Chapter Thirty-One
'It's almost time...' Echoed a voice in Lucille's mind. 'Soon, everything will fall into place. There's no stopping it.'
Lucille couldn't focus. She didn't have the energy to wonder, only to listen.
The voice made a child-like giggle. 'Be ready.'
Lucille shot open her eyes as she no longer felt lethargic. She huffed, trying to get air into her lungs, as if she had been holding her breath under water for too long. When she took in her surroundings, realizing she was still at Wendy's house, she relaxed. She felt each of her limbs and sighed when they didn't feel heavy. She actually felt normal again. She decided to sit up slowly, causing her to become slightly dizzy, but it passed within a few seconds. Other than that she was ok, feeling right as rain.
She tried to remember what happened last. That's when it hit her. The truth about her mate bond. Ray being her mate. How she told him she wanted nothing more than to be his. That's right! But as to why she passed out? She didn't understand. Just then, Wendy came into the room. That's when she noticed Ray was nowhere to be found.
"Good, you're awake. You gave us quite a scare." Wendy spoke as she came to place her hands on Lucille's head. Lucille allowed her, being accustomed to Wendy doing her healing thing without giving a warning. When she removed her hands, she smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. "So, you accepted the mate bond?"
Lucille blinked and nodded. "How did you-"
"Ray." When Lucille titled her head to the side, Wendy elaborated. "He went completely ballistic. Which is much unlike him. He was like a raging animal." She sighed. "He called for me and when I came towards you, he cradled you against himself, giving me the most deadly look I've ever seen on him."
Lucille felt like she couldn't breathe. That wasn't like Ray. And to act that way to Wendy? It was absurd.
"I finally had to have Lance come in and help me restrain Ray. Lance ended up using some of his Script Magic to make Ray sleep. Then he had Gray come and take him home." Wendy trained her eyes on Lucille. "I didn't want to scare Natsu or Lucy so we only called Gray. He promised not to let them know until you awoke." When Lucille only nodded, Wendy placed her hand over Lucille's. "You both will be alright. When I checked your vitals, you seemed fine, only exhausted from the elixir disappearing. Probably more so since you haven't fully recovered from trying to gain your star dress." She smiled and Lucille's eyes welled up with tears. Wendy said no more and opened her arms for Lucille to lean into.
Lucille sobbed. Everything she has done and all the feelings she's been holding burst. She sobbed for leaving her family for eight years. She sobbed for all the hurt she put Ray under. She sobbed for this prophecy that was causing everyone to worry over her and getting them hurt. And she sobbed for herself, because she didn't know if there was any way they would come out of this unscathed.
"Ok...ok..almost..ah!"
Lydia fell forward but Lance caught her by her waist, effortlessly. After the fiasco with Ray, they immediately began to work on Lydia moving about. They had been at it for three hours with no rest, and Lydia's body was definitely wearing down. With one arm around Lance's shoulders and his arm around her waist, she began to feel heavy.
"C'mon, take a break. You've done a lot." Lance cooed softly.
"No. I can almost go on my own-"
"Yes. But I can feel your body. You're now putting most of your weight on me. Your body is getting heavier and heavier." Lance peered at her face. "Come, take a break. I'll get you something to eat. Then, a little later we can try again." He suggested, giving her a small smile.
Lydia pursed her lips. "Ugh..fine." At that, Lance helped her sit on the bed, and once she was rested against the headboard, she sighed from exhaustion. She felt she could almost pass out. But she fought it. She had to eat first, then she could pass out.
Lydia watched Lance leave and sighed again. She could still feel his touch on her waist. She placed a hand to her heart and sighed, allowing herself to blush furiously since Lance wasn't in the room. He was being so kind to her. Was it out of a guilty conscious? She sighed once more, both her body and mind feeling drained. She knew she had to pace herself. But she needed to get back on her feet quickly if she wanted to train before their inevitable battle. She knew she was doing extremely well by normal standards. But she felt she needed to get moving more quicker than normal.
Just then, Wendy came in. Erasing Lydia's tension and worry with her calm aura. As she walked over she smiled. "How are you feeling? I just saw Lance leave to get you some food."
