Forbidden Mate: Awakening

“Hush, Sarah, or you’ll attract attention.” I cautioned her and quickly went to close the door with one of my wings, which felt weird.

“Holy shit…holy shit…”

“Do I look that horrid?” I asked.

“I don’t know…what I can tell you, babes…that’s if you’re in there.”

“Sarah, I’m replying you. Yes I’m here.”

“Then please change back – this shit is really terrifying.”

“Do I look that bad?”

“For god sake just change back!” She yelled.

“I don’t know how to!” I yelled back.

“Oh no..”

“What?”

“Shhhhh.”

“What is it?”

“Footsteps. You need to hide. Someone’s coming.”

“But where?”

“I don’t know. In the bathroom. Go in.. now.”

Sarah shoved my feathery self into the bathroom… “Urrghhh…oh gosh. I hate birds. I hate feathers.” She kept on whimpering.

“Thanks a lot.” I said sarcastically.

“Don’t say anything, okay?”

“I’ll try.”

She went to open the door and I heard my mom’s voice.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Where’s Lily?”

“Morning, Aunt.”

“Morning. Isn’t Lily with you?”

“Em, now…well, she went downstairs to get a drink.”

“I’m just coming from there. I didn’t see her.”

“She’ll be back soon.”

“Well, I’ll wait here till she comes then…”

“No, not now, aunt…”

“What’s the matter?”

“The room is…super messy. We were cleaning it as we’re also packing our stuffs.”

She looked Sarah over, “I hope nothing is wrong?’

“Why will there be anything wrong?”

“Okay. When she comes tell her I want to see her.”

“Sure, aunt.”

The door finally closed and Sarah’s sigh was loud and clear.

“Sarah, come get me out of here. I’m suffocating.”

“Oh yeah…” She rushed to the bathroom and yanked the door open making me fall on top of her. Her mouth wanted to open when I quickly said, “If you scream, we’re dead, Sarah.”

She nodded in understanding and held her breath till I stood up from her.

She screamed into a near pillow and sighed out, “Lily, if this is you, will you remain like this forever?”

“I don’t know…”

“I don’t know who to call that can help.”

“I know. You shouldn’t call anyone. I’ll figure it out myself.” I sighed and sat on the bed still trying to calm down, and slowly but surely, I started turning back.

“Lily! Look, you’re transforming back!”

I looked at my hands and they were human. That powerful feeling never went with the eagle self but I was back in my human form and Sarah ran to hug me.

“You’re back.”

“I was never gone.” I hugged her back then pulled away, “So you’re telling me you could’ve abandoned me, your best friend, just because I turned into an eagle? Wow.”

“No, babes, you know it’s not like that. You’re saying ‘just because’ as if it’s everyday you see someone turn into a golden eagle.”

Yeah, it’s not.

“Sarah, please don’t tell anyone about this.” I looked desperately at her but she scoffed at me.

“I’m already thinking of how I’m going to erase it from my memory, and you’re on about me not telling anyone….” She raked her hand down her hair and then faced me. “But you have a lot of explanation to do…”

I sighed and looked away, “I don’t even understand half the shit that just happened so we’ll have to get that explanation together.”

••••••••••

.

After I had heard that Adrian had been finally released from being held, I was really excited to talk to him. I first went to thank my dad who was too busy to answer me. I had been feeling uncertain and scared for a long time about the things that were unraveling in my life.

It was like at first, I was totally ignorant and blank. Now, I was learning new things about prophecies and fate everyday and I was turning into golden eagles out of the blue.

Finally, I had the chance to tell Adrian everything, I hoped he could help me understand who I am and what I’m meant to do because at that point, it would be foolish of me to doubt anything he said again.

I saw him walking cuff-free down the hallway, with two guards by his side, and I don’t know what came over me (em I don’t know…maybe, bold, I-don’t-give-a-fuck-kind of joy) that made me sprint down and jump into his arms, in the presence of the guards who did nothing but watch us.

