Eric
A glowing golden rope wrapped itself around my waist followed by a strong tug. Only one person could dare and she clearly wanted to play. She rubbed her palms together as soon as I obliged and came to her. "Dance with me" Her dimples deepened making me incapable of saying no directly.
"I don't dance Dimples but do you know who does?
"Don't say Caleb. I want to dance with you. It's my birthday party and you promised you'd give me anything I desired." Great. This was probably the plan she had been hatching all day long.
"Is that why you didn't ask for anything until now?" Her lips twitched then she tried to school her expression and failed miserably.
"Is it so bad that your best friend wants to dance with you? I'm not as short as I was last year. Please dance with me. I know you dance. All royals do."
A few minutes later, I was doing the royal dance which was a bit like a Scottish dance from another universe. Only difference was at some point the birthday girl and her selected victim did a dance in the middle of the circle as the others clapped to the rhythm. Others hooted and cheered. Reina swirled around as I led her to the glowing lights in the shape of stars in the center of the dance floor. Seeing her joy made me smile. Just as the crew joined the dance again, Caleb snatched her away.
An awestruck twelve year old with no mental shields ended up in my arms. "He's the Prince. Great Creator! It's him. His eyes are the...", tuning out her voice became a challenge even for me with the way she was shouting her thoughts.
She planned to hug me and I immediately let go of her. I left her on the dance floor. Her embarrassment did not faze me. She was a schemer and she hated Reina. Her thoughts had been enough to prove to me she intended to harm Reina. As soon as I stood on the balcony, she teleported to my side.
"I'm a pure heart royal and I can identify your mate before she's of age. Don't you want to know who she is?"
"What I want, is to be alone." I tried teleporting away but she let out some kind of barrier to keep me from leaving.
I am your mate Eric. Soon you'll be unable to help yourself.
I tried reading her thoughts but suddenly she had shields meaning that she had intentionally shouted those thoughts at me.
"Nyla, in no universe will you ever be my mate. Now lie to me again and I'll make you sorry."
She hugged me so abruptly I hardly had time to push her away. Her power touched my being making me want something I could not describe. It burned in me until I was so restless. Shaking my head did not ease the insistent ringing in my ears or the pounding of my heart. I was out of control as she touched my nape, kissed my cheek and licked the side of my neck. I saw Reina stare at us and suddenly I awoke from a sort of trance. I tried reaching for her but she just ran inside the hall. Confused about what had just happened, I set out to confront Nyla but she was gone.
Reina
Being ten years old in royal meant you were old enough to learn about mates. Healers and Pure Heart royal elders started speaking to every female approaching ten. I was sent to these sessions a month ago and everything I had learned scared me. It also excited me.
Seeing Eric with the girl who had made my life miserable for years hurt. She was part of the Heart family which made her welcome to my party. What snapped my control was seeing her lay a claim on him by licking his royal mark. No one besides a mate was supposed to lick another royal's mark. Eric's mark was a pattern of lightning bolts and huge angel wings spread out. It started from his chest and ended at his neck. I had seen it many times but I had never touched it even if I wanted to. He probably had found his mate. Stories of mates meeting in their childhood were not unheard of. If she was his mate, I would lose him because she hated me.
"Reina..." His eyes searched mine as he held my chin up. I tried to pull away but he was not having that. Tears ran down my cheek and this time I was incapable of explaining them. All I knew was a sense of betrayal and agony filled me, eating me alive from the inside.
"Was that the surprise you had in store for me?" His eyes widened as he saw how hurt and angry I was.
"She was wrong but why are you angry?"
His eyes searched mine but his eyes searched mine with confusion."Dimples, no tears. She means nothing to me."
"Is she your mate?"
"She said she was but I know the truth. She is manipulative and incapable of telling the truth."
****
Eric
Seeing her tears on a day so special had been one of my greatest failings. I watched as she trained for the next few days. Her gaze was a warrior's, intense but disconnected. After training she studied and left as soon as she got a chance, our times together forgotten.
Not today...
Reya was approaching but I was faster. I grabbed her hand and teleported us away.
"Let me go! "She panted with fists clenched.
"I don't want to hurt you. Let me go Eric."
Her beautiful green eyes blazed golden as she tried burning me. But I kept reinforcing my electrical shield.
I held her trembling fists to my chest hoping she would let it go. Green orbs snapped to mine as I drew her into my arms. I kissed her temple and whispered,
"No lie will ever keep me away Princess"
Her eyes shimmered when I touched her chin raising her face to mine. For some reason, it was very important that I understand what she was feeling. Pain, hurt, confusion at her own feelings and all this befuddled me even more. Accusing eyes held mine.
"You let her mark you..."
"She did something I couldn't explain. When you came to the balcony it was like I awoke from a trance. You're the only one I'm comfortable touching. I never let anyone else touch me, you're the exception. She's a pure heart royal and I'm unable to decipher all her abilities but I'm sorry you had to see that."
Her small hands went around my waist.
"Will you always tell me the truth no matter what? Even if it hurts?" She murmured.
"Always Reina, even though hurting you hurts me more..."
"Promise, Heart and Soul?" My power flared out as she placed her hand above my heart...
"I promise, Heart and Soul."
"Will you let me fulfil my promise to you?" Her eyes widen then crinkled with excitement as I tickled her with my current. She always collapsed with laughter when I used my power in a low voltage to tickle her neck and tummy. Her laughter kept me sane.
That night as the stars came out, I let her see what she had longed for countless times.
"Papa!" She gasped. White light shiny images came together forming a tall gorgeous replica of her father. "I love you my baby girl. Always have and I'll come back to you someday. Tell Inaya she's kept my heart beating."
Reina
Seeing my father's image was the best gift Eric had given me. He stood beside me staring into the night as the image vanished. Knowing he was alive made me even more hopeful. Eric clutched his head and grunted. I rushed to his side but he teleported away. Confused and alone I walked home. Silence met my attempts at telepathy. Always too close, always too far... I had no idea at the time I would not see my best friend for a very long time...