Page 11 of One Last Wish (The Elder World)

I was alone and in my bedroom when my alarm woke me up in the morning. When did I set my alarm? How did I even get to bed last night? The last thing I remembered was watching a film with Darce.

Lifting the duvet quickly, I could see that I was still in yesterday's clothes. Hmm... Disappointingly, Darce hadn’t undressed me last night. He must have put me to bed, though.

Getting up, I looked around the apartment, hoping he might have crashed on the sofa, but he was nowhere to be found.

All the dishes from our meal last night had been put away. He’d moved all our painted dragon eggs to one side of the room now that they had dried, too. That was... thoughtful of him.

Had Darce set my alarm so I wasn’t late for work? I’d have to ask him about that later.

At least I didn't have any weird dreams last night. Maybe my head wasn’t as fucked up as I thought.

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T HEO AND DARCE WERE both waiting outside Bookends when I got there.

“Hey, Alora,” Theo called, overly excited. “How was your day off?”

“Eventful,” I replied, giving Darce a look. How did he look so fresh this morning? His thick funnel neck coat was undone, showing his black work polo. I was starting to realise the only colour this guy wore was black, not that I was complaining. The colour suited him. While trying to study his tattoos, I had also observed that he rarely showed his arms. Darce always preferred long-sleeved tops.

“Oh, how come?” Theo asked, moving to try and block my view of Darce as I unlocked the door. Darce had a few inches on Theo, though, so it didn’t work in the slightest.

“I had this rude visitor that wouldn’t leave.” When I eyed Darce, he chuckled at me.

“Y...Y...You two spent Thanksgiving together ?” The disappointment on Theo’s face was easy to see. “You said you were just going to check up on her?” he complained to Darce.

“Come on, boys . No need to fight over me,” I teased, emphasising the word boys . I knew it would rile Darce.

As I took my coat off down in the basement, Darce stood by the doorway, watching me.

“I think Theo has a broken heart. He can’t believe you let me into your place.”

“I do wonder the same thing.” I replied, putting my bag away. “Shit. I forgot my lunch.”

“We can grab something later. Don’t worry.” We? Okay then. “I’ll go and check to make sure all the lights are on.” Nodding, I straightened my uniform. “I think we have a few boxes of new books to unpack, too.”

Malcolm appeared, looking a little stressed. “Mary has quit.” The woman hadn’t been to work for over a month . That wasn’t a shock. “The head office won’t let me recruit anyone else. which is ridiculous in the run up to Christmas . Basically, let everyone know there is unlimited overtime until January. I know you’re good for anything, Alora. I’ve doubled up most of your shifts throughout December already.” So much for living!

“No problem, Malcolm.” With that, he walked off. Darce was watching me intently. “I’ll start living in January, I promise.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it. I can cover some shifts, too.”

“We’ll work out a schedule with the others. Mary didn’t do that much anyway. Malcolm is freaking out over nothing.”

“As long as you’re not covering everything , I’m fine with that plan,” Darce muttered as we both got to work.

I had a lot to do today. It was five days until the midnight release, and I wanted to start getting upstairs ready. We had sold over a hundred tickets now. Hopefully, it would be a success and I’d be able to host another one. I had so many ideas when it came to different fantasy series, from cosplay events to grand balls. I had to make this one a success first, though.

Theo and Darce manned the tills, which gave me time to start moving the furniture into place on the fantasy level. With the bookcases all pinned to the walls, I didn’t have many options with the red couches, and had to push them to the back of the space.

“You can ask for help on occasion, Alora,” Theo called, watching me struggle with one of the larger couches.

“I’m fine. I’ve got this.” I’d already move three of them. I wasn’t short by any means, but compared to Theo, who was six-foot, my five-foot-eight height could be seen as a disadvantage.

“So, you and Darce spending Thanksgiving together. I didn’t see that coming.” The guy practically stalked me in a non threatening way, and he thought he had the right to say that. “What’s the deal with the two of you?”

“Mmm...nothing. We work together, that’s it!”

“We work together and you’ve never let me into your apartment. You never let me walk you home, for that matter.”

“Darce doesn’t crowd me. Theo, every time I look up, you're watching me. It’s annoying as hell, and a little creepy!”

“Do you like Darce?”

“I don’t have to answer that! Theo, if all you’re going to do is annoy me, please fuck off.” I’d had enough.

“I like you, Alora. I don’t know why, but I do! You don’t have to be such a bitch to me all the time!”

“Have I ever given you anything that would suggest I feel the same?” Theo looked at the floor, knowing I hadn’t. “Even if I did like Darce, it’s none of your fucking business.”

“You’ve opened up more since he’s arrived, I only thought...”

“Well, whatever it is, you thought wrong ,” I interrupted, dropping the sofa we were moving. “I’ve got enough going on in my head without your pathetic little crush on me! I’m sick of you following after me like a lost puppy! It’s not a turn on in the slightest!” That got a reaction. Theo gazed at me with wet eyes.

