After they had left, I stayed a while longer at St Helen’s Oratory, Mother came by my side, ‘Aidan, don’t be sad. If Sarah is meant for you, no force can separate both of you. We have to respect Nara’s wishes.’
Chapter 12 - Dinner and dance
It had been several weeks since I met Sarah and Jake. Nara had returned to Devon but James was still around. He had decided to extend his stay at St Just and was now working from Aunt Josie’s home. I had heard from Jake that love was blossoming between James and Sarah and that they were rekindling good times once again. As James had made it obvious of his dislike towards me and without Aunt Nara’s blessings, I had remained low and kept myself busy by alternating between the Realm of the Gods and Earth. Jake didn’t like the fact that James was now staying at Aunt Josie’s as he didn’t have a place to stay. I brought Jake to live with me, being very careful not to scare Mr. and Mrs. Smith in the event they saw a ghost in their home.
One day, at our usual practice ground, ‘hey Aidan, would you be going for the dinner and dance this weekend?’ Jake asked as we continued with our self-defense training sessions. These classes had kept us occupied and had benefitted Jake as he told me that he had managed to ward off some demons who were trailing him. Since I was not around to save him that day, the basic self defense which I had taught him did. He gave a few flying kicks in the air and began running around in circles which had tired the demons out and they let him off.
‘No’ I answered ruefully. ‘Don’t you want to see Sarah?’ Jake asked me, looking confused.
‘Of course, I want to see her but have you forgotten Nara’s warning’ I continued as we both sat beside each other, admiring the waves coming on the shore.
‘Well, I can arrange a secret meeting, would that help?’ Jake said as a smile began to form. ‘Anyways, she always asks about you, when James isn’t around’ Jake continued while laughing.
‘And, what if Nara finds out about your secret plan? Please tell Sarah not to worry about me, I’m fine’ I continued as Jake played with the sand in between his fingers. What he said next, took me by surprise, ‘are you really fine?’
I glared at Jake and said, ‘Yes, I’m fine and you know, you could be a headless ghost, if Nara out about your plan’ I answer playfully as I punch his arm.
‘Yeah, Nara, I guess secret meeting is a “no go” then’ Jake tells me to which I reply, ‘no go’
We end our session and we both make our way home, ‘I’ll be meeting Sarah in a bit, I’ll see you after dinner’ Jake said as we waved each other goodbye. Mr and Mrs Smith had gone out to visit a relative in Birmingham and with low season, the Inn didn’t have any guests at all. I was to be in charge of all things that happened during their absence. Just as soon as I opened the main door, Mother grabs me upstairs and sits me on my bed, ‘YOU have to go for the dinner and dance this weekend!’
‘Mother! You are the second person to bring this dinner and dance issue with me. Jake asked me just now and my answer was no. Seriously, why should I go?’ I asked her as I lie down and close my eyes. Mother sits next to me and combs her hands through my hair with her fingers and says, ‘I know Nara doesn’t want you to be around Sarah but the demons are planning on having a feast at the dinner and dance, that’s why you have to go. Innocent mortal lives are at stake’ Mother continued. ‘I’ll speak to Nara and see if she can change her mind’ Mother consoled me as I lay down on her laps.
~~
On a wet evening in Devon, Mother met Nara. Nara had just returned from gym and had changed into jeans and a light green blouse. Just as Nara was coming down the stairs, there was a knock on the door. Nara opened the door and standing in front of her was Marella, ‘it’s been ages, dear Nara’ as they both hugged and sat at the living room. ‘Would you like some tea, coffee or juice?’ Nara asked. ‘Orange juice would be nice’ Marella said as she followed Nara into the kitchen. They brought their drinks to the living room, ‘Ah! Marella! I knew instantly that boy was your son. I have to say he has an enigma about him. A somewhat uplifting, dazzling, passionate and powerful enigma yet gentle at the same time, unparalleled energy, I must say’ Nara continued as she poured more orange juice into Marella’s glass and gave it to Marella. Nara lived alone in Devon. Her husband had passed on a few years earlier. She did contemplate leaving Devon many times and moving to St Just, but she had her own life and her own friends in Devon. She was also an active member of several charitable organizations and leaving them without a successor was a difficult task. ‘How have you been Nara?’ Marella asked as she placed the glass down and held onto Nara’s hand.
