Vilmo's Wrath: Deglon Blood (15 page)

“So, a boy and a girl, huh?” She says gripping Robbie tighter.

Robbie carefully slips from her grasp and slides down to kiss her stomach. Nora loves it when he kisses her, but when he kisses her stomach is much more amazing. She can feel his power move from his lips to her insides, filling every organ with strength. Within his touch, Nora worries about nothing. No battle, no dying, no pain, only safety, and love. Looking into his eyes, Nora vows to never let this end. As much as she wants there to be another way for this battle between Aria and herself to end, she is convinced that she will destroy Aria.
I will end her—even if it means ending my own life.

“I won't let that happen,” he says, interrupting her thoughts and sliding back up to hold her.

R
obbie could spend all day staring at Nora. Right there in that very spot, propped up against their bedroom door. He’ll never get enough. She is absolutely perfect, in her silk gown. She sleeps so peacefully. He is grateful for these times, for it isn’t often she sleeps well.  Each soft breath she takes is like listening to a sweet love song that will end much too soon.

In recent weeks, his worry for her increases. He worries about her nightmares, she is tortured much too often. The twins make her days long and the nightmares shorten her nights. Her depression and sporadic anger have also become more frequent. He fears what will become of his family if Nora doesn’t learn to keep Aria out of her head. Even together they can't stop the emotional battle Nora fights. She fights hard and though Robbie is at her side, he is of no help to her. He only puts a fake smile on his face and does what any loving husband would do. He lies. He tells her everything will be over soon and that everything will be fine. He hides the truth deep inside him convincing her that he himself truly believes the words that come out of his mouth.

As the day of the delivery draws nearer, Nora and Robbie’s bond gets stronger, so strong that they often finish one another’s sentences. Robbie spends most of his days building a safety bunker under their home and Nora practices nonstop controlling her emotions. At the end of each day, their family takes time to be with each other, playing cards or watching TV. Nora and Robbie spend as much time as possible wrapped in each other’s arms.

“Robbie, do you think it’s possible that I will die during the delivery,” Nora asks.

Her question didn’t upset Robbie as much as her belief in it to be true. As they climb into bed, she snuggles close to Robbie.

“I don’t know the meaning of all of these nightmares, Nora, but I am certain that they are not telling you that.” Again, he lies. A habit, he’s grown disgusted with—but he feels Nora is too vulnerable right now, and he didn't want to put any more pressure on her already troubled mind. The truth is, he didn’t know, and that fear has often run through his mind. He’d like to think that as future gods they could overcome the delivery of their children.

As she gazes softly into his eyes, she catches the slightest bit of his uncertainty, yet she says nothing. She only smiles and kisses him, burying her worries. They both lay in silence, hoping that Robbie’s false thoughts of certainty will turn out to be the truth.

Before long, the time had come. Robbie was going to be a father. He sent everyone away. He didn’t want anyone to be around, Nora’s only focus needs to be on him.

While making breakfast, Robbie feels Nora is awake. She climbs out of bed, not noticing him standing at the door.

“No.
You
, my love need to lie down.”

“Well, good morning to you too, Sir Hingi,” she says, wrinkling her nose with a frown and sitting back on the bed.

“I’m sorry, but today you need to only rest,” Robbie says gently kissing her.

“I know it’s getting close, Robbie, but I feel great. Trust me, I’m fine,” she says attempting to climb out of bed again.

Robbie smiles and slides her legs back on the bed and covers her. She slides up and leans against the headboard.

“You should feel great,” Robbie tells her, as he places the tray of bacon and eggs on her lap. She loves the smell of bacon, and if nothing else could silence an argument with Nora, a nice plate of hot eggs and fatty bacon would.

“Why is it so quiet out there?” she asks as she shovels food into her mouth.

In only a few minutes, her plate is empty. She looks up at Robbie in embarrassment. Robbie’s laughing only embarrasses her more. She wipes bacon grease from her mouth. Robbie takes the tray and places it on the floor.

