The Two Kings (Afterlife Saga)

  “Because you liked her?” Libby asked with a smirk plastered on her face.

  “Libby!” I shouted, not liking being the topic of subject.

  “Yes, because as soon as I saw her, I wanted to know her.” Draven said this with honesty in his voice and Frank nudged Libby on the arm before contributing his feelings.

  “I tried to tell them once but neither would believe me. I knew when you brought her home that night, that there was more to it but our little Kazzy here has never been one to admit when someone fancies her!”

  “Oh Frank not you too, can we get off this subject please?” I said feeling my cheeks melting but Draven was clearly amused with Frank’s interpretation of the events

  “See!” Frank followed this by laughing and Libby frowned at him.

  “Frank, you’re embarrassing her.”

  “Na, she’s a tough nut aren’t you Kazzy! And one hell of a cook I might add.” This had me smiling as it was one compliment that I liked to receive.

  “Oh, I second that but tell me where did you learn how to cook?” Draven turned to me and I met his yummy eyes with confidence.

  “Just at home experimenting and watching my mum as a kid, she loved to bake….hey Libs do you remember her chocolate brownie cakes with the iced tops” We both made ‘mmm’ noises and Frank rolled his eyes.

  “Women and chocolate…do you understand it?” Frank asked Draven and he laughed before saying

  “It’s all in the balance.”

  “Balance?” Frank repeated clearly confused.

  “Well women must be addicted to something as sweet as their natures.” Me and Libby both giggled like flirty teenagers and Frank just rolled his eyes.

  “I must remember to tell my brother that one! I bet it’s a big hit with the ladies.” At this Draven made fists under the table which luckily only I could see.

  “Ah yes Justin isn’t it, Keira has mentioned him.” This looked almost painful to watch as unbeknown to my sister and Frank, Draven was finding it hard to even say his name without straining and gritting his teeth.

  “Yeah, he’s just come back from travelling. He’s a real free spirit kinda of guy…which is code for he doesn’t really know what he wants to do in life but he’s a good kid.”

  “You say kid, but Frank, he’s the same age as me.” I said but instantly regretted anything from my mouth that sounded like I was defending him.

  “Yeah, but I call you kid and besides I’m going to be a daddy so I have the right.” He said as he rubbed his wife’s belly and she rolled her eyes when he stuck his tongue out at me. Of course, I did it back but ruined its affect when I laughed and nearly snorted.

  “You’re both big kids.” Libby stated before cutting herself some more cake.

  “Congratulations, Keira told me you were expecting.” Draven said, making the proud parents beam.

  “Thank you. I believe I made Keira late for work once when she found out the news, so she must have told you then.” As soon as she said it Draven’s face dropped slightly, as this was the time when he had shouted at me for being late and didn’t know the reason for it. Well not until now. I suppressed a smile at the memory.

  “Yes.” Was all he said and I knew he was probably feeling guilty having now found out my reasons. I had thought that maybe he had believed it was down to Jack but this was something I could ask him when we were next alone, which I was both craving for and dreading.

  “So your brother, Justin, will he be visiting you again soon?”

  “Oh yeah, didn’t Kaz tell you, he’s coming to stay next weekend and Kazzy offered to take him to your club?” Frank looked from me to Libby as if he had just put his foot in it but of course I already did that moments ago in the kitchen.

  “It must have slipped her mind.” He said before giving me a chilling smile, one that made me gulp.

  “Yeah, I was thinking I was going to introduce him to RJ.” I said hoping this would cool things down but it just made things worse.

  “What the Goth with pink hair? …Na, he’s got a thing for blondes.” At this Draven was almost desperate to let out a growl, I could tell by the way his large fists were turning white under the strain. Libby shot Frank a look and shook her head slightly. At least she knew that this wasn’t the best conversation to be having so she thankfully changed the subject and asked who wanted coffee.

  “Tea for me, please.”

