Part LXVII

Tranquil, calmness and peace dominates the ambiance surrounding us as I stay cuddled up in Sean's arms while we sit on the soft cushion, watching the sun set gracefully. If only I could freeze time, I'd freeze us right here right now but here we are, relishing the transient quiet of today.

I've come to form a bond with Sean, one that I didn't think we'd ever have. He's my peace, he makes whatever I'm going through disperse in thin air once I see him, he's my home and sometimes it leaves me wondering what I really want.

A long term answer to that question is something I don't even want to think about but a short term answer is pretty easy. I want peace, genuine peace and happiness. One where you don't feel guilty from laughing too much or smiling and looking good without feeling bad deep down.

"The ritual," Sean breaks the comfortable silence after a few minutes, "it has to take place."

"Fortification." I state and I feel his jaw as he nods his head on mine.

"How did you know that?" He asks sounding a little bit surprised.

"Zara." I respond smiling, missing her a little.

"I see she taught you a few at least." He says with a little bit of anger in his tone.

"It was completely my fault,' I say knowing he's still very much angry at her, "don't blame her."

"She was too careless." He retaliates.

"I was too careless,' I turn to look at his face, "I let my anger get the better of me.'

"I was so scared," he places his forehead on mine, "I thought I had lost you."

"I was even more afraid, I thought I wouldn't see you again."

He looks into my eyes for a few seconds and I find myself drowning in his beautiful black eyes, reluctant to look away.

Slowly his eyes start to close as he brings his lips closer to mine and at the same time, mine closes too and I kiss him, not giving my mind room to overthink. Nothing else matters right now, nothing else asides Sean and I.

My stomach spirals and fireworks explode in my head as our lips move slowly in sync, his hand finds my waist and brings me even closer to his chest while my fingers tangle in his hair and around his neck. His soft lips move against mine and I savour the sweet taste of mint mixed with caffeine and a tinge of alcohol, my pant already feeling a little wet between me.

He bites my lower lip softly which I smile at and pulls back placing his forehead gently on mine and smiling.

"We shouldn't go any further." He breathes out and I frown a little.

"Why?"

"Trust me, it has nothing to do with you," he takes my hand and intertwines it with his, "I just want us to take it slowly."

"I think we're slow enough." I complain and rest my head back on his chest.

"I know." He sighs and I somewhat feel a little guilt knowing it's kinda my fault we aren't sexual engaged in any way.

"I forgot to ask," I say playing with his fingers in mine, "how was the war?"

"We lost but a few men," he responds after a few seconds delay, "it was a triumphant one."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Yeah."

"And Zara?" I ask feeling really concerned.

"What about her?"

"Did you punish her?"

"That doesn't matter anymore now, does it?." He answers.

"For me, yes."

"Well," he sighs and runs his hand through his hair, "I didn't. I knew you wouldn't like it so I spared her."

"Thank you." I say and he kisses the back of my head, bringing me even closer to his body if that's possible.

We sit in silence and I let my mind wander around for a bit towards the beginning of everything. Dylan and Jake tried to kill me so desperately like their lives depended on it. It actually did, Dylan's life literally depended on it and now that they're both dead, am I truly free from whatever bound me to them?

Sean once told me he made me kill Dylan for a reason, a reason he wouldn't tell me even in his sleep and now I'm here with the 'Queen' title attached to me like a tail. My hair turned black, Sean's parents were omitted from history and I was kidnapped and tortured by a psychotic woman I never got to see but seems to have a connection with Sean.

All these happened and more and I made a promise to myself to find everything out. I'll make sure that until that promise is fulfilled, I wouldn't lose my life. I'll stay alive and powerful till I upturn every single stone.

Every single one of them.

"It's tomorrow." He announces out of the blue.

"Huh?" I ask confused

"The ritual." He says and I sigh, trying to keep my nervousness in check.

"What does it entail?" I ask again.

"You'll see." He smirks.

"Zara said I'm the first human to undergo the ritual," i decide to speak up my fear, "what do you think would happen?'.

"Well," he sighs again, "that's the scary part. We have absolutely no idea what would happen since you're human without any embedded powers."

I stay quiet, a little bit scared of what to expect. This is all just overwhelming but I'm sure I'd overcome, I always do.

"You'll be fine." He assures me and squeezes my hand is his which I respond with a little smile. I know I will.

After the ritual, I'll read every book I see, gather every information and find out everything I can. I'll get to the root of everything and possibly, my life could go back to how it was before this whole thing started.