“Everyone is out for a while,” he tells her, getting a towel from the bathroom.

He places the towel next to the bed where he also sat a pair of scissors, clips for the umbilical cords, a bowl of hot water, and two baby blankets, which she has yet to notice. When Nora finally realizes what Robbie is doing, Robbie feels her heartbeat flutter with fear.

“What are you doing? We still have a week or so, don’t we?” she says in a panic.

“Nope, any moment now,” he tells her, softly.

She looks at Robbie as if in a trance. She sits completely still and her bottom lip trembles. Not even Robbie’s touch calms her.

“What? I’m not ready,” she whispers as tears run down her cheeks.

Robbie sits next to her and hugs her. Her fears are his and his are hers, and neither knows what to do about them nor do they know how to be free of them.

“We are ready, Nora. I am right here. We can do this.”

An unexpected moment arises and Robbie’s heart experiences a familiar warmth. He releases Nora and kneels as a god enters their room.

“Your bow is much appreciated, but unnecessary, for you are also a god now,” he says.

His soft voice echoes throughout the room. Robbie climbs to his feet and watches how Nora embraces Losrath’s energy. She no longer fears anything as she gazes into his soul. Robbie can feel her curiosity as she tries to make sense of his shapeless facial features standing in the corner of their room. This was truly an honor for her, no Vilmo has ever seen a god.

“You are so beautiful. Like water in the sunlight,” she whispers.

He gives a small bow thanking her. As he rises, he claims their attention.

“Desmond doubts the two of you. But I—I know you will save your world. It won't be easy, but it will be done,” he says.

The fear of an unsuccessful delivery is no longer a concern and worry about their world ending is also now nothing Robbie and Nora fear. Robbie sits next to Nora and takes her hand. Her eyes never leaving the god that floats in front of them. Although he speaks in a language Nora has never heard, she understands him as if he spoke in her native tongue.

“I am Losrath, god of destiny. You need not be afraid of anything. You must know that I do have high hopes for this world the two of you will rule together. I come to give our final words.

“After this moment we will no longer exist for you or anyone in this world. In this battle, you must remember to use your heart, for it is stronger than you could ever imagine. However, I must warn you, if you fail at believing in your love—you will fail in saving this world. If you cannot find ways to believe in yourselves, you will fail. You shall not fall as long as it is love that goes into this battle. You may have extraordinary power, but as of yet the two of you are not indestructible. When your world is saved will you become immortal, only then you will be indestructible. It is then that will you receive your full powers as gods. Your greatest heartbreak is yet to come. You will suffer greatly, but you must be willing to accept the sacrifice when the time comes. How you deal with it, is the only way this world can live. Understand the duties of a god.

“Dumont has opened the doors to the Dark World. A world between this one and hell. A place where darkness holds on tightly to claim life from all that is good. There, good versus evil is an understatement. Find the doors and close them.

“Soon Szion and Vilmo will be no more. Each Szion that has chosen to remain has also chosen to die with it if that is what it comes to. A painful transformation will begin for your Szion and Szion born Vilmo, but each will embrace it bravely and become earth’s surviving warriors. Today will begin the new era of Deglon. They will live to protect this world and crave the destruction of evil. They can only live if evil does not. Deglon will forever be hunted so see that they learn all they can.

“Many will seek Deglon power, but none can successfully claim it without consent. You, young Robbie and Sweet Nora—your bloodline will forever be the most powerful of the Deglon and always be targeted. Now, a tip. There is a Szion that serves your sister, Nora. His name is Trouse McLane. He will lead you to Aria, but be cautious, he will do what is asked of him for the sake of his family. I am saddened to say that the two of you must prepare to make some of the hardest decisions you will ever make. Be blessed Mr. and Mrs. Hingi,” Losrath says.

A bright light covers the room and then he is gone.

“Thank you, Losrath,” Robbie whispers.

Nora looks at Robbie and smiles.

“Robbie, we can do this. We may not be able to see what’s coming, but we can win this,” Nora tells him.

Robbie nods and kisses her.

