Delilah knocked on the door, filled with anxiety as she waited in silence for the door to be answered. She hadn't seen Ciaran in centuries, and now he was finally here in the flesh. Having the memories of all her previous lives was too much for her to bear. She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that seeing Ciaran in Kim's body would be strange and bittersweet. She had gone over what she was going to say to Ciaran several times in her head, but her mind couldn't handle it. She was on the verge of a mental breakdown, and her sanity was hanging by a thread.
She had given the best performance of her life the past few days with Morian. Her internal world was chaotic; every time he kissed or held her, she wanted to flee, but she couldn't. There were times when she wished she hadn't found Lance and never learned the truth about Morian and what he'd done to her and Ciaran. She remembered Ciaran, who she was looking forward to seeing. She was unsure how she was going to get through this mess that was her life. Then there was her pregnancy; she winced every time Morian expressed his joy at becoming a father; he had already begun discussing baby names. She couldn't go on like this; it was driving her insane.
The door opened, it was Lance,
"Morning Delilah, please come in."
"Thank you," Delilah smiled as she walked into the house. She felt her lungs lose their ability to take in air when she took a deep breath. She was filled with dread.
"Please have a sit, Ciaran will join us shortly."
She sat down and scanned the room with her eyes; it was filled with antiques, everything seemed ancient from the couch to the rugs. Her gaze was drawn to the flames of the fireplace.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" Lance asked drawing her out of her trance.
"Yes please, thank you."
Lance poured a cup of tea for her and handed it to her.
"You're trembling," Lance noticed as she took the cup of tea from him, her nerves getting the best of her.
"I'm sorry," she said, sipping from the cup. The tea tasted strange.
"Don't be, Delilah, did you sleep at all?"
"To be honest I haven't been able to, as you know these past two weeks have been a waiting game."
"I understand, but..." Before Lance could finish his thought, the door opened and Ciaran entered.
Delilah's breathing stopped, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Ciaran in Kim's body. She sobbed, tears streamed down her face, and her legs went numb. Ciaran rushed to her side as she trembled. He didn't say anything, just held her in his arms as she sobbed uncontrollably. Lance quietly left the room, leaving them alone.
"I can't do this, this is too much for me." She closed her eyes, trying to fight the tears away.
"I understand, Lance explained this body belonged to your old lover, you were engaged to this man. I can only imagine the pain and anguish you must feel to see me in this body."
Delilah gathered herself and opened her eyes to look at his face. She touched his face, hesitantly at first, and looked him in the eyes. Kim's eyes, but now it was Ciaran's, she touched his hair that fell to his shoulders. She hadn't seen Kim in months; there was so much unresolved between them that she never expected to see him again. Then there was Ciaran, her soulmate whom she hadn't seen in centuries, which was extremely strange.
"I am sorry about my reaction, she held his hands and got up, and she hugged him properly. I cannot believe you are finally here Ciaran. I am so sorry for all that has happened to you. I am so sorry for all the pain I have caused you. I am so sorry Ciaran."
"My love, I have never blamed you for any of this. Mori is to blame, his obsession with you drove him to this madness and it's not your fault, please Mortala don't blame yourself."
"You don't understand, I betrayed you."
"Shh, don't talk about it. I have sept centuries away from you and now that I get to finally be here with you and touch you and see you. I do not want to waste any moment dwelling on the past or Mori. I just want to be with you Mortala."
Delilah smiled, "actually my name is Delilah in this lifetime."
"Delilah?" Ciaran touched her face gently as he mentioned her name.
" A beautiful name for a beautiful woman."
Her heart was filled with both happiness and sadness. She quickly remembered her relationship with Morian and the child she was carrying. She couldn't bring herself to tell Ciaran because she was afraid she'd lose him forever if he found out. If only he knew Mori had made his way into her heart. How could she possibly justify it to Ciaran? How would she even begin a story like this?
He gently held her face, his eyes filled with joy and tenderness.
"Oh Mortala, I imagined this very moment a million times and nothing could have prepared me for this feeling of ecstasy I feel."
Love enveloped them as she looked into his eyes and smiled. She was finally in his arms after a thousand years. Ciaran felt relieved to have a body again. Ciaran had been binge-eating everything since Lance implanted his sprit into Kim's body, and he intended to make the most of his newfound freedom.
There were no words to describe the joy Delilah now felt in her heart. She finally felt safe and at ease in his warm embrace. He gently lifted her chin, she closed her eyes, and their lips touched. It was soft and gentle, tender and sweet. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaving no space between them. This kiss was exhilarating; they felt every sensation in their bodies down to the atom level. Delilah forgot for a moment how strange it was to kiss Ciaran in Kim's body.
Delilah finally pulled away from the kiss. Her lips formed a thin line and she rested her head on his chest.
Ciaran inhaled deeply and cradled her in his arms; they were silent for what seemed like an eternity.
"What are we to do about Mori? he probably knows you have escaped by now?"
Ciaran remained silent for a few moments before responding, "Leave Mori to me and Lance, I don't want you anywhere near him." Lance and I will devise a strategy to permanently be rid of him."
"How would you be rid of him? Ciaran i can help, you need to tell me what you plan on doing?"
"Trust me Mortala, sorry Delilah, once we have everything in place. I will let you know."
"Ok" Delilah responded concerned, not knowing how much Lance had revealed to Ciaran about her relationship with Mori. Given Ciaran's demeanor, she assumed Lance hadn't revealed much to Ciaran, which was a good thing. She was well aware that Lance expected her to tell Ciaran the truth, but she couldn't. No, not right now. She needed to figure out what she was going to do, and she needed to figure it out quickly.
The door opened and Lance walked in.
"Sorry to interrupt you two love birds but Ciaran we must complete the spell and you must rest. your spirit is still very weak and you will need all your strength for what is to come next."
Will you come see me tomorrow, my love? Ciaran asked as he turned to face Delilah, gently touching her cheek.
"Yes, I will."
"You promise?"
"I promise," Delilah said reassuringly, smiling. "Please listen to Lance and rest."
Ciaran kissed her again before leaving the room.
Delilah looked at Lance, who gave her a strange look.
"You still haven't told him the truth about you and Mori have you?"
"Not yet!'
"Listen I know it isn't easy, but he needs to know everything."
"Don't you think I know that? I will tell him eventually. For now I want him to heal and gain his strength then ill tell him."
"I really hope you know what you are doing Delilah," Lance replied.
"I promise I will tell him everything but promise me, you won't say a word to him about me and Mori. I need to be the one who tells him everything."
"As you wish," Lance replied as he showed her to the door and she left.
Delilah sobbed in her car, her heart heavy and her mind confused, too much was at stake and she was completely lost.