Bound

C. 3: The First Night Pt.1

Finally somewhat unpacked, Soliel rushed to gather her toiletries to beat her sister to the bathroom; no way could she let Kaliope use all the hot water… not after that car ride. Soliel needed to unwind and collect herself, and she refused to do that in a cold shower. Not only had the ride been long and taxing on her nerves, but it was humid especially the further South they drove. She was covered in sweat and needed a good cleaning… and cry.

The ride to the new house had been extremely torturous, as Soliel had expected. It was a fifteen-hour drive from Wichita, Kansas to Fayetteville, Georgia and Soliel hated every minute. All those fifteen hours were spent pretending she couldn’t hear as her mother and sister made snide comments and moronic jabs about her keeping them waiting. It was during those fifteen hours Soliel learned how mature she was and how much self-restraint she had. There had been so much that she had wanted to say in response, so many quips that would’ve had them stumped… but as promised Soliel held her tongue to keep the peace, instead she pretended to be listening to music at an ear-splitting volume.

Soliel hadn’t been left on her own to just take the beating… as he promised her dad would immediately end the dynamic duos’ rant as soon as he realized they started. After so many times of asking them to stop her dad demanded silence for a good portion of the trip. There had been some small talk and laughter amongst the pairs, but it certainly didn’t last long. Soliel stayed to herself, silently chewing her nails to fight back the word vomit that threatened to break a promise.

Throwing her things into a small bag, Soliel sprinted down the hall to the bathroom slamming and locking the door. Wasting no time, she turned on the water and stripping down as the water warmed. Her mind drifted to the book and Gabriele… Soliel still hadn’t found the right moment to reveal that she had found the book; it had been one of the things she had thrown into her bag. She sat on the edge of the tub, clutching the book against her chest. Her core clenched from the heat radiating to her chest from the book. She blushed as her core dampened thinking about all the explicit parts she had been too young to understand years ago… not she wanted to be the one Gabriele was rough with.

Soliel chuckled to herself. “You really need to find a man Sol,” she said jokingly to herself. “Lusting over a fictional character in a childhood book was a new low; even for me.”

The twisting of the doorknob was a douse of cold water, freezing her sensuality immediately. Soliel placed the book on the sink quietly and hopped in the shower, ignoring the, now banging on the door. “I swear to God if you use all the hot water I. Will. End. You,” Kaliope threatened.

Soliel ignored her and reveled in the medicinal heat of the shower; her dark curls clinging to her face as the water cascaded down her body. The banging couldn’t get him out of her head; Gabriele was the type of man, if you could call him a man, that Soliel wanted in real life. Tall, dark and handsome with a dash of gritty… nothing dangerous, just someone who wasn’t afraid to exert his strength. Gabriele’s skin was described as the color of the night sky. Many of the characters in the book called him the Night God… the Goddess’ consort.

“Ugh,” Kaliope screeched. “I’m telling Mom.”

“Just relax,” Soliel coached herself. “Don’t let them ruin this…”

No longer turned on, Soliel settled for just enjoying her shower until it was time to get out. A mischievous smile spread across Soliel’s face; she didn’t know why it hadn’t occurred to her to give Kaliope a taste of her own medicine. Never would she want to inconvenience someone like that, but Kaliope was different… it’s what she would’ve done to Soliel and to be honest it seemed like it was the best revenge for someone like her.

Her thoughts went back to the book… she still hadn’t thought of a perfect moment to let her mom and sister that she had the book but as the day progressed, she wasn’t really seeing a reason to share that information. Would they have told her if the roles were reversed? Would they have kept it their little secret? Why was she the odd man out?

Why do they hate me, Soliel asked herself sadly.

The questions and their answers replayed in her mind as she mindlessly finished her shower, collecting her things and getting ready for bed. Before she knew it, Soliel was lying on a blown-up air mattress tucked in and clutching the book underneath her pillow. She couldn’t even have questioned anything before her eyelids became too heavy for her to keep them open. The book’s heated pounding lulled Soliel deeper into sleep and embracing her in the warmth of love…

“I love you Gabriele,” Soliel whispered softly in his ear.

