All night long Sarah moaned in her sleep. Jack came in a couple times to check on her. Orion laid his head on the bed. He wouldn’t leave her.
In the morning, that is exactly what James found. He touched Orion’s shoulder. “How is she?” He asked softly.
“Terrified,” Orion rose up.
“Terrified?” James sat on the edge of the bed, next to Orion.
“Can’t you feel it? It feels like a gigantic hand that reached out and pulled me in.”
James touched his son’s face, guiding it around to him. “Whom are you crying for?”
Orion felt the life drain from his body. He turned back to face her. “Myself, Paul because he’s stuck in the middle of this mess, and her. Years of built up emotions.”
James noticed how pale Orion looked. His face was cold when he touched him.
“How long has it been since you have eaten anything?”
Sarah squeezed his hand. He closed his eyes, feeling her quiet distaste over his behavior.
“What?” James asked.
“She gets upset with me when I don’t try.”
“And you feel that?”
“Yes.” Orion finally opened his eyes. “Have you questioned Paul yet?”
“Yes, he was very open and honest.” James fumbled with words for a moment, “my son I am so very sorry. Sorry for this whole mess. I can’t help but feel responsible. Because of some promise made generations ago, we forced you into a marriage that I was so afraid would end badly. But I couldn’t have conceived how badly.”
“It’s not about that.” He let go of Sarah’s hand then rubbed his face.
James patiently waited for him to speak.
“Btnn fgx.”
“What did she say?” Orion asked.
“Tell him.” James translated.
Orion sighed. “How can I tell someone something I can’t confess to myself?”
Her eyes started moving rapidly under her closed eyelids.
“What is she doing?” Orion asked.
James walked around the bed.
“Say whatever you need to say to her. I am going to go get Dr. Carter to sit with her. There are some things I need you to do before we leave.”
He was crushed. Finally with a regretful heart, he agreed. He watched his father leave.
“Sarah,” he whispered in her ear. “I have to leave soon. I am sorry. The last thing I want to do is leave you.” He wanted so badly to kiss her. Why not he thought. So he did; a soft kiss on sweet lips. “I will be back.” There was a knock at the door. He stood up, letting go of her hand. “Come.”
Dr. Carter entered.
“Take very good care of her,” Orion glared at him before quickly leaving. He found James standing in the hall.
“My son, there are two books in the library: Qtngje: E Fgqbljx, Selira: A History. One is in Selirian and one is in Shyrekian. It is obvious she can sense things off of you and vice versa. You must hide from her what you read.”
Orion thought for a moment. “No, I can’t. I don’t have the strength to hide anything from her.”
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