‘I’ve been good, god-willing’ Nara answered. ‘Do send my regards to Dea and the rest at the Realm of the Gods, I wonder if they have forgiven me’ Nara continued pensively while looking down.
‘I will and what is there to forgive, you have and will always remain one of us’ Mother continued as she ate the fruit cake which Nara had placed on the table.
‘This cake is good. Did you bake it yourself? Nara, I have something to ask you’ Mother asked to which Nara replied, ‘yes, I baked it myself. It’s good and I have been gorging it like a pig!’ Nara said as she laughed. ‘What is it you wanted to ask, Marella?’ Nara continued as she placed a piece of cake on her plate. ‘I have come to ask permission’ Marella said as she looked into Nara’s eyes.
‘Permission for?’ Nara asked quizzically. ‘Permission for Aidan to be allowed to attend the St Just Dinner and Dance, you do know that there are rumors that the demons are planning to have a feast on that event, and with Aidan around, they might think twice about attacking mortals’ Mother said as she removed her hands from Nara’s.
‘Yes, I heard that rumor too. Aidan, your son is Taran, isn’t he? God of Thunder?’ Nara asked quizzically.
‘Unofficially yes, they are both one and the same’ Mother continued. ‘Nara, please forgive me but I have to say it. My son does like your daughter; at least I think he does. I don’t understand why you stopped him from ever meeting your daughter? Mother asked curiously.
Nara heaved a sigh and said, ‘I do not oppose their relationship if any, it’s just that, unlike your son, who knows who he is and where he came from … Sarah knows nothing. I have yet to reveal to her my true form and I suppose someday I should. With her mixing with Aidan, she could begin to realize the power she has within her and I am afraid she isn’t ready for it. Your son has been exceptional and has not broken his word although my words at St Helen’s Oratory may have broken his heart’ Nara says ruefully. ‘I do apologize for that as it was never my intention to hurt Aidan, I was just doing as any mother would, protect her’ Nara continued. ‘I understand Nara, do not think much about this, Aidan has matured compared to when he was a mortal, I’m sure he would understand’ Mother continued.
Nara nodded and said, ‘I remember Aidan as a child, you remember when he was born, he was such a darling! Oh, yes, before I forget, Jake suggested a secret meeting between Sarah and Aidan. I read that in Jake’s mind. Oh God! It’s been ages since I read anyone’s mind and Jake’s mind is an open book! I’ll inform Jake that I approve of this secret meeting and Marella, inform your son of the same as I do agree, he needs to be around at the dinner and dance for mankind’s sake. Marella, just this one secret meeting, no more after that, James does not like Aidan at all. I’ll make sure James isn’t aware of this secret meeting’ Nara answered as she placed her hand on Marella’s.
‘Thank you so much Nara, I really appreciate it and one last question before I take my leave’ Mother asked pleadingly. ‘Go ahead’ Nara nodded as she smiled and said, ‘more orange juice?’
‘No, no, thank you. Do you really think James is meant for Sarah? That true love exists between them?’ Mother asked as she rose.
Nara rose and said, ‘Marella, you and I know that Sarah’s true love is elsewhere, who her heart, mind, body and soul belongs to. I disapprove of James; in fact I despise him for what he did to my daughter. I only tolerate him and his presence
around Sarah so as to divert her mind from Aidan. Time will heal and time will tell, so they say’ Nara continued.
‘You can’t hide the truth from her forever’ Mother said as she gave Nara a hug, ‘I shall take my leave, thank for you and take care, dear Nara’ Mother said as she kissed Nara’s cheeks.
~~
When Mother returned with a smile on her face, I felt happy and excited. Nara and Mother agreed that I should be at the dinner and dance and although Mother didn’t reveal much to me about Nara, the fact that she agreed to a secret meeting with Sarah was all I needed.