“Finally, you’re free.” I said into his ears and he smiled into my hair.

We pulled away from eachother and I took him by the arm outside, not caring about anyone’s comments. Anyone who did pass us, didn’t actually care. The threat of war and insecurity of the times didn’t make for anyone to be unserious about any other thing so they minded their business.

It was the first time we walked together, hand in hand, out in the garden without anyone actually bothering us and casting us snarky glances. It felt so different, so calm.

We found a quiet place in the garden where nobody could see or hear us, but I told him we should continue to walk on as we talked. The sunlight shining through the trees made patterns on the ground, creating a calm and exciting atmosphere for us to walk on.

I started speaking, my voice shaky with both excitement and nervousness. “Adrian, you know a lot has been happening lately…a lot that I can’t actually comprehend myself. I need you to explain everything well to me. You’re the one with the knowledge and I’ve decided to trust everything that comes out of your mouth. There’s something I don’t still quite understand.”

He looked at me, curious and concerned. “Lily, you can trust me. Whatever it is, I’m here to listen, and I’ll try my best to explain as much as I can.”

I took a deep breath and started telling him, “Remember when I was talking to you that night that I zoned out? I didn’t really zone out. I…it’s like I was transported to another dimension. I saw you, me, our kind and your kind. We were forming some type of alliance before a war or something. I didn’t understand what it meant. Whether I was dreaming or thinking, but it felt so real. I saw myself, Adrian. I saw myself.”

Adrian slowed his pace and nodded his head slowly, “You’ve started having visions…”

“Visions? Is that what that was?”

“Yes, Lily. You’re seeing the future, or a possible future. Visions just show you possible futures that may happen if our decisions and actions align to that. If it’s a bad possible future, then you’d have to gear our present to the right track.”

“But why me?”

“I thought I’ve told you this before. The spirits have seen something in you and that’s why they chose to bestow upon you this gift. And if you’re seeing visions now, that means…”

“Means what?”

“Has any other strange thing happened to you recently?”

I immediately stopped and removed my hands from his, stepping back shyly, “Four days ago, I might have turned into a golden eagle.”

Adrian’s expression changed, “Oh Lily, every single day, there’s more reason you should know you’re very special.”

“I was terrified, as was Sarah.”

“Sarah saw you?”

“Yea. We were in my room together when I just started feeling strange and boom! She screamed and I looked in the mirror and saw a huge giant eagle.”

“Lily, I know it must have been very terrifying for you, and I’m sorry. Have you ever heard about a Guardian?”

“Guardian?…. oh yeah, I remember Sarah’s mom telling us about a tale of ancient Guardians who were supernatural-like judges that fought to protect the old religion in the Great War. But what has that got to do with…uhn uhn, no, no way.” I stepped back and Adrian silently nodded. “I’m a Guardian?”

“Yes, Lily.”

“No…”

“You promised to believe everything that comes out of my mouth. You know I wouldn’t lie to you. The birth marks on your body tells you of your history as a predestined Guardian.”

“How do you know of my birthmarks?”

“I didn’t, but now I do.” He stared back at me sympathetically and I felt my whole life spiraling around me.

“But why? Why me…all of this? You’re just bombarding me with all these revelations that I can’t take it all at once. Why didn’t you tell me this all along?”

“It wasn’t the right time. You had to see for yourself first before I said anything”. Adrian’s eyes softened as he reached out and held my hands. “Lily, what I’m about to tell you is a story that has been passed down for generations. It’s a secret known by only a few, and now it’s time for you to know.”

He started telling me about an ancient legend, describing a hidden world that exists alongside ours. He spoke of Guardians, special beings chosen to protect the balance between different realms and keep humanity safe from powerful forces. They were also obligated to protect the old religion from extinction and supernatural creatures’ wellbeing.

“You, Lily,” Adrian said with reverence, “are one of the chosen. You’re a Guardian.”