  “Well durr, oh and don’t worry Kaz I wouldn’t ask you to make it.” Libby burst out laughing and Frank joined in as, of course, he had heard the story along with everyone else in my family! Draven looked like he missed something and I frowned at them both.

  “Oh sorry, you don’t know why Kazzy hates coffee do you?” Libby had on her mischievous grin and I had to intervene quickly.

  “Oh no, don’t you dare! I mean it…Dra I mean Dominic doesn’t need to hear about childish stories,” I warned her but this just made Draven even more curious. He cleared his throat before disagreeing with me.

  “I beg to differ, I would love to hear stories about Keira as a child.” Libby gave me a wink but I just folded my arms and mouthed the words “NO” to her.

  “I’m sorry Kaz but he’s the guest!” I grunted at this and just sat there looking extremely hacked off but for Draven this just added to his amusement.

  “Well when Kaz was….umm how old?” Great now she wanted my input.

  “Eleven,” I said abruptly.

  “Yeah that’s right, she was eleven when my dad had some clients meeting him at the house. Our mother usually made tea and coffee whenever he’d have a meeting at home but mum was called to the care home. See our dad works in advertising and our mum works with the elderly. So when she got called away Kazzy offered to help my dad by making the drinks. What she hadn’t counted on was that they would all want coffee and she had never made it before. Dad told her that the filtered coffee was in the cupboard and it was in a jar with a red lid.” She actually stopped to laugh and I don’t suppose my miserable face was helping.

  “So she poured the whole jar in the bottom of the cafetiere and added the water before putting on the top and letting it brew.” Again the word brew had her in fits, which I just rolled my eyes at.

  “Yes, yes, get on with it Libs,” I said impatiently and this had them all laughing.

  “Anyway, she got everything ready, sugar, cream, cups and then took in the tray. It was only when they all left did Kazzy notice that no one had drunk their coffee as all the cups were still full. When she asked my dad why, he told her...

  “Because dear, nobody likes cream and sugar with a cup of gravy!” At this Libby was crying with laughter and Frank had banged his fist on the table before erupting with his usual hoarse grunting. Draven too found this all hysterical but instead of laughing at me, he pulled me into him and kissed the top of my head. I could feel his attempt at hiding his amusement but the sound of his laughter had me joining in with them all.

  “Why did you give them gravy to drink?” Draven asked through an outstretched grin.

  “Because I thought it was the coffee, besides my dad’s clients thought it was that funny that it sealed the deal.”

  “Yes I can imagine, very adorable!” Draven agreed and Libby mouthed an ‘Aww’ at me when he wasn’t looking her way.

  “Yeah, well it wasn’t as bad as the time Libby blew up the popcorn machine!” I giggled and Frank’s eyes widened….he obviously hadn’t yet heard this one. Now it was Libby’s turn to get defensive.

  “Catherine! Don’t you dare!” Libby only ever called me by my first name when she was serious but it sounded like the way my mum says it when I’m in trouble.

  “Oh no way babe, you spilt her story, now I want to know yours.” She frowned at her big husband but to no effect.

  “Sorry Libs, but if the guest requests then I must deliver,” I said in a smug tone.

  “Frank lives here so that doesn’t count!”

  “Fine…Dominic please can you agree with me, that this is
also one story you would very much like to hear.” I asked in my sweetest tone and to seal the deal I placed my hand on the inside of his leg close to his sweet spot. I could have sworn that I saw him gulp slightly.

  “I’m sorry Libby but forgive me for never being able to deny your sister anything.” Libby raised her eyebrows first at Draven then at Frank.

  “Traitors!” She commented but couldn’t keep her face straight. I was smiling at my revenge and took a large swig of my wine before starting my story.

  “Ok, so our parents had gone away for the weekend and left Libby in charge as she is the oldest. She was told not to have anyone round but Libby ignored the rules and invited her friends and before long there were about twenty people in the house. She decided to make popcorn when she was drunk but because there was still un-popped corn in the bottom she thought it would be a good idea to keep the machine on.”

