe you bruises.” he stopped for a minute. “If that’s ok with you?” I smile and nod.

“I am not your warden, I am your mate. I trust you.” I gently stroke his cheek. He placed his hand over mine, nodded, and I heard him quickly exit the hut.

‘Hialt.” I murmured a quick little healing spell that helped release the pain and soreness. Draining me a bit more. I grab a washcloth and soap, scrubbing away the dirt, grime, and sweat . Gently, sinking down into the tub to rinse off the suds. Looking at the bruises of blues, purples, and greens of different shades. Hearing a click of the door, I am put on high alert, as Vlad’s scent isn’t wafting through. I quietly and quickly wrap a towel around me as I push against the wall behind the door. Yelling erupts across the base.