Chapter 19
Arkukkari Island, 2020
Sofya
After catching up with Lucy I practically sprinted to Ivanna's office, huffing and puffing my way up the stairs. I may be somewhat athletic but running was not my thing, oh and I was asthmatic so I suppose that didn't help either. But the point was that I hated running. Yeah, yeah, we get it already Klutzy.
"Hey," I said as I tumbled into her office. It was six o five.
"You're late," Ivanna remarked with a giant frown plastered on her miserable face, grouch. I was five minutes late, seriously? "Sit down." I sat down in the chair across from her. "When you were out we postponed training, I'm sure you know why by now. You know about the whole legend now right?" Ivana asked.
"Yeah I do, thanks for telling me by the way," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
"There were reasons, anyway training resumes tomorrow, you are dismissed." She said waving her arm. Grouchy dictator.
I quickly left the room and dashed to the elevator. I ran smack dab into someone and we fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs. I landed on top of them after a few rolls. Ouch, that had hurt. I glanced up at the person. Damn it, it was Ash for the second time. Of anyone to run into, why him! Blush spread across my cheeks. I peeled myself off of him and stood up.
"Sorry," I said grimacing. I offered my hand and he grabbed it and stood up.
"It's fine." He said, stepping closer to me.
"Are you ok?" He asked, looking concerned. I was surprised he wasn't making a joke or scowling, he actually looked concerned. "But try not to make a habit of this, we don't want a brain-damaged queen, ya?" And I spoke too soon. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah," I said checking for injuries. I was fine. The only thing I felt right now was embarrassment. I looked back up at him, his heart-stopping eyes catching mine. I gave a small smile. "Well, um sorry about that. I'll see you tomorrow for training, uh bye," I said giving a little wave.
"Wait," Ash said grabbing my wrist. I looked at him. "Can you come to my hut, I have to talk with you." He said. He looked serious.
"Ok," I said with a nonchalant shrug. Meanwhile, my heart was pounding rather loudly in my chest.
I silently followed him to his hut. Inside it was really nice it reminded me of his, well Sam's house in California all dark mahogany wood. Just like Ash, dark and mysterious. I honestly knew next to nothing about him. He led me to the couch and we sat down. He took a deep breath and exhaled.
"It is said that thousands of years ago our ancestors were connected, mine were the guardians of your people, the firstborn of the generation that was going to take the throne were paired together but about a thousand years ago one pair fell in love with other people and separated the bloodlines. Ten years ago my parents were killed, but my brother was kidnapped by Alek." He said. My eyes widened. Poor Ash. But wait did he just imply that I was supposed to marry him? Because that was never happening. I'd only marry someone I truly loved and that was going to be nobody because of well you know the darkness. I was loving nobody.
"Wait, am I supposed to go with you?" I asked. Ash frowned. He shook his head.
"You're supposed to go with my brother, you two are both firstborns. It is said that they would feel some sort of pull towards each other even from far away, I need you to help me find and rescue him." I scowled, great, now I didn't only have to save the world and rule it but I had to have an arranged marriage. Yippee! Could my life get any better?
"I don't get it though, are you sure?" I asked, if I did feel a sort of pull it was most definitely towards Ash. How the heck would I feel a pull to his brother who was in a different world? That literally was ridiculous.
"Yes, he was the firstborn," Ash said glumly. I didn't want to say this, but I didn't want Ash's brother, I wanted Ash. I, unfortunately, liked the dufus. Despite his many faults, he was kind, loyal, caring, and beautiful inside and out.
"Ash, you can't be serious? This isn't possible." I started to say. He looked at me. "Yeah? Well, it is." He all but growled.
"I feel a pull but not towards someone else, towards you," I said quietly. Ash's eyes widened.
"So do I." He said in a whisper, almost so I couldn't hear. My heart warmed.
"Then aren't you, my guardian?" I asked hesitantly. Although I'd prefer to not have a guardian I'd rather it be Ash than anyone else.
"I can't be. I wasn't born first. If anyone found out I had done anything romantically with you I would be killed, it's against the law" He said, his expression hardening. I hid my disappointment, or at least tried to, of course, I had absolutely no luck whatsoever, stupid law, stupid council, stupid everything. "I need you to help me get my brother though." He said.
"Ok," I said dejected, the one thing I wanted in the world I couldn't have and couldn't be with me otherwise he would be killed and I would never ask Ash to go against the law, council, or whatever. I didn't want him to be at risk, plus of course, I would help him save his brother. I stood up, ready to leave, and go mope about this alone.
"I'll walk you back to your hut." He said, getting up.
"Fine." I snapped without meaning to.
We walked back to my hut in silence. Ezmia greeted me at the door.
"Bye Ash," I said as I stepped in. Tears threatened to come forth, it felt like I was closing the door on something, saying goodbye for good. My heart clenched as I slowly closed the door.
"Bye," Ash said before leaving, his expression cold and distant. Great, just as he opened up he pulled away, again. Not that it mattered anymore.
I sighed, then closed the door then went and got ready for bed. Ezmia curled up next to me sensing my pain, a few tears slipped down my face as I opened the book I was currently reading for maybe the tenth time, Anne of Green Gables. It was another of my favorite books. I desperately wanted to find my Gilbert.
