Twice Awakened

Chapter 31

Vlad had put on a suit and quickly returned to my side. I felt drained but I want him to be happy once more. We all headed towards the training field, making stops for each one to change. Everyone changing into suits and gowns.

Nearing the training field I could hear music of all sorts playing. Vlad’s excitement wrapping my emotions. I give him a gentle smile. He tells the others to go in and has me follow them with him behind me. They walk to the edge of the circle parting for me to continue. On a banner WILL YOU painted on the banner. A bit confused, Gracie bonds towards me.

“Turn around Anya.” I turned quickly to Vlad kneeling on one knee. Eyes full of nervousness. Hands shaking with a box and a beautiful ring with a rainbow stone.

“Marry me?” My hands over my mouth and tears streaming my face. I nodded as he places it on my hand. Cheers and whistles erupt as Vlad wrapped my waist and twirling me around.

“LET’S CELEBRATE!!!” Vlad yells. People fall in dancing and twirling. He lowers his head for me to hear him. “This is why I had disappeared time to time. I was setting up to propose. I want to spend eternity with you. As my mate and as my Luna.” He smiled gently as we spun and twirled. My gown flowing with every movement gracefully. “It was truly an accident when I heard you speaking to Liz and Matthew. The guys have been helping me to keep it hidden. Trust me every single one had to space themselves because of the excitement.” He gave a cheesy grin. He picks me up resting my feet on his, knowing I was drained from the nights previous events. I chuckle a bit resting my head on his shoulder, kissing his neck gently.

“Please for the future, mindlink me, if you are out of my sight. If you need to talk, scream, or shout I will always stand before you and hear you out. You hold so much in, let me be your strength, your peace, and your love.” He spoke so gently, his words like honey. “I know you think you may burden me or the guys but you wont. The guys and I have seen your will to push yourself to the brink of mental and emotional exhaustion. We want you healthy, safe, and feel secure. You can come to any one of us, preferably me, but never fear speaking to us. We are your family. You’re my whole world.” he kissed the top of my head softly.

We had danced and I released everything I had pent up. Telling him all my secrets, from wanting to wed before marriage to being able to control my fertility. The talks with my mother, my aunt, the tiara construction, my uncles, and my father. I told him it all. I stopped as I thought I may overwhelm him but he spoke back asking questions, and truly listening to me. We danced and talked until it was us and the knights. I had finally released everything. My shoulders felt lighter, the stress gone. Sleep nagging at me as I had finally relaxed, truly relaxed. He scooped me up with ease, in his arms I had finally found my peace, my trust, my life, and my world. He didn’t judge me, instead he seeked to help me. Our bond like rubber concrete.

“You tell me to open up and all I ask in return, please do the same with me,” I spoke in between dozes.

“I promise my little flower.” He kissed my lips gently, everyone saying their goodnight as we all headed to our beds. Over our little threshold, I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer, one last time of my trying to flick open my eyes. He smiled so gently. Eyes full of love.

“Sleep my beautiful flower, I will protect you.” With his words I drifted into slumber.

(Next morning}

Sounds of festivities danced through the air. My head throbbing from the night before. I sat up holding my head almost in tears. I placed my head in my hands trying to calm the splitting headache. I never wanted to get that angry again with these repercussions. Vlad stirred beside me as he felt I was in pain. Slipping on his clothes he ran out the door returning a few minutes later with a strange liquid.

“Granny said two sips.” I smiled as I took the flask from him. Instantly soothing my head.

“Granny is a miracle worker.” Vlad was staring at me, as if I were a beautiful painting. “Is everything ok?”

“Nope.” I looked at him with worry and concern. “Everything isn’t fine it is perfect.” He smiled slyly. “The way the blanket swirls around you, the way it cascades off your perfect body, the smile that shines on the darkest of days, your eyes full of love and beauty. Oh, I could go on and on looking at the masterpiece before me.” He smiled and I had seen his mischievous smile flash, he was getting ready to pounce me. As I thought it he did just that. Tickling me into a squirming mess.’Say mercy!”

