Pure Blood

  Chapter 26

  Crix was leaning on the railing of the back porch and watching everything around him. Everything was peaceful. Harmonized. Zeke and Holidee were in the water with Fye. Tom and Rebekah were somewhere out front. Rip was by himself, sitting on the beach. So much had happened that summer. Crix could hardly believe it was almost over. Holidee had become more powerful, even though Crix thought that was impossible. Zeke and Holidee’s relationship had become closer as did Tom and Rebekah’s. Rip had become stronger and more skillful. Crix had spent a lot of his time with him. Crix’ mind wondered as he remembered all of them when he first met them. They seemed so young and helpless. Now they were grown and independent. They had become young adults, turning into adults. Where had the time gone?

  Earlier in the summer, they had celebrated Zeke’s eighteenth birthday. His parents came over and they had had a small party. He got some gifts, including one from Holidee. She had given him the leather necklace she wore with a pearl. She told him it was a reminder of the ocean. It was a special gift. That necklace meant a lot to Holidee, considering it was given to her by a sea creature.

  Then Holidee’s birthday came and they celebrated again. She was seventeen now. Seventeen. Had it really been over a year since he had seen Gregoric? Has it really been over a year? Crix looked at Holidee, splashing and playing with Fye and Zeke. She had a good birthday also. It would have been better if her parents were there, but Crix was almost certain that he had felt their presence.

  Crix looked down at his hands and then brushed them through his hair. Holidee had been discussing the school with him and all of them for that matter. They had already drawn the blueprints. They just had to start building. They had decided to start building it as soon as possible, knowing it would take a while to finish. Crix had already been to every store possible, buying supplies. The school was to be made out of stone. Old stone. Some brick, but mostly stone. Holidee wanted the school to be as natural as possible. It was going to be beautiful. No doubt. They had been discussing college also. Would they go? Crix didn’t think so. They really didn’t need to. What would a teaching degree teach them? They already knew what they were going to teach. Then there were the little things. Crix hated the little things. When they did get the school finished and opened, what would happen to those few Oceains who were older than fourteen, but younger than eighteen? How many would they or could they accept in one year? How would they decide to enroll them? What about foreign Oceains who don’t speak English? Crix shook his head. He hated the little things. Holidee didn’t seem bothered by them, but he knew better than that. She was worried about how the school would turn out and if her plan was the best one. She shouldn’t be worried, though. Who else is there? This burden was set on her shoulders alone, no matter how much Crix tried to help. It was on her shoulders, not his. Crix let out a deep breath. Had he done everything in his power to help her? Had he done everything right finishing raising her? He looked back up and saw Zeke holding her around the waist. Crix smiled. He had. She was a wonderful girl.

  Crix then looked over at Rip, who was sitting on the sand alone. And what about him? What was in store for him? Rip had been taught every skill Crix and Holidee knew. He had learned almost every one of them. There were a few only Holidee could do. Crix looked at Rip as his red and brown hair was whipped away from his face by the sea breeze. His eyes were closed. What was going through that powerful mind of his? Crix knew his journey was not going to be an easy one, either. Crix remembered first meeting him as a student. Now he looked at him as an Oceain. He had seemed to age about ten years in that short amount of time. Was that a good thing or not? Crix was pondering a dozen questions when a warm hand rested on his shoulder. He stood up and turned around, facing Mer who had a big smile on her face and two cups of coffee in her hands.

  “You look slightly distracted. Maybe this will help.” She handed him one of the cups. He took it and smiled.

  “Thanks. I was just thinking.”

  “Now, isn’t that a shocker.” Crix looked at her as she took a sip of her coffee, a smile on her lips.

  “No. I was just watching them.” Crix leaned on the rail again. Mer leaned on it next to him. “Look, Mer. They’re us. When we were younger.” Mer looked at Holidee and Zeke in the water. Zeke was bowing and then he took one of Holidee’s hands and placed his other one on her waist. He started dancing with her in the ocean and twirling her around. They both had big smiles on their faces and laughter in their voices. Mer nodded her head.

  “Yes. I see it. They’re in love.” Crix hadn’t been as blunt, but he was thinking it. He smiled and sipped his coffee.

  “They are. Sometimes I miss those days.” Mer looked at him. “Carefree years with nothing but you in my arms.” Mer smiled and looked back at Holidee and Zeke, still dancing, but slower. Crix set his coffee on the railing and took Mer’s hands. “Dance with me, Mer. Dance like we used to. Carefree.” He held her close and started spinning in circles on the porch. His eyes never left hers as she held him tight. The imaginary music playing in their heads as they slowly sped up. Then, when they started to lose their breath, they stopped, still staring at each other. Crix touched Mer’s forehead with his. “I love you.” Then he lightly kissed her soft lips. “There is nothing in the world I’d rather have than you.” Her eyes were still closed as he whispered in her ear. “You are the only one for me.” He softly touched her cheek with his thumb, stroking it gently. “Tell me, Mer. Tell me slowly so that I can soak it in.” Mer parted her lips and whispered softly.

  “I love you, Crix.” He kissed her once more and then she opened her eyes and smiled. “I’ve always loved you. I always will.” Crix smiled as he kept stroking her soft skin with his thumb.