“You really are a bitch at times,” he whispered, walking off.

Darce was at the top of the staircase as Theo passed him. “I heard the moment his heart broke just then.”

“Darce, please. I’m not in the mood right now,” I stressed, putting my face in my hands. Since Darce had arrived, I hardly had a moment to myself. Between the dreams and extra conversations with Evelyn and Theo, I was exhausted.

“Alora, I’ve come to give you a hand moving the furniture. We don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.” That was... refreshing .

So, that’s what Darce and I did. We didn’t talk. We might have used the odd few words to explain where we were putting things, but that was it. Three hours of complete tranquillity.

It was the most comfortable silence I’d ever had with someone.

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E VELYN WAS BACK HOME when I returned from Bookends. She was doing some college work at the breakfast bar.

“Hey! How was your Thanksgiving? Was the food okay?” she beamed, watching me take off my coat.

“It was good. The food was great. Thanks, again.” I wasn’t going to look in her eyes. She wasn’t going to find out that Darce had been here.

“Did Darce enjoy it?” For fucks sake! “I had a stressed message from Theo earlier.” Of course she did.

“You need to block his number.”

“You need to stop trampling on that poor little heart of his. If you were nicer, Theo would have no need to message me.”

“Why did you give him your number?”

“We have a common concern.” That must have been me . “How was your Thanksgiving with Darce, anyway?” Evelyn was giving me her have you fucked him yet look. “Theo told me that you and Darce spent all day together today at work getting the space ready for the midnight release party.”

“Nothing happened!”

“ Uh huh . All I want to know is have you finally fucked in your bedroom?”

“Evelyn, I’m being serious! Darce, well, he...has his own issues .”

“Is his penis too big?” I gave her a look. She was impossible sometimes. “I can’t see how a man that hot could have any issues.”

“I know you’d love to think that Darce and I got it on, but honestly, he doesn’t see me that way. We are just friends .”

Evelyn watched my face as I slumped on the seat next to her. “And you’re happy with that? Having a friend ?” Holy shit! I wasn’t even paying attention to what I was saying. A friend? Was that what Darce was? If that was true, why wasn’t I freaking out? A friend meant a connection, a fondness to someone.

“I...I...think so,” I gasped, unsure of my own words.

“Alora, this is incredible. If you see Darce as a friend , maybe you’ll realise other people care.”

“I...” My breathing became erratic. I couldn't catch my breath. Apparently, I’d spoken too soon. I knew this feeling. It was difficult not to remember panic attacks when I’d been having them my whole life. I held my chest as it began to tighten. The walls began to close around me, clamping down any feeling of connection. Feelings would weaken me, break me. That couldn’t happen.

“Shit! Alora! Are you okay?”

“Panic...attack,” I managed to force out before darkness took over and I passed out.

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T HE BEEPING OF THE heart monitor told me that I was in the hospital when I started to regain consciousness. It took a while for my eyes to become accustomed to the light.

“Wait! She’s waking up!” Evelyn’s voice was panicked.

“Alora?” I internally groaned at hearing Theo’s voice, too. Why was he here? Evelyn must have called him when I’d blacked out. “Thank God! You had us scared for a while.”

“Give her some space, Theo,” Evelyn scolded as I finally focused on her face. “Hey. How are you feeling? You scared the shit out of me.”

“How long was I out for?” I forced out, fighting with all the wires on my chest and hands.

“A few hours. They’re keeping you overnight for observation. You need to keep those wires attached . Relax, Alora. You’re okay.”

“I don’t want to stay overnight,” I complained. Hospitals weren’t something I enjoyed. That clinical smell, the food, the general boredom of being stuck in a hospital bed.

“Darce has gone to get you some overnight things, don’t worry.” Darce? He’d been here? How? “I gave him my keys to get into the apartment.”

“I offered first,” Theo chimed in. “But Evelyn wouldn’t let me have the keys.”

“Yeah, because you’d be nosing around her bedroom.” Evelyn pointed out, making me laugh. “Visiting hours are almost up, but they know Darce is coming with your things. Call me when they release you tomorrow and I’ll meet you outside. Theo has already cleared it with Malcom for you to have a few days off to recover.”

“No, I...”

“It’s decided, Alora.” Evelyn interrupted me. “You completely blacked out. Something might be seriously wrong.” Yeah, my mind was fucked, but I couldn’t tell her that. “Let the doctors check you over. You might get some answers.”

“Listen to her, Alora,” Theo begged. “We need you healthy.”

“I’m tired,” I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. At times like these, it was hard being emotionless. They were both worried for me, but I couldn’t make my mind care.

“Call me tomorrow, I mean it. I don’t want you travelling back from the hospital alone.” Giving Evelyn a nod, I watched them both leave.

I had a room to myself, which was nice. I took a moment to survey my surroundings. There was a small, ugly green sofa to the right of me. The room was small, but at least it had a large, double window. It was pitch black outside. It made me wonder what time it was.

