Thanks for reading everyone! I really appreciate the comments and critiques. I'm still trying to find an editor so I apologize for the errors. I know there isn't any sex yet but I promise a good show soon...
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We pulled up to the restaurant. I had heard of it from Bernice and Fanny many times before. They said it was the newest four-star restaurant here in the United States. "To die for!" I believe were the exact words they used. As for why we were here, it wasn't because it was expensive it was because Nicklas loved to eat, well that and he loved when people catered to him. After four hundred years of being the Master of North America, he had rather gotten used to having people jump when he told them to. The eating though, was the one human trait he had worked to regain and he had done it with much success.
As he pulled up to the valet curb, a short young kid clad in a red suit, ran up to my door and opened it. Nicklas hopped out of the car and walked around at a human pace. He really did try to tone down his powers out in public, but I found it quite odd in the ways he chose to walk. It looked like he was trying to walk slow, but his movements were too planned. I started to get up when Nicklas held out his hand for me. I took his hand and he pulled me up with out effort. He never held back on his strength though. The valet gave us a ticket and headed for the car. I slid my arm through Nicklas's and he led me to the entrance. The door was opened from inside and we stepped in. I knew why he picked this restaurant the minute the air hit me. Warm and inviting, it almost had the smell of some far off destination. I could pick out cinnamon, Creole seasonings and citrus. Fresh. It was a beautiful setup. Blues, reds and gold littered the pallet.
The maitre de welcomed us with a French accent. "Good evening, do you have a reservation?"
"McManus."
The man perked up at the mention of his last name. Nicklas was known in North America for his business. You know, the corner coffee shop, and although he was quite wealthy on his own, the added fame of the business gave him just a bit more 'human' power. Well that and it was a great cover.
"Ah!" He grabbed two menus and ushered us away.
I looked up at Nicklas, he was very proud of his choice, so I kissed him on the cheek.
He looked down at me with his blue eyes as we walked to our table. "What was that for?"
" For tonight." It came out as a whisper but he heard me and the smile that encased his face was beautiful.
The man stopped at a very romantic booth set for two, secluded from most of the restaurant by yards of crimson and gold draped fabric. On one of the place settings was a single calla lily. The man motioned me in, I slid in and he handed me a menu. Nicklas slid about a foot from me and took the other menu from the man. "I'll send your waiter right over." He hurried away. I picked up the lily and held it in my hand. I was instantly at ease.
"So, what do you think?" I turned to look at Nicklas. He had slid one arm on top of the booth's seat and the other hand was lying purposely on his menu. He was turned ever so slightly, facing me, already knowing my answer.
"I would have to say that it is incredible but then I wouldn't have expected anything less."
A sly little smile enveloped his face and he leaned in closer to me. "Do you forgive me?"
Wanker. He was trying to smooth over the earlier attack. I wasn't mad at him for what had happened, well at least not any more. I was just a tad curious as to why he let it go on as long as it did. "You didn't attack me. So why would you need to be forgiven?"
He pulled back a bit, but didn't lose the smile. "Are we going to keep playing this game that we have going on, or can we relax for awhile?"
He was irritated with me and I was starting to feel the same. I wasn't mad at him and he knew it, so what was he trying to prove here?
"I'm really not upset and I'm not interested in playing any games." I placed my menu down on the table and folded my hands in my lap. I could feel another fight coming and I knew he was going to bring up the earlier one we hadn't finished. Thankfully, the waiter popped up just as Nicklas was about to respond. "Good evening! How are you tonight?"
I looked up and smiled at the waiter, "Wonderful, and you?" The waiter, who was wearing one of the whitest shirts I have ever seen, was a bit taken aback by my response. "Fine, thank you. May I bring you something to drink?"
He broke eye contact with me and looked at Nicklas. He glanced quickly at me and then back to the waiter. Before he could order, however, I took over. I wasn't going to spend the whole night in this wonderful restaurant regretting that I had come here. I concentrated on the room and flicked my hands. Everything slowed and stopped. I turned to Nicklas, who was immune to that power and started on my rant.
"Now, before you order anything and we start this night out, I want you to know that I am NOT upset. I agreed to come out with you because you asked. I have no underlying motives and I would hope the same from you." His face had dropped to a surprised look and I kept going. "I want to enjoy this dinner and the company. So if you want to enjoy it with me, I suggest Bordeaux."
With that I flicked my hands again and the restaurant jolted back to life. Nicklas smiled, shook his head and ordered Mouton Rothschild 2000 Pauillac. A good choice on his part and the waiter nodded and scurried away. There was a brief silence, where I settled down into the softness of the booth and then Nicklas spoke.
