Waking up to my alarm going crazy, I see through one half opened eye that it was eight o'clock. Ugh, it's a Saturday, why in the world would I set the alarm that early. Then I remember, I am to be picked up by Tristen in an hour and half to start my Spirit Course. My stomach got more than just butterflies in it thinking of him. I had a tough time going to sleep last night replaying everything over and over in my head of the day's events. How everything was so crazy and yet something wonderful came out of it.
Choosing an outfit for today was rough. Not knowing what I was going to be doing and the fact that I was seeing Tristen before, I had to look good. After trying on every item, I had in my closet, I decide to go with my dark skinny jeans rolled at the bottom, black tank top and black and red flannel with my black combat boots. What can I say, I go for comfort more than fashion? Checking the clock, I only have twenty minutes before he will be here. Rush into the bathroom to put on foundation, bronzer and mascara and pull my hair up into a knot. Giving myself a last look over I grab my purse and go down stairs.
In the kitchen, Nan is already hard at work. In spring every year, she starts her jelly making and her strawberry jam is the best in the whole state. The whole house smelled so good. Opening the fridge, I grab the butter and milk. Walking over to the oven I snatch a biscuit and a glass out of the cabinet. Sitting at the table I pour some milk and cover my biscuit in the freshly made jam and butter. I bite in and fill the jam squeeze out the sides of my mouth. Closing my eyes to enjoy the wonderful taste. I hear Sam and Tucker run in the room, the boys that Nan watches for one of our neighbors. Not caring at all I continue my breakfast. That is when I hear them snickering. Opening my eyes to find them standing in the door way of the kitchen with Tristen behind them. Hurrying I reach for a napkin off the middle of the table and knock my milk over. Trying my best to not look at Tristen so he could not see my face as it is getting redder by the second. Nan reaches me a towel and I fall to the floor to start cleaning it up.
"Way to go there clumsy. Smart one." Both boys spat out while not trying to hold back their laugh in the slightest. Rolling my eyes, I continue to clean my mess up. Once the milk was no longer in the floor I stand up and stare at the boys, they grow silent.
"Boys, why don't you go outside and get the tools out of the building. We need to get the weeds out of my garden today so we can plant tomorrow." Nan said. With that I smile, "What about Brynn? She should have to help." The boys whine.
"Don't you worry about her, she will be working just as hard as you two will be today. I promise you that." She answered. With that they stood and slowly stomped out the back door. Reaching for my purse as I walk out the room Tristen follows. I toss the towel in the laundry room on our way out the house. Tristen gets the door to his car for me and we are off.
"You have been awfully quiet today," I say to Tristen. This catches him off guard, the look he gives me is a confusing one. "I was trying to talk to you the whole time you were hiding from me in the floor." That cannot be right, I never once heard him neither out loud of in my head.
You were blocking me out the whole time.
"How could I have done that? I don't even know how to let you in my head. It just happens" I say a little loud for being in such a small car.
"I think right now you are controlling your powers with your emotions. You were embarrassed and wanted to hide, so your mind was closed off to hide yourself." He explained. "I am just amazed that you are able to do it this soon, no training what so ever."
"It's in my genes," I reply smartly. Both of us laughing I finally notice where we are heading, the out skirts on the northern part of town. A twisty road that leads to nowhere. "Last night, you spoke of stories about people like us, what stories do you mean?" I ask.
"Well, you will learn more about it in your class but, it starts with the first couple that started white lighters." He said while keeping his eyes on the road. "There was this angel, Sabriel, at one-time angels could visit Earth to help keep watch over Gods children. One day he ran into a lady out on a road, Lilura. With just one look Sabriel was hooked on Lilura. He was under her spell so to say but, no magic was cast upon him for she did not know he was an angel and he did not know her a witch. Many months went by while the couple became stronger for one another. One night a baby was made, Emalynn, and the world was forever changed. Within that bond of making a child, so was the bond of grá fíor. Or True love, in our world this means that when this bond is made or found then it is stronger than any other. You will be drawn to one another even before you know what it is. And when you are together, the power of both become ten times stronger than ever. But, also when one loses their grá fíor it is like death for one half of yourself."
Pulling onto the drive, it seems as if no one has been on it for a while. The two dirt paths that shows the wear of the tires and the not maintained greenery that was growing on the sides marked the unused trail. Making our way further into the forest until, pulling up to a wall of brush and briar. It was taller than the car but, Tristen just kept driving.
