Chapter 11:
He reached over and felt her. Her warm skin was pressed tight against his own, her soft brown hair twirled all over them. She lay, breathing silently as he watched her sleep. He had been apart from her for too long. How could he leave her now? But he had to. Even if only for a short while. To clear the ghosts. To think clearly. But everything about her was meant for him. Even the way she fit into his embrace told him that she was especially chosen to be his one and only. It was great to believe that. But he had another waiting for him. Another who expected marriage in a month. Another whom he shared a bed with. How could he go back to her?
The sun was shining betraying all of his thoughts. He wanted to simply lie there forever. To never let go of her. To go back was like torture. But if he left and realized he needed Liz, he'd come back. He'd see that it was real. Not just passion brought on by five years of mourning, or comforting of one lonely woman, or old high school love. He needed to believe this was eternal. He needed to leave her, to test their strength once again. He softly reached over and kissed her cheek.
"Until we meet again, my love." He stepped out of bed and in half an hour he was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mrs. Parker poured the coffee, her daughter staring up at her like a distraught teenager once again. She smiled, unsure of how time had passed so quickly, how her daughter now had a daughter of her own.
"I hate this. I really do. I feel like I can just die."
"Lizzie...."
"What? I mean, really. What is so bad about me? What! What is so horrible that he can't stay with me?"
"Honey, maybe it's not you. Maybe it's him."
"Yea, if you only knew." Mrs. Parker laughed, serving Liz a hot breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and sausages.
"Liz, sometimes... sometimes men have this way of doing things. They have to test themselves to feel secure. Because men are more afraid to get hurt than we are."
"You mean like dad and the first woman he was in love with?"
"Exactly. It took that horrible accident to make him realize he needed to straighten up, to get himself together. Because life was short. Maybe Max just needs to realize that."
"So what you're saying is that if I try to kill him, he'll stay?" Liz smiled at her dry humor and her mother laughed.
"That's one option." They smiled and then sat in silence as they ate their breakfast.
"You feel any better now?"
"Yea. I mean I have to get over it. It's been three days. He's gone. He's obviously not coming back. I just have to stop dwelling in my pathetic teenage fantasies. Move on. If not for me, then for Ellie." Liz stuffed down the last of her pancakes and thought to herself.
"I just wish Ellie could have a father. I really do. I feel like I'm depriving her of something." Liz looked up at her mother's bright eyes. That's when Mrs. Parker put down her fork and reached out for her daughter's hand.
"You are an amazing mother. You give yourself to Eliza like no one else could. She has a father. One that loves her very much. But he just learned about this. You have to give him time... time to take it all in. To believe it. And I know he loves you. It's evident in every glance, every stare. That boy has been in love with you since like the third grade."
"What?"
"I remember... years and years ago. He and his family would come in for family dinners. Sundays nights if I'm not mistaken. Little Isabel, her short blonde hair, always wanting to look just like her mother. And Max, who obediently sat next to his father. But his eyes always drifted to the little Liz Parker sitting and spinning on the stool chairs at the counter. Or joking around with Maria. Or doing homework with Alex. Love like that Liz... it's love like that... that never goes away. That never dies no matter what happens. It's the most painful to lose, the most phenomenal to gain, and the one that can overcome even something as drastic as the end of the world." Liz eyes shot up from her food as her head began to spin from all of the words her mother had imparted on her. No. She would not think of that. She would not think of destiny. Of soul mates. Of what she and Max had always shared.
"You think he'll come back, don't you?" Liz's words betrayed her thoughts.
"I know he will." Just as Liz reached for the pepper, the door flew open and the familiar voice screamed out.
"I'M BACK!" Maria dropped her bags as she extended open arms to her best friend. Liz smiled and got up to meet her. They hugged for an instant and Maria breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of breakfast.
"OH! Pancakes, eggs, and sausage! I'm hungry Mrs. Parker! And I just got back from a very stressful honeymoon!"
