Crescent Moon CH 3.4

 

“Please stop trying to mess up your beautiful face. It’s not that embarrassing.”

“Not that embarrassing, yeah right. I mean just look at them, their singing Sweet Home Alabama right now. I swear this is why I never go to parties with them, especially when trying to meet men.”

“Well no parent is perfect and you of all people should know that.” His words hit me because he was so right.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. They’ve been through enough harsh moments and deserve some fun in their life right now. So, thank you for scoring this manor and those two jobs for them. Even if it was just to bring me here.” I saw Alex grip the stirring wheel. “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

“No, it’s just… do you remember that prize that came in the mail for you during your senior year of high school?”

“Yeah, I think I do. It was that prize to attend a culinary school over the summer for two years. I had rejected that because I didn’t want to leave my family all alone when we were living in the most dangerous city.” The shock came to my eyes when I realized the location was in New Orleans.

“I know what you’re thinking and yes it was me. I wanted to get you here by yourself, not really caring about your family in the least. The truth is I have been closely watching over you since your birth and watching you grow up. You were such a kind, sweet girl, always putting others before yourself, evening giving up your dream of becoming a chef. Just so you wouldn’t leave your family. As I watched you I began to feel what you felt, which was something I lost when Ella died and that was heart, love, passion for another. Watching you I regained that again and saw the world from your point of view. The way your parents struggled just to keep you fed every night, to keep the lights and water running, so I began to understand why you didn’t want to leave them. It was because you loved them and for all the sacrifices they made. But as you got older it was harder for me to watch over you and protect you, so thanks to my organization I was able to give you and your parents a new and happy life away from Chicago.” he explained. To think me as a child, teen, and even now a young adult was able to change a person like him, and help him regain something that he’d lost made my heart feel warm. I know it was hard for him to confess that to me because every time I tried to look at him he turns away. I unhooked my seat belt and kissed him on the cheek.

“Thank you for truly being my knight in shining armor.” I said, blushing.

As we got home we both sent my parents to bed and Alex walked me to my room, which wasn’t very far. Just standing there looking into each other’s eyes never breaking contact with one another as we held hands, smiling.

***

The morning sun had risen and my parents carried a huge hangover from last night. So, they stayed in bed all day, but Alex did bring them breakfast and some pain pills. So, it was just me at the table all by myself and it felt good. To just be alone and have some time to think and feel at peace was a true blessing. Until my peaceful aura was interrupted by someone cleaning dishes. I sighed.

“Good morning Alex.” He turned to face me and smiled, which I guess meant good morning back. I handed him my plate and decided to go out for a walk, but Alex caught my arm.

“And where are you going?” he asked firmly. His soft hands touching my arm seemed so unreal considering he was a fire demon. But his hands felt good on my skin, which made me want him to touch more than just my arm.

“Out for some peace, quiet, and fresh air. I need to really clear my head from what happened last night.” I stated.

“Well you know I’m coming with, don’t you?” I let out a little puff at his question because I know I had no choice but to say “Yes.”. Because we made an agreement last night once he broke that beautiful silence we had in the hallway, to tell me that for now on he follows me everywhere I go, so I won’t be attacked. Saying that even in the daylight the angels and demons could still get me when I’m alone. He sounded so clingy when saying that, I couldn’t help but giggle when walking to go put on my jean jacket.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing.” I said rolling my eyes.

We walked down a path, which led to a tiny park. We’d stop to sit on a bench, so we could chat.

“Wait…so you have powers? But how?” he asked shocked. I was surprised myself when he became shocked because I thought he knew. “Ella never had powers before which is why she had knights. But for you to have your own set of powers is shocking. I wonder..” he stopped for a moment to think.

“What do you have an answer or are you just trying to do a Sherlock Holmes pose?” I said smirking.

“Funny, but you know you shouldn’t mock my favorite author and past friend like that…and to answer your question, yes. Since Ella was the first and only Moon Priest, the glowing crescent moon wasn’t all that big then. But since time has evolved and changed I guess the moon has too. I mean that could be the only reason.”

“Hmm. To think that you guys stopped monitoring the moon after she took the throne was kind of lazy of you, I mean sure you guys probably thought she would be around forever, but that still doesn’t mean you had to stop observing the moon. So that way you all…”

“Would know what each glowing blue crescent moon brought to the table.” he finished off my sentence and I bumped his arm while nodding. Then a thought came to me.

“Wait, did you just say the author Holmes was your friend? Wait… so just how old are you?” He laughed at my question while walking over to a nearby fountain to drink some water.

“I’ll be 524 come December 2^nd. You see I was born in- “

“1496.” Hey, what can I say, I rock at math.

“Yes, and became her knight in 1520, on the exact year my immortality finally kicked in.” he explained.

“I see, so your pretty old and I think it’s kind of cool how you’re a fire demon and was born on the coldest of months. Oh, that also means you probably had a lot of girlfriends too and I want to know names and why they broke up with you.” I said laughing. He laughed along with me.

“Why would you think I was the problem?” splashing water on my face from the fountain. “Besides, I’ve only had one girlfriend in my life who was an ice angel and seeing that she’s ice and I’m fire, you can see why we didn’t last that long. But I also left her because once I became a knight that was my only duty in life, which kept me busy from having a personal life.” he explained. I flicked him on the forehead to make him realize something.

“See, like you just said you had no free time and I don’t want to be responsible either for you not having a love life or friends at that. You don’t have to protect me 24/7. I mean you have to trust me that if anything bad happens you’ll be the first name I shout out loud when I need saving.” I explained, trying to convince him not to be so uptight when protecting me. I saw his eyes go pure red as he stepped closer, grinning. He pulled me in closer, wrapping his arms around me, leaning into my ear. I could feel my face burn like fire from his muscular hold, my heart beating faster.

“Is that what you wish mi-lady? (British accent) For me to find someone to love and care for, leaving you all alone with a broken heart.” he gripped me tighter. “Or would you rather have me all to yourself as your desires insist. I mean right now, you haven’t moved an inch from me, it’s like you want me to never let you go…So, what will it be mi-lady?” As he says those words, all I wanted to do was scream out ‘Option two’, but I couldn’t. All I did was stand there in his tight and loving embrace as he stroked my hair. I wrapped my arms around him, putting my head deeper into his shirt.

“Just do what you want Alex and if you chose to stay with me, then just know the consequences.” I whispered. He pulled apart from me, tipping my chin, and looking me in the eyes with that lustful look.

“Oh, trust me. I know what I’m getting myself into, with one of the consequences being this beautiful and funny young woman.” he said giving my cheek a light peck. He began to walk the other way letting out his hand. I grabbed it tightly as he pulled me along. “Now let’s go make some cake.”

Chapter 3.5