“Can you open your eyes for me?”
“Too bright.”, I tell him again.
“Shit. Ok, hold on.”, he says. I hear him shuffle across the room and then he says, “Alright sweetheart, try now.”
I do and I am finally able to open my eyes. When I look at Jaymes, the first thing I notice is the scruff on his jaw and then I see his steel-grey eyes. They are watery with tears. I try to sit up. He grabs me to help and then fluffs the pillows behind me so I can lean on the headboard.
“How are you feeling?”, he asks.
“Like I just slept for two weeks”, I joke. “I could use some water though.”
He gets up and runs to the bathroom, returning with a glass of water. “Take it easy. You don’t want to choke.”, he orders.
I take the glass gratefully and take a few sips. When I know I can handle it, I gulp down the whole glass. “Jaymeson? Why do I smell tacos?”
“Really, your first thought is about tacos? You’ve been out for two weeks and you ask me about tacos. Marcus forced Bentley and Trent out of the house and sent them on an errand for tacos.”, He explains.
“Please tell me there are some left.”, I say. “I’m starved.”, I whined.
“I’ll go check. The guys will want to know you’re awake anyway.”
“And Ash? Is he ok?”
“He’s still out cold. Let’s get some food in you and then I’ll take you to see him ok.”
I nod as he leaves the room. A few minutes later the door opens and I’m tackled back on the bed by Kalan, Trent and Maddie. Even Aldair jumps in. I’m laughing hysterically when Jaymeson walks in.
“Hell yeah! Puppy pile!”, he yells running over.
“No!”, I yell back pushing my way out from under the others. “If you ruin my tacos, I will kill you.”, I add.
“Alright, everybody up so Princess can eat.”, Bentley says carrying in a plate full of steamy goodness.
He walks over and places the tray in my lap. Not only did he bring me tacos but also a glass of ice water and orange juice. I dig in before anyone else can say anything. Once I empty the entire plate and the glasses, Bentley takes them away and sits the tray on top of my dresser. He comes back over and sits on the edge of the bed by my feet. Aldair sits on my left and Trent on my right up by the headboard. Both haven’t stopped touching me. It's like they have to feel for themselves that I’m still here. Jaymeson sits in the window looking at me and Maddie is in the chair beside the bed, the one Bentley pulled in here so he could be with me.
“How are you feeling, Princess?”, Bentley asks.
“Honestly, I’m good. A little sore from being stuck in this bed, but overall I’m ok.”, I tell him honestly.
“What do you remember?”, he asks.
“I remember all of it. Calista and her dad wanted to kill me. Calista said I was taking everything from her. Something about Senior wanting me alive but she couldn’t have that or she’d lose Asher and she should have my seat on the council. She was crazed.”
“That makes sense considering she had been spelled. Aldair removed the magic and we found out a little information. We haven’t been able to get close to Miles because Senior is representing him.”, Bentley says.
“I know. While I was unconscious, I could hear you guys. You stayed with me this whole time didn’t you?”, I ask him.
When he doesn’t respond, I don’t push him. I know this has been tough on him. He looks almost embarrassed. He talked to me for hours while I was out. Does it bother him to know I could hear every word? I want to reassure him but when I open my mouth all that comes out is,” I want to see Asher.”
Trent helps me to my feet. It takes me a minute to get my bearings and when I walk, I almost hit the floor. My legs are like noodles. Trent scoops me up into his arms and carries me out and down the hall. Trent opens the door and walks in. He carries me over to a chair.
“No. Put me on the bed.”, I tell him. He lifts me again and lays me beside Ash. “Has his mom and dad come?”
“His mom calls. Senior hasn’t even attempted to check on him. Marcus has the house spelled. No one but us, the king and queen, and Trent’s parents can enter the gate.” Jaymeson offers from his spot leaning on the wall.
“Good.”, I nod. “Has Asher responded to anything?”
“No. He hasn’t even moved. If it weren’t for his breathing, you’d think he was dead.”, Trent says.
I curl into Asher’s body and lay my hand on his chest where I can feel his heartbeat. He’s still so beautiful with his dark hair. He’s a little pale and I can see that he’s lost some of his muscle in the two weeks he’s been sleeping.
“Ash?”, I whisper. “Ash, please wake up. You’ve slept long enough.” When he doesn’t so much as move, I get an idea. “Maddie, will you go to tell Marcus to make me some sleepy tea?”
“Baby, you’ve been asleep for two weeks. Why do you want sleepy tea?”, Kalan asks confusedly.
“You’re going into his dreams aren’t you?”, Maddie asks.
“Yes, I am. Maybe if I go in, I can bring him out.”, I answer.
“Absolutely not.”, Kalan says with authority. “We still don’t know what, if any, residual effects the magic will have on you.”
“I don’t care, Kalan. I’m not leaving him in his own head. If there’s even a chance that I can pull him out, I intend to take it.”, I say back.
“Let her do this.”, Bentley says. “She can do it. I know she can.”
Maddie heads down for the tea and the guys argue about whether or not this is a good idea.
“Guys. Stop. I don’t need you here to do this and I damn sure don’t need your permission. I’m doing this whether you like it or not and none of you are staying in this room while I do.”
The guys break back out in argument, this time about how I can’t kick them out. Maddie comes back with the tea as well as Alita and Marcus.
“Boys. Boys. Control yourselves. I’ll stay with Reegan and make sure everything is ok. Marcus will stay as well. Now go, find something to occupy yourselves.”
The boys mope but they do leave. Marcus takes a seat in a chair and Alita brings over the tea. Before she gives it to me she asks, “Sweetie are you sure you want to do this?”
I nod. She hands me the tea and I drink it. I know it will take a few minutes to work so I lay my head down and stare at my grandfather.
“Are you ok, Little Bit? You gave us all quite a scare.”, Marcus says to me.
“Yeah, grandpa. I’m fine. I just want answers, but first, I want to get Asher and then figure everything else out. And no more running away from me grandpa.”
“I haven’t been running..”, he begins but when he sees the look on my face he shuts up and nods, “Ok. No more running. You come back out of this, you hear me.”
I nod and yawn, and within seconds I’m asleep. When I wake up in the dreamscape, I see the meadow but it's empty except for the orchids. With a swipe of my hand, I’m at my mountain. Asher isn’t here either. If he could dream of any place, where would it be? I search place after place and go in circles. The last place I try is the lake. When I port into existence there, it’s surrounded by blackness.