The St Just Dinner and Dance came a few days later, I was going to look my best. Mother had helped me decide what to wear as I had never worn formal attire in my life. I wore black trousers and an oft-white shirt; I skipped the tie and the bow as it was a completely complicated piece of cloth. I wore my black overcoat on top of the white shirt. I had shaved clean and after a long time, Mother noticed that there was a twinkle in my blue eyes. ‘My young boy has grown into a handsome young man’ Mother said as she hugged me goodbye. I laughed and replied, ‘yeah, a young man of twenty thousand years old!’
I reached the hall in a matter of seconds, opting to appear from a white cloud mist instead of depending on public transportation. When I arrived at the St Just Town hall, Jake, Sarah and James had already arrived. Jake greeted me and we went to the balcony. As James was around and although Nara assured James wouldn’t know of our secret meeting, I took precaution by remaining discreet and away from James’s sight. I did not see Sarah and assumed that she was with James.
As I looked around from the corner of the hall, I observed that the demons were indeed out in their large numbers. Almost all of them walked past me and showed me their concealed fangs. However, Balor and Ambisagrus were nowhere to be seen. Jasmine Halle was around and was hanging around with the demons, although she found some interest in mortal men. When Jasmine Halle saw me, she waved and smiled. With me around, the demons kept their calm and throughout the night, their numbers decreased. I sense that they were drawn to Sarah, more than any other female in the room; her scent was like honey to bees. She was surrounded by many men, some mortal, and some demon and from a distance, I saw her with James. Sarah had her arms locked in his and they were inseparable throughout the night. I sensed Jasmine Halle was jealous as I seemed to pay more attention to Sarah than to her.
‘Hey, what are you thinking about’ Jake nudged me as I stood by the door leading to the balcony. I didn’t answer Jake and he continued, ‘she is beautiful isn’t she?’ Jake said to which I absent-mindedly replied, ‘yeah, she is’
‘I thought you didn’t want to come, why the change of mind, not that I’m against it. I’m glad, in fact and the secret meeting is ON!’ Jake said as he tapped my shoulder. ‘Aunt Nara approved our meeting and that’s why I’m here’ I answered Jake.
‘You know Nara had read my mind about that secret meeting. She told me she approved of this meeting and I was like the happiest person that day. She telepathically gave approval for you two to meet. Damn! Let me bring Sarah here!’ Jake continued excitedly.
‘No! Not here, outside at the balcony’ I told Jake as he whistled his way to Sarah. Jake whispered in her ear and she looked at me and smiled.
~~
I waited outside, with my hands on the balcony railings. Sarah made my way to me and tapped me on my shoulder as she stood beside me. She wore an off-shoulder ankle-length white gown, fit for a bride. She complemented her long milky white neck with a diamond necklace, her mother had gifted her.
‘Hey, how are you?’ I asked her. ‘I’m good, how about you?’ she asked as she held on to the railing and pulled herself backwards, very much like a little child.
She then brought herself forward and I asked, ‘great! How is James?’ I asked, out of courtesy. ‘He is fine! Aidan, I wanted to tell you something!’ she said excitedly.
‘Go ahead’ I said, fearing my worst.
‘James has been extremely good to me, he hasn’t mentioned Rebecca at all and I believe mother was right, I mean, everyone deserves second chances, right?’ she said, smiling as she turned towards me.
‘I know what you are thinking!’ she said suddenly.
It was just as expected, ‘what was I thinking?’ I asked her, wondering if she could read my mind.
‘That James doesn’t deserve a second chance because of what he did to me in the past’ she looked at me wide-eyed, as if seeking confirmation that her thoughts were true. ‘I was thinking James doesn’t deserve you at all. Lil one, you are made for loving not for heartbreaks’ I thought to myself, smiled and answered Sarah, ‘close enough’.
