Disclaimer: The use of characters is used purely for the enjoyment of this fan fiction and I am in no way making any profit in this.
Chapter 6: Soul Mate Connections – Part 2
Rei ran to the forest hoping in her heart that she can finish gathering up all the herbs she's going to need and still go back to the town to find shelter before the storm arrives.
"Mugwort. Rosemary. Thyme…" The place was new to her so it took her a longer time than necessary to gather her divination herbs that she would if she'd been at home. Home, something she no longer has now. "Gods, I wish those murderers would perish on the storm." She thought darkly.
The rain caught up with her and she was forced to knock on the first house she came across.
It wasn't a house actually more like a barn. Rei shivered and furiously knocked. Her whole body quivered in irrational panic as lightning sizzled in the sky and the loudest bang of thunder she had ever heard echoed in her ears. Faced with paranoia she pushed aside the poor substitute for a door and went inside eager to get out from the dangerous open air.
Inside she breathed a sound of relief. But that was before someone grabbed her arm and then she screamed.
***
Jadeite heard the knocking but made no move to answer it. He thought it was the wind beating against the door. When the door flew open, he quietly stood up in the shadows and prepared to close it back up. His eyes widened in surprise as she entered inside.
He hardly recognized her with her hair looking longer now that it was wet. Her eyes panicked at first then slowly calming down. Her breathing slowed as well from her wild run and…she was drenched to the bone.
Jadeite reached out to hold her close and wrap her in his arms to offer even the barest of comforts. When he touched her, something happened.
She broke his eardrums.
He clamped a hand over her mouth and he regretted the wildness and desperation that showed as her eyes widened. She struggled and reacted violently. He restrained her while making Hushing noises trying to talk to her.
"It's alright. I wont hurt you. Please don't scream and I'll release my hand." He spoke gently. When he felt her nod, he relaxed his hold. She whirled around to face him. A flash of recognition instantly entered her features and much to his dismay, she screamed again.
Rei slowly backed away, her eyes narrowed and filled with hate. Her fear of going back overrode her fear of the storm and she ran without hesitation to the storm. He tackled her from behind before she could succeed.
"I won't go back. I WON'T! Go away…leave me alone!" She struggled fiercely clawing at him, biting him, kicking him anything to make him go away. Adrenaline was giving her the strength until it started slowing down.
Tears burned her eyes. "Please." She whimpered.
All the while he was still holding her, slowly lessening his grip and looking into her sad eyes that glowed like amethyst in the dark stable.
"It's alright." He whispered back to her. She just shut her eyes and breathed softly not moving. Her teeth chattered slightly. "You're cold." He observed.
"Of, course. I got wet." She said snippy. He said nothing but moved slightly changing their positions. This time she wasn't the one on the hard ground. He was leaning against the wall, sitting upright with her cradled in his arms holding her tight. As though never letting go.
Rei tried to stand up but found herself to weak to move. "Please stay. I won't kidnap you in your sleep. I promise I won't take you back to him." He spoke softly.
Strangely against her sane mind but rather from her deep instinct, she trusted him. And so she allowed herself a few moments of rest closing her eyes for a while. "I'll leave when the rain stops." She murmured to herself and for him to hear as well. He gave a subtle nod of understanding. Both went to sleep his arms still around her.
***
He shifted. His movements were low. Just a tug here arranging the position of his left arm by a few inches, Serena felt it anyway. Her eyes snapped open and she tried to sit up. She then noticed the well-toned muscled arm that was gently yet firmly holding her in place wrapped around her naked waist.
Her breathing quickened wondering if this was the inevitable confrontation that she had decided would come sooner or later. She had been hoping for later.
She closed her eyes in consternation. "What was she going to do?" She absentmindedly looked up and stared at his face. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized that he had been staring at her. She kicked away from him with a violent jerk and scooted to the other end taking the blanket with her. Leaving him naked.
Blush crept up her cheeks and tried not to stare. She twisted her head away and coughed roughly. "You're clothes are over there." She felt him stand up and she fought the urge to look as he dressed rather noisily. Both of them were quiet and Serena only relaxed when she felt that he was done already.