"Wait, What about? You can't go through?" I somehow got out as the front end of the car started inserting itself in the brush. Watching with wide eyes and in shock of how the car was going in the brush but, it disappeared. It looked like when you push your finger against a thing of Jell-O, how it snaps back but with that part of the car gone. Further the car went in and even we did. Coming out the other side it took me a moment to even realize my surroundings. I realized I was holding my breath, exhaling I start checking that all my body parts were still intact from what just happened.
Doing a once over review of me, I look up to see Tristen staring at me. He had this grin on his face that was breathe taking. Leaning in and cups my face with his hand all the while holding mine with his other. His lips touch my forehead I can feel the smile still on his lips. He pulls back and the smile is even bigger. "We need to get you to class." His car pulls up and that's when I really look at what was on the other side of that wall.
Beautiful green gardens with royal blue, pink, and the brightest yellow flowers I have ever seen. The gravel driveway leading up to the giant castle had two flights of stairs leading up to two wooden doors at the top of them. Feeling like I am in a story book from my younger years, I open the door after we stop. Tristen meets me around the car and his hand easily finds mine.
"Shall we?" He asks.
Nodding my head, we make our way up the steps. He puts his hand on the handle with a pause. I can feel my eyes growing big as I see gold ray of light sneak out around the palm of his hand. It seemed that it was scanning his hand print. The door clicks, as it is ajar Tristen pushes it further open. Inside you are transformed by the atmosphere all around you. Not in a bad way, it was as if the air got lighter, softer and your body felt opened. You could not help but to smile. It made me feel as if I was at Disney World and how a child feels the magic all around them.
This was amazing, the decor of the room we were standing in was overwhelming. This place was truly a castle. Bright reds and golds were everywhere. Tall ceilings that connected to oak wood walls that ran to the marble floor. Under my feet was an entry rug that at the point of each corner was a gold tussle that matched the ones hanging from the tie back of the curtain. In the far-left corner was a knight armor that shined just as bright as a disco ball. On both sides of the room had a connecting staircase that lead up to the next floor. Under the stairs was a double door, on each side of the door was pictures. Walking over to the doors I noticed aligning walls were old pictures. The artist work of them were extravagant but how they dressed suggested that it was an older time. Under each picture were names engraved on gold.
When we reached the doors, I could see the larger pictures hanging. On the left was a picture of a man wearing what looks to be from Scotland, green and black kilt and all. The face is what caught my attention right off. The jaw line was strong and the eyes were so blue. Along with the way the man was standing made me feel as if I knew this guy. Doing a double take of the picture and I noticed the gold plaque under the picture, Sabriel Kollins leader of the Kollins Clan.
"Is this really who I think this is?" I ask.
Shaking his head, he answered, "He was the father of our people."
"But, if he was an angel how was he the clan leader?" I ask.
"He made a choice. When he fell for Lilura there was no way he was going to leave her. So, he chose to stay here on Earth with her. Usually, that means losing his wings which he did. But, he could keep his goodness and most of his powers. In which made him a warlock in the eyes of norms. He challenged the leader of the clan for her hand, since he was promised by her father to be his, and won. In which, he became the leader." Tristen explained.
Walking over to the picture to the other side of the doors and stop dead in my tracks. In this picture was a girl, no a woman. She stood tall, with her shoulders back and chin set. Her eyes were dark but shinning along with her long hair that was flowing in the wind. The sun kissed skin popped in the picture. She was beautiful. I look to the bottom of the picture at the gold plaque too see who this woman was. And it stated it was Lilura McComas, High Elder of the McComas Clan.
Looking at Tristen he finished my thought out loud, "She was your ancestor."
My mind was running so fast. Trying to put together what this meant. My family is more than just one of the oldest in the town. I am part of the first white lighters ever. Wrapping his arms around my waist from behind me, Tristen ease my back against him. This woman was the mother of our people and, the High Elder of my family. Her blood runs through me, it's as if I could feel it now. Closing my eyes, I feel the warmth knowing that I am part of something so much more than I could ever know. Running from my chest branching out to my limbs, moving down my legs and arms to my fingers and toes.
"Brynn… Honey, umm can you open your eyes for me." Tristen whispered in my ear.
Opening my eyes and leaning forward out of arms to look at him. I noticed the smile on his face. Tilting my head to the right I try to read him and get lost. "You really amaze me," he says. The confusion all over my face I step away from him to see his full face.
"What were you thinking about just a moment ago?" he asks.
"Just about Lilura and my family, where we come from." I answer.
Shaking his head, he states, "I thought so. I could feel pride, honor, and just happiness coming from you. You were pushing those feelings out of you and to me through your touch."
"Really?" I ask. Just smiling he leans in a kiss my forehead.