‘You know, we can’t judge a person by their past, it’s who he has become now that defines him’ Sarah said, ‘and James has changed, I can see it, Jake, Aunt Josie and mother all said it, so, maybe things will turn out for the best’ she ended her sentence as she glanced at James standing in the distance. She looked at him lovingly, while I looked at her and thought to myself, ‘maybe I should tell how I feel, but she is happy with James and I don’t to spoil this moment for us’
Sarah looked at me and nudged me and said, ‘Aidan, you think too much! Well, I better be going in now, James must be looking for me, I’m sure. He promised we would do the last dance together. Will you be staying till the last dance?’ she asked, as she held my arm. I had wanted to hug and kiss her forehead but my instincts told me otherwise, ‘no, I’ll be leaving soon, tell Jake goodbye for me’ I said as we waved each other goodbye. She walked back into the hall where James hugged her and kissed her. As Sarah entered, James and her went into the dance floor as the musicians played the Celtic rondo. ‘Seeing Sarah happy makes me happy’ I thought to myself. I sent Jake a telepathic message that I was going home, much to his surprise.
That was the last I saw of her that night. As the last dance approached, only mortals remained in the hall, the demons had left and feasted on the next available wildlife they could find. I walked home alone in the rain I created.
Chapter 13 - Calm before the Storm
Sarah soon disappeared from my life. Jake had told me that she was now spending more time with James and she had even began to spend less time with Jake as well. I had taken up driving, for the fun of it and bought myself a new car, the latest black Bugatti Veyron soon after I received my driver’s license. Jake and I began taking long drives and I had began to enjoy driving and soon made trips to the surrounding areas of the Lizard’s Peninsula, Bodmin Moor and also the towns of St Ives, Tintagel, Padstow and Port Isaac. After touring the country, absorbing the greenery and beautiful scenery, Jake and I returned to St Just. One day, as I was jogging along my usual South West Coast path, I was approached by a modeling agent, who told me I had everything in me to become the country’s next top model. As modeling involved commitments, I declined the offer although I was assured that I would be a top priority should I want to try my hand at it again.
Over the course of time, Mother made frequent visits and even began staying over at the Inn. Since my room at the Inn was large enough, the three of us fit comfortably. I began assisting Michael’s parents who were at the Farmer’s Market every week with Michael assisting at their stall. I enjoyed the experience of selling fresh produce, knowing that the rains I had created had provided food for the masses. They were glad Uncle Rain had decided to stay in St Just on a permanent basis. Gladly, getting my daily provisions and fresh produce wasn’t an issue with farmer’s being my good friends. However, Jasmine Halle kept pursuing me many times. I did befriend her and our conversations were kept to a bare minimum. There was something about her which I didn’t like and I felt happier spending less time with her. I was least interested in her Goddess status although I did get warning signals whenever I was with her.
One day, after a day at the Farmer’s Market, I met Jasmine Halle and helped her with her purchases, ‘Aidan, please come in’ Jasmine Halle gestured me to enter her apartment. She had searched for me and r
equested that I be her bodyguard as she felt safe and confident with me around her when compared to her previous bodyguards. I reluctantly accepted the offer as I wanted to know more of the rumors which Nemesis was part of.
Once in, I placed her shopping bags on the dining area, she handed me a glass of champagne, ‘what’s the occasion?’ I asked as I took the glass and placed it on the table. She turns to me and says, ‘you don’t drink champagne? You are such a good boy, aren’t you?’ I looked at her as she walked to her bedroom and replied, ‘you’ll see’
Immediately knowing something was not right, ‘Mother, you didn’t mention that this woman is a sex-maniac!’ I thought to myself to which Mother replied, ‘Son, she is known for getting men to bed and she has observed that Sarah is no more in your life’
Just as Jasmine Halle changes into a sexy lingerie, Mother walks in on us and says, ‘Hello Nemesis!’ which takes her by surprise as she covers herself in a robe. ‘Marrella, what are you doing here?!’ Jasmine Halle asked Mother as she looked at me. I shrugged my shoulders and looked at Nemesis. She had remained as Jasmine Halle. ‘Aidan, we are going home! I do not want you mixing with this woman!’ Mother said as she grabbed my hand and we both vanish into my room at the Inn.