For the next few months, we continued with our training. We learned more about our powers, weaknesses, and heritage. I quickly learned that I was powerful. I'd beaten Lucy and Nico at fighting with magic, only defeated by Ash (who obliterated everyone by a landslide, even me, which was highly annoying because Ivanna said that only the guardian was stronger than me. Which pissed me off even more since the guardian wasn't Ash, it must be strength by blood or whatever), who had been cold and distant around me ever since our "talk".
I also learned that I sucked at staying away from Ash, no matter how many times I told myself that he didn't want anything to do with me and I didn't want to speak to him anyway. Another sucky thing was I hadn't been back to the Land of Dreams since the last time I saw Zane. I worried about how he was doing, being all alone again. I couldn't imagine how painful that would be. I hoped I could figure how to get back there soon. Zane didn't deserve this.
I couldn't wait for tomorrow though. We were having a ball to announce who the four other aemon's would be. I had a pretty good idea though. Most likely it would be Lucy, Nico, Ash since his stupid older brother wasn't here at this moment, and the last one was a bit of a mystery. There was Seraphina who was so very competitive but driven, Mira who was one of the sweetest girls I had ever met, and Maxon who was my favorite of the three. He was a bit mysterious. A little closed off and shy but so completely adorable and sweet once he let you get to know him. He also got along great with Nico, making a fantastic duo. I wanted him to join our gang. It'd be a blast.
My heart wanted Ash to be my guardian for real, not his brother. My feelings were so confused because sometimes I occasionally caught him following me around and staring at me, but mostly he was distant, cold, and menacing. I didn't know if he liked me or not. Still, I liked him, a lot, even though I absolutely should not. His eyes, those beautiful eyes like the, looked into the depths of my soul and made me feel alive. I didn't know what to feel anymore, my emotions were going haywire and I knew I should just forget him but it was proving to be quite difficult.
There was a knock on the door jarring me out of my thoughts. I ran over and swung the door wide open, to see Lucy standing there with her gown for tomorrow. I grinned. I had invited her over for a sleepover so we could get ready together for the ball. I felt like such a child but, oh well.
"Hi." She said bounding in.
"Hey," I said, welcoming her in. "We have to be at the auditorium in a few minutes just to set the dress over there," I said pointing at one of the guest rooms which was like a second home if Lucy wasn't at her hut. Lucy dashed off, putting the dress in the room.
Once she got back we ran out the door to the auditorium. We were going to be finding out who the escorts to the ball were going to be. Lucy was grinning wildly as we ran down the road, the wind blowing through our hair. Probably creating knots in mine. She was really excited. So was I.
Once we reached the auditorium we sat down in our usual seats in the back. Nico and Ash weren't here yet. I noticed, gazing at the empty seats in front of us.
"Who do you think your escort will be?" Lucy asked mockingly. Obviously meaning it was going to be Ash.
"And who do you think your escort will be?" I asked her back. "Nico?" I said smiling. Lucy blushed heavily, she had developed a crush for Nico over the past few months. I had gotten to know Nico well over the past weeks, he was like the brother I never had. But if Lucy wasn't careful she could get her heartbroken. Don't get me wrong Nico was a good guy, but he was a player and part incubus. So, that pretty much says it all. He wasn't interested in long-term, love. Also, I had caught him looking intently at someone else. I couldn't believe someone had captured Nico's eye but it was adorable and couldn't wait to see how it played out.
A few minutes later Ash and Nico walked in taking their usual seats in front of us.
"Attention everybody!" Ivanna announced her loud voice stretching across the room. "I will be announcing everyone's escorts for the ball tomorrow, no complaining. First Yana and Maxon, Reyna and Kashmir, Pedar and Mira, Evgenia and Josh, Celeste and Misha, Sofyalisia and Ash, Seraphina and Marco, Corina and Roman, and Lucy and Nicolus. I looked over at Lucy, she was bouncing up and down in her seat. I giggled. "You are all dismissed now," Ivanna said. Then left the stage. Ash and Nico turned to face us.
"Sofyalisia is your full name?" Nico asked. "Yep, my full name is quite a bit Sofyalisia Nalani Reza Kahale Winchester Volkova." I said.
"Geez, that's a long name," Nico commented with a bewildered look. I laughed and looked at Ash, who was still being an emotionless moving statue. I was surprised he didn't comment about my full name. I had never told him, it had been too hectic as of late. Actually, I wasn't too busy, that is, he was too involved in being a moving statue lately, statues didn't speak as you know. Hahaha, you're so funny I forgot to laugh. "What time shall we pick you ladies up?" Nico asked his signature grin back.
"Six-thirty, the ball starts at seven and it's a bit of a drive so we should be ready by then," Lucy said then grabbed my arm and dragged me out the door. Nico rolled his eyes as Lucy hauled me away.
"Girls," I heard him mutter.
"Bye!" I quickly called back. "What was that?" I said to Lucy once we were outside.
"We have to look our best tomorrow, we need rest. I have a new mission plan. It's called Awake Mr. Moving Statue." She said continuing to drag me by the arm toward my hut. I groaned. I didn't want to discuss the Ash complication, again. I just wanted to leave the asshat in his moody silence at this point.
Once we got inside she shoved me into my room. "Now get to bed," she said before slamming the door in my face. Oh, Lucy, what would I do without her.
I changed in one of my many stupid slips and crawled into bed. I was excited for tomorrow, Ash would not ruin that. And the irony comes. I closed my eyes but was plagued by nightmares of Ash. Specifically in Sam's office getting whipped. I would never forget that day for as long as I lived.