“Yes. Everything will be fine.”

For the first time in months, he didn’t have to lie to comfort her. They both truly believe that things will be okay. Nora kisses his hand and leans back into her pillow.

“No matter what happens, I am ready. I will fight no matter the outcome,” she says.

“I know,” Robbie says, standing to his feet. “Nora, I need you to get ready,”

“For wha…”

Pain strikes. Her head flies back and heat covers her body. Her screams make Robbie cringe. It pained him not knowing how to make the delivery easier for her.

“I’m burning!” she cries.

All Robbie can do is hold her down and let her burn. He feels a slight impact of every breathtaking rip she feels. Her toes stretch, her joints pop, her heart races, and every minute or so it stops beating. Robbie brings her back with the touch of his hand but fears that the next time he won't be able to.

“Ahh! My chest!” she yells.

Her body rises into the air and slams back to the bed and she stops breathing. A tear runs down Robbie’s face as he pushes energy into her to bring her back. A few seconds later she is screaming again. Her legs bend and she pushes, leaving Robbie no time to think before the first infant slides out. He quickly wraps the baby. Then again she screams out, pushing the next child out, then she goes limp. Robbie is left with no time to see if Nora still breathes. His children are silent no movement, no noise. He panics as he picks up his son. He wipes him carefully with a warm towel, clearing his eyes and mouth. The infant takes a deep breath but still does not cry. Robbie does the same for his daughter. She too takes a deep breath but doesn’t make a sound. Robbie lays them down and reaches for Nora’s hand. Her heart beats and he can feel her warmth. Robbie sobs like a baby for twenty minutes while his family sleeps. He never knew how much pain, fear, and happiness came with becoming a father.

E
ach day Mia grows more in love with Zen. His understanding and patience has made it easy. Their love for their new found family has made loving each other not only easy but impossible to ignore. For the first time since the birth of her children, Mia is happy. She honestly never thought she would know what happiness felt like again.

Being in the hotel room with Zen has made Mia overly excited and incredibly tense. Making her question how much longer she can lie about her feelings. Each time she looks at him, she wants to cry. She ignores the guilt that fills her. The guilt of betrayal.

“Mia, are you okay? Is the room okay? If not I can take you somewhere else.”

“The room is perfect.”

It is a perfect room. A room like many of the rooms Noah would provide for her. Perfect from corner to corner.  Not one glitch. Her eyes roam, but her body never leaves the entrance. Each item in the room reminds her of how many nights she spent alone in rooms just as this one. How many nights she cried on antique furniture just like the furniture that fills this room beautifully. How many days she lay in bed, wrapped in the comfort of the silk bedding because there were no arms to hold her. How many nights she read love stories, hoping that one day she and Noah could be together again. Praying that they would get another chance. As quickly as a moment of sadness fills her, that same moment is touched with hope and love as her eyes stop on the most beautiful piece in the room. Zen stands near the sofa and smiles. Her heart flutters slightly and his eyes pull her in.

“Would you like to talk?” he asks.

She nods and slowly walks toward him. As he stares at her, Mia finds it hard not to wonder why he has not married. Why has he chosen to live alone?

“Zen, why has no one swooped you up yet? Have you never bonded with anyone?”

Zen sighs and sits back.

“Yes, a long time ago,” he answers with a smile.

“Tell me about her. Is she dead? I’m sorry—I’m being nosey. You don’t have to answer that, let's talk about something else.”

He smiles.

“I don’t mind. I will tell you anything you want to know,” he says, taking her hand and placing it to his lips.

The warmth of his breath on her fingers makes her body weep with an intense comfort, something she had not felt in a long time. She smiles and pretends he has no effect on her.

“My parents were killed in a car accident when I was sixteen. Although Noah, Rod, and Robert did their best to help me through the pain of losing my parents, I clung to my training to fight through the next few years. I became indifferent to love. In fact, I did not want it at all.

