Page 36 of Wind and Water
She dashes away the tears. “I stood up, and while I felt afraid, I also felt like I could save them. I prayed that they’d be safe on shore. The wave that pulled them under pushed them to the surface, along with the lifeguard who’d swum out to get them. A few seconds later, the wave deposited all three in shallow water.
“I ran to help Maggie pull them to safety. I never told any of them or even Momma, and for a while, I told myself it wasn’t me.” She blushes. “But I always knew I had somehow pushed the water to do what I wanted.”
My mind is working fast. “Wind and water are powerful elements, Wren. Your control needs work, but I wonder if you couldn’t keep the shadow demons at bay with the wind. At least long enough for us to get into the tower.”
Eyes wide and mouth agape, she looks terrified. “What if I can’t? I’ve never done magic on purpose.”
Honesty is always best. “Then I’ll be turned into a shadow demon, and the centaurs will likely be dropped from a height that will kill them.”
“No. You can’t expect me to risk that. I don’t know how to make the wind. It comes when I'm afraid that something bad is happening. It comes when I pray for a better outcome.” She grips my hands and pleads as if I’m holding a sword to her heart.
Leaning in, I press a gentle kiss to her lips. “I’ll not force you to do anything, sweetheart. It’s an idea that might work, but if you don’t want to try, we’ll find another way.” I kiss her hair. “Prayer is like making a magic spell.”
“Not for humans. Prayer for humans is to ask god to help or for giving thanks.” She curls into my lap and leans her head on my chest.
Holding her like this is more than I have ever asked for. “Do most humans have the response of the elements that you do when they pray?”
“I don’t think so.” After a long pause, she says, “If I hadn’t been there that day at Gulf Shores, I believe Dana and Julie would have died.” There’s embarrassment in her tone.
“You saved them, and that’s all that matters. These gifts you were given are not arbitrary. You were meant to save them, just as you’re meant to save Domhan.” I rub her back in a wide circle, and she relaxes.
“That feels nice, Liam. Being here with you, like this, feels right. I just need my Momma to be safe before I’m willing to go further with this quest of yours.”
Kissing her again, I whisper. “I know. I understand. We’ll find a way.”
With a sigh, she snuggles closer. “What is the other thing you want to talk about?”
I should have left that for another day. “The dream. My being in your dream or you taking me into your dream means something to my people.”
“That we were fated to find each other?” She says it casually, as if she doesn’t believe it.
I wrap my other arm around her bent knees and hold her tight. “My parents are true mates. They knew the moment they saw each other that they would always be together. They were only eight at the time, so there was a long friendship before itturned into romantic love. They can speak to each other with their minds. They know if the other is safe when they are apart. It’s very intimate.”
“I imagine it is.” Her skin warms under my fingers.
I wish it were light so I could see the pink of her blush. I’ve become a fool and a poet in a few weeks of knowing this woman. “Being inside your dream was very personal, don’t you think?”
“Yes. I heard your heart beating and the warmth of your skin. It was as if we were one person with two minds. It should have been awkward and uncomfortable. I should have felt intruded upon or even violated, but it was as if I had come home after a long journey.” She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek.
“It was the same for me. Only…”
Leaning back, she looks me in the eyes. “Only what?”
“I don’t see the future the way you do. How does this thing between us not result in broken hearts?” Mine is already feeling more than it ever has in my entire life.
“I have no idea.” She yawns. “My dreams haven’t shown me that.”
Could she look that far ahead while asleep? Can she direct her premonitions, or are they only what the gods wish to show her? Too many questions and no answers. “We should try to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long, wet day.”
Chapter Nine
Wren
Once again on Jadar’s back, this time with a soft blanket between me and the centaur, I’m far more comfortable, but I wish there were a saddle. I can understand the strangeness of saddling a centaur.
My random thoughts continue as I busy my mind rather than think about what I can or cannot do to help save Momma.
“You should not worry so much.” Jadar gallops through the shallow water.