"I've got you covered Maria." She got up and walked through the back door and into the kitchen. Maria smiled at Liz, and they giggled, knowing it was her way to get her out and get free food.
"So... where is he?"
"Who?"
"Max! Where is he?" Maria looked around, as if she expected him to jump out of a closet.
"He's gone Maria."
"WHAT!?"
"He left the night after your wedding. I told you he wouldn't stay. This plan wasn't going to work. I just wish he would never have come. Now I have to dwell on the fact that he's alive and doesn't want to be with me." Liz slumped on her stool and Maria sat beside her in shock.
"No. No, Liz. We had him! What happened?"
"It just didn't work."
"What didn't work?"
"Us."
"What did you guys do?" Maria looked at Liz curiously, her eyes searching for the eyes of the woman in front of her. Liz looked up instantaneously, and then back down just as quickly, hoping Maria had not seen her look of guilt.
"Oh my God Liz!" Maria reached out to hug her friend, but Liz pulled away.
"Look! It's not that big a deal ok? It's done, it's over with. Let's just move on with our lives ok?" Liz looked up, tears in her eyes. Just then, Michael walked in to the Cafe.
"Hey Liz. Maria, everything's back home. I thought I'd come for breakfast."
"Ok." He walked up to Maria and she looked up as he kissed her. He looked at Liz sitting next to Maria and her eyes were wet with tears.
"What's wrong?" His face suddenly grew worried, afraid of what she'd say.
"Nothing. I'm fine." She wiped away the tears, and Maria glared at Michael angrily.
"You know what? That's it! That is IT! Let's go." She got up from her stool and grabbed Liz's arm.
"Wait where are we going? We just got back!"
"Who said YOU were going anywhere? I'll be back in a few days."
"WHAT! NO way. I'm going with you." Michael stood up and stormed behind Maria.
"Wait, where are we going?"
"We're going to get your man back!"
"No. No, Maria that's not gonna work. Trust me."
"I don't care. I'm tired of you moping around."
"Wait, what about Ellie???"
"Get her packed and ready. We leave in an hour." Maria grabbed Michael's hand and walked out the door. Nancy walked out of the kitchen with a plate of food.
"Wait! Maria?? Your food!" Liz stood shocked. She turned and walked upstairs to start packing Eliza's clothes. Nancy shrugged and put the plate back in the kitchen for Jeff. Maria and Michael got into the car and drove home.
"So now what?"
"On to plan B."
"We didn't have a plan B."
"Well, we do now."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He stared around at his apartment, suddenly feeling cold. How was it possible? This place that he had set up for himself in five years, the place he made his home, was taken away from him in a matter of days. It had been a week. And he still didn't feel at home. This wasn't home anymore. Home is where the heart is. She was in Roswell.
"Unbelievable." He shook his head in sarcastic humor. Liz sure had some nerve. Just flipping his life upside down like that. And he wanted her to do it to him everyday. He was such a weakling. He couldn't resist her. Not for an instant. The dreams continued to haunt him. The moment they touched it had seemed to set off that part of him that had been sleeping for so long. Now his powers were back full force. His soul was alive. He checked his messages. Eight. He listened... the office, the landlord, Abigail, Abigail, Abigail, Abigail, his friend Josh from work, a call for his apartment! Finally! He had began to try and get out of his contract, under the condition that he found someone else to live in the apartment. He had asked Josh, but Josh was waiting to break up with his girlfriend. He was hoping this call would be it. The sooner he could sell the house, the sooner he could go back. Away from everything. From the job, from the city, from Abigail.
She hadn't taken the break up well. She had raged and screamed and told him that he was being ridiculous. No one could love a woman he perceived as dead for so many years. She had told him that she loved him. That he never returned that love. That she had given up everything. But he stood firm. Told her there was no way she could understand the connection he had with Liz Parker. That he hoped that one day she'd find the man who was meant for her as well. Someone who could return her affections. That's when she pulled out the shoe box of letters. And told him she never wanted to see him again. It was all he could do not to say 'ditto'.
