Rose Blossom - By Renee Travis Page 0,39

message so she wouldn't call my house and freak out mom and dad.

As I climbed into the backseat of the cab I left a brief message telling her where I was going and that I was fine. Hanging up I told the cab driver, an older man who smelled like peppermint, where to head. He looked a little curious, but thankfully didn't ask questions and drove away.

I sat back and closed my eyes, keeping a firm grip on Julian and mine's bond, my stomach growled and I glanced up, a little embarrassed. I hadn't been hungry for days, just my luck my appetite would show up now, at a really bad time. Lethargy also was trying to invade and I had to fight it off, afraid if I fell asleep when I woke up I wouldn't be able to feel Julian at all.

"We're here Miss; do you want me to wait?" The driver pulled to a stop outside the swimming hole. He looked back at me, patiently.

"No, how much?" I grabbed my wallet and gave him the amount due plus a good sized tip, thankful I'd remembered to shove my purse into my backpack that morning.

“You sure you don’t want me to wait? There’s nothing here for miles.” The cabby looked concerned.

“No, I’m meeting someone.”It was only sort of a lie.

I got out of the car and he drove off. My boots and socks slipped off easily and I dropped them into my back pack. Leaving them I walked toward the beach. The sand was heaven between my toes as I looked around. I couldn't see Julian but I could feel him, stronger than ever. Tears began to form in my eyes. I couldn't tell if he was still there or had just barely left. Frustration coursed through me as I turned and peered into the darkness under the trees a few feet away. The smell of vegetation and water drifted around me.

"Rhodanthe, what are you doing here?" My heart leapt as I heard his voice coming from the deepest shade of the trees.

Swallowing I tried to find my voice, almost croaking I whispered, "I love you and you needed to know that not my parents or my death will keep me from you."

He emerged from the shadows and walked slowly toward me, I gulped in air feeling like my lungs had constricted. He looked wonderful, his black hair windblown and those eyes, those blue eyes like gems in the light. He stopped just in front of me.

"I will not cause your death."

I gave him my best smile, " I'm dying Julian, have been for years. I'd rather die loving you than alone."

Julian opened his mouth as if to say something else then shut it. We stood in silence for what seemed like forever, he just looked at me, his gaze taking in every inch of my person.

Finally he let out a breath, a breath I knew he didn’t need, "Rho, dear Goddess! You look horrible. When was the last time you slept?" He wrapped his arms around me and I let out a deep and awful sounding sob. The tension of the last week drained from me in less than five seconds. I felt my shoulders sag, a deep fatigue filled me and my knees gave out. Julian swept me up in his arms cradling me to his chest. It was so good but I blushed anyway, hating to be seen as weak. We stood there together for what seemed like hours, I had no idea how much time had passed I was so happy.

He kissed the top of my head his breath fanning my face; I took a few deep gulps in, my heart feeling better than it had in days. Just his scent gave me a few more precious moments of strength.

"Oh my Rose blossom, it's against my better judgment, but I do so love you." His hands splayed over my hips and back, settling me in a firmer position. "I'm going to take you home, but we will have to run. Is this okay?"

"Of course, just don't drop me." I heard him laugh, we walked to where I'd left my things, he picked them up, slinging them over one shoulder while still holding tight to me and then we were off.

It was cold and fast, exhilarating. I kept my eyes closed; fingers buried in his tight white t-shirt and loved every minute of it. The only thing I saw was the inside of my eye lids