Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers. Any other character is a figment of my imagination. Kallie and Raven are my own creation and I take credit for creating them.
Spoilers: Possibly any book from 1-18.
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Chapter 48: VOWS
Raven's POV:
I was walking away from the house and my heart was feeling heavier with each step. Suddenly I felt her falling and I turned and raced back. Ranger was there to catch her and he lifted her and carried her to a settee in the shop. She looked so lost and vulnerable laying there and I was getting nothing from her. She was shutting me out. I couldn't understand how that was possible. I went to step forward but Ranger stood and motioned me out to the other room. I went with him even though I desperately needed to be with Kallie. I had to make sure she was okay.
I looked at Ranger, wondering what could be so important. He turned to me and asked, "What are you playing at Raven?"
"What do you mean?"
"Eight months ago you vowed to protect Kallie, even if it was from yourself. I thought she meant something to you."
"She does. We're friends."
Ranger looked towards where Kallie lay and he shook his head, "She looks at you as more than a friend. Kallie looks at you the way Stephanie always looked at me when I was too stupid to realize she loved me with everything in her."
I shook my head, "I don't like women except to use to scratch an itch. I won't do that to Kallie."
Ranger looked at me like he pitied me. "You could never use Kallie like that. In case you don't realize it that mass sitting on your chest is your love for her. The forever kind of love. Don't stick your head in your ass and deny you both the happiness you can have."
I went to say something and he held his hand up, "What would you do if someone took her away from you for good. What I mean by that is what would you do if someone killed her and she was no longer in your life?"
Just the thought sent me to my knees. Ranger nodded, "I thought so. I was an ass not to realize how much Stephanie loved me, and I loved her just as much. But she was willing to do the friends thing because she thought it was the only way she could be in my life. I'll be forever grateful for the day she decided she had to try for what her heart really wanted. If you love Kallie, then tell her before its too late."
I nodded. Ranger turned and headed back to Kallie. I was just about to go and join them when I saw Stephanie headed my way. She looked furious. She slammed her hand onto my chest and demanded, "Who gave you the right to play God with my daughter's life?"
"I don't know…."
"Don't give me that bullshit! Kallie has been working herself to death for the past 8 months because she has nothing else! She's 18 years old and she thinks she has no future because the bastard she's in love with thinks he gets to call all the shots! Fine! You don't want Kallie in your life then walk out the door and don't ever come back. Let her have a chance of getting over you without you constantly being within touching distance. I'm not going to sit around and watch her be miserable for three years till she gets up the nerve to tell you what she wants."
I put both hands up in the air and told her, "I'm not fighting anymore. I need to go to her now."
Stephanie nodded, "About damn time."
She turned and stormed back into the shop. I followed more slowly. I made my way to where Kallie was lying and knelt down beside her. I placed my hand on her cheek and closed my eyes so I could see what had happened to her. I was blocked at every path. I tilted my head and my grandfather Grey Hawk was there. I turned to him confused, "Why won't she let me in?"
"Because then you would see how her soul bleeds for you. She loves you with all she is. The same way you love her. You need to speak to her grandson, but not with your mind. You must open your heart to save her."
I leaned my head against her and let my heart speak for the first time in my life. "Don't leave me Kallie. I love you with all I am. Don't leave me here all alone."
I felt her reach out to me and I took her hand in mine. I pulled her close and looked into her beautiful face, "I love you Daniel Raven. It hurts me to be apart from you. But if that is what you need, I will bear the pain."
I shook my head. "I love you Kallie Manoso. I can't stand to see you in pain. I want to claim you as mine so we can both have happiness…and love."
She glowed with such a wonderful light. I was awed by her beauty. We embraced and our mouths fused in a passion I had never experienced before. For the first time in my life, I felt whole, complete. I heard Grey Hawk speaking, "The darkness has been defeated. You have saved each other. The linking ceremony can be completed and neither of you shall ever be unhappy again. For your souls have mated in this timeline and you will now be together through all time."
I felt her mouth under mine and then the sound of a throat being cleared reminded me we weren't alone. I sat back and looked up to see Ranger looking at me with narrowed eyes. Stephanie was beside him with a glare on her face. I looked down and saw Kallie's eyes were open. I smiled at her and said, "I don't know about you but I feel as if we've just been married."
Kallie smiled, "It did sorta seem like wedding vows that Grey Hawk spoke."
Ranger raised an eyebrow, "Grey Hawk?"
Kallie nodded, "Raven's paternal grandfather. He was a Shaman."
I looked at Kallie, "What do you think? Should we make it real?"
She gave me a searching look, "Are you sure that's what you want?"
"Very sure. I want everything with you."
She smiled and threw her arms around me. I looked up at Ranger, "With your permission of course."
Ranger and Stephanie looked at each other and their love was such a beautiful sight. They both nodded. Ranger said, "You have our blessing."
Whew! Guess everyone is back on track now. Kallie reacted to the darkness from blocking Raven. Raven felt her blocking him and that's why he reacted. Hopefully that came across.