He opened the box and took out another letter. There were about twelve in it. He had read about six. There were some from Michael, Isabel, his parents, Maria, Kyle, even Jim Valenti. He had read Michael's plea to come back. How he hated him for leaving, but could forgive him if he returned. How he couldn't understand how a leader would abandon his people. How he could give up so quickly. He read Isabel's emotional letter about how he needed to come back because she wasn't herself without him. How she understood his pain, but things had been left unsaid. Things needed to be settled and he had left them to do the dirty work. How thing are not as bad as they seem, to run off and never come back. She had cried while writing it. Her tears had dried on the paper and he had cried himself when he first read it, realizing that he had hurt them irreparably. But they had forgiven him. And he couldn't thank them enough. His parents wondered where he was, what he was doing, and when he was going to call. They were so clue less it was actually kind of sad.
Maria had done nothing but yell at him. For leaving them, for not calling, for being a wimp, for not caring enough, for leaving Liz that way, for making his sister cry and anything else she could think of. It was unbelievable that she too cried as she wrote it. Now he knew why. But he had left the last letters in the box. Letters he was afraid to look at. Afraid to read what they said. Liz's name was printed on the envelope, all these years she had tried to contact him. He could never forgive Abigail. He reached for the first letter and opened it, his hands shaking violently. He looked at her beautiful writing and sat back as he read.
My Dearest Max,
My days are endless without you. Why you've left, I could never understand. I am here, you have saved me. And I wish that you could come and see me. And hold me. This isn't fair. We are meant to be and here I am begging you to come back. Why haven't you called? Can't you feel my presence? Once upon a time, you gave up your wife, your sister, and a kingdom for me. We're connected beyond time. I need you Max Evans. And our daughter needs you. And I know that you won't get this. But I still feel like I have so much to tell you. And I'll keep writing until I get to you. I love you forever.
~ Liz
He held the letter in his hands as he held his breath. He had felt her. He had always felt her. He had the nightmares so many nights. She had been calling to him. She had been begging him to return. And he had cried every night because he had thought that he was losing his mind. He picked up another letter and he opened it.
Max,
My king, my heart, my love. I had another dream last night. And for the first time in days my necklace began to glow. Were you thinking about me? I was almost sure that you were. It was like I could feel you floating around in my brain. You must have been sleeping. Or maybe I was sleeping. I'm not sure anymore. Here is my dream:
The day was bright. Abnormally hot. The suns of Antar were shining and you and I had met in the garden. I had been there for two days... I had just come back from Earth and we had already had our first 'disagreement'. I had been walking the palace garden and had seen Vilandra walk out the back door and disappear. I didn't know where she was headed, but as I went to look for her, I felt an arm. I turned to look into your royal eyes. They were deep and challenging.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Walking."
"I hope you don't believe that I will be fooled Miss Eliza. If you are part of the rebel alliance planning to dethrone me, you have no authority here. I will have you beheaded."
"I am here to discuss peace. That is my one and only intention."
"Then why did you allow me to kiss you yesterday?"
"I realize you made a mistake and I was willing to forgive you for your stupidity." He looked into her eyes, amazement and desire in his own.
"It is illegal to talk badly about a king."
"It is illegal, as well as unjust to allow your own people, as well as others to die." Her voice was high pitched now, her anger blazing.
"You dare challenge my authority?"
"You seem to forget, your highness, you have no authority over me. I knew you when you were still frolicking the fields and picking wild flowers. I don't belong to this planet. And I don't belong to you!" Her strength was like an aura. It was his weakness. With every moment he knew he loved her more.
