Her mother smacks her up the back of the head, making Amara growl at her. “Amara was up most of the night, harvesting the garden for you,” Imogen chuckles.
Ryland holds out his hand to put them away. He takes the bag from Amara, but as she puts the herbs in his hand, she tenses, jumps back, and her eyes glaze over. Her eyes dart to me, then back to Ryland, and I can clearly see the fear displayed in her eyes.
“Amara, what’s wrong?” Imogen asks.
Ryland watches Amara when she suddenly grabs hold of both his wrists, her eyes turn white, and she gasps again. Her eyes keep moving like she is watching something. It is the eeriest sight to witness. “You can’t let them do it,” Amara gasps. Her eyes look frantically between us.
“What?” Ryland asks, looking at me.
“Promise you won’t let them do it.” Amara demands, her voice is almost frantic.
“What are you talking about, Amara?” Ryland asks.
“Thaddeus, he will end the world if she dies. It will doom us all,” she gasps and her eyes roll into the back of her head. Blood starts running from her nose as Amara suddenly passes out.
Ryland grabs her in time just as she is about to hit the floor. Imogen looks lost, staring into space, while my heart is pounding so hard that I am struggling to breathe. I can feel a panic attack coming on, the room pulsates around me, and my vision begins to blur. What does she mean?
What did she see?
E
velyn
Ryland moves Amara to the couch, placing her down gently just as Thaddeus walks back in with Orion. Imogen, Ryland, and I look at Thaddeus and my heart skips a beat as I remember Amara’s words.
Thaddeus notices his sister on the couch and rushes over. “What happened?” he asks, looking at his mother.
Imogen stares at her son with fearful eyes, her eyes darting to me, but Ryland is the one that answers. “Nothing happened; she just passed out,” he says.
I can tell Thaddeus knows he is lying. “What did she see?” he demands, looking at me, but I have gone completely mute; I can’t even form a word. How can one person destroy the world?
Amara groans and her hand goes to her head like she has a bad headache. Her eyes are back to normal as they flicker to everyone staring at her. “What, brother? I just passed out. I am alright,” she says.
“What did you see?” he asks again, but this time to her.
“Nothing you need to know. Things change; they will change,” she says as her eyes dart to Ryland, who looks away, and then, at me.
Imogen looks lost for words. Exactly what do you say when the entire world rests on your son’s shoulders and your daughter’s visions?
“Well, we should be off. Make sure you use the herbs; they will help. The wards are set; everything is fine; just fine,” Imogen says, her eyes not leaving Amara.
I can tell she is desperate to get out of here. I have no idea why they won’t tell Thaddeus, but figure it can change the events of what Amara saw, what Amara warned Ryland about.
Thaddeus is about to protest when suddenly I blink, and they are gone; Amara must have misted out of here.
Thaddeus stares at the space where his mother and sister were before his eyes go to Ryland. “Tell me.”
“You know I can’t do that; Amara said things will change. I tell you, you will alter the future again, and maybe not in a good way.”
Thaddeus breathes loudly, clearly not happy about being left out of the loop. Orion takes the herbs from Ryland and walks off into the kitchen. I look to the stairs, the shower is calling my name.
Thaddeus, noticing me looking at them, steps forward, his arms out. I reach mine up, and he picks me up awkwardly as I wrap my legs around his waist. My belly is making all my weight lean onto his arms, but he doesn’t seem to mind as he carries me up the stairs effortlessly.
Then, he carries me into the bedroom and places me on my feet. I don’t say a word as I walk to the bathroom and turn on the shower.
Thaddeus leans in the doorway, watching me. “Will you tell me?” he asks, and my mind goes to Ryland telling me things could change with Thaddeus knowing.
I shake my head. I don’t want to be the one responsible for making things worse. Just thinking about it is making my heart race with fear.
Thaddeus steps forward, and my heart skips a beat. “Why are you scared of me?” he asks.
I’m not scared of him, just what he is apparently capable of. “I’m not,” I tell him, holding my hand out for him.
He grabs it, steps forward, and wraps an arm around me, rubbing my belly. “What are we going to name her?” he asks.
I have no idea; no names are coming to mind at all. I actually thought it would be a boy, so now I am completely blank on names.
I shrug, not knowing, and slowly pull my shirt off. Thaddeus drops down, helping me pull my leggings down while I hang onto his shoulder. I can’t even see his head underneath my belly but feel him press his lips to it as sparks rush over my skin.
He stands up, and I tug on his shirt, wanting him to shower with me. He complies, pulling it off, and I trace my fingers down his abs to the waistband of his jeans. Then, I turn away and step into the shower.
Thaddeus steps in behind me and adjusts the shower head, which is level with his neck, pushing it up higher and turning the other one on. Thaddeus dips his face under the water and looks down at me. “I love you,” he whispers.
My heart squeezes at his words, and I rest my head on his chest. “I love you too,” I tell him.