The Mystical Knights: The Sword of Dreams (12 page)

After pulling a brush through her long tangled locks, Nia sighed, catching a glimpse of her tired expression in the mirror.  She rattled her head, tapping her foot as she did so.  “Get a grip, Nia,” she whispered, glaring at her exhausted reflection.  “It’s just a sword.  A stupid
sword.
”

A sword that she rapidly felt aspired to reclaim.

Breakfast went by in a blur.  The other’s mindless chatter carried on as Nia stuffed her face full of blueberry pancakes and apple wood bacon.  Ravenously she ate as if she had been starved for days, her mind dwindling on the ancient Sword with every bite.  It seemed as if she had only just sat down to eat when her father’s old Chevy rolled up onto the curb.

Somewhere between shoveling in another mouthful of pancakes and downing a gulp of orange juice, Kenzie had gone upstairs to gather Nia’s things.  Nia’s pillow went unstained, but the same couldn’t be said for Fiona’s pillow or Kenzie’s carpet.

“I’m really sorry,” Nia said for the seventeenth time, giving Kenzie a worried smile as she pulled her bag strap over her shoulder.  “I’ll ask my dad if I can stay longer so that I can clean it up.”

“Aw, no worries,” Kenzie reassuringly smiled.  “Fiona’s pillowcase is in the wash right now—and there is nothing a little baking soda and dish soap can’t fix.  If that doesn’t work, I’ll just rearrange my room.  I’ve been looking to do that for a while.”

“At least I’m motivational,” Nia muttered distantly, wrapping her arms around her sleeping bag.  As her hand found the door handle, she frowned and turned around.  "Is everything okay?"

Kenzie inhaled sharply.  Her eyes darted to the others where they sat in the living room playing Mario Kart.  She stared the longest at Rowan, but quickly returned Nia's stare.  "I'm fine," Kenzie nodded while fidgeting her feet. "Things are fine. Just...stressed."

Nia nodded, biting her lip, certain that she had somehow overstepped some invisible boundary.  “Well, thanks for everything.  Tell your mom thanks for having me.”

“Oh, I will! Thank you so much for coming Nia.”

Nia waved to the rest of her comrades.  “See you all on Tuesday.”

There was a mix of goodbyes and see you laters.  Nia hopped into the mudroom and pulled open the back door.  Sam waved to her from where he sat in the truck, his eyes curious and almost relieved to see her.

“Nia?”

Nia spun around, nearly stumbling off the rickety step.  Rowan grabbed her arm to steady her.

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, taking her sleeping bag from her arms.  His eyes darted back to the house; Nia knew he could feel the spying eyes from inside watching them as much as she could.  “You’re okay?”

“I’m fine Rowan.”  Nia began to slowly pace herself as she walked down the driveway.  She gave him a grin.  “See—I’m
happy
!”

Rowan nodded.  "That's good news!"  A small smile stretched across his face.  “I was wondering...”

A lithe figure in the window caught Nia’s attention; Kenzie sat perched on the sill, her head peeking out from around the curtain conspicuously.  The expression was clear across Kenzie’s face again as she spied on the two of them; that look of hurt and jealousy, agony and disbelief.  Nia’s eyes darted back to Rowan’s hesitant face, her heart pounding.  “Yes?”

“Well—I just wanted to know...um, if you were...available on Tuesday night.”  He stammered through his words like someone who had just plunged into icy water.  He seemingly forced a kind smile, his cheeks still hot and rosy.  “I want to hang out with you.”

“Out?”  Nia’s hearted hiccuped to a stop.  She had to remember how to breathe.  “Wait, I thought...”  Nia anxiously gnawed on her bottom lip.

“I broke up with Kenzie,” Rowan replied quickly; he chuckled, striking up some new found courage.  “We just...things were weird.”

Things are going to be really weird now, Rowan. 
Nia felt the warm glow creep upon her cheekbones.  She could feel Kenzie's stare burning into the side of her head. 

“Sure. But just as friends.”  How the words made it out of her mouth, she would never know.  “W-what time?”

“Six-thirty show sound good?”

“Yes.”  It was laughable; she couldn’t even think clearly long enough to ask which movie.

Rowan grinned, looking oddly relieved.  “I’ll pick you up at five then.”

“Alright then.”

Rowan put his hand through his hair, pushing his bangs out of his twinkling blue eyes.  He gave her an irresistible grin which had Nia swallowing for air.  Rowan placed her sleeping bag into the truck bed.

“Bye Nia.” 

“Bye Rowan.” 

Rowan turned away and bounded towards Kenzie’s house.  Kenzie was no longer snooping at the bay window; all seemed quiet inside.  But as Rowan shut the door and as Nia opened the door to the truck, the sky darkened.  A raindrop slipped from the clouds and landed perfectly by Nia’s eye; it slipped down her cheek just like a tear.  Nia paused, touching a fingertip to the droplet of water and looked at it oddly before staring out over the cab at Kenzie’s house.