"You, my darling Eliza seem to forget, you are on MY planet. Therefore, you belong to me just as every other person here belongs to me. And just as you know me since my infancy, I knew you as well. And that gives me all the more authority over you. Because I know you. And I know that you find me irresistible." His face was now very close to hers and he could see the thoughts buzzing around in her head through her eyes. His words were soft seductive whispers and she could barely keep herself under control.
"I am not one to be manipulated... Zan." The use of his personal name calmed his senses and he placed his cheek next to hers, his lips lightly touching her ear.
"Who said anything about manipulation? I intend to seduce the truth out of you." She pulled away violently, completely insulted.
"I have told you the truth! Whether you want to believe me or not is your problem! I don't know what your little queen has been feeding into your brain, but the truth is I would never betray you!"
"You already have! You left me Ellie! You simply left! God, if you only knew how much I'd loved you. How I was willing to give up everything for you! And you left without turning back. Then they told me about your engagement. So I gave up. I quit. And I moved on. But that pain will never go away. I will never be able to forget that you betrayed me. That you didn't love me back."
"You're wrong Zan. I was sent away. I didn't leave on my will. And I thought about you everyday. I was never engaged. It was yet another clever scheme to keep us away. To break us apart. And it worked. So I guess the betrayal would be on your part. For not believing in me. For not trusting me."
"That's not true."
"It is. All of it." He kissed her this time, out in the open air of the garden.
We hadn't even considered that there might be people watching. Ava was not happy at what she saw. She wasn't completely enamored by you, but she was beginning to love you. And then she saw us, and her hatred for me burned brighter. So she and Kivar plotted to use Vilandra as their key. To break up the kingdom forever. I wish you were here for me to share this with. Our daughter is growing more beautiful each day. She looks a lot like you. She has your eyes. And every day I see her, I think of you. I love you.
~ Liz.
Max put down the letters, his head spinning. The words dug into his brain and the images flooded him. He remembered. It was an incredibly hot day. Much like the heat wave. And he had kissed her in public because his attraction to her was too strong. Because much like now, he couldn't stay away. And suddenly he made his decision. He knew what he had to do.
He reached over and felt her. Her warm skin was pressed tight against his own, her soft brown hair twirled all over them. She lay, breathing silently as he watched her sleep. He had been apart from her for too long. How could he leave her now? But he had to. Even if only for a short while. To clear the ghosts. To think clearly. But everything about her was meant for him. Even the way she fit into his embrace told him that she was especially chosen to be his one and only. It was great to believe that. But he had another waiting for him. Another who expected marriage in a month. Another whom he shared a bed with. How could he go back to her?
The sun was shining betraying all of his thoughts. He wanted to simply lie there forever. To never let go of her. To go back was like torture. But if he left and realized he needed Liz, he'd come back. He'd see that it was real. Not just passion brought on by five years of mourning, or comforting of one lonely woman, or old high school love. He needed to believe this was eternal. He needed to leave her, to test their strength once again. He softly reached over and kissed her cheek.
"Until we meet again, my love." He stepped out of bed and in half an hour he was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mrs. Parker poured the coffee, her daughter staring up at her like a distraught teenager once again. She smiled, unsure of how time had passed so quickly, how her daughter now had a daughter of her own.
"I hate this. I really do. I feel like I can just die."
"Lizzie...."
"What? I mean, really. What is so bad about me? What! What is so horrible that he can't stay with me?"
"Honey, maybe it's not you. Maybe it's him."
"Yea, if you only knew." Mrs. Parker laughed, serving Liz a hot breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and sausages.
"Liz, sometimes... sometimes men have this way of doing things. They have to test themselves to feel secure. Because men are more afraid to get hurt than we are."
"You mean like dad and the first woman he was in love with?"
"Exactly. It took that horrible accident to make him realize he needed to straighten up, to get himself together. Because life was short. Maybe Max just needs to realize that."
"So what you're saying is that if I try to kill him, he'll stay?" Liz smiled at her dry humor and her mother laughed.
"That's one option." They smiled and then sat in silence as they ate their breakfast.
