Entwined Souls

Chapter 8

My body ached as I lied on the gym mat and I stayed still staring at the ceiling gasping for air to fill my tired lungs

       Archer flopped down next to me, our shoulders gently collided and our chest fell into sync as our breaths slowed from our last training

" You feel ready?" he asked. I thought about it for a second and exhaled with a shaky breath, " I don't really have a choice. I have to be ready. We leave tomorrow"

he turned his head to look at me and I met his gaze

his beautiful mismatched eyes swirled with indescribable emotions and he reached out to me placing his hand on the side of head gently caressing my cheek with his thumb

It has been 2 weeks now and my feelings have yet to come to a halt however, these last couple of days I try to avoid situations like we are in right now because I am trying my hardest to not fall too hard for this incredibly perfect human being. If he is a human being? still confused about the whole terminology, to be honest

                                 anyway

I mean, all things considered, I feel like I have done a good job at keeping the butterfly at bay. Also, the way my body totally ignites when he touches me or how my heart just absolutely aches when I see any type of distress in his body language

wow, okay. I'm royally screwed.

he scooted closer to me ever so slightly, I watched as his eyes dip to my lips, and his thumb slowly migrated from my cheek to my lips gently running the pad on my bottom lip

as he pushed to lean in, I clear my throat and pull from his grasp sitting up and letting out a shaky breath. " I should go get cleaned up "I get up without looking back at him and walk up the cellar stairs towards the ground floor

Guilt rips through my body but weirdly enough I know it's not my emotion. He feels guilty for trying to kiss me? Shouldn't I feel guilty for rejecting it?

I shake my head to clear my mind and put up my wall, Alexandra is been teaching me so much I am truly grateful

I learned more about the Soulmate bond and how to control it, I don't want him to feel the self-loathing I feel so I put up the wall

                                            ☀︎☽

I felt the fluff of the white robe on my damp skin and I wiped my hand across the fogged mirror and rested my the palms of my hands on the counter staring at my reflection, my violet eyes being the only thing remotely interesting or unique thing I posses

the intrusive thoughts flooded my mind and I was struggling to hold them at the gates of my mind

" You think you are strong enough to rule anyone, ha. yeah right"

" No one liked you back then and nothing will change now."

" You aren't good enough."

" No one will ever love you."

" You think he wants you? Not even your mother wanted you"

The salty tears trailed down my bare cheeks and I continued looking at my reflection without breaking eye contact

I took a long deep breath in, " I am good enough. I can do this. I don't need his love, I just need to love myself" I spoke confidently

my heart rate calmed as I let my body relax and rejected any negative thoughts trying to penetrate my bounds

I pulled myself away taking one last look at my red-rimmed eyes smiling softly at myself

I pulled a large t-shirt over my head and cotton shorts when I heard 3 soft knocks on my door, " come in" I called out walking into my room from the bathroom

Archer walked in and gently shut the door coming towards me, as the soft light etched his feature as he got closer I could see the scrunch in his eyebrows clear

" Were you crying? Was it because of what happened during training because i-" I cut him off quickly

" No, no-no. It's nothing " I dismissed taking a seat on the edge of my bed and he cautiously took a seat next to me as we faced each other

frustration and desperation filled his tone, " Luna. It is not nothing, You know I can feel you withdrawing from the bond, putting up the wall. Out of literally anyone in this screwed up universe, I can be the one to help support you. You are not alone anymore luna, you are never alone. Please just don't make me feel the emptiness that is left when you put up the barrier. "

I didn't realize that when I isolated myself that it would affect Archer also

" okay " I said simply

" Okay?" he repeated

I reached out my hand to him and lifted my gaze to meet his, he laced our fingers together

" I hope this doesn't scare you away, I am not good with words but I can show you how I am feeling"

he shook his head, " Never."

I nodded and exhaled

All the emotions that I have repressed and suffered alone with, I released. I felt as my chest tightened and when I felt like I was going to suffocate it released sending tingles in a rapid speed down my arm reaching my finger and crossing the bridge from my body to Archers

He reeled for a second and then squeezed my hand tighter as he rode through the emotions I have felt the last couple of weeks and a single tear fell from his eye and I gasped quietly, He shut his eyes tightly and shook his head, when he opened them up he immediately pulled me flush to his chest and held me in his embrace tightly

The once cold and chilly feeling inside my soul lit up and warmth spread through me

" Luna, You are never allowed to put up those walls again. You are not allowed to feel that way alone, I am here. I am here Luna." he said into my hair and gently kissed my temple

I nodded and just bathed in the feelings that rose as I stayed in his arms

I pulled away slightly and rested my forehead on his

" You know your eyes are so freaking stunning" he whispered

     I smiled softly and shook my head,
That's what I think every time I look into yours

The edges of his lips lifted slightly drawing my attention away from his eyes, he ran his tongue along the bottom of his lip and I felt entranced

fuck this

I softly nudged my nose to his and fluttered my eyes shut. He nudged me back, gently placing his lips on mine and I molded my lips to his falling into a blissful pattern

The butterflies in my chest explode and the gentle kissing accelerates to something more fast pace filled with Longing and hunger

he pulls away first and I take the chance to fill my lungs back up with air

his grin shines so brightly, I can't help but mirror it

" As much as I would love to continue this, we have a big day tomorrow and you need your sleep" his husky voice huffed

I bit my swollen lip and nodded can't helping but still smiling like an idiot

he pecked my lips gently once more before getting up and heading for the door

" wait" I called out, and he turned back, " stay with me? please?" I asked

he smiled softly, "I would love to "

I reached the top of the bed and lifted the cover getting underneath, the bed dips under him as he comes in next to me

I cuddle into his chest and he wraps his arms protectively around my waist

                         " Goodnight Archer"

                        " Sweet dreams Luna"