Guardian: Chapter 1- Home
Summary: Picks up after burned… Mainly a love story between Zoey and Stark. May be slight lemons later on. Zoey is still hurting about Heath's death, but is copping well. All she has left is Stark and her friends. Everybody just wants time to relax although they all know that at any moment there may be a war.
Surprise: It is based on some songs… Lyrics may be changed to fit the story so here is my disclaimer; I do not own the characters or the songs. The song list will be added as an author note at the end of the story. Throughout the story I will be open to suggestions and constructive criticism.
We were home. The flight back was tough. I spent practically the whole time trying to reassure my friends that everything was fine and that I was better. I was tired. I wanted to sleep in Stark's arms.
"Z we are so glad that you are ok." I turned to Jack. He was curled up in Damien's arms and smiling at me. Actually everyone was looking at me.
"I know. And I truly am. Thank you." That was the only thing I said the rest of the way. I think they understood. But I can never be sure.
Being back at the House of Night was stressful. I faced glares from the people who were still on Neferet's side. I stood up straight and walked on with Stark at my side and my friends behind me. I was in charge now, and it was time they knew that.
"Do you want to go to your room?" Stark whispered softly. I smiled. I was so lucky that I had him. Without him and Heath I wouldn't survive. Heath…
I shook the thought of him from my mind and turned to answer Stark, "No. I want to see Lenobia first. We have to get things in order first. But, after, yes. I want to go to our room." I had made sure to emphasize the "our". He was mine now, and not in the possessive way, the "I'm in love with you" way.
I knew he understood by the way his face started glowing and his cocky smile was plastered. I loved him. I always had. I just had so many problems and Heath…
"Ok." Was all he said.
We walked through the doors of the council chamber liked we owned the place. Well, I guess I did now. I was the High Priestess. The most powerful High Priestess that this world has known. Talk about pressure, I was only seventeen.
"Zoey!" Lenobia shouted as she ran towards me arms outstretched ready to engulf me in a warm embrace. "Zoey, they said you were dead. H-how are you here." She had tears streaming down her face. If anyone else had told me that I probably would have pinched them. But it was Lenobia, she meant it in a non-I'm-going-to-take-your-place way.
"I wasn't dead yet. If it weren't for Stark and my friends I wouldn't be here. I would still be with Heath in the Otherworld." I held on to her like a child would cling to their mother. She should have been my mentor, not the delusional Neferet.
I pulled away from her and back to Stark's side. Her gaze went from me to him. The room fell silent. I knew that she realized what had happened. I tried to keep a straight face; I wanted nothing more than to smile and step into his arms. "Y-you're a guardian." She stuttered.
"Yes." He said. They had filled me in on the way home. No one trained on the island anymore. "Too uncivilized" they had said. So I can see why everyone else in the room was wearing expressions that ranged from shocked to excitement to disgust.
"I went to the island, not to become a guardian for the names sake, but to save Zoey. No one else could have. No one else wanted to try." His voice was hard. I assumed it was in case of a revolt. He didn't know how they were going to react, so he had to keep his guard up. Hehe guard.
"We can see that." She said in slight awe.
"He is my guardian now. What you can say to me, you can say to him. I have come back to take my place. This is not over, I have a feeling it won't be over for a while. But, at least for now, it has calmed down. Which means I would like to go to my room and sleep. A good vacation might do us well. So until I am ready I would like it very much if I do not hear a single word about Kalona and Neferet." Then like the little girl I am, I started crying. I was too overwhelmed.
Stark pulled me into his arms and gently rubbed my back. He understood more than anyone else would. "She's had a hard time. She really needs a break. Go back to the way it was before Kalona for a while." He said to the half snickering half understanding group of teachers.
"Go. Take her to her room and I will make sure everyone understands that she is in charge now. I will also show the rest of you to your rooms." With that my friends and Lenobia left, leaving me with Stark, Dragon, and the rest.
"Dragon, I will be staying with her in her room." Starks voice was soft and pleading.
Dragon simply nodded and led us to our room. After he left I walked to the bed and collapsed. "Who knew this would all happen?" I said kicking my shoes off. Stark smiled empathetically and walked over.
"I know what you mean. And as much as I hate that all this has happened to you, I'm glad it brought me to you." He said climbing in bed.
"I am in love with what we are. Not what we should be." I mumbled while I snuggled into his side. "Hmm. Love me like we are going to die." I said. Hopefully he knew what I meant.
"Somehow, when you are dying, love is exemplified. It's all you feel, all you want." He breathed. His warm breath surrounded me. I inhaled deeply, just loving the smell of him.
I leaned up and pressed my lips to his. I needed him. I wanted him. He kissed back with so much passion. As if he needed me too. He held me tight and I rejoiced in the strength of his arms. I let my hands wander his body, from his abs to his back and shoulders.
The kiss slowed down, and eventually we were back to laying in each other's arms. "I'm going to change." I sighed as I got up. I turned around and smiled. "I love you." I declared I already knew he knew, but it felt good to say it.
We were home.