Robert had changed my life so much and had become someone I really trusted. I felt safe with him. It had been a long time since I’d really felt safe with someone. My heart swelled and I realized I had fallen for him. I’d been so preoccupied fighting against the Magical world that I couldn’t see him slowly sneaking his way up and over my walls.
I felt ridiculous, but I had to ask. I had to know if what I was feeling was just because of our soul connection or if it was something more.
“Robert?” I started.
“Yes?” he asked, turning his gaze to me.
“Does the connection between us… I mean, is our souls being connected why I feel…” I paused. I sounded like a mumbling idiot. I felt incredibly self-conscious, more than I’d ever felt in my entire life.
His expression softened in understanding. “No, we’re not drawn to each other because of our souls being connected. It’s just a way to pass on Magic to someone who doesn’t have a Magical soul.”
So it wasn’t just me then. He felt drawn to me too. I smiled. “That’s it, then? It’s just a way magic is transferred between two people?”
“Well, no,” he said, hesitating as he tapped his finger in thought. “That’s not it.”
“What else is there?”
“Now don’t quote me on this. I don’t have a lot of information to go on. But it’s been said that Arthur and Merlin were able to wield very powerful magic when the two of them worked together.”
“Have you felt a difference at all?”
“No, at least I don’t think so. Let me make a few calls and see if I can get some more information.”
“Sure, I need to get to work too.”
We didn't talk much the rest of the day. Robert left me to my task and he made phone call after phone call, taking notes in his journal after every one. I kept glancing over at him, wondering what he was writing about. If he had found something new, I wanted to know. After all, this connection affected me too.
Around lunchtime he went and got us sandwiches from the deli a couple doors down and told me what little more he knew about Arthur and Merlin.
So much of what happened back then had been lost or turned into fictitious stories. The only hope was to find a family journal, like Robert’s, that had been passed down through the generations. That was a long shot.
Jessie showed up a couple hours later in her P.E. clothes and chatted with Robert about school. She clearly had a crush on him and it was cute how she shamelessly flirted with him.
After finishing a little more than half of the pictures, I went through the messages I’d pushed aside earlier. The elementary school had called me back with a date next month for picture day. I called them back to confirm the date and moved on to the next message. It was from Matthew. He had called yesterday afternoon.
I dialed the number Jessie had jotted down and Matthew picked up on the second ring.
“Hello?” he asked.
“Hey, it’s Violet. You called yesterday but I wasn’t in,” I said.
“Off playing hooky, huh?”
I laughed. “No, just working from home. Did you need something?”
“Yeah, I’m going to be in the area tomorrow and Meredith wanted me to check with you and see if you had anything done I could bring back with me.”
“I have a little more than half the pictures printed. I should be able to get everything else finished by tomorrow.”
“Alright, perfect. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. Talk to you later, Matty,” I said. I couldn’t help myself.
“Just when I was starting to like you,” he laughed.
We both hung up and I went through the rest of the messages. I had a few from Becky that made me feel guilty I’d completely forgotten about her the past few days. I dialed her cell to see if she still wanted to do something later tonight.
“Hey, what's up?” she answered after a few rings.
“Not much. I’m finishing up here at the studio and wanted to check in with you about dinner and a movie tonight.”
“Yeah, I’m still going to be a couple hours and I won’t have time to make food but Aaron’s at the house.”
“No worries. I have a few things I want to do at home first.” I eyed Robert. He was still talking with Jessie but looking in my direction. “I’ll pick up some takeout on my way over.”
“Alright, see you in a bit.”
“See ya," I said and hung up.
“Ready when you are,” I told Robert as I walked over to him and Jessie.
He nodded and said, “It was good talking to you again, Jessie.”
“You too,” she said, smiling ear to ear.
“Why don’t you get out of here,” I suggested to Jessie.
“Are you sure? Day’s not over yet.”
“Yeah, but the clouds cleared up and it’s still pretty nice out there. Take the rest of the day on me.”
“Alright, thanks so much, Violet!” Jessie pulled her phone from her bag and started texting away the moment she was out the door.
“That was nice of you,” Robert said.
“She’s young. She should be out enjoying life, not being around what I’m going through.”
“So we’re heading back to your place?”
“Yep, there’s something I want to try if you're up for it.” I was determined to learn a little more about my Magic.
Robert gave me a skeptical look but then a small smile played at his lips. “I’m up for anything.”
Chapter 15
We left the studio and got back to my place in a matter of minutes. Robert didn’t ask what it was I wanted to do and I was grateful. I needed the drive home to really think about what I would ask him and wanted to be sure I was ready. If I went through with this, there was no going back.
I parked the car down the street and we walked up to my complex. The sun hadn’t begun setting but the cool ocean air made it clear that night was fast approaching.
“So, are you going to tell me what we’ll be doing?” Robert asked. His eyebrows rose innocently.
“Yes,” I replied and looked him up and down. Two could play this game.
“Anytime soon?” His lips curled into a smile that would have any girl at his mercy.
“Yes,” I said, a little breathless. I swung the gate open and headed down the path, trying to stay in control of the emotions bubbling inside me.
He placed his hand on my lower back as we walked down the shaded path. I could feel the warmth of his hand through my thin, cotton t-shirt and my skin tingled at his touch.
“Violet, tell me,” he whispered. His breath on the back of my neck sent chills all over my body. I felt like I was overheating despite the cool air. He was good at this, but so was I.
I turned to face him and placed my hand on his chest. Following my movement his fingers now rested on my hip. Surprise flickered in his eyes and his grip tightened around me.
“Can we just get inside first,” I suggested. I held his gaze as my fingers fiddled with one of the buttons on his shirt.
He hesitated a moment, giving himself away. In that split second of hesitation I could see just how much of an effect I had on him. I smiled, glad it wasn’t just me, and turned away from him, needing to put a little distance between us.
Unlocking the front door I walked inside and Robert followed a good distance behind me. Tossing my purse on the kitchen table I took a deep breath and turned to face him as he closed the door.