Chapter Four – Jade POV

A few weeks passed. Orion came home from the trip, gave us souvenirs from the beach and told us about his exciting adventures with Caleb, Ruby and Morgyn. As he returned to school, he and Danny were inseparable. Once again, Danny would come to our houses, be it the farm or the apartment, and Orion would go to his house.

But, I had a lurking, nagging feeling. I had been feeling slightly nauseous and….I was late. I had slipped away to the drug store for a test, but wanted to wait until morning to take it. I put the box in my purse and closed it. Putting my purse down again, I went into the living room to sit with Marco on the couch while the boys played.

He was lying down, asleep as an infomercial played in the background. I smiled and crouched down in front of him, leaning in to peck his lips.

He laughed softly, pulling me into a deeper kiss. As we broke it, he gazed at me with tired eyes.

“Hey.” He spoke softly, his voice a little hoarse.

“Hey. Why don’t you go lie down?”

“Nah,” he smiled, stroking my hair. “I’m comfortable here. I’ll sit up for you, though.”

I stood up. “No, no, stay.”

He pressed his body toward the back of the couch, patting in front of him to get me to sit. I did and he sat up, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my cheek.

I giggled. “Handsy.”

He grinned. “Do you not like it?”

I gazed at him. “No. I love it.”

His grin turned into a flirtatious smile. “And I love you.”

I giggled again as he planted playful kisses along my cheek and neck.

He stopped and gazed at me. “What’s wrong?”

My heart sped up. “Huh?”

“Something is bothering you.”

I shook my head. “No, no, I’m fine.”

He nuzzled me. “Mi reina, you can talk to me.”

I playfully pushed him back and put my finger on his lips. “I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

He raised an eyebrow. I tilted my head and smiled. “Patience, mi rey.”

He sighed. “Hmm, okay.”

The rest of the day passed painfully slowly. My growing anxiety didn’t help. I was so tempted a few times to get up and take the test. But I held back.

As we laid down that night, Marco seemed a bit frisky, stroking my skin softly.

I shivered and bit my lip.

He leaned in and kissed my shoulder. “I’m impatient,” he whispered.

I giggled. “My lips are sealed until tomorrow. The sooner we fall asleep, the sooner you’ll know.”

“Ouch,” he laughed. “Shut down.”

I giggled and faced him, stroking his cheek. “This connection we have…” I paused and closed my eyes. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt.”

He nodded, resting his forehead on mine. “I don’t have much to go by, as I’ve never tried to form connections, but yes. You’ve opened my eyes and awakened parts of me I didn’t even know existed.”

I thought of the legend. If I was expecting another child, and my connection with Marco was this strong, was Orion the destroyer? Was our new child the protector? If needed, would they be the restorer? We’re Marco and I truly destined to be evil? What did it all mean?

“What does it mean?” I asked, my voice shaky.

He opened his eyes and moved back to look at my face. “You’re thinking about the legend again.”

I nodded. “I can’t help it.”

He sighed. “Jade, you’ll drive yourself crazy.”

I closed my eyes. “I know. But so far, everything is pointing that way. What if we have a child together?”

He laid back, sighing as he stared at the ceiling. “Well, I would love them entirely, of course. If you are asking if I think they would be the restorer, I don’t think so. I think you’re reading too much into the legend.” He propped himself up in his elbow. “Our lives are crazy. There’s always some type of complication.” He smiled. “But let’s just enjoy the moment. You have an amazing, bright young boy who adores you, Jade. Don’t think of who he may become. If we do have a child, don’t think of what they will become either. And I love you deeply. But that doesn’t mean we will turn into some type of evil duo, alright? You don’t have an evil bone in your body, and I don’t ever want to see that side of myself again.”

I nodded, smiling nervously. “You’re right.” I sighed and closed my eyes. “I should have never read it.”

He shook his head. “It’s in the past now.” He kissed me softly. “Now, just sleep. Worry about these things another day.”

I gazed into his eyes. “I love you.”

He smiled, narrowing his eyes lovingly. “And I love you.”

I awoke early the next morning, my heart pounding. It was still dark outside. I rolled over and tried to sleep again, but I couldn’t. I glanced at Marco, sleeping peacefully and slowly got up. I rummaged through my purse and found the box with the test. My heart pounded even heavier now. I clutched the box tightly, standing up and making my way to the bathroom. I tore it open and took it quickly, impatiently staring at it as I awaited the results. Slowly but surely, a plus sign appeared.

I swallowed hard, stuffing the test back into the box and burying it deep in the garbage can, under the rest of the trash. We were expecting. Right now. I knew it was from our excursion in the pool. Obviously we didn’t use protection, not having any nearby while we were in there. Maybe I had been a little worried, but now it all came together. There was a reason for this, wasn’t there? It was inevitable.

The legend must have been true.

I laid back down, staring at the ceiling. Marco stirred a little, his eyes fluttering as he rolled toward me. He moved closer, resting his arm across my chest, and furrowed his brow. Opening his eyes again, he gazed at me, worried.

“Your heart is racing,” he observed.

I simply nodded.

“What’s wrong?”

“Go back to sleep,” I choked out.

He tilted his head and pulled me closer. “Jade….”

I sighed. “I…I suspected this yesterday, but I took the test this morning.”