“And I you Sol. Stop worrying so much… we will be fine. Our people will not fail.” His determination and pride burning brightly in his honey-colored eyes.

The feel of his warm breath on the back of her neck sent shivers down her spine; her breath catching every time a chill rolled through her. Her hands reached for his swollen muscles, wanting to make sure she had a solid footing before she turned to face him; she was constantly making a fool of herself in front of him and now didn’t need to be one of those moments. She always got weak-kneed around Gabriele, he made it easy for her to forget how to walk…

Soliel looked around the holding cell they were in that had been decorated comfortably for the pair; Soliel could barely tell the difference if she was being modest and not under an extreme amount of pressure. They were locked in and just outside those beautifully decorated doors many creatures, Fae and Lyken alike, were dying to protect them.

Though muffled, the sound of metal meeting metal gave a distinct ring that alerted the senses. There were women and children screaming in terror, the men grunting and growling in battle and the constant thrum of magickal energy… all of that kept Soliel from relaxing. How could she be relaxed as their people died protecting them? How many would lose their lives as they lived on happily? Soliel knew she had to do something for her people, but luckily for her people Soliel couldn’t see past any of the warding spells her mother had put in place or else she would’ve had a full-blown panic attack seeing the c*****e of her home.

Soliel was connected to all things around her; being a Fae meant that she was one with nature and all its elements. Soliel could feel the loyalty and honor of those fighting but she could also feel their pain. Their well wishes and prayers for the royal families and their little Prince and Princess came bursting into her mind all at once. The searing pain threaded itself behind her eye sockets, threatening to blur her vision but the more she was able to bless their prayers the less pain she was in.

Tears burned her eyes threatening to fall as the walls rocked from explosion and the homes and buildings outside of the protection wards raged in angry flames filling the night air with the ashes. Gabriele’s hand wiped her escaped tears away and she instinctually nestled into his touch. Soliel knew she needed to be strong for Gabriele, if anything went wrong, she couldn’t have him worrying about her in a fight.

“Soliel,” a voice called into the room.

There was a spectral wind that blew Soliel’s mother’s essence in front of the pair…

Her mother’s body was battered and bruised; her hair filled with blood was matted and tossed, her silver mane was now glistened red. Her beautiful face was tear streaked and stained, swollen in some places and her body was no better. It took all Soliel had not to leap for the misty replica of her mother. Soliel could tell instantly that something was wrong, the duo had gone over the plan multiple times and her mother never appeared…

“Mamai?” Soliel couldn’t help but whimper as she took in her mother’s sadness. It radiated from her in heavy waves, staggering the pair with its strength. There was only one thing that would’ve had her mother this broken…

“Daidi,” she asked sadly knowing the answer. Soliel swallowed hard as her mother shook her head slowly in despair.

Don’t cry, Soliel coached herself. Be strong.

“I’m sure he fought bravely then.”

“That he did lass,” there was a moment as her mother’s words had the same happy tenor as it had this morning. But as soon as it came it left and her mother sobered up as another explosion erupted and the walls rocked.

“Soliel, we haven’t much time. I am sorry we weren’t able to do more together, I would’ve loved to see the woman you became…” her mother apologized sadly. A weak chuckle escaped her lips as fresh tears fell and burned the scratched on her cheeks.

“It is likely that you and Gabriele will not make it through the night, but I’ve prayed to the Goddesses Aine and Mawu. They both revealed that you two will meet again… just not in this life.” Her words were rushed as she explained their next steps.

Not even Gabriele could suppress his tears, not after realizing what this was, her mother’s goodbye. It was then that the pair realized that they’d never see their parents again, they wouldn’t even be alive to see the Sun rise. The Fae race would become extinct tonight, especially if there was no royal to channel the Goddess Aine’s Light… there had to be something that Soliel and Gabriele could do, she couldn’t just watch everyone die or surrender.

“No more Sol,” Gabriele asked in a childlike voice. What Soliel’s mother had been saying seemed to finally piece itself together in his mind… they were going to die. Or more importantly, the love of his life was going to die tonight. He wrapped his arms around Soliel and squeezed, pulling her in closer to him. Nothing mattered more to him than she did. He wanted to engrave this feeling in his mind forever.

