Chapter 7

Later that afternoon, I find myself sitting on the porch. All of this is just so complicated and I have no idea what to do. Jonathan is being forced to do work, work that could be very hard, and there is nothing I can do about it. I really though that Leonis could somehow help me, but I guess I was wrong. I am going to have to do this myself. And there is only one way that I can. I need to escape during the night, and find the peacekeepers camp. If they catch me, that's fine. I will find a way to get to Jonathan and then we can escape when we get the chance. I will find my brother.

A few minutes pass as I think over what must be done. After a while, I end up just looking at the sky. I look at the clouds, the birds flying, and the long, endless blue. I seem to be in some sort of trance, and when Leonis comes outside, I don't even hear his feet scrape against the wood.

"Theta? What are you doing?"

I almost jump out of my seat in surprise. "Gosh! You scared me!" I go to smack his arm like I used to, but I quickly bring it back. We are not friends anymore, I tell myself. And that is something that friends do. Leonis sits in the chair beside me and starts to look out into the woods surrounding his house.

"Look, Theta. I really wish there was some way that I could help Jacob and you find your brother, but I'm not sure if there is a way that I can. "

"There is always a way, Leonis." I look into his eyes and say this, before quickly turning them away. They still make me want to fall in love with him.

"I know that theta. I though there was some way that we could be together. But you just went off."

I suck in a breath, remembering how I ran from him, when I needed someone the most. I was just too scared that he wouldn't want me for who I really was. I have nothing to say, so I just stare down at my hands that are folded in my lap.

"Theta, please listen to me. I always knew that something would work out between us. But you didn't. Why is that? I know that your parents had just died and it was hard on Jonathan, Jacob, and you. But I was right beside you the whole time. Don't you understand that? I never would have left you."

His words bring tears to my eyes. I knew that he would always care for me. But, I don't deserve it. I was the one that left him, so I must deal with the fact that i can't have him anymore. I take a breath, then look up into his saddened eyes. I sigh.

"Leonis, you know that I had to go. I just couldn't bear being around other people when I just lost my parents. So, I ran off. You have to believe me when I say that I wanted to stay. I wanted to be with you, but if I was to take care of my brothers, that wasn't going to happen. So that's why I ran off. I couldn't handle you seeing me for the way I really was. A sad girl with no one to care for her."

"But Theta-"

"No buts. There is nothing I can do now. I made my choice. You don't deserve me. You deserve someone better." I stand up because I just can't bear to talk to him anymore. It is just to painful. Leonis stands up too, and I try to walk away before he sees the tears streaming down my face. But he walks too fast for me.

He grabs my arms, and forces me to look up at him. "Theta, I made my choice too." He looks down into my brown eyes, before leaning down. By the time I can figure out what he is doing, I can't turn away.

He kisses me. It was just a small kiss, but a kiss that wants more. I kiss him back, a little harder this time, letting him into me. He let's go of my arms and puts his hands on the small of my back. I put the one hand on the back of his neck, and the other in his hair. We kiss more, until I have to take a breath. He opens his eyes, and they break down that barrier that I put around my heart so long ago. Leonis breaks every wall that I tried to keep up ever since I left him.

He gives me one last small kiss before letting me go. I didn't realize how fast my heart was beating until he steps away. I sure hope that he can't hear it.

My body aches for more, but I know I will have to wait. This is something that will have to take some time.

Leonis kisses on my forehead before walking away. As he walks through the door, he turns his head and smiles at me. The door shuts behind him and I just stand there, speechless.