The rain began to fall faster now.  The trees began to sway, creaking dangerously and the burning leaves fell into the forming puddles.  Nia climbed into the cab, slamming the door shut behind her.

“Did you have fun?” Sam asked, putting the truck into drive.

“Yeah.” The rain was falling harder now, hitting the truck like hail.  The stormy clouds seemed to be circulating around Kenzie’s house.  “It was fun.”  Nia cocked her head as she watched those clouds, her eyebrows narrowed in wonderment.

“Looks like you made some good friends.  Who was the boy who helped you out?”  Sam gave Nia a look that said,
I’m not trying to be suspicious, but why was there a boy over?

“His name is Rowan—and the boys came over to make breakfast.  They’re all very close.”  Nia wondered if her voice actually cracked when she had said Rowan’s name or if she only imagined it.

“That’s just fine.  It’s good to be close...”  Sam took a left on to Berwick Street.  He gave his daughter sideways glance.  “They’re all not...
together
, right?”

“Dad!” Nia warningly exclaimed.

“Alright, alright...” Sam sank back into his seat and gripped the steering wheel.  “I trust you.”

Seemingly as fast as the rain had started, it had stopped.  The clouds were still dark and ominous, especially the ones circling around Kenzie’s house.  Nia didn’t know what to think...expect for that Kenzie had been the one to manipulate the rain.  The terribly sad expression she wore on her face while Nia was leaving loomed mockingly through her mind... 

“Strange weather we’re having today,” Sam said, trying to lighten the mood.  “It just doesn’t know if it’s coming or going.”

“I’ll say.”  Nia slumped back in her seat, kicking her feet onto the dashboard.  She began to tool with the radio in an attempt to make a distraction.

Chapter 10: Lacrimae Sanguinis

It was still raining come Tuesday afternoon.  Nia sat, hugging her knees to her chest, in the old green recliner watching the rain drops splat the window and listening to the gentle
pitter-patter
of water droplets fall into the puddles and wet grass.  She decided to keep it casual for tonight: faded jeans and a lilac colored long-sleeved shirt over a white camisole.  She wiggled her socked toes as she sat, chin in her palm, watching the water cascade down the side of the drain pipe.

Fiona hadn't said anything more about the Sword of Dreams; in fact, she hadn't said much at all to
her
.  Her attention was solely on Kenzie.  That morning, Nia had caught them whispering rapidly to one another at breakfast.   At first Nia shrugged it off, but then it happened again at choir auditions, and then a third time while waiting for the bus.  Curiously enough, when Nia approached the two of them, they'd become silent, their lips pressed firmly together, their eyes casual and guilty.  Their looks of guilt made Nia feel as though she were stubbing toes.  She had meant to speak with Kenzie in confidence, tried to tell her that she and Rowan were just friends and nothing more. But Kenzie had been avoiding the confrontation.

A loud
clang
sounded from the kitchen.  Nia rolled her eyes skyward and pulled herself from her contented position and very hesitantly inched towards the kitchen.  Poking her head around the corner of the kitchen, she was half horrified and half amused to find Sam wrestling the top of the fridge for an old camera.

“Dad?” Nia asked dubiously.  “What are you doing?”

“I,” said her father, whirling around to face her while thrusting the camera forward for Nia to see, “am making sure I have my camera ready.”  He gave her a wink.  “I certainly don’t want to miss my little girl’s first date!”

Nia groaned, slapping a palm to her forehead.  “Dad, please, it's not a date,” she begged, resisting the urge to stomp her foot.  “Please
don’t
make a fool out of yourself...”

“I’m not making a fool of myself.  I’m being a
good
father.”

“Dad.”  Nia cleared her throat and spoke very slowly, holding her hands out in front of her.  “Rowan and I are just friends. Please."

Sam fiddled with the lens cap of the camera.  “I saw the way you were looking at him.”

              Nia tried her best to conceal a snort of laughter.  "Looked at him? Dad, come off it. Rowan is very nice and sure he's...
handsome
...but we aren't dating. Ugh, I can't believe I am actually having this conversation with you."

“Embarrassing, huh?” Sam chuckled, shaking his head.  “You know, I always promised myself that I'd never interrogate my kids about dates and who they're hanging out with.”

Nia snapped her fingers with a smirk.  “You're not doing a very good job of it.”

“Someone has to do it."  With a snap of the camera, Nia was blinded by a flash of light.  Sam smiled, looking at the picture with a look of complete adoration.  “You look so grown up.”