“The next summer, before I turned seventeen, Noah and Robert announced they had been assigned and that they would soon meet their Vilmo. Robert was already of age and was the first to meet his. He returned a few days later. He and his chosen Vilmo were not compatible, no bond could be made. Robert volunteered to become an earth warrior. The idea of seclusion as a warrior was perfect for me, so I too volunteered.

“That week I was set to leave. The day before I left Boligon, us men had one last night out. We drank too much and talked all night. We promised to always be there for one another. That same night, Noah’s brother, Rod, announced he too had volunteered and wanted to depart with me. Noah was furious. I think he was afraid for his baby brother to be so far away from him, at times Noah was extremely protective of Rod. I vowed to look after him, but on so many occasions it was Rod that looked after me.

“Rod and I loved life as warriors. We saved so many lives and met so many wonderful people. We traveled around the world experiencing everything it offered. On our first visit to Spain is when my life changed. Rod and I rented a small shack in the city of Zamora. The first day, I saw my young Vilmo. I was afraid to approach her. For the longest time, I simply watched her as she worked in her family garden. I remember how upset I was at myself, each time I saw her. Love was then an option for me. So much so that I had allowed it to consume me. She was all I thought about and all Rod heard about. After a month, I had learned all I could about her by asking the locals. I learned that her Szion mother died giving birth to her and her human father had become a violent drunk. I wanted nothing more than to take her away from there. Each night she would sneak off into the nearby woods and spend hours by a river reading. After three months of stalking her, I got the courage to join her and her first words to me confirmed my love for her. She said …”

“¿
por qué te tomó tanto tiempo para unirse a mí?” Mia finishes, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Zen smiles.

“Yes, she asked me why I took so long to join her. From then on we met at that spot each night for months. Most nights I’d listen to her read, and other nights I’d listen to her talk. The sound of her voice was warming. Three months later, Noah sent Rod and I a package. It, like many of the other packages, contained a letter expressing his excitement about seeing us in a few years, but mostly he talked about being a family man. Out of all of us, it was Noah that wanted nothing more than to have a family of his own. This letter, unlike the rest named his Vilmo, Mia Abeyta. That moment broke my heart. I made Rod promised to never tell Noah. I swore to allow Noah to have the family he had always wanted, a family he more than anyone deserved. I met with my love one last night. Before I left I kissed her, releasing our first bond into our hearts, stripped her of my memory and left Spain forever.”

“Oh my god, I remember you. Why would you do that?” Mia asked him.

“There was always only one love for me,” Zen whispers.

“Did Rod keep your secret?”

Zen shakes his head and smiles.

“He told my secret a few years later. Noah unnecessarily begged for forgiveness. I did what I did for you. You deserved someone like Noah. There was no better Szion for you.”

“I loved you. I was bonded to you. That is why you stayed away, you knew I would remember,” Mia says.

Zen nods.

“We only needed to complete the bond. One final night and life may have been different. Are you upset?”

The intensity of his story brought back memories Mia had forgotten she had. She looks into his eyes and for a moment she sees the young man she first fell in love with. The purity and loyalty in his heart only makes her love him more. Knowing that Noah knew of their love and still wanted them to be together after his death, shatters the guilt she held in her heart. She will always have love for Noah, but she sees now that it is Zen that holds her heart.

“No. How can I be upset with a man that blessed me with love, twice?”

She leans in to make the first move, but fear freezes her only inches from his face. She couldn’t summon the strength to complete the kiss, but then she sees him as they were at seventeen. They stare at each other and then take their second first kiss. Mia’s heart is finally complete, and she never wanted anything in her life as much as she wants to be Zen’s everything. Zen pulls his lips from hers, as a hint of sadness rests on her chest.

“Mia, we can wait. I mean—I’d like nothing more than to make love to you, but I think we may want different things.”

“We have, we’ve waited 27 years. If you don’t want to finish our bond, I will settle for a hot night of romance. I want nothing more than to be yours.”

He smiles and pulls her close to him.

“I have loved you even when you belonged to another man. I will always love you. A bond I can do, but a hot night of romance is what I was made for,” he says.

