Crazy, I know, but I swear, the characters just take over! Enjoy this one... it's intense. Chapter 10:
“What!? Liz are you crazy!? You can’t do that!” Maria stepped up certain that her friend lost her mind.
“Maria, that’s where I belong.”
“NO! You belong here with us! With me!” Maria was almost at the point of hysterics. Alex reached for her and Michael watched her, a feeling of guilt taking over his stomach.
“Joshua, you never said anything about leaving so soon. We’re not ready! I’m not ready! Liz, what about your family? Your friends? You’re confused right now.” Isabel was furious. Whatever Joshua had done to freak Liz out wasn’t going to work on her. She wasn’t going anywhere with a strange guy, especially one from a different solar system.
“It is how things are supposed to be Isabel. You’re royalty, don’t you deserve better than this? Being trapped in this lost teenage body?” Joshua stepped toward her, his eyes inviting her into his world.
“No. We aren’t going anywhere. What are we going to do? Just disappear as if we never existed? How would we get there? We just gonna walk up to the castle and declare our appearance? These are things that need to be discussed and planned.” Max held his sister’s shoulders looking for something stable to hold on to, to understand.
“This… this is actually our way home.” Liz spoke softly causing everyone to stop and look at her. OUR WAY HOME. Did she realize how odd that sounded?
“What is it?” Michael got close and put his hand on the cold metal.
“It’s called the Granolith. Liz made it.”
“You made that?” Alex looked at her incredulously.
“In my other life.” She looked at Max now, her cheeks getting warm. He looked up at her and their eyes met. His golden eyes caused something inside of her to snap. She could see him, kissing and caressing her, yet it wasn’t his face. Somehow she knew it was him. She shook her head trying to clear the image.
“We’re not leaving in a week. We need more time to figure out if this thing even works. Besides, they’ve waited for us for over forty years. What’s a few more weeks?” Max looked at Liz one last time and headed out of the cave.
“Come on, let’s go.” Alex grabbed Liz’s and Maria’s hand unwilling to leave Liz alone with Joshua. He was up to no good, he could tell in his eyes.
Isabel followed and after lingering for a few minutes, Michael followed too.
Joshua looked at the Granolith as he stood alone in the chamber. They were all smarter than he thought. He would have to keep an eye on Liz. Make sure that she didn’t change her mind. He would not have them ruin his plans. They would go back. And she would be his.
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“How could you even suggest it?” Maria paced furiously in Liz’s bedroom trying to figure out what had gotten into her best friend.
“I had no choice Maria.” Liz sat on the bed, head down feeling completely lost. She felt like she had no control. Like the life she was living was no longer hers.
***
“There is always a choice Maxwell. I think she just really wants to go.”
Michael looked at Max’s eyes from his spot in the bedroom window. The intense pain he was suffering made him furious. He knew that Liz girl was trouble. Maybe they’d allowed themselves to get weak. To trust these humans. He thought of the look of pure horror on Maria’s face at the pod chamber. Would Liz really just go?
“I think it’s more than that Michael. It’s like… like she couldn’t control her emotions. Like Joshua was DOING something to her.” Isabel looked at Max worried, refusing to believe that the girl she’d come to appreciate for her strength and trust was caving in that easy.
***
“It’s Joshua, you know. He’s doing something to you Liz. I can see it every time you’re around him you lose it. Like you feel you have to do what he says. Like he’s controlling you.” Alex finally took a seat next to Liz on the bed and raised her chin. Her sad brown eyes looked defeated.
“It’s worse than that Alex. So much worse.”
***
“I just don’t understand how she suddenly remembers him. I mean… that just doesn’t make sense to me. All of a sudden she remembers this guy she just met?! She’s known us her whole life… wouldn’t she remember us first?” Max rubbed his forehead in frustrated confusion. He wasn’t sure what to make of Liz’s comment. Was she just saying that to finally end things between them? Had she chosen her destiny? Or was she saying it because it was true? She really did remember, but she wasn’t saying just how much?
“There has to be more to the story then.” Michael stated simply.
