Nolan's Evolution (3 page)

              Raina felt jealous that he would be seeing Nolan. She knew she wasn’t allowed to go. She’d promised Nolan she would stay far away. She would keep to that promise, knowing it would make him happy.

              They walked along the sidewalk in comfortable silence.

              “You want to go horseback riding tomorrow?”

              Raina laughed. “What?” His question was so random.

              He shrugged. “Maybe I’m missing my roots a little. I wouldn’t mind testing the saddle again.” His green eyes danced.

              She smiled up at him. “Okay…if you wear your hat.”

              He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders for a quick squeeze. “I will wear it for you,” he promised.

              Her blue eyes lit with merriment, even as they filled with tears. “Then I’d love to go.” She wiped her tears with the backs of her hands.

              They were walking up the drive, when something caught Raina’s attention.

              “A package!” she said with surprise, seeing a box setting there.  She hurried her step, and frowned when Thanatos moved her aside, examining it.

              "It’s just a delivery," Raina laughed. She slapped at his hands and picked it up, ignoring his frown. "Don't worry over everything Thanatos...I will be fine.  I appreciate your concern." She reached for Turks leash.

              He looked uncertain as to what he should do.

              “It’s just a package,” she laughed at him.

              He shrugged. “Who is it from?”

              She glanced down and shrugged, and then her eyes lifted back to his. “Thank you for the walk and the news about the interview was exactly what I needed.”

              “No problem,” he said softly, still looking with concern at her tear streaked face.

              "Go to work," she assured him. "I will see you tomorrow."

              His brows lifted, and then he nodded. "Early," he agreed.

              She tugged on Turks leash, and balanced the box in her hand. “It’s been awhile since I rode…but I won’t embarrass you,” she promised.

              “Not possible,” he teased. "Call me if you need me."

              "I will," she agreed.

              He gave her a nod, and then headed toward his truck.

              She watched him leaving, blushing when he glanced over his shoulder and caught her. The devilish smile he gave her made her cheeks flush deeper.

Raina pushed her way into the house with her box and her rowdy dog. She carefully carried the box to the counter, and unhooked Turk.

There was always an excitement about getting a package...especially when you hadn't ordered a thing. The box was long and skinny. The name on the return address looked like it could be a florists stamp, but she didn't recognize the name.

              She opened the tape stays with a knife, and pulled back the flaps. Her breath caught. She couldn't help her little laugh of delight. A perfect bunch of tulips...a dozen and all purple, peaked up at her. "My favorite color," she whispered. She pulled them out, holding them tenderly. They were beautiful.  The ribbon tying them was also purple, and there was a silver clip holding the ribbon tied. She ran her finger over it, and smiled. It was tiny silver...alligator. She sucked in a breath and smiled. She had no doubt who had sent her these.

              She opened the card that was attached to the clip. All it read was, "Aelan." She smiled, holding it to her heart. She let the tears fog her vision, and then gave a tiny laugh of delight. She hurried to get a vase to put them in water, set them on her table, and sat back just to admire them.

              Raina drew in a breath, not knowing whether to laugh or keep on crying. Why had he sent them? Why now after all these months, did he contact her this way? She was just happy to have this much from him...and she'd take all she could get.

              Her mind flashed back to that last kiss…the last goodbye. It had been the worst and best moment of her life. She clung to that memory though…it reminded her, as she envisioned the tears in his own eyes, that he loved her too. That could not, would not change with time!

              Maybe if Our Sovereignty sentenced Richard, they would be free to be together again! She felt her stomach somersault at this, then plunge deep. Even if he were out of the picture…Nolan was bestowed to Elenora, and to break his contract would mean death. How she wished Jonathan had been able to write a clause to cover that.

              Her heart ached, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. Her fingers touched the delicate petals of the flowers, and she wanted to weep.

              Now more than ever she wanted to break her vow, and call him to thank him…text him, anything! He needed to know she appreciated the gesture.  How?

              She drew in a breath, and then laughed. “Thanatos!”

She smiled, picking up her phone, texting,
tell him purple is my favorite color.

             
She waited for his response, to the text, and giggled when it came.

             
WTH are you talking about???

              Please…just do it!

              Whatever you crazy little mortal!

              She laughed, tossing her phone aside. She’d have a reason to smile all day now!

Chapter 2 Resignation

Nolan watched Thanatos get off the elevator. He felt a bit of resentment at the peace on his friends face. He always looked like that after a bit of time with Raina. He forced a smile when the green eyed devil popped into his office.

He tried to hide his jealousy. It just didn't seem fair something that he wanted so badly, could be had by another. He had to stop these thoughts. It wasn't right. He would just have to get used to it. Besides, he hadn't exactly been without Raina. As long as he was within her vicinity he would find a way to see her. But he would never admit that to Thanatos. Let them think he was suffering.

              “Hey,” Nolan greeted.

              Thanatos nodded but didn't offer any words of greeting. He wasn't sure if he should actually bring up Raina. He wondered if this was a good day for Nolan. He'd seen him at his best and at his worse lately. Even at his best, he wasn't a hundred percent. The green eyes assessed.

“Everything okay?” The grey eyes filled with concern. He was thinking of Raina, but he wouldn’t say her name. He wasn't going to say her name.

