Page 32 of Shattered Heir
Chapter Fourteen
The bell rang, causing Ash and I to part ways. I missed her presence keeping me afloat, more than I realized I would. I seemed to be useless on my own. But, as I sat in my seat beside Sam, the monster within informed me that, indeed, I was strong on my own,because of her,the monster. I smiled and tried to ignore the smoke and the shadows that blanketed my melody as well as the pain that lingered as I let that beast have her moment.
“Hey, Emma, glad to have you back.”
I snapped my head to the side and saw Ben smiling at me. I let the rage ebb away as I put on a smile and said, “Hey, good to be back.”
The teacher began speaking, so I faced forward, ready for the boring and meaningless school day to start. There were so many more important things happening. I tried to focus because I knew that Mary would be upset if I started failing school, but that was a battle that I was not going to win. Finally, what felt like an eternity later, I felt relief as the bell rang. I jumped out of my seat and raced from the room.
I stopped running when I reached the hallway to my next class. I let my breaths fall more evenly as my body came down from the sudden urge to run. Even though I had regained my even breathing, I felt my heartbeat speed up at the excitement of seeing Shad, and then, at sitting beside him. I just needed to be near him again. I knew that it would make me feel better. It had worked so many other times before. I made sure that the beast was in her cage—and that the cage was locked. I didn't need to act insane when I was with Shad. I pictured in my mind that first day when I had met him on the sidewalk; then, I recalled the next time, seeing him at the flower shop—and also in our math class.
Has it really been that recent, just months ago?I thought.
I imagined his melody, and it was almost as if it was right there beside me, for I had memorized every part, it seemed—because it fit with mine so flawlessly. I was caught up in a daydream about his melody and mine, dancing together when I bumped into a wall. I looked up, and realized that it was not a wall. Dark, golden, beautiful eyes stared down at me. I almost cried right there on the spot. No way was my actual daydream standing right before me. Those beautiful, golden eyes, which I had missed so much, looked at me in a way that felt so foreign and yet so familiar. It took everything that I had to not wrap my arms around his neck and let my lips meet with his.
My love,I heard echo inside of me, in my melody—within my soul. I stepped back to get a better look.No—this could not be real; this could not be.I was dreaming. His face was as flawless as ever, and his hair, though longer, looked so perfect, resting on his forehead, disheveled. His outfit was the classic dress attire I was so familiar with.
Shad?He was wearing a grey button-up dress shirt, a dark blue necktie, dark blue pants, and a leather jacket. It was adifferent leather jacket, but I wanted to scream for joy. It was him; it wasmyShad.
“How?” I asked as our melodies bent and dipped around each other in celebration of their meeting once more. It felt too real; it couldn't be a dream. “This cannot be real.” I felt the monster growl inside of me; she was not buying it, but I was. I pushed her back down. There was Shad,myShad, present and whole, standing in front of me, smiling at me, and I had nothing to hate, nothing to be mad at. All was right. Everything was going to be okay. I locked the monster away as Shad's melody started causing me to feel whole and complete, and the beast roared, one last time, before she was gone. I breathed out in relief. I knew that Shad would save me.
“I have missed you, sweet,” he said softly, his tone was a bit off, but he was bound to have some changes, being soulless for so long. “It has been agony being away from you.” He tugged on the shoulder straps of my backpack, and I smacked into his chest, his arms wrapping around me, holding me to him. I was so happy, and a wide smile was on my face.
I lifted my head up to kiss him, but he stopped me.
“Not here, Emma. Believe me, I want to,” he whispered, his breath on my lips, hot and alluring. “But not with so many eyes. I don't want people to see what I am going to do to you.”
I gulped, heat rushing to my cheeks as I looked around and saw my classmates walking to and from their classes, and we were definitely getting stares.
“Sorry, I just—I cannot believe that this is real. Pinch me or something,” I said with a laugh as I touched his cheeks, his jaw, and traced his lips. He sighed as I touched his hair at the nape of his neck, and he closed his eyes.
“Emma, my love—” He leaned his cheek against mine, but he was pulled away from me so quickly that I almost fell, being knocked off balance.
“What are you doing here?”
I looked to see Ryker, pushing Shad against the wall.
“No! Stop it. Ryker, are you crazy?” I moved to push Ryker away, but he didn't budge, and he didn't look at me.
“You made a deal; you were supposed to leave!” Ryker shouted.
What was Ryker talking about? Had he gone insane?
“Ryker, stop it. What are you doing? Don't hurt him! Everything is okay now. Can't you see that?”
Ryker looked at me, and I started to cry, tears no doubt covering my face. I felt the monster clawing her way back inside of me, and I reached out to Shad’s melody so that he could cast the beast away. His melody met with mine, and the monster roared again, but then she left.
“What did you do to her, you piece of slime?” Ryker pushed harder against Shad's throat.
I am okay sweet, just go.Shad spoke to my soul, and I shook my head. It felt so wonderful to hear his voice inside of my soul again.
I will never leave you, Shad.Joy burst through me at that moment as I realized that it had been Shad who had been speaking with me through my soul—which was even more confirmation that I had not gonetotallyinsane. Maybe that moment in the hallway pulled him out of it.
Ryker looked between us. “Howdare youtalk to her like that. Do not soul-speak with her.”
“Ryker!” I screamed, again, pulling at his shirt. I started hitting his chest over and over again. Ryker held my wrists back and set me aside with one hand.
“Emma, calm down; let me take care of him. I won't ruin Shad’s melody,” Ryker said.