***
“What do you mean it’s worse Liz?” Maria stopped in her tracks and took her seat on the other side of Liz. Oddly enough, all she could think of was that they were making a Lizzie sandwich. She wanted to so badly to laugh and hug her and tell her it was all a big joke. But she was scared. It wasn’t a joke… this was all way too real.
“The memories… they really are coming. They’re vivid and overwhelming. But… the more I feel them, the less I think it’s Joshua.” Maria was taken aback by her comment. Her shock was undeniable.
“Who do you think it is?”
“I don’t know yet.” Liz quickly looked down and Alex stood up, refusing to hear that story.
“You know Liz. Come on, tell us.” She took a deep breath and felt her head spin. This was all too much.
“Whenever I’m around Joshua, I get the visions, if that’s what you want to call them. I remember when we first met, our dates, our wedding day, our honeymoon.” Liz blushed but continued with her theory. “It’s like he triggers them. Like he makes me remember him and what we were. But I always feel like there’s something he’s not telling me. Something he’s blocking out and not letting me see. And now, recently, I’ve started to have these dreams. It’s never cohesive and it’s always confusing. But all I know is that these are not triggered by Joshua. He must have tapped into the part of my brain where those memories were and now, they’re beginning to surface on their own.”
***
“If there’s more, then we have to find out what it is.” Michael looked at Isabel and then at Max.
“No. You heard her. It’s over between us.” Max scratched behind his ear in that nervous way he does when he doesn’t quite know what else to do. Isabel looked at him, not recognizing his defeated attitude.
“Aren’t you even going to try and fight for her?” She stopped; shocked that she would even suggest such a thing.
“It’s not my place Isabel.”
“Max, we have to find out what’s going on. You’re the only one who can get it out of her.”
“Why can’t Isabel dream walk her?” Max sat up straight suddenly feeling defensive. They had no right to ask him to do these things. And yet, in his heart, he was aching to speak to her one last time.
“I can only look into her dreams Max. I can’t see into her soul.” With that Isabel stood up and headed out into the hallway and to her room.
***
“Liz, think about what all these things mean. You have to be with who makes you happy, not the alien that walks in saying you are his destined soul mate. These Czechoslovakians are a lot of things… a pain in the neck being one major one… but Max Evans, God Liz that man adores you in ways I didn’t think were possible. Don’t blind yourself into thinking you could feel that way about Joshua. I just don’t see it happening. Granted, it’s complicated, but you have to follow your heart.” Maria hugged her best friend and motioned to Alex that it was time to say good night. They’d been gone long enough. Their parents would begin to worry.
“If you need us, don’t forget to call.”
“I won’t. Thanks Alex. And thanks Maria.” She smiled and shut the door behind them. She could feel her eyes getting heavy. Maybe she just needed a good night’s rest to think about what was happening. She lay on her bed and pulled the covers up trying to find a comfortable position. She closed her eyes and was confronted with Max’s sad eyes from earlier this afternoon. Would she ever be able to deal with the hurt she’s causing him? Finally, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep as the v-formation on her hand began to glow in the dark.
***
Max was relieved to be alone. He lay back on his bed and turned off the light. He had so much to think about. Would he speak to Liz? Of course he would, he had no choice. It was for his family. It wasn’t for himself. He continued to try and convince himself to no avail. The truth is, he needed to speak with her and find out if she was really going to go through with this. It wasn’t like Liz to make such rash decisions. Something was affecting her strongly. Was it fear? Was it uncertainty? He would find out. But first, he had to sleep. He closed his eyes and sighed, feeling the weight of his heart on his chest. Liz still held a tight grip. He felt sleep creep into his body and as he drifted was unaware of the glowing v-constellation on his forehead.
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“Your highness.” Zan stepped into the bed chamber and looked at Ayleyna, her hair perfectly done and her gown decorating her beautiful body. He shook his head. Rath was right and he had been unable to control himself. It was just one romantic moment. He knew, he knew very well things would not happen again.
“Zan, please. It is Ayleyna.”
“I came to apologize about our evening a few nights ago. I was completely out of line.” She stood up, her back still to him as she sat at her desk, her eyes never meeting his in fear of what they would reveal. It would be disappointment. It would be fear. It would be happiness at finding the one person she adored but could never have. She finally turned around; the tears that plagued her face now visible. His demeanor changed and the stiff stance he’d taken broke. She was crying.