Mia laughs.

“Oh really,” she giggles

“Oh yeah!” Zen says, lifting her into his arms.

They make love in the bathtub completing their long overdue bond and become husband and wife. No more fear, nor guilt tortures Mia. For years, she has cursed at the life she had been handed, not seeing the wonders of what she had yet to have. Being loved once, by a wonderful man is an experience not many women get, but she has been blessed with the love of two perfect men and will never complain again.

Zen carries Mia out of the tub and places her on her feet. He wraps a towel around her and kisses her before walking out of the bathroom. Again, giving her a chance to indulge in the beauty of his new nude body. She’d forgotten about the change. She glances in the mirror, but since her change had happened years ago the only new thing about her was the scars and wrinkles are no longer embedded in her skin. Her eyes follow Zen. She can't get enough, his skin glows with a slight silver shimmer, his hair is a beautiful golden brown and his eyes are now green. He takes a drink from a bottled water and wraps himself in a towel. Mia wraps her arms around his waist and still she only stares. For a long while, they hold each other in silence.

“It doesn't bother you that we did not share our change together?”

Zen lifts her hand and kisses the ring that now rests on her finger.

“In my heart you’ve always belonged to me,” he says.

“I’ve been lost for a long time, Zen. Even before Noah’s death. I thought it was my destiny to die alone. Thank you.”

He kisses her and again lifted her into his arms. The passion that would soon lead to another few hours of lovemaking is interrupted with cries for help. Zen places Mia on her feet and they quickly get dressed.

“Okay, let’s go!”

“No, Mia. This may be a trap,” Zen whispers.

The screams escalated and each murder rings in Mia’s ears.

“We can't let them all die, Zen! Why are they doing this? If it is us they want why not just come get us?” Mia yells.

“Mia, please calm down. Robbie has protected this room. They don’t know exactly where we are. They are trying to lure us out. Listen, Mia. Feel, don’t you feel how many Shadows there are? Can't you hear Aria call your name? We will be killed!”

Mia paces the room, not frightened just highly pissed off.

“I hear her, but …”

“No, buts! Humans are not our priority anymore, Nora is. We can't protect her if we are dead!” Zen snaps. “Besides, it's time.”

He wraps his arms around Mia’s waist.

“Time for what, we have to stop this! What are you doing?” She yells.

“Mia, calm down. It’s time to go,” he says.

They arrive in the front yard of the house. Mia turns away from Zen, trying to control her frustration.

“How long do you think you’ll be mad at me?” Zen asks.

“I’m not mad. Well, not completely. Yes, I am. I’m a little mad at you.”

She glares at him.

“I know you didn’t like that situation, but, we have to make smart choices and that means staying alive. Come, come sit with me,” he says, reaching for her hand from the porch.

“In a matter of minutes you will become a grandmother,” he says, kissing her on the forehead.

Mia smiles and looks at him.

“And you a grandfather.”

Zen laughs and grabs her hand.

“
This is a day our family will share. The birth of the grandchildren and the birth of our wedding. The best day of my life,” he says.

Zen smiles widely.

“They're here. Robbie has just made the call.”

Seconds later the rest of the family is standing on the porch.

“Mia, please allow Nora to rest before bringing up the hotel incident,” Zen says.

Mia nods, but has no time to respond. Noticing their change, Jonny lifts Mia from her feet and kisses her face.

“Congratulations, you look beautiful,” he says placing her back on her feet and kisses her cheek again. “Oh, and congratulations to both of you becoming grandparents. I bet you feel old now.” He says jokingly, bumping Zen with his shoulder.

Zen smiles and puts him in a headlock. Everyone laughs as Jonny squirms.

Marina snatches Mia’s hand and gazing at the ring, she hugs Mia tightly. Mia thanks her with a kiss on the cheek. Dave slips in between the two ladies and whispers into Mia’s ear.

“He has waited many years for you. Thank you for completing him,” he kisses Mia’s cheek.

Mike and Rocco almost crush Mia with a group hug.