  “I wasn’t that drunk!” She added but I continued like I hadn’t heard her.

  “So when she forgot about it and the fire alarm started to go off, I was the one to find the flames. The popcorn machine was on fire and melting. Libby then came running in and opened a window before throwing it outside into our fish pond. The problem being one of our neighbours had heard the alarm and called the fire brigade! The next thing we knew we had to pile twenty drunken teens into a garage, clean up the evidence of a party and fish out the remains of the popcorn machine all before the firemen piled in.”

  Frank clearly loved every minute of this story, so I purposely left out the bit where she had her boyfriend at the time, to stay the night. In hopes she wouldn’t mention me kissing a boy from my school who was two years older than me.

  “So what happened? You ever get busted” Frank asked Libby.

  “No, I made Kaz burn some toast and blame it on that but when mum and dad got back they wanted to know why all the fish had died!” This once again made the house fill with the sound of laughter but it died when she asked me the name of that boy I kissed.

  “Thanks Libs! You know I don’t remember, you invited him! And what about that boyfriend of yours that you had to stay the night…eh?” I know it was cruel but she had struck first. Frank being of the protective jealous type shot her a look and in turn she shot me one that translated into a “thanks a lot!” at which I just shrugged my shoulders. Meanwhile Draven had the same look as Frank, only directed at me.

  “How old were you?” Draven asked me and I winced.

  “Nearly fifteen.” He frowned at my answer. I finished my wine letting the last drops gladly go to my head. Then I had a thought that would once again have me and Libby on the same page.

  “Have you spoken to mum lately?” I asked and Libby looked like she had been caught stealing candy.

  “Umm yeah, sorry about that, it kind of slipped out about you and Dominic, I take it she rang?” She said wincing at her own guilt.

  “Oh yeah, she called alright! And I got the whole baby safe lecture. But this isn’t the worst bit…oh no…, guess who’s coming to stay?” My face must have said it all.

  “No way, you’re bloody shitting me!” It was rare for my sister to swear but where our cousin was concerned there wasn’t enough swear words in the English language to cover it!

  “I shit you not!” I said swearing myself, which was thanks to all the wine I had consumed. I think Draven could tell I was a little tipsy so I decided to stop drinking the grape and move on to something safer or before he knew it I would start singing Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’ and then I really would be doomed. I don’t know what it was about that song but it always seemed to be the one my brain would favour!

  “Ok, well that’s not going to happen!” Libby stated and I could only wish it were true. If Draven and Frank both thought me and Libby were stubborn then this was nothing compared to our mother. She was hands down the queen bee of stubbornness. Hell, she was the reason they invented the word!

  “Lib’s I hate to break it to you but I tried, mum won’t budge,” I said stating the obvious.

  “We will see about that, wait till I speak to her.” This sounded about as aggressive as a budgie singing to a little old lady! She looked at her watch and I could see her working out the time difference and when she got up I knew she thought it best to deal with our mother herself. Even though I knew the outcome would still remain the same, there was nothing stopping me from dreaming otherwise.

  “Good luck!” I said before she walked into the kitchen.

  “What is it with you guys and this evil cousin?” Frank asked before getting up himself to take out the remaining dishes.

  “Just wait and you will find out, because I can guarantee she will be here in a few weeks causing trouble and making everyone crazy…including you.”

  “You know me Kaz, Mr Laid Back!”

  “Yeah you might be, but an unhappy wife means an unhappy life.” From this his face dropped as now he understood my full meaning. Libby hated our cousin just as much as I did and from the sounds of the murmurs coming from the next room, she was making her full feelings known.

