Author's Note:
This is a feel good chapter. And the next chapter is the final one. Sniff sniff...so sad! But I have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't stop here.
Thanks for all the amazing reviews. You guys rock!
My Saving Raine
Chapter 36
My Guardian Angel
It was dark and peaceful…sort of like the night sky. I was sitting on a soft pad of grass in the middle of a lush, green forest. The air was close but cool, and I had never felt more at peace. I was alone, and I was happy. But wasn't there a time when I would have hated being alone? I…I did have companions once, didn't I?
"When I see your smile
Tears run down my face
I can't replace"
A deep, yet soft voice lulled to me from somewhere beyond the forest. My head snapped in all directions, but no one could be seen.
"And now that I'm strong I have figured out
How this world turns cold
And breaks through my soul
And I know, I'll find deep inside me
I can be the one"
It continued, and a silvery mist floated into the forest, swirling around the trees and hovering above the dewy ground. What was that voice? I…I knew that voice. My heart started beating faster and I looked down at it, placing a hand over it to feel it.
"Who is that voice?" I asked aloud, hoping the evergreens would answer.
"I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to Heaven"
Those words! I knew those words. I had heard them somewhere before…The voice continued to sing and my heart was beating so fast I was afraid it would bounce out of my chest.
"I must find that voice." I stood up, and the minute I did, the silver mist wrapped around me, encircling my arms. It circled around me twice before snaking towards the forest's edge.
"Seasons are changing and waves are crashing
And stars are falling all for us"
Up a mossy slope I climbed, and finally I reached a clearing. Bright, white light filled the clearing and I had to cover my eyes as it blinded me. But as I covered them, I could still hear the voice. It sang even louder, and the words became clearer. My heart thumped loudly now, and my feet moved on their own, stepping forward into I didn't know what. I tried to open my eyes, but the light was just too bright. So blindly I walked into the light, trusting whatever path my feet were following.
"Days grow longer and nights grow shorter
I can show you I'll be the one"
The further into the light I walked, the warmer it got around me, and I could feel myself beginning to perspire. I shook my hair, allowing some air to get to my neck, but it didn't help much. Finally I got to a point where if I walked any further, I felt I would melt. I stopped, shielding my eyes with both hands. I breathed deeply, feeling dizzy with the amount of blood that was pumping through my veins. The voice was singing so loudly that its melody filled my ears, and my mind started spinning with images. Chocolate brown eyes…soft, sweet lips, strong yet gentle hands…
"Wake up, Young One. Your friends need you more than ever." A new voice said, speaking above the melodic voice.
"I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever"
"Caspian." I said, squinting my eyes as I thought. His chocolate brown eyes…his soft, sweet lips, his strong, gentle hands. Suddenly, a great wind picked up from my feet and began to whirl around me, lessening the heat radiating from the bright light. I sighed aloud as my flushed skin cooled. But then, I felt my feet lift and I realized I was moving through the air. My hair whipped about my face and I tried to open my eyes to see what was happening, but the light was growing brighter. I started spinning, faster and faster until I felt myself drop almost feather-like upon something soft and plush. The wind had stopped and I could tell that the light had lessened. The voice still sang, but I could hear something else…the sound of light breathing. I also noticed that though the air around me was cool, whatever was below me was quite warm…and comfortable. I opened my eyes slowly, relieved that the light wasn't quite as blinding as it had been before. It still hurt my eyes a little, but I had to know what had happened. I had to see the owner of that beautiful voice.
"I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to Heaven"
Looking up, I saw the most beautiful sight I thought I could ever see…even more beautiful than the forest. Dark brown eyes gazed down at me, stars twinkling amid them, framed by thick brown eyebrows. I saw a soft, slanted nose, lying upon soft caramel skin. Wavy brown hair dangled loosely around the face, blowing slightly from the breath that was flowing from two soft lips. When he saw me look up at him, he gave me the sweetest, most tender smile I had ever seen. It made the stars in his eyes dance, and lit up his entire face, making him glow like a young infant at the sight of his mother. I felt a soft squeeze and looked down to see his strong arms wrapped around me securely, and I realized I was laying on him. He was sitting up, leaning upon the headboard of the bed, with me lying across his lap. He cradled me in his arms, keeping my head against his chest. That's how I heard the breathing. I felt like I had forgotten how to speak. It was amazing enough that I had remembered how to breathe…
"Caspian," I said softly, letting my vocal chords remember their strength. He placed a soft finger upon my lips, silencing me before brushing his lips against the cool skin of my forehead.
