The Prodigy Antaris - a secret World of magic #1
Chapter 8

When the excitement and emotions calmed down a little, Aidan led us into one of the big Villas. We sat in the living room, which exuded luxury. Avery sat next to me, not letting go of my hand, while the others sat around us on the couches.

The girl who fought with my brother introduced herself as Inna. I was immediately aware that she was the girl from my dream, who threw water at us. Even as a child she was beautiful, and now as a grown woman she is even more beautiful. Her matted blue hair and extremely blue eyes stood out even more because of her beautiful dark skin.

She was beautiful and clearly controlled the water, I wonder if she was a Mermaid?

"Yes, she is a Mermaid...and not just any Mermaid. She is Princess Inna, the only descendant of the royal family of sea creatures." Jade replied.

I gave Jade a look and she immediately realized that her mind reading was quite irritating.

"My dear Iris, we were very good friends when we were children. Your departure shook us all...Aidan was devastated and until today he was waiting for your return." said Inna while smiling warmly.

My brother didn't take his gaze off me. It was as if he couldn't believe his eyes that I was sitting in the same room with him. His gaze revealed many things...Pain and suffering, hope...joy and happiness and all because of me.

I was happy and optimistic, I started to remember.

"I have so much to tell you.." Aidan began to speak.

His voice was quiet, but everyone in the room fell silent as soon as he began to speak.

"What did you mean a moment ago when you asked Avery if he told me? He told me what?" I asked my brother.

The glances between Aidan and Avery were both funny and worrying. It was as if they were making an agreement with their glances, who would tell me what it was about.

"Maybe I could explain to her?" Ava asked as she sat down next to me.

Aidan and Avery both nodded, obviously leaving it to Ava to explain.

"As you know, from ancient times and from the very existence of us mystical beings, we are tied to our amicus. They are our spiritual connection from birth... Well, animals are not the only beings we are tied to. Each of us has a kindred spirit.. one soulmate ..one single sincere love. We can fall in love only once in our life and only with our soulmate." Ava began as she looked from Avery to me.

"When we turn 18, our subconscious sends us dreams in which we see who is destined for us. And until we replace our Love, we will feel incomplete, as if a part of us is missing... This happened to Avery 3 years ago... when he dreamed of you on his 18th birthday, Iris. He searched for you for 3 years. And he never gave up! And the day your grandmother used her power, he sensed that you were in danger... that's how we found you. With a little help from Jade." Ava added as she smiled in Jade's direction.

I tried to understand what Ava told me. Each of us has only one true love that we have for our whole life, because we can only fall in love once... and that I am the Love of Avery? Me? I am the Love of the most perfect man I have ever seen in my life?

I looked at the faces of everyone present and saw only agreement. I looked at the hands of Jade and Noah and then at the intertwined fingers of me and Avery. I looked up at Avery's eyes and saw his beautiful eyes with the purple glow, he was looking at me as he waited for my reaction.

"When you saw Avery...did it seem to you that everything around you became silent? As if your meeting was happening in slow motion? While you were looking at the perfect man, who seemed to you like a prince from a fairy tale?" Ava asked me.

I nodded shyly as Avery held my hand even tighter.

"The feeling of closeness and security that you feel when you are with me is a soulmate connection. My desire to hold your hand is the only way to be close to you. Since you do not remember everything yet, your powers are limited and therefore you do not feel the full strength of our connection .I don't want to scare you and I don't want you to be under pressure...that's why I'll wait for the day when you remember everything, and feel the Love for me..." said Avery quietly.

"And until then, let me comfort myself while holding your hand whenever I have the chance." he added as he raised my hand to his lips.

His tender lips touched the surface of my hand ,only for a second ...without breaking his gaze as he looked deep into my eyes.

The feeling I had when we first met, the warmth I felt... the intimacy and trust I felt for Avery, it all made sense now.

"My soulmate is Inna," Aidan said while holding the blue haired girl on his lap.

"Noah found his soul mate in Jade...And Elian found his in Alvar," he added.

"I'm the only one forever alone..." Ava declared, falling dramatically on the couch cushion.

"How come you didn't replace your Love? Didn't you dream about him?" I asked.

"Oh yes I dreamed...I dream about him every night for 2 years. But I never see his face. All these years it's like he's been hiding from me. The only thing I know is his voice..." answered Ava sadly.

I looked at my new friends..friends...my first real friends and the only ones I ever had. I felt sad because I don't remember everything, and it seemed to me that Avery might be disappointed because our relationship is not like theirs.

"But you will remember Iris. And then everything will be as it should be. You just need a little time." Jade told me.

And for the first time, I was happy that she calmed me down by reading my thoughts.

"Don't worry, my Love. I'll wait for you as long as it takes," Avery said gently.

We spent the whole day on the island with my brother. Aidan and I talked about our childhood and tried to catch up as soon as possible.

I told him everything about myself since our last day together and he did the same. Only then did I realize how much I missed him.

I looked at him as he laughed at my stories, and he looked just like our father. Tall and proud, with black hair and black eyes. It had a purple glow around it that reminded me of our mother. My little brother who grew up to be a strong and smart man.

And besides, a real soldier and fighter like our father.

Inna joined us while we were sitting on the beach smiling and happy.

"She should stay with us for a few days...Maybe we can help her learn to control her powers. That way, maybe her memory will return quickly." suggested Inna.

Her suggestion was great and of course, Aidan and I immediately agreed with her. When I told my friends about my decision, Avery and Ava insisted that they would stay with me. And of course I was happy about their decision. Noah, Jade and Elian headed home before nightfall.

"I'll tell your father you stayed here." said Noa, as he, Jade and Elian said goodbye to us.

We waved to our friends who were flying on their huge birds.

"We'll put you up in a guest villa right by the sea. You'll each have your own room and of course the best view on the whole island," Aidan said when we got back to camp.

After dinner, I listened to the adventures of Avery and Aidan during their childhood, while we were sitting on the balcony of our accommodation. We laughed and enjoyed hanging out until late at night.

"It's already late and I need my beauty sleep!" Ava said as she headed to her room.

"As if sleep will help you in that!" Avery and Aidan called out after her at the same time, bursting into laughter.

"Oh how mean you are." Inna said with a laugh "But I think we should go to bed too" she added as she looked dreamily at Aidan.

"Well, children...when my Love calls me like this, I can't resist," Aidan said as he put Inna over his shoulder and headed towards the main Villa.

I looked after them and smiled as Aidan spun her around while she giggled as they walked away from us. Only Avery and I were sitting on the balcony by the sea. The moonlight was visible on the surface of the sea, and the breeze left a chill on my skin.

"We should go inside too, you're obviously cold." Avery said pointing at my goosebumps.

I agreed with him and we went inside. We stood in front of the door of my room and looked at each other, like two teenagers after a first date. I wanted to hug and kiss him to silence the desire to be close to him. But instead I just quietly said "Good night." and entered my room.

I stood leaning against the closed door, ashamed of my actions. Maybe I should tell him that I feel attracted and want to be close to him. Maybe I should be brave and just allow myself Love. I should.. right? He is my soulmate, my only love...

I opened the door with the intention of going to him. But Avery was standing where he was when I ran into the room. The last push was given by the door closing behind me.

"Avery...I need to tell you something..." I started to say, looking into his eyes.

And that alone was enough for him to move towards me. Our bodies collided in a passionate kiss as he pressed me against the door.