“Thanks Dad.  I know you're just trying to look out for me, but seriously. Just friends. ” Nia said dryly as the sound of tires braked in the driveway.  Nia spun around to peek out the porthole window.  She shot her dad a demanding look, gripping the doorknob with all of her might.  “He’s here, Dad.”  Nia bit her lip reflectively.  “Remember what I said?”  She began to turn the knob.

“Just friends. Got it.  Wait—don’t let the boy in yet!”  Sam was giving the camera the stink eye, finger cramming the buttons.  “I have to figure out how to get this contraption on repeated flash.”

Nia—if possible—became even more mortified.  “Dad—don’t do this and I promise you, my prom,” she clasped her hands together and pouted, “you can take as many pictures as you want. 
And
I'll probably be with an actual boyfriend, so you can go all crazy on me then. Good deal?”

“Your prom?”  Sam considered the offer, stroking his graying beard.  He carefully placed the camera down on the countertop which was now visible due to Nia’s superior cleaning skills.  “You’ve got a deal there, little lady.”

Nia couldn’t help but grin; he hadn’t called her
little lady
since she was a little girl, no higher than his knee.  Now she was nearly as tall as he was.

Sam shoved his hands into his pockets and shook his head just as the knock sounded on the other side of the door.  Nia exhaled sharply and swallowed hard.  She took a second to make sure her curls fell just right over her shoulders before she yanked open the door.

Rowan smiled brightly at her.  He was dressed in a black jacket that revealed, a dusty blue button-up and his usual Faded Glory jeans.  His aura was glittered with sparkle lights, which took Nia by surprise.  The light from the sconce lamp mixed with the mist created the most illustrious halo around his head and as he fidgeted with the buttons of his shirt, his rain-dripped bangs fell gracefully into his face, nearly hiding his deep blue eyes from sight. 

“Hello.”  His voice was smooth like velvet.  “May I come inside?”

“Come on in!”  Nia pulled herself out of the way, still staring at the sparkle lights of his aura.  “Of course—you must be freezing.”

Rowan gave her a smile and stepped inside, looking around.  “Good evening, Mr. Mitchell,” Rowan said, his eyes seeking Sam's.  He warmly outstretched his hand.  “I’m Rowan Davies.”

Sam shook Rowan’s offered hand slowly, giving him a brief smile.  "Call me Sam.  What's on the agenda tonight kids?"

“To Spinney's Cinema for dinner and a movie,” Rowan replied smoothly; if he was nervous or afraid for his life, he hid it extremely well.  “And then maybe for a walk at Hollow Hills Park.  The sky is supposed to be exceptionally bright; it’s a full moon tonight.”

“Great! You kids have a good time."  Sam gave a firm smile to Rowan, nodding his head stiffly.  Nia gave her dad a quick wave, but before she could step out the door, she felt his hand cup around her elbow.  “Do you still have the mace in your purse?” Sam’s whisper tickled her ear.

Nia fought the urge to smack her father.  Insistently, she caught her father’s eyes and glowered. “
Yes
Dad. 
Bye
Dad.”

"Just making sure. Have fun."

Nia, while slipping on her black sequined flats, grabbed Rowan’s arm and pulled him out the door.  She shot her father a dubious frown as they hopped off the cement step.

“Be back by ten!” Sam called after them.

Nia shuddered, shaking her head from side to side.  “I am so
sorry
,” she muttered fretfully to Rowan, as he easily pulled an umbrella from the inside pocket of his coat and opened it over her head.  “He's a little on edge tonight. Must have had over his limit in coffee today.”

“He loves you,” Rowan pointed out, pressing his warm hand into the small of her back.  Nia sighed at the gentleness of his touch and leaned back into the comforting sensation.

A older man sat in the passenger seat of a blue Saturn Ion, reading a very heavy looking book.  He looked up as Nia and Rowan neared the car and waved. He had hair, similar in color to Rowan's, except that it was flecked with bits of gray.  "That's my Uncle Max," Rowan said, scuffing the ground with the toe of his shoe.  “I only have my driver’s permit, so your dad will be pleased to know that we have a chaperone for at least the car ride.” he explained while opening the driver’s side passenger door. 

Nia chuckled, shaking her head.  "You live with your uncle, right?" 

Rowan looked to her as he stepped aside from the door, allowing her in.  “That I do.  And with my Aunt Sarah."

"And your cousins?" Nia slid into her seat and fastened her seatbelt.

Rowan gave her a strange look.  "Jess lives in Florida with her fiancé.  Bryn and Kate are in college..."  He stepped into the car, shutting the door.  Uncle Max put the car into reverse and began to back out of the drive way. Timidly, Nia felt Rowan lean towards her.  "You only knew about Jess from the bus," he whispered.  "Did you just read me or something?"

"Not purposely," Nia nodded.  "Sorry. It just happens sometimes."

Rowan sat back into his seat, strangely silent.  Nia took a deep breath, not knowing what else to say, and looked out the window.