'Cause you're my," he placed a kiss on my temple, "you're my, my," he placed a small kiss on the tip of my nose.
"My true love, my whole heart
Please don't throw that away"
His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer against him. I turned myself slightly so that I could look up at him. He leaned down, laying his forehead against mine and closing his eyes. I felt him take a deep breath before continuing the words I knew were coming.
"'Cause I'm here for you
Please don't walk away
And please tell me you'll stay"
His fingers were running slowly through my hair, soothing my scalp as they went. My heart had finally returned to its usual steady rhythm, and a smile had found its way onto my lips. My hand crept away from where it had been resting on my stomach and landed on the side of his neck, and I could feel his rhythmic pulse.
"Use me as you will
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be okay
Though my skies are turning gray"
He took my hand from his neck, cradling it in his, and moved his face down closer to mine so that our cheeks were brushing. His voice got softer, but the words still rang clear.
"I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to Heaven"
Upon the last few words, he nuzzled his nose against me, making my heart swell with affection. I snuggled against him, reaching up to capture a few strands of his silken hair in my fingers. Then I let my hand drop to his chest, brushing it against the pale blue tunic he wore. It was open slightly at the neck, revealing his soft skin beneath. We both sat there in a comfortable silence, just rediscovering one another.
"Querida, I'm so glad you're awake. I missed you, and I was afraid you had been hurt worse than you led on," he said softly, trailing a lazy finger down the side of my face, tracing my jaw. I let my eyes flutter shut in contentment.
"I missed you too," I opened them again, seeing his eyes shining with worry. "Don't worry, he's done as much damage to me as he can. He can't hurt me anymore," I told him, cupping his cheek in my hand. With the contact he closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as he leaned into my touch.
"I was scared…so scared," he murmured quietly, touching his lips to my cheek and resting them there. I trembled, and I felt something bubble in my stomach.
"I was too. I thought, for a moment that he had me…I thought," I paused, wrapping my arms around him for comfort, "I thought he was going to hurt me. I thought I was going to die." His arms curled around me, pulling me so tightly against him I thought we would mesh into one being. I felt like my voice was sneaking away. "I thought I would never see you again. I thought I would never hear your voice again…or see the way your eyes shine in the sunlight, or the way your cheeks glow when you smile," I was interrupted by his lips on mine, parting them to seek the comfort we both needed. I kissed him back, feeling the love we shared flare within us.
"But he's gone, and you're safe, my love," he broke away to whisper against me, his breath fanning over me. "I am here, and there's nothing to fear. I would protect you with my own life, and nothing can reach you as long as I am here." His eyes bore into mine, his promise tough as steel in the brown depths of his eyes. Our lips crashed together again, our tongues dancing in our own created rhythm. One of his hands rested on the small of my back while another rubbed up and down my arm. Both my arms were around his neck, reassuring myself that he couldn't be taken away from me. At least not yet…
I broke away first, because my heart was pounding at my new realization. "Caspian, I know what you are."
He pulled away, opening his eyes slowly. His lips smiled softly, but his brows furrowed together. But when he saw me smiling, he let them settle. "Oh, and what may that be?"
I smiled more, not being able to help myself. "Well, I've been thinking about it. It's been driving me crazy since that day when we first met, and it never came to me until just now."
He nodded slowly, wanting me to continue. "Mm, and what is that?"
For a moment I forgot I was speaking because the sunlight shifted outside the window, causing its rays to shine through, illuminating around his dark head. The sight was truly heavenly, and it couldn't be more appropriate.
"You're my guardian angel," I said, giggling softly as I said it. I saw his eyes soften and a soft pink coloring rise in his cheeks. His lips parted in a soft smile and his eyes crinkled in its wake. Then he took my face in his hands and brushed his lips so softly against mine that I barely felt their touch.
"As you are mine."