We sat there and talked for a bit longer, and the worries of today and tomorrow started to slip slowly away into the darkness. We absently passed the bottle back and forth. I could feel my face starting to get hot. It was nice to be able to do this. It took the pressure off both of us and was just nice. Seemed like these days were mostly spent doing our homework, studying, talking about leaving and life after Pitman, Lark's extra lessons from Gran, and me helping my parents with the kids. This almost felt like back when we were kids. He asked how my parents were, and I told him that Mike and Joann were doing great. They were expecting again. "Horny devils. As If having a daughter and ten sons wasn't enough. Like dad! Just get OFF her already!" He laughed wholeheartedly at this news.
He slipped his arm around my shoulders and looked down at me. "Oh, we should be so lucky to have a love like that one day. Anyway, enough of all that. I believe I remember a certain person bringing a certain book. Hmm?" He chuckled as he raised an eyebrow at me. I couldn't help but giggle. "Yep, if I remember correctly, we were supposed to wake up some sleepy ancient. Hurry up, Ryn. I'm going to demand them to grant me a fated mate!" He practically beamed at me. What a child. I smirked up at him.
"You're going to demand an Ancient?" I asked incredulously, with my brow cocked up at him. He just nodded at me with the smile still plastered to his face. "Yeah." I snorted at the thought. "Okay. Okay." I reached over and grabbed it. Couldn't help but let my fingers slide over the gold etchings on the cover as I opened it. "Let's see, let's see..." I thumbed through until I found my favorite one: The King's Legacy. He looked at me with a raised brow. "What?"
"Nothing. I'm just surprised is all. Thought it would be something like... the one about Princess Dahlia." He shrugged his shoulders.
"HA!" I boomed. "Why? Because she's Fae?!" I snapped. Was he trying to get into a fight? I could feel my anger rising, but I took a few breaths. "Whatever. Let's just start." I began to read, but Lark cut me off.
"Do we have to read it all? We both know the story. Let's just get to the end with the waking song." He smiled, too eager as always.
I wrinkled my nose at the idea, "What is the fun in that Lark? We need the story to set the ambiance." He rolled his eyes, and I giggled at him. We settled in, Lark's arm still draped over my shoulder. He leans over to watch as I read. I made it all the way to the end, and I see Lark perk up.
He pointed at the book, "What is that?" I looked over at him. His brows were furrowed, and he seemed to be deep in thought. I took this opportunity to admire him. He really was a handsome man. It was no secret why everyone wanted him. Why he couldn't see it himself was beyond me. "Ryn? Earth to Ryn."
"Yes Lark. I pointed that out to you on the ride over, and you..." I thought about it momentarily, "I asked you about Clyde and the Latin inscription here." He looked as if he were utterly confused. "Honestly Lark! Sometimes, I don't know why I waste my breath. It's like you half-ass listen to me sometimes." I crossed my arms across my chest. What a total douche.
He shrugged, "Okay, yeah, whatever. I don't ever remember it being like this..." his voice trailed off. I put my hand over my face. So annoying. "I remember the song here. Doesn't it go something like... After you have been laid to sleep, far too long you've been made to reap. For what you have sowed has long since been gone. You shall awaken at this new dawn..."
I nodded, cut him off, and said it in a rush, "Like the rising sun that shines. From the darkness comes a light. Hear my voice; this is your Awakening. Like the rising sun that shines. Awaken my soul awaken your soul we sing. Last line repeats three times. Yeah yeah yeah. Tell me something I don't know Lark!"
This was the song we knew growing up. Lark looked at me blankly, "You mean to tell me that you found it like this? I don't remember that ever being in there..." His gaze shifted from the book back to me. This time, it was pointedly. "Let me see that." He reached out, and I passed over the book. I guess not quickly enough for him because he snatched it right from my hand.
"Hey!" I snapped. "Are you slow man? Must I say the same thing over and over again? Yes, I found it like this. No, I've never seen a copy like this. I asked you where the hell it was from!" I let my anger show in my voice. He was so damn annoying. He was looking intently at the page. His finger trailed over the text down each line. I pushed my emotions away and smiled as I nudged him, "So... how is your Latin?" I winked when he looked up at me.
He smiled. "As good as anyone's, I suppose. Better than yours, I know that much!" This was silly, tipsy Lark. He and I get along well for the most part. A snort escaped him, "C'mon. You can just stumble through with me, " he said with a chuckle. I nodded, and we began reciting the song in Latin:
Postquam dormitus es
Nimium diu factus es metendi