“What is it? Why are you crying?” He took a step toward her, his natural inclination to take care of her. He had to stop, he could not do this.
“My father fell ill after I saw him at the marketplace Zan. Serena has just written to tell me that he has died.” He looked into her sad and teary eyes and felt his heart break. He could not let her cry. He stood there, not sure quite what to do, but knowing the feeling entirely too well. His own father had perished when he was a child and Joshua had been crowned king. He was thankful; it gave him a chance to grieve his death. His father had always been closer to him and Vilandra than any of the rest. They shared a bond that no one understood.
“I was not there for him. I was not there for him when he died. What kind of a person does that make me?” Ayleyna broke out into tears, placing her face in her hands. He took another step to her and finally just reached for her and picked her up to hold her in his arms.
“I am sorry.” It was all he said and somehow it made her feel safe. She held on to his strong body, the tears flowing freely as she thought of her life since she’d left her father. She had not gotten the chance to ask Mekhi if they could live with her. Her father never experienced royal life. She dug her head into his chest as she comforted herself in the man before her and felt his fingers reach her neck. He was embracing her as if his very life depended on it. She thought quickly of Mekhi, the man who was to be her husband and felt an instant of guilt.
“Where is Mekhi?” She suddenly regretted saying his name as Zan let her go and pushed her softly away.
“He was caught up on business at Mishpak, he will not be returning for another few days.” His eyes looked at her sadly. She missed his companionship. Perhaps, she was really trying to fall in love with his brother. And so she should. After all, he was her husband.
“Of course.” She laughed with tears in her eyes. It was a sad laugh, one done more out of comfort than humor. She laughed again and turned her face when the tears began to fall again. How would she deal with this on her own?
Zan stood before her, his face displaying his inner battle. He knew what he wanted to do. To hold her and comfort her for the rest of his life. But he knew he loved his brother and his loyalty to him would plague his guilty conscience forever. What was it about this woman that made him so crazy? He closed his eyes and sighed feeling the battle end and he made his decision. He turned and took a step to leave when he heard her soft whisper.
“Wait.” He stopped and hesitated before turning around to face her.
“Please, do not leave me alone tonight.” She looked up at him, her eyes full of tears. He could feel his heart reach out to her and he walked back to touch her face.
“I really should not stay.” He caressed her face, his warm golden eyes looking intensely into hers, assuring her that it would all be alright.
“Why not?” She reached up to touch the hand against her cheek and closed her eyes as she leaned her face against it.
“Because if we… if I do what I want to do, things will change.”
“Maybe.”
“I would not be able to take it back.”
“Would you want to?” She looked into his eyes and leaned forward her lips hanging on his for a moment before she pressed them softly. The scent of her lingered as she pulled away.
“This is wrong.” He tried to control his beating heart afraid that she would hear it racing out of control.
“Is it?” He reached for her face and wiped away the remaining tears. She looked into him with such a force he was afraid she would see what he was really thinking.
“Ayleyna…” She reached up and kissed him again, her body shaking slightly, the fear and passion taking over and making her loneliness go away. She needed him. And in an odd way, she knew he needed her too.
He felt himself get lost in her and finally returned her kiss knowing that there was no way he would be able to leave her. He grabbed her and kissed her more forcefully as he extended one hand and slammed the door shut.
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“OH!” Liz awoke from her dream drenched with sweat. She gasped for air trying to understand the images that still haunted her. The strong feelings that were attacking her heart and soul. She could feel his stare. There was something so familiar about the way he stared into her eyes. Of course, there would be. After all, those eyes, those strong and beautiful eyes belonged to Max. Max was Zan and the way he looked at her that night was unmistakable. It was the same passion he held in his eyes now. The same adoration. The same softness. She could never forget that look as long as she lived. She thought of what it all meant. She and Zan? Was that even possible? She was married to his BROTHER! Could Max ever do something like that? Could she?
She headed towards her bathroom and washed her face. She looked into the mirror and swept some of the sweaty hair off her forehead when she saw it glowing. The mark on her hand. The mark that made her another woman in another time. Ayleyna Bouragio.