  Frank left for the kitchen and I would bet my life that he too was now praying for Libby to win over the iron will of our mother. I smiled to myself and then turned to look at Draven but for once I found him looking away and in what seemed to be deep in thought. I knew what was coming and any minute now I would have to explain myself about Justin. I was about to speak and tell him I was sorry but he turned to me abruptly,

  “You are right, your mother can not be swayed and Libby is not pleased.” He was about to say more when he stopped and smiled having heard something he liked.

  “Now she is explaining the evening…do you want the verdict?” He leaned into me and my heart rate shot up a couple of notches. He moved the hair off my neck to get to my ear as usual.

  “I think I have been accepted into the family.” He sounded pleased and the kiss that followed made me think that maybe I wasn’t in as much trouble as I had first thought. He pulled away and I knew the only reason was because Libby was now stomping back into the dinning room.

  “Well, you were right…the bitch arrives the week after next!” I sighed at the idea and Libby added even more shit to the pile.

  “Oh and she told mum to let you know that she can’t wait till she gets here, as she really wants to...” She paused before continuing with a thought that would have me close to screaming...

  “To meet your new boyfriend!”

  Chapter 18

  Screaming in the Night

  The rest of the evening went by quickly and most importantly smoothly but thankfully with no more embarrassing stories about my past. It was getting late and it was only when a vibrating sound came from Draven’s pocket did I look at the clock. Of course for the king of the world’s supernatural I doubt eleven o’clock was past his bedtime.

  It was strange to see Draven answer a mobile phone and it brought back memories of the first and last time I had seen it. Back then, of course, I had been terrified of him but even then, my love had never faltered. It is a bizarre feeling to be obsessed with something you both loved and feared. Now things are different. I have swapped fear for intimidated but the obsession still remains as strong as the day it was first imprinted.

  Draven stood and excused himself before continuing with his phone call. He spoke a language I couldn’t understand but if I were to guess it sounded from Asian decent.

  “Well that’s me convinced, he’s lovely.” Libby whispered in vain as he could probably speak six different languages, listen to ten conversations while juggling cars and making a soufflé at the same time. Ok, the scratch the soufflé part but he could order someone to make it while all this was going on! I giggled and Libby mistook its meaning.

  “Pleased?”

  “Yes and thank you for making him feel so welcome.” I said this to both of them but Frank just winked like it was no trouble. Draven walked back in as he was placing his shiny black phone back in his pocket.

  “I’
m afraid I have just been informed that I have some business to attend too, so I must say goodnight but I thank you both for your hospitality.” My heart sank at the thought of spending a night alone. It’s funny how all those years I coped not knowing anything different but now after less than a week of spending every night in his arms, I didn’t know how I was going to face being alone.

  “Keira, my driver is outside.” He said nodding to the door and I knew I had to say goodbye, but all I wanted to do was sit here and sulk! I wondered if it was actually business that was taking him away from me or was I being punished for the ‘Justin thing’.

  He was shaking Frank’s hand and then he gave Libby a kiss on the cheek as he thanked them again. I, on the other hand, looked as though I was going to start sucking my thumb. I walked him to the door, while Libby and Frank remained in the den to give us some privacy.

  He took my jacket off the hook and started to hold it out for me.

  “It’s ok I don’t need it.” I said thinking it was odd as I was only going to be out there for a short while, unless he knew I would be clingy.

  “Keira it is cold out there tonight, look, there’s a frost.” He was right as when I opened the door we were met by a sparkly blanket that covered the earth and was shimmering under the porch light.

  “Yeah, but I won’t keep you.” He frowned at my reason.

  “You do not want to come with me? I already told you, I will not be angry…”

  “Wait, you want me to come?” His face softened as my mistake became clear. His hands took me by the waist and he pulled me into him roughly.

  “Of course I want you to come with me…Keira, I never want to be apart from you, not even for one single night.” My lips curved into a shy smile which made him let out a low groan at the sight. He loved it when I went all shy. He turned me around and tapped me lightly on my lower cheeks and made me let out an excited scream.