Lydia sighed and nodded. "Lance was helping me to try to get up and walking and-"
"What?!" Wendy said panicking as she began placing her hands over Lydia. Just like Lucille, Lydia didn't dare move, letting Wendy do her healer thing.
"Aunt Wendy~" Lydia whined. "I'm fine, really. Just a little tired." She watched as Wendy released her, her body feeling a little lighter thanks to Wendy.
Wendy sighed. Noting Lydia only had mild exhaustion. "That's very well and good, but you were injured literally two and a half days ago, Lydia. You were electrocuted! You cannot expect to immediately bounce back! Your scars aren't even gone yet!" She exclaimed before finally sitting down heavily on the side of the bed.
Lydia looked down to her arms, still covered in patches to get rid of the scarring. Luckily, the scarring receded down to the middle of her biceps and to her wrists. Her chest and shoulders no longer scarred. She knew she was pushing herself. But she was strong. She always bounced back from any illness quickly when she was younger, amazing her parents and brother. They didn't know why she recovered so fast, but this didn't mean it was a problem. Lydia just must have of had a strong immune system. This injury was no different. "Aunt Wendy. You know how tough I am. How healthy I am. I always bounce back quickly from any illness."
"Yes. I know. You always have-"
"Then this time is no different. I will get through this injury. I will allow myself to heal. But I will not sit here in bed and let my body get used to not doing anything. We don't have that luxury at the moment." Lydia looked up and into Wendy's eyes. "I will pace myself, and with Lance's help, I will get through this. Faster than anyone." She said grinning. She watched a moment until Wendy finally gave in.
"Alright. After you eat, you will give yourself an hour break. Then, you may try moving again. But the earliest sign of exhaustion - you better lay down." Wendy said resolutely. "And I want this to be your last exercise for the day."
Lydia nodded enthusiastically. "Okay!"
"Now, let me heal your arms and reapply the medicine patches."
Lucille woke up once more. She must have fallen asleep after she cried in Wendy's arms. She sat up slowly and rubbed her eyes. She felt her body and she actually felt..at peace. Like a weight had been lifted off of her. She hadn't realized how much stress she was putting on herself. With the whole mate thing and the stress of knowing someone wanted her for some prophecy? No wonder she finally just caved. She felt better after letting herself cry it out, as well as releasing the burden of that elixir. And she couldn't forget the exhaustion from trying to gain her Stardress. Sighing in content, she glanced out the window to the left of her bed and saw the rays of sunset beginning. She must have slept at least three hours since Wendy had come. She heard a low rumble and gripped her stomach. Come to think of it, she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. But she was hesitant to try and stand up. As she debated on what to do, the door opened and saw a mess of blue hair and dark blue eyes peak in.
"Hey Ray." Lucille smiled brightly. She saw his head bob up being startled and then he opened the door all the way.
"Hey...um..I didn't wake you did I?" Ray said sheepishly.
Lucille just shook her head. "No, I woke up several minutes ago." She said as he walked in grabbing a chair and bringing it to the side of her bed. But before all of that, she smelled something delicious. Her stomach growled in anticipation. She gasped and covered her stomach. She watched as Ray laughed and sat down.
"I take it you must be starving. I grabbed you some roast beef with carrots and green beans." Ray placed the bag of food on the bed. "Oh, and of course I didn't forget a dinner roll." He said and winked. He knew Lucille loved her bread. If she could, he knew she'd eat bread and nothing but bread for any meal.
Lucille's mouth began to water. Her eyes glistened as she watched him begin prepping her food. "You are the best! I am starving!" She watched him chuckle and mumble an 'I know I am' and then he placed the plate of food on her lap. She didn't wait long before digging in, forgetting to eat like a proper lady. Table manners be damned, she was starving. She glanced at Ray from her peripheral vision and saw no judgement at her table manners. She was so thankful.
After eating the roast, carrots, and green beans, Lucille saved her roll for last and began to lightly munch on it. Her stomach finally calming down. Through her munching she thanked Ray. Ray smiled and shook his head as if saying this was the least he could do.