The seconds were long and agonizing before someone spoke again. “What should we do,” Gabriele asked.

“Prepare for the inevitable… love one another without fear or worry because you will meet again.”

“How,” Soliel shouted angrily. “How?”

Who could’ve done something like that? Who could’ve pretended as if their world wasn’t set ablaze by someone they trusted? Who could pretend as if their world wasn’t completely destroyed in a single night? How long until they next met? How long until she was able to stare into his honey orbs again? He made her feel as if she was the only woman in the Outlands… how long before she’d feel that way again?

“Have faith my Inion. The Goddesses have already spoken, you will meet again,” her mother promised.

Another explosion caused the room to growl as it rumbled; the sound of collapsing stone filled the space around them, telling them of their impending destruction. The room shook violently or was it Soliel’s pounding heart? She could feel their time drawing closer as their world crumbled around them.

“Darling, I must go… they’ve breached the Main Tree-Gate. We will hold them off for as long as we can… say your farewells. I love you Inion,” her mother said softly.

There was no controlling the parade of tears that burned Soliel’s face as she tried to hold them back. Her heart felt like it was going to shatter, and the pain was staggering. And there was nothing she could do about it, no way she could save all the people she cared for… save herself. Barely breathing she leaned into Gabriele as he rubbed small circles on her back, letting her know that it was alright to let them go.

Feel, his voice said flowing into her mind soothingly. The small circles radiated throughout her body, comforting her as she released everything she felt.

“And I you Mamai. And I you,” Soliel whispered as her mother’s essence smiled and turned charging brandishing her sword. The wind blew softly blowing her essence away. Soliel knew she would never see her mother again.

“Sol,” Gabriele called worriedly after a few moments of her staring blanking at the empty space where her mother was. By now they both knew that her mother was dead, and they didn’t have much time left.

“Soliel,” he tried again firmly.

“Yes Gabriele,” she asked normally snapping out of her trance.

“Talk to me, don’t shut me out when we don’t have much longer… this is all we have.” His concern for his mate was evident; his full lips pouted in worry. Those full lips she’d never kiss again… the thought made her cry harder and now Gabriele was at a loss on what to do.

More tears welled up and fell from her eyes and before her hand could wipe those slippery enemies away, Gabriele’s hand was there wiping away the tears. Soliel purred happily, but she couldn’t turn off her thoughts or what she was feeling… the more she felt the more she cried and did the one thing she told herself she didn’t want to do.

“I’m sorry for worrying you… I just feel so much.” She said quietly.

“Soliel,” he said sternly. “You do not have to apologize for your feelings… just don’t shut me out.”

“They are all dead… there’s no one left,” she whispered flatly. Her voice was haunted; she finally turned her downcast eyes toward his. “What about your family?”

“I haven’t had contact for hours,” he replied stiffly.

 Unable to speak, Soliel nodded and collapsed in Gabriele’s arms trying to find any amount of solace she could one last time. The feeling of home one time again before they snatched away the only home she had ever known. Pressing her head to his chest, she listened deeply to his heartbeat, counting the cadence. The sound gave her the peace of mind she needed to accept their fate… it was just enough to make the wait bearable.

“Gabriele, I love you. I will wait for you forever… no matter how long, I’ll wait for you and you alone,” Soliel vowed.

“Soliel, don’t give up,” he demanded.

She opened her mouth to reply but a loud crash followed by the sound of pounding on the door interrupted her. Gabriele looked towards the door confused at the sudden banging, he was prey lost in the trap of a fierce predator. He was filled with a false sense of hope, something Soliel had given up on… she had felt them all die. There was no one.

Why was he pretending to not have heard her mother’s warning? He had been standing right next to her, he had spoken to her… He now stared at the door as if there was a miracle behind it. Something clicked in his mind as his clouded expression brightened. His eyes rid themselves of worry and excitement now glowed in its place.

“Your mother was wrong,” he shouted happily. “They were able to defeat them after all.” He gloated.

“How can you be so sure?”

“The knock. Levi and Daas told me that that would be the knock to signal them,” he explained happily. Gabriele kissed her passionately, looking her in the eye to tell her, “We are saved.”