Everyone nodded in agreement. Tears were starting to come to my eyes now. Henry hugged Amelia tighter. Then Iris spoke up.
"Tonight we rest. We'll have several obstacles to overcome everyday. The marriage and unity of the soul mates newly found should have to be hurried along. The marriage bonds you together in a way that will deepen your magical capabilities and strengthen your powers. The stronger the bonds, the better our chances."
It seemed like she directed that more toward Jay, Ayla, Desmond and Ash than Tallis and me. I watched as Selesha tried to hurriedly wipe away some escaped tears discreetly. Everyone agreed with Iris by nodding.
Everyone broke up into small packs, everyone trying to their own devise a plan of action for the morning. Then little by little, they all dispersed. Iris approached me solemnly. "Thank you, Arisianna. I know how hard it was for you to tell us that. You saved many lives tonight, and made us aware of so much more. Now we have a better idea of what we're up against."
I felt the tears start to come out slowly. "I know how hard this was for you to hear, Grandma."
She reassuringly. "It was hard, my dear; however, it was certainly something I needed to know about. Just when I think I know everything there is, I learn so much more from someone so new to our world. You're so amazing, my child."
I smiled at her. Then Tallis spoke, making me smile even bigger. "She's the most amazing person I've ever known."
Iris's eyes watered as she turned her gaze to him. "Thank you, sweet boy, for keeping her safe. I could never tell you how happy I am that you were meant for her. I only hate that it took so long for our families to become united." She reached over and hugged him, surprising him a little, but he returned the embrace.
Jaslene walked as Tallis and Iris separated. "Well, if we are giving out hugs for keeping my baby safe, then I need to be in on this, too." She grabbed Tallis and roughly tugged him into a tight hug, earning a throaty chuckle from him.
Then Ash and Aster joined Jaslene in her embrace with Tallis. Jay and Gear walked up and shook Tallis's hand when the girls pried themselves away. Jay laughed as he said, "I think we'll stick to handshakes."
Tallis snickered while nodding. "That's perfectly fine by me."
Alvin walked up, doing well to rein back his tears. Tallis took a steadying breath as he stuck his hand out to be shook. Alvin grabbed Tallis up and hugged him in a big bear hug.
I don't think he knew how close I had come to dying the night before until I went into graphic detail. He also didn't know of all the times McKee and his family had put me in jeopardy. Had it not been for Tallis, I would have died so many times.
I don't think he truly appreciated all the times Tallis had saved my life until now. He let go of Tallis, then he wiped the tears from his eyes as he backed away. "Thank you, son. Honestly, I could never thank you enough for what you have done."
I smiled as Tallis blushed, looking uncomfortable with all the praise he was receiving. I reached over and grabbed his hand, ready to save him from the mounds of gratitude.
He looked back at me and smiled as Desmond approached Alvin. Desmond laughed as he stretched his arms wide. "What? I don't get any hugs?"
Ash elbowed him in the stomach, forcing a loud grunt to escape his lips. He rubbed the spot as if she had made it sore. I was impressed, considering Desmond felt like a solid sheet of steel. I guess Ash was a little tougher than I realized.
Alvin rolled his eyes at Desmond. "Keep Ash out of trouble, and we'll see about that hug."
Desmond just chuckled at that.
Chapter 19
The Start of a New Chapter
Every fantasy holds a thread of reality within.
Tallis lovingly stroked my back as the night tried to turn into morning. We'd been up for hours, all of us talking about anything except the pressing reality. We strayed from one conversation to the next, doing all we could to lighten the mood.
But sitting in Tallis's lap was doing a number on me. Every time his skin grazed mine, that undeniable fire sprung to life and tried to consume me. It was making it impossible to concentrate on anything else.
A thought came unbidden to my mind. Allaysia was an enforcer—someone who could bend someone else to do things. If I got strong enough, I could have power over Tallis...
Amelia giggled to herself when she felt what I felt—or what I was thinking, rather. Tallis shook his head at me in a playfully disapproving manner. "Only you would think of such things."
I shrugged unapologetically at him as I glared at Amelia for projecting my feelings—again. Amelia laughed mockingly as she said, "Hey, don't look at me like that. I can't control it. If I could, I would."
Tallis rolled his eyes as we separated from the group. He spoke quietly as he, Henry, Amelia, and I made our way outside. "Even if you could use the enforcer power, you wouldn't be able to use it on me," he said, laughing harder as we reached night air.
Henry chuckled, too, as he joined the conversation. "Oh. I get it now." Then he looked at Amelia and spoke playfully. "You're going to have to include me in on these private conversations. I don't like being out of the loop."
I frowned at that. I wanted my thoughts to stay private. The last thing I needed was for another person to know it all.