He propped himself up and gazed at me, his eyes wide. “You…”

I nodded. “Yes. I’m pregnant.”

He hugged me tightly. “Oh my god! That’s great news!”

I laughed nervously. “Ahaha. Yeah.”

He looked at me, worried again. “You’re worried about the legend again.”

My eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Marco. I just can’t help it. There are too many parallels.”

“Jade,” he whispered, leaning closer. “People have kids every day. People fall in love every day. There aren’t too many parallels.”

“Not all of them have a hybrid child. Not everyone has a legend about that child.”

He sighed, nuzzling me, his breath warm on my ear. “Stop,” he whispered.

I closed my eyes and shivered. I turned my head and kissed him.

He smiled. “Just be happy.”

“I am,” I assured him.

“Take your mind far, far away from that legend.”

I gazed into his eyes and nodded, pulling him closer. “Maybe I need help with that.”

He laughed softly. “Then let me help you.” He kissed me again as we wrapped our arms around each other. I moved to his neck, seducing him quickly. He did the same to me by stroking my skin softly and slowly.

As expected, one thing led to another, and I straddled him as he entered me, biting his lip as he gazed at me.

It was different now. More loving, slow, sensual. It felt a little different too, but I expected that from my pregnancy with Orion. Every feeling was magnified, intensified. Better.

We drew it out as long as we could, mixing lovemaking with teasing, making each other crazy until we reached our inevitable releases. We rested breathlessly beside each other.

Marco laughed softly, nuzzling me. “You’re feisty.”

I grinned. “Oh, you’ll see.” I winked at him. “Food cravings aren’t the only cravings pregnancy causes.

He closed his eyes. “Mmm, oh really?”

I nodded, closing my eyes. “Really.”

We fell asleep again, in each other’s arms.

We awoke to Orion pouncing on us.

“Mommy! Mommy! Can Danny come over?”

I laughed. “Sure, baby. I’ll call his mom.”

Orion bounded out of the room, squealing a loyd, “yayyyy!” As he did.

I giggled and rolled toward Marco, resting my head on his chest.

“That kid has been here a lot,” he said quietly, covering his eyes with his arm.

“Eh, yeah,” I nodded. “But hey, he’s happy here, and Orion adores him, so it’s fine.”

Marco moved his arm, squinting in the morning light. “I have some misgivings about Danny.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, it’s something about him.”

I shrugged. “I think maybe you’re just being overprotective, hmm?”

He laughed. “Yeah, okay, maybe.”

As planned, Danny came over. Around lunch time, Orion came over to me.

“Danny’s been showing me magic!” He exclaimed. Danny stood behind him with a smile. “Wanna see?”

I nodded. “Sure! Show me what you’ve got.”

He put his arms up , pointing them at me. I didn’t expect anything to happen, but I saw black surround his hands and come toward me. As it surrounded me, I blacked out. But it was strange. I didn’t fall or pass out. I blinked a few times and felt different.

Marco came out as the spell dissipated. He didn’t see any of it. Being sweet, he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. Danny and Orion went back to his room to play.

“Hey you,” Marco smiled.

I turned to face him, narrowing my eyes flirtatiously. “Hey.”

His eyes widened. “J-Jade. Your eyes.”

I tilted my head with a sly grin. “Oh? You don’t like them?”

I realized what was going on as my body seemed to be controlled by something else. Somehow, Orion was able to control that darkness within me, causing me to shift. Just like that, I was a completely different person.

“They’re red. Like, dark red. What’s going on?”

I rolled my eyes. “Perhaps I have some allergies.” I laughed.

He took my hand. “Come on.” He led me to the bedroom.

“Oh, going to have your way with me, hmm?”

He glared at me. “Stop it. Just lie down.”

I laid my head on the pillow. “Oh you think a nap will solve whatever problem you think is going on?”

He put his hands on my head, closing his eyes. “I know it will.”

And with that, I fell asleep.

I awoke in the middle of the night. Marco was beside me, but he wasn’t asleep. He gazed at me.

“Morning, sleepyhead.”

I rubbed my head. “Hi.”

“Feeling better?”

“What happened?” I asked with a nod.

“Something triggered the darkness,” he said with a worried expression. “What happened before you blacked out?”

My eyes widened. “Orion.”

“Shh,” he stroked my hair. “He’s alright. Sleeping. I took care of him for you. Danny went home around dinner time.”

“No,” I shook my head. “Orion said Danny taught him a magic spell. When he cast it, I blacked out.”

Marco looked horrified. “What?” He sat up. “Oh no.”

I rolled into my side. “Don’t worry about the legend, huh?” My eyes filled with tears again. As I blinked, they fell.

“God.” He held his head. “This is bad.”

The fact that he wasn’t telling me not to worry really solidified it for me. Yes, this was bad.

“He’s the destroyer,” I whispered.

“And the baby you’re carrying is the restorer.” Marco agreed, also in a whisper.

We didn’t allow Danny over again, but the damage was done. Orion knew black magic. I caught him practicing in his room a lot and stopped him each time. I encouraged light magic and taught him several spells, but it didn’t matter. He said it was boring and that dark magic was more fun.

He triggered darkness in Marco several times, and I had to do what he did with me; make him sleep with a sleeping curse. If I didn’t, the darkness could get stronger, and he would return to how he was when I first met him.

But this time, he could change me too.

Chapter Five (click here)