8_My Name Is Ariella
1419 Words
Ariella POV
“Ariella … Ariella.”
Bewildered, I sit up and look around. Cole is soundly asleep next to me, and the door is closed. Who is whispering and what are they saying? Have I knocked my head so hard that I am hallucinating?
“Ariella,” the wind howls and tugs forcefully at the windows.
I frown as I look out the window. The sky is filled with dark, heavy clouds. The weather changed from clear skies and bright stars to thick clouds and strong wind.
“Ariella,” a gorgeous woman with bright blond hair and beautiful wings steps out of the corner.
I pull the covers to my chest and let out a shriek, blood-curdling scream.
“Ariella, calm down,” she says urgently. “It’s me, Raquel. When did you become such a scaredy cat?”
“Who … what … how,” I stutter as I desperately try to catch my breath and look at Cole. How is it possible that he is still sleeping?
“He’s alive, pipsqueak,” Raquel says when I reach for Cole’s pulse. “Just in a profound sleep.”
“Can you read my mind?” I look at her with big eyes. “What are you? Are you a figment of my imagination or …”
“Don’t you recognise me?” She frowns.
“So, you’re real?” I look at her intensely. “This is not my mind playing tricks on me or a weird dream?”
“Ariella, you …”
“You keep calling me that,” I cut her off.
“Because that’s your name,” she replies, studying my face. “You don’t remember anything, do you?”
“No,” I exhale deeply. “And all of this is so confusing.”
“Raquel.”
Lighting strikes the earth and I jump in fright. It felt as if it struck right next to me.
“I must go,” Raquel seems worried and looks at the clouds. “They need me. I just had to see that you’re okay.”
“No, stay,” I say urgently. “I need answers, please.”
“Raquel,” thunder rolls and the lighting strikes again.
“I’ll come back as soon as I can,” Raquel says quickly, and I gasp in awe when she spreads her wings. “But I must go. We need help, Ariella. When the nights become longer, the end is near. Find the vampire king and kill him.”
“What?” I gape flabbergasted.
“Please, pipsqueak,” Raquel says pleadingly. “We need you.”
“I don’t …” but she flaps her wings and disappears into thin air.
The moment she is gone, the wind dies down and the clouds slowly evaporate, making way for daybreak. It is eerily quiet, and my ears are singing.
I am too stunned to move. This had to be a dream. It was a rough, strange night and it is only logical that my mind will concoct a dream like this. There is no physical evidence or signs that it was real. The door and windows are closed, and nobody came in or left.
“This was just a dream,” I whisper and lie down. “Just a strange dream.”
Kill the vampire king. Yeah, right.
I snuggle closer to Cole, and he stirs slightly when I put my arm around his waist. He makes a funny grunting sound before he pulls me closer to him.
I close my eyes and exhale long and deeply. It was just a dream.
Cole POV
I wake from the sunlight pouring through the windows right into my eyes. I am unsure of my surroundings for a moment, and then I remember why I am not in my own bed.
I look down at the sleeping beauty in my arms and I sigh frustrated when my erection grows harder. This throbbing monster between my legs has kept me awake for hours before I finally fell asleep. I wanted to get up and take a shower or relieve myself, but I did not want to let go of her.
I still cannot believe my luck. No, my blessings. My mate is perfect and loving her will be easy. I am mesmerised by her strong will and honesty – her beauty is a bonus. I would love to see her smile, I bet it will brighten the world. I understand she suffered a terrible ordeal and that she has nothing to smile about but I will make it my mission to bring her joy again. To see her smile and hear her laughter.
My self-control was put to the test last night. It is probably my toughest test to date. It took everything from me not to give in and make love to her. But I intend to love and respect her wholeheartedly, and the right way. I cannot give in to my selfish needs and desires. I must tell her about the mate bond and give her a choice.
“Good morning,” her voice is thick with sleep, and she nuzzles closer to me.
“Yes, it is,” I smile and turn on my back. Her naked body against mine is torture.
“Well, this is awkward,” she mumbles and pulls away.
“What do you mean?” I ask cautiously. Her words are making me nervous. Is she regretting last night? Did I get too hopeful too soon?
“I’m leaning in and you’re pulling away,” she throws the cover off, exposing her magnificent body and stands up.
“You’re wrong,” I grab her wrist and pull her into bed.
I push her onto her back and lean over.
“I loved sleeping next to you,” I kiss her neck and she turns her head to the side, allowing me more access.
“And as much I would like to take this further,” I leave a trail of kisses over her collarbone and move towards her breasts. She moans in pleasure when I circle my tongue over her n!pple.
“We must have a conversation,” I take her breast into my mouth and suck gently.
“Talking is overrated,” she pants.
“I wish that were true,” I capture her lips longingly and she curls her fingers into my hair. I melt when she scrapes her fingernails up and down my arms. I want so much more of her.
“I should go,” I murmur against her lips as I fight my desire for her. If I do not leave now, I will lose myself.
“No,” she protests when I let go of her. “Why can’t we talk here and now?”
“Because I need you to be sound of mind,” I explain and kiss her quickly.
“To the showers,” I announce, standing up and putting on my pants. “Alone this time. I’ll bring you something to wear.”
“Fine,” she huffs and stands up. “But you better include a meal if you want me to be reasonable or whatever.”
“I’m sorry,” I apologise as I rest my hands on her shoulders. “Last night it never occurred to me that you might be hungry.”
“I wasn’t hungry last night,” she shrugs.
“Still,” I feel like a worm. “I should’ve offered and …”
“Relax,” she stands on her toes and kisses me quickly. “You were the perfect host.”
“You can have anything you want,” I offer. “Just tell me what you like, and I will make it happen.”
“I don’t know what I like,” she sighs. “Anything will be fine.”
“Anything it is,” I smile and turn to the door.
“Cole,” she calls me, and I turn around.
“My name is Ariella,” she says softly.
“You remembered?” I look at her in surprise. “You got your memory back. Why didn’t you …”
“No,” she cuts me off. “I still can’t remember. I had a dream last night. All I know is my name.”
“Ariella,” her name rolls smoothly off my tongue. I reach out and take her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
- Writer