After swallowing a bite, Lucille mentioned what Wendy had told her earlier. "I heard you weren't very nice to Wendy." She said giving him a teasing smirk. But what she got was a horrified Ray who hung his head in shame. She put down her roll and panicked. "Ah! I didn't mean that to make you feel bad! I was teasing!"
Ray just shook his head and sighed. "But that's just it Lucille, I was. I was the one who called for her..yet I wouldn't let her get near you? How is that right?" He said softly as he looked up at Lucille with guilt.
Lucille placed her plate to the side as she let her legs dangle over the edge the bed. She reached out and pulled Ray into a hug. He melted in her arms, snuggling his head into the crook of her neck and she began soothingly rubbing his back. "Wendy said you probably were freaking out from the emotions of us finally coming to terms with being mates. That you just panicked. It's completely rational that you lose control when you witnessed me passing out on you." She felt Ray nod, but he didn't say or do anything more than that.
Lucille knew that Ray was just like his mother in being emotional sometimes. Especially when feeling regret and sadness. She looked out the window and was surprised to see no storm clouds. So she figured he must understand but that he was just disappointed in himself. "Don't worry, Ray. Wendy is the one who knows what she is getting into. So, in a way, it's better that it was her and not someone else." She said as she pushed him back so he could see her grin.
Ray blinked at her and finally gave her a bashful smile. He sighed as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Thanks." He glanced her over and asked, "How do you feel?"
Lucille pulled away and stretched her arms above her head. "I feel better."
Ray sighed. "And..about the mate bond..?" He asked hesitantly.
Lucille's eyes widened. That was what he was referring to. He must think that after passing out, she'd claim 'she didn't mean it.' Like after their time spent in the closet during seven minutes in heaven. She quickly grabbed his hand with both of hers. Odd, she never realized how big his hands were compared to hers. Then again, ever since she finally accepted the bond, she became more aware of everything about Ray. She squeezed his hand. "I still accept it. Us. I'm not running away from us. I promise." She said as she gazed into his eyes.
Ray's heart thumped loudly at Lucille's confident tone, the look in her eyes. He looked down to her hands gripping his like a life line, and he smiled. His body sagged a bit as he finally let himself relax. He closed his eyes and leaned down to press his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her natural scent of fresh rain and lavender. He pulled his hand out of her grasp and wrapped both his arms around her waist loosely. He felt her place her hands on his back, pulling him slightly closer to herself. "I'm glad." He breathed out. "I'm glad you aren't going to run." He felt her grip on his back tighten. He glanced up at her and smiled warmly before lifting his head to look directly at her, both of them still holding each other. "I promise, Lucille. I will protect you. Even if it costs me my life."
Lucille stilled, eyes wide. No, he shouldn't say that. Because if he did and their souls connected after they kissed, his declaration would be useless because she'd die along with him. She felt him touch her cheek softly, as if she were glass. She knew what was coming, and as he brought his face closer, she turned her head at the last second so he'd kiss her cheek.
Ray pulled away surprised. He gave her a look of confusion to which she merely blushed and closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry! I..I...this is new to me so..I'm nervous.." Which wasn't a total lie. Lucille opened her eye and saw Ray just smile. As if Lucille were the cutest thing in the world. She watched him place both hands on her cheeks and kissed her forehead.
"It's alright. We can go at your pace. I won't make you do anything you don't want to." Ray breathed out, causing Lucille to shiver. He kissed her forehead again, lingering his lips there for a few more seconds before pulling away. "Just tell me if you don't like something. Okay?" He said giving her a cheerful smile.
Ray's smile pulled at her heartstrings. She was so lucky to have a mate whom was so considerate. But that just made it all the more harder for Lucille. She nodded while silently apologizing to Ray in her mind. She couldn't let their souls fully connect. Not until this battle was over and they came out of this together. Once it was over, she'd give him the best kiss of his life and allow them to be full mates. For as long as Ray still felt he'd die for her, she couldn't kiss him. She couldn't let his vow be in vain. Because if she allowed them to be connected, his vow would end them both.
I know it's short but the next chapter will be where things heat up! Sorry that I cockblocked them..lol. But there is a legitimate reason why I have to. You'll see. ^_~