“Yeah, fine…she’s fine.” He didn’t need to ask what Nolan meant by his question. His brow knit though, and he set his hands on his hips, drawing in a breath.

"What? Thanatos, what's up? I honestly don't have time to mess around today." The silver eyes rolled. "Get on with it."

Thanatos grimaced. He hoped he didn’t piss Nolan off, but he’d promised Raina. “Well, since you've opened that door…." He gave a slight shrug." I’m supposed to tell you purple is her favorite color.”

              Nolan’s mouth pulled up on one side. He got a little bit of a far-off look in his eyes. He couldn't help it; couldn’t help the little flip in his tummy. "Oh really?" He bit the inside of his cheek. “I knew that.” He felt a rush of adrenaline, even if her words came from Thanatos mouth.

              Thanatos brow furrowed. “You seriously understand that message?”

              Nolan sheepishly nodded.

              “How do you?” He shook his head. “Well, what the hell does it mean?”

Nolan frowned, more at himself than at Thanatos. “I sent her flowers…purple.”

              Thanatos rolled his eyes. “You sent the package. Got it!”

              Nolan shrugged.

              “You know it’s not fair doing that?” Thanatos leaned against the door jam, and crossed his arms.

              “I had to,” Nolan sighed. “I was compelled to when I saw them. I hope I didn’t hurt her…”

              “I mean it’s not fair for either of you,” Thanatos interrupted. He shook his head.

              “What am I supposed to do?” Nolan growled. “I have tried everything not to think about her. Everything, in one way or another, reminds me of Raina.” He rushed a hand through his hair in irritation. He was annoyed at his own weakness. He felt annoyed that Thanatos was seeing his weakness. But what was he to do when all he thought about was her? He had a sickness, one that he would not soon recover from. He had had to do something to appease himself. Sending flowers to Raina was cruel. It probably wasn't fair to her.

              The green eyes held sympathy. “It’s the same for her.”

              Nolan liked that, a little too much. “She’s safe, and that is all that matters to me,” he sighed.

              Thanatos entered the office, and sat in an available chair. “That’s all that matters? Nolan, don’t play nonchalance with me.” Thanatos was smarter than that. He had the benefit of seeing both sides. He had learned to read their tells; as a good friend should.

              Nolan wet his lower lip and shook his head “It should be all that matters to me.” He cleared the emotion from his throat. "Not being around her I feel like a drug addict jonesing. Does that sound crazy?"

              Thanatos gave a chuckle. He shook his head. “She makes it rather difficult not to want to be around.”

              Nolan frowned, jealousy licked across his thoughts. He was happy Raina had protection, had a friend, but he couldn’t help the envy. He regarded Thanatos closely, measuring his sincerity. He knew he could be trusted but he also knew the draw that was Raina.

              Thanatos held up his hands. “Easy now. I mean that in the purist sense. I’ve been nothing but a gentleman with her. I care for Raina too, you have to know that. I’m not stupid!” He grinned, when Nolan relaxed. “I know you love her…she loves you. There is no room for anyone else. I’m just content to be her friend and protect her, as I know will put you at ease.”

“Since when does my comfort please you?” Nolan couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips. He was sobered by Thanatos frown.

Thanatos rolled his shoulders back, as if what he was going to say was foreign to him. “Despite our rough past, I consider you my friend.”

Nolan grinned in appreciation. He liked that admission. “I feel the same,” he admitted. “You’ve been a good friend; not saying much about Raina, but doing much for her. Thank you.”

              Thanatos chuckled. “I do it mostly for her, just so you know,” he teased. “I will see her protected…it’s who I am now. But as for not saying much about her…I understand it to the point. It’s also unneeded torture.”

Nolan opened his mouth to argue, but was silenced by a raised hand.

“Nolan, it’s okay for you to know what’s going on in her life outside of…she’s safe. There are other things going on with her that you should know. Things I cannot help her with, and you should be concerned over.” He thought of her thinning body…the familiar sick depression in her eyes that had been there after David.

              Nolan shook his head. “I…Its…it’s just that when I talk about her …I think of her more, and I just want to drop everything, and go to her. I ache over her, just want to hear her voice…touch her…make her smile…blush. Those pretty pink cheeks,” he sighed. “Prettiest shade of pink.” He stared down at his hands, memory stirring.

              “They are thin now…those cheeks…most of her is so thin…”

              “No,” Nolan growled. His head snapped up, and the grey eyes narrowed. “Don’t…”

              “If you just saw her…called her, I know it would lessen what she is going through now. She just misses you, Nolan.”

              “You know I can’t,” Nolan sighed.

              Thanatos bit the inside of his cheek. “One visit will not harm her…you. We could pull it off. Elenora would never know. You did it before,” he pushed. “I just think she needs you to talk to her…comfort her.”

              “And never want to leave her?” Nolan tossed the pen that he’d been twirling through his fingers. He rubbed his brow wearily. “It would be too hard on us both. Amazing for a moment, but more damage than good.”

Thanatos growled. “She thinks you’ve forgotten her.”

Nolan looked away. “That’s impossible. She can’t believe that!”

“She does believe just that.”