The rain had finally stopped sometime after the movie had started.  After hailing a cab—Rowan had bid Uncle Max goodbye after they'd reached the theater—they walked together, climbing the stairs of the now familiar gazebo, at Hollow Hills Park.  The town traffic was nonexistent and the some of the houses from across the street still had their Christmas lights up, despite it being the middle of February.  They stopped at the rock wall that peered out over the park.

“It’s so peaceful here,” Nia murmured, gazing skyward towards the stars.  They twinkled, thousands of them, brighter than diamonds and glitter dust.  The wind caressed Nia’s face, pushing her hair from her shoulders.

“This is one of my favorite places to go when I want to be alone.” Rowan folded his hands together, lacing his fingers and leaned forward against the stone balcony. 

“Do you like to be alone often?”

“No.”  A night bird sang softly, calling out from one of the many trees in the distance.  “But I do like my space—it clears my head.  This place—it’s a place I come to think when I get stressed out—or when I need a break from the reality.  Do you have a place like that?”

Nia nodded.  “I used to have a place just like that—up at the top of the apartment building in New York.”  Nia closed her eyes, and for a moment the she could smell the city, taste the smoggy air, feel the warm wind caress her face... “You could see for miles from up there, it seemed...and yet you couldn't see all of this." She gestured to the sky and heavens above her.

"Damn light pollution," Rowan muttered.

Nia glanced at Rowan out of the corner of her eye, his eyelashes gently resting against his cheeks.  She wanted to ask him what was on his mind, but he was thinking so loudly, it hurt.  Nia bit her bottom lip, listening to his current train of memories, unsure of what to say.  "You okay?"

Rowan's eyes fluttered open, his eyes the exact same shade of blue glass.  “Yeah. I'm just...brooding.”

"
Brooding
." Nia was quiet, listening to the sound of Rowan breathing.  She placed her hands upon the stone wall and looked over at him.  “Sorry if this is intruding, but why do you live with your aunt and uncle?”

“My parents are archeologists.  They're currently in Turkey.”  Rowan pushed himself away from the wall and wandered over to the center of the gazebo, lost in thought as his fingers kneaded the palm of his hand.  “They try to call in at least once a week—but lately I’ve been hearing from them less and less.”

“I’m sorry.”  Nia's eyes creased with concern as she watched him pace back to where she stood.  His face was downcast; an invisible barrier surrounded him that threatened to collapse.  She wanted to reach out for him, but her arms stayed frozen at her side, unsure of what to do.

“You are different,” he muttered suddenly, turning to her. Pinched tightly between his fingers was a severely crushed blade of grass.  Nia frowned.  For so many years, being different meant numerous things.  None of those things ever meaning any good.  Had she touched too far?  Picked up too much from him? 

“It's the strangest thing.  I've only known you...for days now.  But I feel as if I've known you all my life...” he mumbled gently. 

"We are a part of the same soul group," Nia pointed out.  "According to Fiona...our souls have know each other for centuries." 

"Then why don't I feel like this around the others?"

Nia listened to her heart pounding heavily in her ears, felt it throb restlessly inside her throat.  Every time she tried to swallow it back down, her stomach flipped like she was on a roller coaster.  "What about Kenzie?" she asked softly.  "Why did you break up with her?"

"I couldn't give her what she wanted..."

How serious of a relationship could you have had when you're only fifteen?

“Nia?”  His voice was tender, as soft as a flower petal.  Nia looked at him.  His eyes were a much brighter blue then she had ever seen them.  His hair was going every which way, tousled by the wind.  Rowan held up the hand that held the blade of grass.  Between his thumb and forefinger, the grass began to change, growing longer and thicker.  Thorns poked out down the stem and its red petals were glowing, sparkling even as they unfolded at the tip, blossoming into something beautiful.  She had seen this before, but her lips still parted in awe as she took the rose from Rowan’s hand.  Her eyes lingered on the rose's velvet petals momentarily, before finding Rowan’s searching eyes once more.

Rowan touched the tip of his thumb to Nia’s pink lips, soft like velvet.  Slowly, his hand curled behind her head, holding her as though she were made of glass.  “I know I haven't known you long,” Rowan murmured, so quietly that Nia had to tilt her head even closer to listen, “but I feel that I've known you all my life.”

"Rowan-" Before she could say anymore, Rowan pressed his warm lips to hers, his hands cupping her cheeks.  His lips were gentle and hesitant.  It was sweet, and yet something felt off.  Nia’s chest ached as her heart pounded harder and harder behind her ribcage—the carnivorous butterflies were back, flapping widely inside her stomach.  Rowan’s hands fell away from her face, catching just at her hips.  Nia sighed and ran her fingers through his hair.  She slowly began to part her lips—