But before she could do anything, she felt him squat besides her breathing heavily. His left hand touched her right cheek murmuring. "What happened?" He asked still a bit in a daze. His voice was husky and was making her all excited. She turned to look at him. She compulsively swallowed as she realized that he was naked waist-up.
Serena felt her naked body shiver and burn underneath the soft thin blanket covering her. She tried to answer his question casually and in a distant manner.
She failed horribly. She chocked at every word.
"Storm- Fever- Had to- keep you warm."
She coughed again and shivered more visibly. Darien placed both of his hands on her cheeks cupping her face. "Are you alright?" He leaned down frowning, his warm heat drugging her.
"You saved my life. My life is yours now." He said seriously his hand caressing her absentmindedly. "How can I repay you?"
Serena looked at his deep blue eyes and saw the bits of traces of fairy magic of healing. She looked down at the high-quality blanket wrapped around her.
"Just-don't-ask-me-where-I-got-the-blanket" She said in a rush turning redder as his thumb stroked her lower lip.
He looked confused for a moment and he did wonder but he nodded anyway.
There was silence and Serena avoided looking at his eyes. The storm was starting to stop and the rain was now falling gently to the ground.
"You are beautiful. Very beautiful like a goddess." He murmured. He began kissing her. He placed a soft kiss in her brows, in her temple, in her nose, her chin, her cheeks…Serena shivered, giddy inside and very nervous. Memories of the brutal rape flashed into her mind. She felt him tug at the blanket covering her. "NO." She uttered gasping for breath while pleasure began zinging in her senses.
Amazingly, he stopped. Serena stared at him. He was breathing heavily as well and backed away slowly honoring her wishes. "I'm sorry." He said sincerely.
"I am your prisoner. You could have done what you will." Her voice wasn't cold merely just stating a fact.
Darien shook his head furiously. "No, I said I wouldn't touch you if you don't want to and beside you save my life. As a prize, I give you back your freedom. I can also give you anything you want Gold, property, slaves…"
Serena looked surprised. "Thank you. I'd rather have a favor."
"Granted. What is it?" He sat staring at her controlling his lust but still admiring the woman before him. She was so very different. Like a basic instinct in him, he felt that he was just right.
"I'll keep it for awhile." She said easily.
"But you need to be rewarded. Come with me back and I shall reward you with jewelry, clothes, regardless of the favor that you ask of me." Darien prodded not wanting to be separated from this woman yet.
"On one condition." She said eyes serious. "Stand up."
He did so and so did she. She approached him frowning. With one hand on the blanket covering her, her other hand reached out to his next and pulled his head down towards her. She kissed him earnestly but there was something different about this kiss.
Darien felt a tiny prickling at the back of his mind. He ignored it and kissed her feverishly. Their hearts beat and their auras were mixing together, burning, creating a wrap of halo all over their body.
"Just what I thought." She muttered as she broke the kiss. She didn't share her thought on what she meant instead, "You're a good man Endymion, second son of Elessar. You aren't meant for Death." She said giving him a last peck on the lips.
Darien looked confused but allowed her to get away.
"The rain has stopped. Let's go back."
***
Jadeite woke up feeling relaxed. He yawned and stretched and was greeted with silence. "Damn it." She was nowhere to be seen. The rain had stopped and the sun was starting to shine outside. He had felt so assured that she wasn't going to leave, as though there was some trust between them that cannot be breached.
He inhaled. Her scent still lingered all over him. He looked wearily at the open door and sighed. "She could be long gone by now." So he sat instead and thought and smiled and a glaze of determination entered his eyes. "I'm going to find you." He spoke with absolution. "And you'll never be able to run away from me again." He finished softly.
He didn't go outside and he was too busy thinking that he didn't notice the light footsteps that ran away.
***
"Connections have been made. For better, for worst. It will not be ignored."
A/n: Thanks to The Lunar Witch, who've been giving me opinions and such.