Fidelis lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He hadn't gotten much sleep after the fight last night and his fated mark had throbbed all night long with Sera's emotions. It had driven him crazy. He wanted to comfort her but was afraid it would backfire on him if he called. So he held back even though it went against his instincts to do so.
The knock on his door drew him out of his thoughts and he went to answer it. His father stood outside. He arched an eyebrow before stepping aside so his father could enter. His father went to his table and took a seat, his appraising gaze on Fidelis's face. He stood still until his father finished and then sat. His father's neutral expression didn't give him any clues as to his thoughts.
"I got an interesting call from Principal Greenwood this morning."
Fidelis kept his expression blank. He wasn't sure what his father wanted him to say. It was better to let him lead the conversation.
"He said you got into an unprovoked fight with another football player and beat him up pretty badly. I told him I would speak to you about this matter and go to the school on Monday for a conference. I would like to hear your side of the story."
He sighed at his father's words. Of course, Nick lied about the fight. He was probably embarrassed that he had lost so badly, especially after all his trash-talking.
"Nick was disrespecting Sera. I told him to shut up, but he chose not to," Fidelis shrugged. "He couldn't back up the words spewing from his mouth, so I taught him a lesson. That's all that happened."
"Hmm. As long as you fought honorably, I have no objection to you fighting to defend your fated one but make sure you watch your strength. We are stronger than humans and must be careful. I am proud of you for defending your loved one's honor."
His father's grin was happy, and he smiled in return. He started to say something when his wrist burned so harshly that he let out a hoarse shout of pain and grabbed his wrist.
"Fidelis!" His father rushed to his side.
His father turned his wrist up. His father gasped and Fidelis grunted at the sight. The mark was pulsing red and yellow.
"Sera," he growled as the pain intensified. His soul howled its rage at the agony his fated one was experiencing.
Laced through her pain was a distress so overwhelming that it was debilitating to him. Fidelis hunched over, cradling his wrist to his chest. He frantically stroked it and tried to send some comfort to Sera.
"Breathe, Son. Do not let her emotions swallow you."
He barely heard his father's words. He was so focused on Sera that he was no longer aware of his surroundings. He had to help her!
"Prince Fidelis! Concentrate on my voice," a voice suddenly intruded on his thoughts, and he blinked.
Standing before him was High Priest Michaelus. A coolness was spreading from Michaelus's hand to his fate mark. The pain was lessening, and he realized he was no longer felt Sera's emotions. He jerked his wrist from the high priest.
"I don't feel her anymore!"
"Your Highness, please calm down. She might be unconscious," Michaelus explained.
Fidelis glared, grabbed his phone, and called Sera's number.
"C'mon, c'mon! Pick up, please," he whispered, worry gnawing at his insides. He cursed when it went to voicemail. He quickly dialed Al's phone next. He got the same result. No answer.
"Son, let's wait a few minutes and try calling again," his father suggested.
Fidelis started to pace. He sent his senses into the fated mark but was met with silence. She had to be alive. He would follow her into death if she were gone. He called again and was met with no answer. Despair rose and guilt, too. He didn't have their address. If only he had it. He would be able to go check on her.
After several more frustrated tries, he threw his phone and watched it shatter. He didn't care. He sank into the chair and covered his face with his hands. He prayed to Autem to keep Sera safe.
"Son, I'm going to go. Let me know when you get in touch with her." His father patted his shoulder, giving Fidelis a hopeful expression.
"Yes, Father." He watched his father and the high priest leave.
He got up, paced some more, and tried calling again. Fidelis continued to call over the next four hours before giving up in defeat. He laid down and tried to sleep. Maybe he would connect with her this way.
~***~
Darkness. He couldn't see or hear anything. He didn't panic. As a warrior, he had undergone all sorts of trials and one of those was sensory deprivation. He knew he was dreaming. This darkness was not his but Sera's. That didn't make it any better. Instead, it made things worse.
When a person dreamed of darkness it usually meant they were in some kind of perceived hell. Whether it was literal or symbolic, the darkness represented many things.
Suddenly the darkness scattered, and he was on a hill he didn't recognize. He turned to his right when he heard a scream and ran down the hill toward the forest below.
The terrified screams grew louder, and Fidelis increased his speed. He came to a halt at a break in the trees and gasped in horror. Tied to a tree was Sera. He recognized her by her long hair and slender build. He heard her whimpering, "No, no, no," and it hurt his heart.
He ran to her and reached out to touch her. He snarled in frustration when his hand passed through her body. He couldn't touch her.
"Sera, I'm here."
Her whimpers turned to sobs of terror. Her body trembled with fear. Fidelis wanted to destroy whoever had made her this way. Her anguish was twining with his anger at his helplessness. He had to reach her.
He reached out again, focusing on making his touch be felt. For a moment, he connected with her, the warmth of her arm filling him. He heard her whisper, "Romeo," and then she fainted, and he was flung from the dream.
~***~
Fidelis shot up in bed and slid from the covers. His fated mark was warm to the touch. He wasn't feeling any emotions but that was okay. He knew she was alive. He grabbed his phone and called Sera's number. He was surprised when the call was answered.
"Sera! Thank god! I was trying to reach you. Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, Sera is busy right now."
Fidelis glared at the phone. He didn't recognize this woman's voice. "Who is this and why are you answering Sera's phone?" he demanded.
"My name is Lael, and I'm Sera's cousin. She's busy right now and can't talk."
Suspicious of how this woman kept trying to keep him from Sera, Fidelis cursed silently. He couldn't lose his cool.
"Can you please ask her to call me when she is able?"
There was a long pause before the woman answered.
"I can do that. Have a good night."
Click. Fidelis wanted to smash something but chose not to destroy this phone. He was glad he always kept two phones. It was coming in handy tonight. He couldn't recall Sera ever mentioning a Lael. When he talked to her next time, he would ask.
Still upset about the entire situation, he resolved to call Sunday and if that didn't work he would definitely learn the truth Monday at school. Satisfied with his course of action, he put his phone down and went back to bed.