"You really have become a bit more forward and don't take it as an insult, I am just... impressed." I smiled at his comment. He was right.
It wasn't too long ago when I would bite my tongue, but with a little help from Madison and me realizing how unhappy I was, I've started taking little steps forward. It is amazing how liberated one can feel by just telling others how they feel. I had bottled everything up for so long and now I was learning not to. It was tiring at times and a bit emotional, but I hope for the best! "I realized I was unhappy, so I fixing the problems."
He smiled again and returned to his previous position. I kept my hands in my lap but turned slightly to face him. "Have you found your happiness?"
His question was simple but I would be lying if I said answering it would be easy. I looked at him, studied his face and tried to read what was on the outside of him. He was being sincere, so I answered honestly. Not that I could have lied. He would have known.
"I am working on it."
I looked down at my hands. His question had bothered me and now I was a bit uneasy as to why he had asked me out. I don't know why I felt uneasy, but I did. Maybe I was beginning to move him out of my mind. Maybe I was beginning to move on and somehow it bothered me.
"Alexis." His voice was low and he had focused it on me. I took a deep breath and looked back toward him.
"Yeah?" He dropped the arm that was resting on the top, down onto the seat and he held his hand open for me. He knew I felt uneasy and I realized that he had been reading me again. I could be mad about it, but I brushed it off. I paused only briefly and slowly I brought mine out of my lap and placed it in his. He gently squeezed it and just let them rest there. No powers, no reading. This was different, almost nice. The waiter popped back in with the decanted bottle and poured two glasses for us. He glanced at both of us, unsure of where to start, which almost made me laugh and then settled on Nicklas. "Would you care to order?"
Nicklas left his hand with mine and turned his attention to the waiter, "I'll have your filet, very rare and the lady will have the Waldorf."
He nodded his head and scampered off to put in the order.
I started this time, "Guessed I wanted a salad?"
He turned back to me, "I didn't have to guess."
I smiled and picked up my wine glass. He was right. I loved that salad. Apples, walnuts, raisins and lettuce, it was just an intriguing salad. I turned my attention to the wine. It had a fine, deep color, almost black with a purple-violet tint. The taste was, full with intense flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry and spice with a hint of cinnamon, a truly wonderful wine. I set my glass back on the table and was about to sit back when I felt the cold chill run down my spine. I grabbed the table and whispered Nicklas's name. He turned to me, saw what was about to happen and grabbed both of my hands. I squeezed his as I felt the heat in my toes and then it shot up my spine, straight into my head.
I instantly felt the cold earth at my feet. I looked around and saw two women praying in the middle of the woods. They were witches, but not of any coven I was familiar with. The full moon was high in the sky and they were giving thanks to the Lady. Just as they were about to blow out the candles they had surrounding the circle, the flames erupted creating a circle of fire around them. Out of the fire stepped a man clad in the same toga as the Lady of the Water. He wielded the fire in the palm of his hand and used it to vanquish one of the witches instantly. I felt her pain blistering all over my skin and heard her scream in my soul. I fell to my knees. The fire circle disappeared and the remaining witch tried to use her power on him but he reflected it. A trembling started beneath the ground and up raised a woman wearing the same clothing. In her hand she carried a scepter of wood topped with crystal. The witch tried to run, but the ground beneath her fell and swallowed her with out a trace. I could feel the earth pressing up against her chest. She was being crushed. Then there was nothing.
My senses returned to me. Nicklas was still holding my hands. I drew a deep breath. "What time is it?" He was afraid to let go of my hands because I was shaking, quite noticeably in fact but he turned one of them over, looked at his watch and replied, "It is six forty-five." I sighed and looked up. "Good." I pulled my hands away and reached for the water glass. I nearly shook the water out of the glass and onto the entire table but I forced myself to steady. I was burning up. I pulled out a few of the ice cubes and rubbed them on my forehead. I suddenly remembered her skin, my skin being on fire. I looked all over my exposed skin. Nothing at all. I let out huge sigh.
I sensed Nicklas about to speak and I started first. "In the woods, some where near, at midnight there will be two witches. Fire and Earth make their appearances."
He wasted no time in responding, "Alexis, this will make three of the elements. Are you going to try to save the witches?"
I looked at him. His face was blank, so I wasn't exactly sure if he was telling me not to go, or if he was going to be supportive. I was about to speak when the waiter brought our dinner. "Here you are. Let me know if there is anything else you need."
I stopped him before he walked away. "Please bring me a larger glass of water." He went to leave as a huge heat wave hit me and I called for him again. He turned and I spouted out, "A pitcher. The biggest pitcher of water that you have."
He nodded, hopped away and was back in seconds with a larger glass and the pitcher.
"Thank you."
