Chapter Fourteen

Michael was trying hard not to fall asleep because he knew what would happen. The same thing that had been happening the entire week during the night when he was fast asleep. He knew that his night dreams where really memories of his past life on Antar but this dreams disturbed him. Because the dreams proved what he knew all along to be right. He had indeed been in love with Ava in his past life. And he had been distressed over them for a while now, Maria had started to notice and the last thing Michael wanted was to worry the earth girl that had touched his heart so much. Michael knew that he could be heart-harded when it came to Maria but it didn't change the fact that he loved her. So, he would not allow his past memories to destroy her. Of couse that didn't change the fact that those memories where rather vivid. He had felt what Rath had felt. He was so tired through. Michael yawned as he sat on his couch flicking through the channels. He was way too drowse. Michael yawned again, he would not fall asleep, he would not fall asleep, think about something else. Maria, think about Maria. Michael tried to keep his eyes opened but it seemed like a heavy burden to bear.

Rath was known all over the five planets of Antar, to be so young and have achieved so much was unheard of. His heroic deeds where known all over the lands, he was strong and brave. He was also loyal to the royal family of Antar, what every man hoped to be one day. But now he had been taken from his duty of finding the famous Silver robber to babysit the prince. Because no matter what his father claimed, guarding Zan was the same as babysitting the guy. The only good thing he had found on this trip was the golden immota Ava. She was the light of every room, her radiance, her beauty was unparallel. But even she didn't belong to him. He knew this but it was hard to resist her. That's why he when he had found his beautiful, unque substance he knew just who it belonged to.

Rath walked through the trees and stopped short as he saw Ava, she was glowing with the sun leaning against the tree. He watched as she threw her head back and laughed at something. It didn't take long to figure out who she was laughing at, Zan was on the back of the three headed boar trying to keep it bay. Zan was however having trouble with the boar because it was moving around a lot. Rath grunded his teeth is fastraution, did this boy ever listen, why did he have to put himself in danger for. He walked gracefully, quietly but not quiet enough for Ava turned around.

"Hey" Ava called out, her voice was like silk in the wind, soft and gracious

"What is he going?" Rath asked, not bothering to greet Ava, he was more concerned about Zan.

"Entertaining me" Ava said with a small laugh turning to gaze at Zan, "He is very...different from anyone I've ever met"

Rath looked at Ava then at Zan again, "He is stupid"

Ava was quiet turned to Rath filled with amusement, "You must be very patient"

"No" Rath disagreed finally turning to Ava wearing a smile, "He is just very...manipulative"

The two fell silent for a moment, looking at each other in different forms. Ava was rather studing him while he was feeling more warmth than he had ever felt, such desire for another was eating away at him. Ava smile slipped of her lips, and for a moment, he wondered if the passion he felt was that obvious. She blinked twice before turning to Zan who had at that point fallen on the ground and was attempting to get back on the boar again.

"I got you something" Rath said conversationally, hoping against hope that she would love her gift.

Ava turned to him, her expression glittering, smile back on her lips, "A gift"

Rath gave a small nod opening his right hand showing her. She gave a small gasp, and it was not surprise this was onething different from all things. The substance was round, smooth and silvery white.

"I've never seen such a thing" Ava said picking the gift up, "what is it called?"

"Ah..."Rath was put in an uncomfortable spot, trying to remember what the royal treasurey had called the substance, "I don't know for sure but I believe it's called a...a...a pearl, its called a pearl. It's rare because you can't find that on any of the planets of Antar"

"I don't understand?" Ava said with a small laugh, feeling the smoothness of the pearl.

"It's from a distant planet that I... can't remember right now" Rath said watching Zan again, "when I saw the pearl, I was reminded of you"

"Ah, that is so sweet, Rath" Ava said, placing her hand on his shoulder, tip toeing to give him a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you"

Again silence befell the two, Rath glancing at Ava over and over again. His attention cut between this unque woman and Zan. To say the least he was conflicted, he knew more than anyone that Zan was in love with Ava. But he was tired of always putting his feelings aside for the sake of his duty. He wanted to find out if Ava was in love with Zan, hopefully she wouldn't be. Even though that was a terrible thing to wish for, it wouldn't matter either way. He betrothed to Valendra afterall.

"Zan is quite taken with you" Rath said, making his decision. He had to find out how she felt about Zan either way, because he had to protect Zan. Yeah, he was asking for Zan's sake. Liar, a small voice said in the back of his mind.

When Ava stayed silent, he thought about trying to find out how she felt by just saying the words, "He thinks he is in love...with you Ava"

"He's wrong about that" She said, sounding very convinced, she was watching Zan again, he was standing on top of the boar now waiving at them. Laughing carelessly.

"His going to be the death of me" Rath declared soundly.

Ava turned to him and smiled brightly again, "You are amazing Rath, do you know that?"

"Well yeah!" Rath said smiling back, pushing a curl back, away from her perfect face, "I know that"

Michael opened his eyes at the sound of someone knocking on his door. He had that dream again, so much for staying awake. The scene flashed in his mind, his talk with Ava, how beautiful he thought she was, the present he gave her. A pearl. The knock sounded again, followed by a voice.

"Michael, are you there?"

Maria, Michael thought standing up from the couch. Oh god what was he going to do. He knew one thing, he couldn't tell anyone that memory especially Maria.

"Michael" Maria said opening the door slightly, "Michael I am opening the door"

Michael rushed over there and opened the door all the way.

Maria was standing there wearing a frown, looking as delicious as ever, wearing a red tank top and tight jeans.

"Didn't you hear me?" She asked with a disapproval look, a look he knew well enough. A look he got all the time. A look he welcomed, he thought with a smile. Pulling her towards him, before kissing her lips passionately closing the door with his hand, forgetting about his little dream, this was reality.

His reality with Maria. She was the only woman in his heart.

"What's with you?" Maria asked as she grasped for breath, looking at Michael. Suddenly feeling hot giving off a bright smile, "Because I like this you"

Michael gave a small smile of his own, holding her in his arms. "Have I told you lately how much I love you"

Maria's smile slipped of her face as she pulled away from him, "What the hell did you do Michael?" she asked harshly, crossing her arms over her chest looking at him with a scowl.

"Why would you ask that?" Michael asked wearing a look of surprise, of course he knew why she would think that. He was acting way out of character.

"Because you never say 'I love you' Michael" Maria said, barely shouting, "So what in the world did you do? How did you sleep with?"

"Nothing...Noone" Michael said trying to look as innocent as possible, and she must have bought that because she smiled again.

"Okay, I believe you" Maria said, circling her arms around his shoulders looking intimately into his eyes, "So wanna kiss me again."

Michael answered by giving her a kiss even more intoxicating that the one before.