She stared at herself for a moment, trying to recapture her breath. She needed some air.
She sat out on her balcony and looked up at the sky. It seemed the stars were shining brightly tonight. She looked over and saw Venus in the sky. It was shining more brightly than normal at this time of year. She thought of what all these things meant. Leaving her friends and her family. Her normal life. She had always wanted to be something more, to live something more. And now that she was getting the chance, she wasn’t sure she wanted it anymore. She thought of her parents whom she loved so dearly. Could she leave them? She felt the tears begin to attack her throat. She thought of Maria’s words. Was she right?
She head fumbling on the stairs and looked up just in time to see Max jump over her balcony wall. She quickly wiped away her tears and looked at him confused.
“What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“Oh.” She looked down at her hand and covered it with the jacket she’d put on. It was too painful to look at with him standing right before her.
“Liz…”
“Max…” They stood aback at their unison and finally Liz nodded for him to speak first.
“What are you doing Liz? Do you know what a big step this is? I mean… Antar. It’s this place, this place with no face. Could you really leave everything behind to go there?” She looked into his eyes realizing what he was asking her. Could she leave HIM behind to go there?
“Max, I’m doing this for you guys. So you can all go back home. Isn’t that what you all wanted?”
Max took a step closer to Liz and stopped, feeling his mind arguing with his heart. What did he expect coming here tonight? At this hour of the morning? How did he even know she’d be awake?
“Liz, all I want is for you to reconsider this. Think about what you’re doing.”
“I know what I’m doing Max.”
“Do you?” Liz finally stood up, anger beginning to build inside of her. Did he really take her for a fool?
“YES! But I don’t think this is about Antar at all, is it Max? This is about Joshua.” She stood now, her eyes piercing through his own. It was too late to back down now. He would have to tell her what he came to tell her.
“Maybe.”
“What do you mean maybe Max? I told you… I already told you…”
“Yea, yea, you told me that you remember. Remember what Liz? Him? I don’t believe you.” She stared into his eyes in shock. It was the first time they’d really gotten into that kind of an argument before.
“Last I checked you wanted it this way!” She could feel her breaths speed up as she squeezed her hands into fists at her sides.
“No… No I didn’t. I wanted space. I wanted to take a step back. You’re leaping forward into a completely different life blindly. You don’t know anything about him Liz and you’re just giving yourself to this guy! I won’t let you.” He stopped, shocked at the sound of his own hurt words. He was pleading with her. His voice was pathetic and distraught. But he didn’t care. He couldn’t let her do this to him. To them. They held something that was too special to ruin. He took another step closer and stood before her now, the anger visible in her eyes, the pleading obvious in his.
“What do you intend to do?”
“I’ll fight for you Liz. I will fight tooth and nail until I’ve won you back. You don’t belong with him.”
“That’s not true.” She looked into his eyes feeling the familiarity of it. Her eyes were wet with tears and he stood before her, struggling as to what he would do next. She thought of her dream and felt her composure begin to crumble.
“It’s not?”
“I belong….” Max reached down and grabbed her hand. The v-constellation was shining brightly and he looked up into the sky. He looked down, the moonlight shining into her watery eyes and did the only thing he could think of. He kissed her. He kissed her as a last resort. He was begging her. He needed her. He felt her tense and then finally kiss him back. He closed his eyes smelling her hair and her skin. He lifted his shaking hands to her face and kissed her again, this time more forcefully as he felt something in him come alive. He had experienced it only once before, the day he’d saved her life. He could feel the flashes overtake him. He could see her milky white skin in the darkness of the large bed chamber. The way her eyes were looking at him in the candlelight. He pulled back to look at Liz, realizing that his dream tonight had been real. Ayleyna had never loved Mekhi.
“Max….” Liz looked into his eyes, sadness plaguing her own.
No, she had never loved him. She loved another man. A man she was forbidden to love. Her brother-in-law. Zan.
“Me…” Max then reached for her again and kissed her as the v-constellation finally aligned in the sky.
(not that anyone was waiting anxiously or anything 
) Anwyay, here is a new chapter! Hope you all enjoy!
So here's the new chapter! I think it will answer several of your questions. As to Max and Liz's bond... it will now all be explained.