"You feel any better now?"
"Yea. I mean I have to get over it. It's been three days. He's gone. He's obviously not coming back. I just have to stop dwelling in my pathetic teenage fantasies. Move on. If not for me, then for Ellie." Liz stuffed down the last of her pancakes and thought to herself.
"I just wish Ellie could have a father. I really do. I feel like I'm depriving her of something." Liz looked up at her mother's bright eyes. That's when Mrs. Parker put down her fork and reached out for her daughter's hand.
"You are an amazing mother. You give yourself to Eliza like no one else could. She has a father. One that loves her very much. But he just learned about this. You have to give him time... time to take it all in. To believe it. And I know he loves you. It's evident in every glance, every stare. That boy has been in love with you since like the third grade."
"What?"
"I remember... years and years ago. He and his family would come in for family dinners. Sundays nights if I'm not mistaken. Little Isabel, her short blonde hair, always wanting to look just like her mother. And Max, who obediently sat next to his father. But his eyes always drifted to the little Liz Parker sitting and spinning on the stool chairs at the counter. Or joking around with Maria. Or doing homework with Alex. Love like that Liz... it's love like that... that never goes away. That never dies no matter what happens. It's the most painful to lose, the most phenomenal to gain, and the one that can overcome even something as drastic as the end of the world." Liz eyes shot up from her food as her head began to spin from all of the words her mother had imparted on her. No. She would not think of that. She would not think of destiny. Of soul mates. Of what she and Max had always shared.
"You think he'll come back, don't you?" Liz's words betrayed her thoughts.
"I know he will." Just as Liz reached for the pepper, the door flew open and the familiar voice screamed out.
"I'M BACK!" Maria dropped her bags as she extended open arms to her best friend. Liz smiled and got up to meet her. They hugged for an instant and Maria breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of breakfast.
"OH! Pancakes, eggs, and sausage! I'm hungry Mrs. Parker! And I just got back from a very stressful honeymoon!"
"I've got you covered Maria." She got up and walked through the back door and into the kitchen. Maria smiled at Liz, and they giggled, knowing it was her way to get her out and get free food.
"So... where is he?"
"Who?"
"Max! Where is he?" Maria looked around, as if she expected him to jump out of a closet.
"He's gone Maria."
"WHAT!?"
"He left the night after your wedding. I told you he wouldn't stay. This plan wasn't going to work. I just wish he would never have come. Now I have to dwell on the fact that he's alive and doesn't want to be with me." Liz slumped on her stool and Maria sat beside her in shock.
"No. No, Liz. We had him! What happened?"
"It just didn't work."
"What didn't work?"
"Us."
"What did you guys do?" Maria looked at Liz curiously, her eyes searching for the eyes of the woman in front of her. Liz looked up instantaneously, and then back down just as quickly, hoping Maria had not seen her look of guilt.
"Oh my God Liz!" Maria reached out to hug her friend, but Liz pulled away.
"Look! It's not that big a deal ok? It's done, it's over with. Let's just move on with our lives ok?" Liz looked up, tears in her eyes. Just then, Michael walked in to the Cafe.
"Hey Liz. Maria, everything's back home. I thought I'd come for breakfast."
"Ok." He walked up to Maria and she looked up as he kissed her. He looked at Liz sitting next to Maria and her eyes were wet with tears.
"What's wrong?" His face suddenly grew worried, afraid of what she'd say.
"Nothing. I'm fine." She wiped away the tears, and Maria glared at Michael angrily.
"You know what? That's it! That is IT! Let's go." She got up from her stool and grabbed Liz's arm.
"Wait where are we going? We just got back!"
"Who said YOU were going anywhere? I'll be back in a few days."
"WHAT! NO way. I'm going with you." Michael stood up and stormed behind Maria.
"Wait, where are we going?"
"We're going to get your man back!"
"No. No, Maria that's not gonna work. Trust me."