“Never.” I giggled and squirmed trying to get him back. The only three spots he was ticklish two were guarded. His inner thigh, however, was wide open. Lunging with a split second I squeezed a bit, catching him off guard causing him to squeal a bit. The sound that he had released with his reaction caused me to burst into laughter.

Commotion outside had us stop for a minute to listen. Hearing someone had forced their way through numerous amounts of guards. Vlad and I had pulled our armor on quickly rushing out the door to the south gate. People swarmed the area causing us to have to yell and push through. The guards had someone in the middle of them, them yelling at the person to stop. Squeezing through and looking over the shoulder of one guard, I knew the man that stood there. Tapping the guards shoulder to move aside he gracefully slipped sideways while never dropping his spear.

Before me stood a man with blond hair that resembled snow, eyes of crimson, and armor that was red and black. His voice was firm but warm when he spoke. One sentence is all he spoke.

“Hello my beautiful daughter I have waited for so long to be able to meet you.” his eyes sincere and warm. Without a second more I ran to him, as he had wrapped me. Vlad making the guards stand down and everyone disperse. Vlad looked around and saw how far he had reached and was quite shocked to realize he had hurt no one but had pushed half way through the south side. Then again, being the god of war, he didn’t expect any less of him.

Vlad stood a minute with concern on his face.

“So little flower, this is your mate?” He questioned eyeing Vlad. I smiled as I walked to Vlads side. I peeked a sense of jealousy from Vlad as he called me his little flower. My father eyed him with an accepting smile. “He is strong as you are Anya, your mother has told me how much you grow everyday. How much your bond has intensified. He smiles gently. “How ever young man I will tell you as every daddy says to the man who holds his daughter, do not break her heart or I will break yours.” Shock crossed my face as Vlad had snickered.

“I swear I will not break her heart, but I will protect it with my life.” My father clapping his hand on Vlad’s shoulder with an acceptin nod.

“I only have a limited time sadly before I will be pulled back to my realm.” Pain and regret surged his face. “I wish I could be here more, be here to aide you, to help.” He sighed heavily. I could see his heart break with his words. “I do however bring you a gift. A gift to help tame your temper that your mother has said you had gotten from me.” He snickered thinking back at the conversation.” Just as you’re mother tamed mine with a similar gift.” He pulled from his satchel two necklaces, one was feminine versus the other masculine. “These will help your mate pull the anger from you, and in return replace it with light, hope, and happiness.” He pulled his necklace from under his armor. “Your mother gave me this the night we met.” He moved his thumb gently over it.

Vlad and I had placed the necklaces on one another, and could feel the pull they had towards one another. Vlad and I smiled at the pink smoke that whirled inside the marbles located in the center of the wolves jaws.

“I also give you this, a red pin, he placed gently beside my mother’s. “Your three uncles will place a pin here, here, and here.”

“Three? Aunt Lillian had said two?” I looked confused.

“Yes I have a brother that she has never met.” He sighed. “He’s a bit...uhh...weird. He is the god of speed.” He seemed as if there was more but his appearance seemed to fizzle. “My dear little flower, I must go.” He kissed my forehead as he hugged me tightly. “Touch your pin and you can speak to me whenever. Goodbye my little flower for now.” With a gust of wind whirling around him, he was gone.

“Well at least I finally met your dad.” Vlad smiled as he nervously grabbed the back of his neck. Some onlookers had popped there heads around the huts.

“Yeah, it just sucks I can’t see them all the time.” I stand, looking at the spot my father had just stood. Vlad wrapped me.

“Hey at least they are supporting you in anyway they can think of.” he sighs thinking of his own father.

“Your father is a failure at parenthood Vlad. He deserves to be throat punched.” He state. Vlad snickers a bit.

“I have never heard you say that.” I shrug as I spoke the truth. Touching each pin on my chest I think three to go. Looking around our little army did pretty well against the god of war. I smile at how far we have come.