Page 26 of Hadley's Heroes
We laid together quietly and she fell asleep in my arms. I looked down to Aalee. I had prayed to the Goddess he would wake many times. I was almost wanting to be the vinegar and yell at him to wake. But I wouldn’t. It wouldn’t help.
I watched over him sleepily. I needed more rest but I had promised Hadley if she was to sleep, I would watch Aalee. Nothing changed, he slept as if he was just tired from a long day. He licked his lips, probably tasting the pixxe she had placed there earlier and rolled over…he rolled over!
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hadley
“Aalee?” I heard Jaka whisper. I smiled He was talking to him too. I liked that, I didn’t want to be the only one who did. He needed to hear us all, know that we were all caring for him.
“Jaka?” The voice was so low I could barely hear it. Maybe it was Axoh coming to check on Aalee. He came a few times a day.
“It’s me, it’s Jaka.” I smiled. He wasn’t a big talker and it was funny how he answered to his name. I snuggled in closer to him and his arms held me tighter.
“Can I have water?” I heard that better, but my eyes didn’t want to open. It was like I was underwater. I hadn’t slept enough and now I was hearing things, because it sounded like Aalee. But if it was Jaka would have woken me.
“Hadley, Hadley, my heart. Wake up, Aalee wishes for water.”
I had never woken faster in my life. The fog in my head lifted as I sat up, looking to Aalee to see if it was real. I saw his big eyes looking back at me and tears pricked my eyes. I threw myself at him and he tensed. I placed my face on his chest and took a deep breath as I listened to his heart. It was faster now.
Aalee’s arms slowly wrapped around me, but once they were there around me he was tense. I felt him kiss my forehead and I started to cry.
“Hadley, are you okay?” Jaka’s voice was laced with concern, probably wondering why I was crying over Aalee waking up. I sat back, Aalee’s arms loosening around me, and I smiled down at him, wiping the tears away. He really was awake. His hair had fallen into his eyes, but I couldn’t have that anymore.
I pushed the hair out of the way as Jaka moved closer with the water. We helped Aalee to sit up and he drank all the water and asked for more.
“Hadley, you should drink too,” Jaka reminded me. I nodded as he handed me a cup. I drank as much as Aalee did and I just couldn’t believe it. Had he heard everything I said? Did he know how much I loved him?
“I will go tell everyone you are awake.” Jaka was swift on his feet and was out of the hut before we could even reply. We couldn’t take our eyes off each other.
“You stayed with me?” Aalee asked. I nodded, suddenly feeling a little shy.
“You spoke to me, or was that a dream?” I laughed.
“Yes, I talked to you. A lot.” I saw the corner of his lip rise as he gave me this amazing grin. Oh, he heard me.
“You have my heart, Hadley. You always did, I just didn’t know how to give it to you. Until now.”
I kissed him so hard, and with so much passion, I thought I would explode. But the hut did, with everyone coming to see Aalee awake now.
I moved aside but he wouldn’t let me go. Every time he looked to me that smile returned and I felt myself finally relaxing. He was safe, he was awake, and he was mine.
Aalee was my mate.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Hadley
3years later…
I ran, laughing and throwing my top behind me. The suns shone brightly and I felt free as a bird. My arms stretched wide as I ran as fast as I could. I saw a flash of purple pass me through the trees and quickly changed direction.
“You can’t catch me,” I called out, taunting them. I let out a squeal as Adee dropped from the tree… naked as the day he was born. I laughed as he grinned wide.
“You have to let me think I’m winning… you cheat,” I teased him as he wrapped me in his arms.
“I am no cheater,” he replied in perfect English. I laughed as he spun me around before placing me back on my bare feet.
“Run, Hadley.” His tails were going wild behind him, giving away his thoughts. I winked before I set off again. It was so nice to feel this free, wild, and I came to a sudden stop when I saw a very cheeky tail coming from the tree in front of me.