"I don't care. I'm tired of you moping around."
"Wait, what about Ellie???"
"Get her packed and ready. We leave in an hour." Maria grabbed Michael's hand and walked out the door. Nancy walked out of the kitchen with a plate of food.
"Wait! Maria?? Your food!" Liz stood shocked. She turned and walked upstairs to start packing Eliza's clothes. Nancy shrugged and put the plate back in the kitchen for Jeff. Maria and Michael got into the car and drove home.
"So now what?"
"On to plan B."
"We didn't have a plan B."
"Well, we do now."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He stared around at his apartment, suddenly feeling cold. How was it possible? This place that he had set up for himself in five years, the place he made his home, was taken away from him in a matter of days. It had been a week. And he still didn't feel at home. This wasn't home anymore. Home is where the heart is. She was in Roswell.
"Unbelievable." He shook his head in sarcastic humor. Liz sure had some nerve. Just flipping his life upside down like that. And he wanted her to do it to him everyday. He was such a weakling. He couldn't resist her. Not for an instant. The dreams continued to haunt him. The moment they touched it had seemed to set off that part of him that had been sleeping for so long. Now his powers were back full force. His soul was alive. He checked his messages. Eight. He listened... the office, the landlord, Abigail, Abigail, Abigail, Abigail, his friend Josh from work, a call for his apartment! Finally! He had began to try and get out of his contract, under the condition that he found someone else to live in the apartment. He had asked Josh, but Josh was waiting to break up with his girlfriend. He was hoping this call would be it. The sooner he could sell the house, the sooner he could go back. Away from everything. From the job, from the city, from Abigail.
She hadn't taken the break up well. She had raged and screamed and told him that he was being ridiculous. No one could love a woman he perceived as dead for so many years. She had told him that she loved him. That he never returned that love. That she had given up everything. But he stood firm. Told her there was no way she could understand the connection he had with Liz Parker. That he hoped that one day she'd find the man who was meant for her as well. Someone who could return her affections. That's when she pulled out the shoe box of letters. And told him she never wanted to see him again. It was all he could do not to say 'ditto'.
He opened the box and took out another letter. There were about twelve in it. He had read about six. There were some from Michael, Isabel, his parents, Maria, Kyle, even Jim Valenti. He had read Michael's plea to come back. How he hated him for leaving, but could forgive him if he returned. How he couldn't understand how a leader would abandon his people. How he could give up so quickly. He read Isabel's emotional letter about how he needed to come back because she wasn't herself without him. How she understood his pain, but things had been left unsaid. Things needed to be settled and he had left them to do the dirty work. How thing are not as bad as they seem, to run off and never come back. She had cried while writing it. Her tears had dried on the paper and he had cried himself when he first read it, realizing that he had hurt them irreparably. But they had forgiven him. And he couldn't thank them enough. His parents wondered where he was, what he was doing, and when he was going to call. They were so clue less it was actually kind of sad.
Maria had done nothing but yell at him. For leaving them, for not calling, for being a wimp, for not caring enough, for leaving Liz that way, for making his sister cry and anything else she could think of. It was unbelievable that she too cried as she wrote it. Now he knew why. But he had left the last letters in the box. Letters he was afraid to look at. Afraid to read what they said. Liz's name was printed on the envelope, all these years she had tried to contact him. He could never forgive Abigail. He reached for the first letter and opened it, his hands shaking violently. He looked at her beautiful writing and sat back as he read.
My Dearest Max,
My days are endless without you. Why you've left, I could never understand. I am here, you have saved me. And I wish that you could come and see me. And hold me. This isn't fair. We are meant to be and here I am begging you to come back. Why haven't you called? Can't you feel my presence? Once upon a time, you gave up your wife, your sister, and a kingdom for me. We're connected beyond time. I need you Max Evans. And our daughter needs you. And I know that you won't get this. But I still feel like I have so much to tell you. And I'll keep writing until I get to you. I love you forever.
