I sat for a rest and sighed. Autumn sat next to me and leaned in. “Are you ok Nells? I know that this has been information overload for you and I worry.”
“
I am starting to remember things I was taught and learned when I was younger. Even with the knowledge, it still makes it hard to swallow the situation.”
“
Sam and I are here for you unconditionally. We love you so much. I never dreamed this would ever happen, but the five of us have each other. That is a blessing at least,” Autumn said sincerely.
I just smiled and gave her a hug in appreciation. I never imagined I would be this person. Every scenario I ever thought up didn’t include anything near this. She was right that I should be thankful we are all in this together. I was about to say so when she leaned in and whispered to me.
“
What is the situation with Boone and Jared? You look all squirmy when you three are together. Things seem like they are getting more complicated.”
I frowned, wishing it wasn’t so obvious. “I don’t know how I got myself into this. I can’t choose. I need them both.”
“
Well, it seems like you have an eternity to figure it out now. That’s a lot of time.”
“
That’s exactly why I can’t choose. Maybe the best thing would be to leave it alone and steer clear of them both. I don’t want to ruin their friendship, especially for an eternity. We need them both now that the tables have turned,” I said grimly.
Autumn just wrapped her arms around me in comfort and I sank into her embrace, comforted. “Honey, neither of them will let you go like that. This is a fight for you that will finish in a win. You would do good to remember that when making your decision.”
Me, Autumn and Sam all sat in a circle now as the guys took a walk. I was nervous to think about what they could possibly be talking about but returned my attention to the conversation at hand.
“
Okay Noel, I want to hear about these sexy dreams I have been hearing about,” Sam said.
“
There are several, what do you want to know?”
“
Which one was the sexiest?”
“
That would be the dream where Jared and I made love under the night sky next to red and silver tulips. I still don’t know if it was real or a dream. He was real that night and we left the bar together. It was all very fuzzy after that.”
I thought back to my dreams and another one cropped up. “There was also this dream where we were in a cottage. Candles were lit everywhere and there were petals in the bathtub. I had on a sexy silk dress that I let slip to the floor. Jared was on me in an instant, but then the dream faded once more.”
Sam was completely intrigued. “Which dream did you have that was absolutely the worst one?”
Autumn and I met each other’s eyes with sadness. She nodded the go ahead to tell Sam so I mentally prepared myself. I grasped both of Sam’s hands and looked her in the eyes.
“
Are you sure you want to hear this? It was pretty awful.”
“
I am positive. It couldn’t be that bad,” Sam replied.
“
Don’t be so sure,” I warned. Against my better judgment I continued.
“
I had a dream that I murdered Autumn. Then I was chased by a horde of angry little Ferrell goblins. Augustine was there and he blamed me for her death. It was truly awful.”
“
That is really scary. I can’t believe you had that nightmare. It would freak me out too. Thank goodness it wasn’t real and Autumn is okay.”
“
I couldn’t agree more,” I commented.
When it had finally been a respectable amount of time, Sam spoke up.
“
Seventeen hours left, let’s convene in Autumn’s room for a while. We have at least seven hours to kill. Later we could probably sleep and meet up just before the transfer. It will take a large amount of energy and we will need the rest. I doubt they will bother us if we are sleeping, at least I hope.”
We stood up and filed into a line through Elysium toward the black wrought iron gate we entered through. Not wanting to cross Persephone again, we hurried through the dinner room and slung the door to the room of doors open.
“
Remember, no looking at the Lampades. Just walk straight to the door across from us,” I warned.
I felt Jared and Boone watching me intently and I squirmed under their gazes. They were silently pleading for me to make my choice and I just couldn’t seem to make it. Boone brought up the rear and I was quiet. There was so much tension, it crackled between them. Boone brings up the rear and he and Jared follow us silently. There is so much tension, it crackles between them. I am silent the whole way back to our rooms.
I knew we really needed to reconvene in Autumn’s room to fix Wren’s stupid abilities, but I dreaded it none the less.
Jared and Boone were noticeably far from happy at this point. I was pretty sure it was obvious to all of us and I was ashamed that I caused such a rift in their friendship.
I was still on high alert until we all made it safely into Autumn’s room. Everyone seemed to slightly un-tense as well and we looked to Autumn.
“
What can we do,” I asked her.
“
Not much, but you can watch if you want. It will be a little harder without earth magic to complete. The good news is that restoring is easier than stripping powers,” she replied.
We all crossed the room and made ourselves comfortable on the bed. Unfortunately I ended up smack in the middle of Jared and Boone. Things were becoming more uncomfortable with every passing minute.
All of the supplies were sitting atop of her dresser and she pulled them down to the floor to begin her spell. She picked up the doll and intertwined it with ivy and a piece of Wren’s hair. The hair is needed to restore the powers and it was unfortunate that Persephone didn’t forget anything for the spell.
Autumn lit her candle and then poked her finger and brought blood to the surface before dripping it on the doll. She spoke words to unweave the spell and then poured some candle wax on the doll.
The flame flickered out and Autumn placed them back on the dresser. “Damn, I really didn’t want to do that. I have no doubt she will be swift with her payback. Boone, you know her best. Do you have any ideas of what she will do?”
“
She has great capabilities and her options are endless. I agree. She won’t waste any time though. I would expect retribution anytime.”