While I was reaching to look around to see if my phone was anywhere nearby, Darce appeared at the door with my backsack.

“Well, you’re definitely into dramatics, I’ll give you that,” he teased, his eyes raking over me. “How are you feeling?”

“Thirsty and hungry.”

“Good thing I got snacks.” Placing my bag on the green sofa, Darce proceeded to show me what he’d packed. A change of clothes for tomorrow, the nightwear that was on my bed, my toothbrush with a few other washroom products, and most importantly, my headphones, phone and the book I was currently reading. “I drew the line at going into your underwear drawer.”

“Afraid you might want to sniff my panties?” I joked as he passed me the chocolate and soda he’d gotten.

“No, but that’s why Evelyn sent me instead of Theo.”

“That was probably a good call.” The chocolate tasted so good that a small moan escaped my lips.

“Are we going to talk about it?”

“What?” I asked, opening the can of soda. Sugar was good for me right now. I didn’t care if a doctor came in and told me off.

“You’re blackouts, Alora. How long have you been having them?” His tone seemed a little clipped.

“ All my life. It’s nothing.”

Darce sucked in a breath, alarmed. “ All your life? Alora, that...” He was actually lost for words. “What makes them come on?”

“Why should I tell you, when I know nothing about you?”

“Okay, fair point. What do you want to know? You get one question.” Yes! I had to think carefully. Getting under that thick skin of his wasn’t easy. I needed to ask him something that might break him down a little.

“Have you ever been physically close to anyone?” Knowing I wanted to have sex with this guy, the biggest burning question I had was if he could be intimate with people. “With your no skin contact issue, I mean.”

“Are you asking if I’ve had sex ?” His eyes were so alive with humour. “All the questions you could ask, and that’s what you went for?”

“Answer the damn question.”

“Yes, Alora. I’ve had sex plenty of times.”

“So you can touch people?”

“That’s two questions.”

I continued. “Is it more a trust issue? People can touch you once you feel safe with them?”

“Alora, I gave you my answer. Now, it’s your turn.” Damn him!

“I’m unable to form connections with people. That’s what brings on the black outs,” I whispered, looking down at my hands. “My mind...it...works differently to other people’s.”

“ Connections ?” Darce questioned, tilting his head. “What do you mean by that exactly?” Could I confide in him? Would he realise I was crazy and finally keep his distance? Searching those dark, universe specked eyes of his, I found something that strangely felt familiar to me. It was almost like... home . “You can trust me, Alora,” Darce whispered, touching my arm that was covered by my hospital blanket.

“ Feelings . I don’t connect to people out of choice. My mind simply won’t allow it. The moment I get a connection or feelings for someone, I have a panic attack. Or worse...I black out. I couldn't even connect with my own father.”

“What feelings made you black out this time?”

“My feelings for you ,” I whispered, moving my hand from the blanket to reach for his hand. There was no doubt I wanted to feel something for him.

“ No ,” he choked. “No, Alora. This is all wrong. I have to go.”

“I’m letting you in! Why can’t you do the same?” I called out as he reached the door.

“There is too much at stake. You have no idea of the complications...the effort I’ve gone to...” Darce stopped mid-sentence and ran his hand through his hair. “Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Darce!” I yelled, but it was too late. He’d already gone.

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“L ET ME GO! I hate you!” Darce was gripping me tightly. Dream Darce was always exceptionally beautiful, and wearing some random clothing. Tonight, it looked like a dark, brown leather tunic and trousers, with strange, gauntlet gloves. Wait! I could see the tattoos on his arms clearly. His forearms had identical designs. There were three large black circles with two smaller circles at the top. The middle of the larger three circles was a little bigger, with different coloured lengthened lines that looked like they were almost bursting from it with tiny hollow circles at the ends. Three small circles finished the tattoo, which gradually got smaller as they led to his wrist. My mind was really making up some random shit. I’d never seen all those symbols on his arm.

“Hate me all you want, but you wouldn’t even be alive right now without me.” I was still struggling in his grip.

“I wish I had died that day!” I spat, pushing at his chest, still unable to get away.

“You don’t mean that.”

“Let me go!”

“I don’t have to do anything you say. You’re not in Dallethas.” Darce had a playful look in his eyes. Dallethas? I recognized that place for some reason, but I couldn’t remember why. It must have been from a book I’d read.

“What?” I gasped. “Where am I?”

“Eallarim.”

“No!” I cried. Well, shit! Wherever that was, I clearly wasn’t happy. “I can’t be! How?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing,” Darce muttered, touching the side of my face before twisting a strand of my hair between his fingers. My body burned with the simple touch. “As beautiful as your hair is, Alora, we need to change it. You stand out too much here.”

“Wake up,” someone called, shaking me gently.

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I WAS ABOUT TO ASK Darce what he meant, but the nurse had woken me up to check my blood pressure.

I really hated hospitals!