~ Liz
He held the letter in his hands as he held his breath. He had felt her. He had always felt her. He had the nightmares so many nights. She had been calling to him. She had been begging him to return. And he had cried every night because he had thought that he was losing his mind. He picked up another letter and he opened it.
Max,
My king, my heart, my love. I had another dream last night. And for the first time in days my necklace began to glow. Were you thinking about me? I was almost sure that you were. It was like I could feel you floating around in my brain. You must have been sleeping. Or maybe I was sleeping. I'm not sure anymore. Here is my dream:
The day was bright. Abnormally hot. The suns of Antar were shining and you and I had met in the garden. I had been there for two days... I had just come back from Earth and we had already had our first 'disagreement'. I had been walking the palace garden and had seen Vilandra walk out the back door and disappear. I didn't know where she was headed, but as I went to look for her, I felt an arm. I turned to look into your royal eyes. They were deep and challenging.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Walking."
"I hope you don't believe that I will be fooled Miss Eliza. If you are part of the rebel alliance planning to dethrone me, you have no authority here. I will have you beheaded."
"I am here to discuss peace. That is my one and only intention."
"Then why did you allow me to kiss you yesterday?"
"I realize you made a mistake and I was willing to forgive you for your stupidity." He looked into her eyes, amazement and desire in his own.
"It is illegal to talk badly about a king."
"It is illegal, as well as unjust to allow your own people, as well as others to die." Her voice was high pitched now, her anger blazing.
"You dare challenge my authority?"
"You seem to forget, your highness, you have no authority over me. I knew you when you were still frolicking the fields and picking wild flowers. I don't belong to this planet. And I don't belong to you!" Her strength was like an aura. It was his weakness. With every moment he knew he loved her more.
"You, my darling Eliza seem to forget, you are on MY planet. Therefore, you belong to me just as every other person here belongs to me. And just as you know me since my infancy, I knew you as well. And that gives me all the more authority over you. Because I know you. And I know that you find me irresistible." His face was now very close to hers and he could see the thoughts buzzing around in her head through her eyes. His words were soft seductive whispers and she could barely keep herself under control.
"I am not one to be manipulated... Zan." The use of his personal name calmed his senses and he placed his cheek next to hers, his lips lightly touching her ear.
"Who said anything about manipulation? I intend to seduce the truth out of you." She pulled away violently, completely insulted.
"I have told you the truth! Whether you want to believe me or not is your problem! I don't know what your little queen has been feeding into your brain, but the truth is I would never betray you!"
"You already have! You left me Ellie! You simply left! God, if you only knew how much I'd loved you. How I was willing to give up everything for you! And you left without turning back. Then they told me about your engagement. So I gave up. I quit. And I moved on. But that pain will never go away. I will never be able to forget that you betrayed me. That you didn't love me back."
"You're wrong Zan. I was sent away. I didn't leave on my will. And I thought about you everyday. I was never engaged. It was yet another clever scheme to keep us away. To break us apart. And it worked. So I guess the betrayal would be on your part. For not believing in me. For not trusting me."
"That's not true."
"It is. All of it." He kissed her this time, out in the open air of the garden.
We hadn't even considered that there might be people watching. Ava was not happy at what she saw. She wasn't completely enamored by you, but she was beginning to love you. And then she saw us, and her hatred for me burned brighter. So she and Kivar plotted to use Vilandra as their key. To break up the kingdom forever. I wish you were here for me to share this with. Our daughter is growing more beautiful each day. She looks a lot like you. She has your eyes. And every day I see her, I think of you. I love you.
~ Liz.
Max put down the letters, his head spinning. The words dug into his brain and the images flooded him. He remembered. It was an incredibly hot day. Much like the heat wave. And he had kissed her in public because his attraction to her was too strong. Because much like now, he couldn't stay away. And suddenly he made his decision. He knew what he had to do.