I didn’t understand. How could it possibly have been his fault?
He sat down next to me and I knew I could have died and been completely happy I’d known him just for that short amount of time. That was how physically attracted I was to him.
“Morgan, I need to tell you something.” He ran a hand through his black hair and prepared to tell me something - something huge. I brought my knees to my chin and held on with both arms.
“Akin is my brother.”
No! It couldn’t be. There was no way. Thayde didn’t look like any of the Dartmoth’s. I remained composed on the outside but screamed on the inside.
“I am the eldest of the Dartmoth’s. My father was killed when I was a baby and I was adopted by Limus when he married my mother. When she passed away, I stayed with the Dartmoth’s.”
He picked up a seashell that lay on the coffee table and held it in his hand.
“I’ve been dreaming of you for years. I thought I could trust Akin enough to share with him what I’d seen in my future. I knew you would arrive soon, so I left university in New York and arrived here to meet you. I didn’t know when you’d be here, but if I had, I would have been able to stop this whole thing.”
“And you think it’s your fault because you told Akin about me?”
Thayde dropped his head. “I’m supposed to be your protector. It’s my job.” He stopped, correcting himself. “It’s my life – it’s what I’m supposed to do – take care of you. Akin’s always wanted everything I had. I should have known better.”
I dared to touch his shoulder. Goose bumps rose on his arm. “Why is Tammer so angry with you? Why was he saying you should have gotten there sooner?”
“Because they know I’m supposed to protect you. They’ve known since I was a child and mistook your mother for you.” A smile grew on the edge of his lips and he shook his head. “I remember telling her she was supposed to have a gold tail.”
“Gold tail?”
“She has a green one. When I told her about my dreams, she said I was dreaming of her Morgandy.” His eyes met mine, making me hold my breath. “Ever since that day, they knew I was to be with you.”
What do you say to that? I believed what he said because I had dreamed of him since I was a child.
“I’ve been dreaming of you too,” I answered, hoping what I said would comfort him. “I never want to wake from my dreams when they’re about you.”
He held my gaze and I continued.
“All this has been a dream for me. I don’t know if I’m still dreaming or if I’m awake.”
He cupped my chin and leaned in to me.
“You’re not dreaming,” he said, and lightly kissed my cheek. When he pulled away, I could feel my heart pounding like a freight train.
I was losing myself in his eyes. “How is all this possible?” I breathed in sharply.
“We were meant for each other. We have been since our birth. I knew once you started to dream of me again, it was time to find you.”
“This all sounds like a fairy tale,”
“I know. But it’s real and if you feel the same way about me as I do you, we’ll start cording right away.”
“Cording?”
Thayde’s beautiful smile sent shivers all over my body. “It’s what happens when two people fall in love and are meant to be together. They are able to read each other’s thoughts, finish each other’s sentences, and sometimes feel each other’s pain.”
“Yes, and I wasn’t pleased it was going to happen with a Dartmoth.”
Tammer had returned and was now standing next to me, his hands on his hips. Quickly, Thayde and I pulled apart. Thayde stood, placing the seashell back on the table as he rose.
“Mr. Riddick, I’m sorry for my brother’s actions. You’re right – I should’ve been there sooner. I’ll regret it forever.”
He met Tammer’s glare and his voice lowered.
“I know you know what’s going to happen to me for taking action against him.”
Tammer’s face fell and he looked uneasy.
“But I want to let you know that if I had to, I’d die for her.”
This was getting way too deep. I stood and took Thayde’s hand in mine. “What are you talking about?” I asked.
Thayde looked at me sadly and kissed my hand.
“I said, what are you talking about?”
“I have to go now,” he pulled away from me.
“No!” I cried. “Please tell me what’s going to happen!”
Thayde left without another word and Tammer sank into a chair.
“Tammer! Tell me what’s going to happen to him!” I practically screamed.