As if Wren sensed us in conversation about her, she struck. Water began to fill the room and we struggled to stay above the water. I felt something bump against my leg and looked down to see a shark in the water. I let out a shriek and the guys were at my side instantly.
The water levels continued to increase and I was treading water to keep afloat and away from the shark. Boone reached me and put his hands on my shoulders.
“
This is just an illusion, nothing can really harm you. Focus on seeing past the shark and the water. Once you see the true form of the room, it will break the spell and you will no longer be afraid.”
“
Thanks, but this is harder done than said. I am trying,” I replied.
As soon as the words left my mouth, I understood. I focused on my surroundings and closed my eyes. I pictured Autumns’ soft bed and remembered that I was stationed on it. The visuals began to melt away and reality came back.
Once everyone was back and out of Wren’s nightmare, I addressed Autumn. “Are you okay? I didn’t expect her to strike so soon.”
“
I would feel better if everyone would just go into Noel’s room for a few hours,” she replied addressing all of us.
Sam looked like she was ready to protest, but it was clear Autumn wouldn’t back down. Sam sighed and gave her a slight nod before herding us all out the door and into the hallway.
It was quiet as we walked down the hall towards my room. When we reached it, I slid it open and we all stepped inside. Instantly my cheeks colored. Sitting in a pile on the floor was the racy corset and panties I previously had on.
I hurried and kicked them under the bed before the guys were reminded of Boone and me together. I looked up and it was clear that Boone remembered every second of it. A look of anger crossed Jared’s features and he looked away.
I was grateful when Sam broke the silence. Then I heard what she has to say and I winced. “Okay, I can’t stand the hate looks you two are putting out at each other. We are going to address this right now.”
We all looked at her in astonishment, too shocked to reply.
“
This is what I propose. Each one of you gets one hour with her, and then I do. After time is up, Noel will let us know what she decides.”
“
I can’t decide eternity that fast sis,” I tried to reason with her.
“
Bullshit Noel. We have these fifteen hours of time to wait, let’s use them wisely.”
It was obvious to the three of us that there was no arguing with her. Resigned, Jared spoke up first. “Fine, but I want to go first.”
“
Fine, Boone and I can talk in my room. Then I will intercept when your hour is up. Let’s go Boone,” Samara said sternly. She shoved him forward and slammed the door behind her, leaving a deafening silence.
Jared had one hour to plead his case to me. Before I had a chance to say anything, Jared’s hands wrap themselves around the back of my neck. His lips parted and searched mine for all that passion we so often sparked in our dreams.
Once the apprehension settled, I moved into the kiss. Being only the second time in real life, it was scorching hot. By the time he pulled away, I was having trouble focusing straight.
Looking up into his eyes, I could see the hurt and desire there. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath before facing him again.
“
You are literally the man of my dreams. I never meant for whatever this whole thing is to happen. I wish I knew you better. I just get pieces of you in between dreams.”
Instead of responding, he picked me up, holding me in his arms. Then he sat me on the bed. I was wondering where this was going, but he just slid my shoes off.
Then he took his own off and came around to the other side of the bed. He lay upside down from the pillows and placed his feet up on the wall.
He turned his head and smiled. “Your turn, but scoot a little closer to me.
Confused, I did as he asked. I could feel his flesh brushing against mine and it made the hair on my arms stand up. Trying to tamp down the naughty thoughts, I turned my own head. When I did, his face was only inches from mine, but he didn’t kiss me.
Jared just gazed into my eyes as if searching for something. I couldn’t take it anymore and I spoke, breaking the spell.
“
What exactly are we doing?”
“
We are talking now. What do you want to know about me Noel?”
I smiled. “Where are you from? Do you have any siblings? How did you get involved in all of this?”
“
Well, let’s see. I am from here and there, just not hell,” he joked. “I have no siblings and my parents were part of PLI. They were killed for wanting out.”
“
Oh, I didn’t know. I am so sorry,” I replied in a somber tone.
“
Okay, here is my question for you. What is your favorite color? What is your favorite movie?”
I laughed and answered his easy questions. “My favorite color is red. The movie I love the most is “Just Married”. It is hilarious.”
“
What is your favorite color?” I prodded.
“
Grey is my favorite. It is a symbol for all the grey areas in life. It is a neutral color; it is also good and bad as well as light and dark.”
“
Very insightful and deep, but I have one more question for you that I need to know. Why do you want me?” I asked.
He took a deep breath and then answered carefully. “I want you because you call out to my soul. We can both enter dreams. Both of us are made for each other. It doesn’t hurt that you are very sexy and incredibly beautiful either.”
It took me a second to digest his answer. He wanted me for our similarities in life. He was attracted to me as well. Okay, I would file that away for my decision later.
Assuming I was done with the questions, he pulled me on top of him and reached up for a kiss. I settled into it, searching for our spark. I found it dimly lit inside and it gave me pause. It was so much stronger at one point.
I tried to kill all thoughts of Boone and focus. Content with me spread on top of him, he slid his hands down my back. They run down my spine and don’t stop until they are settled at the base of my short shorts.
Making sure he got every second of his hours’ worth with me, I sank into him further and let out a small sound of pleasure as he left my lips. He started nibbling at the lobe of my ear and then moved down my neck and over my collarbone.
He skimmed his hands under my sequined tank top and slips his hands under the lacy fabric of my bra. I gasped in surprise as he joined his lips to where his hands lay. I was sensitive and my breathing increased.