The ride home from Ashtin's Heart was quiet. Fidelis drove, but his mind wasn't on the drive. His thoughts were on Sera and Amy. Twins, but so different. One sweet and welcome, like a drink of cold water on a blazing hot day. The other, so sour and bitter that being around her would curdle one's soul.
Usually, twins were close and protective of each other. For some reason, that wasn't the case with the Holland twins. There was a clear separation between them. It was obvious, too, that their father's treatment of the sisters contributed to the pecking order in the family. Even if Amy was the oldest, that didn't excuse the abuse of Sera.
He pushed his thoughts aside and pulled into the garage. He sat for a few minutes in the car, calming his rambling mind. Once he was composed, he got out and went to meet his father. They had much to discuss. They needed a firm plan of action.
The feeling that time was running out for Sera was strong in his soul. He didn't know if it was their bond or just the signs her family was giving. No matter the reason, he had to give her protection.
He knocked, entering when he heard his father's "come in." His father was dressed in a short-sleeve shirt and slacks. He could see the gray near his father's temple. Fidelis frowned. He knew his father was getting older. This was the first time he'd actually noticed it.
"Father, good evening."
"Good evening, my son. How did the dinner go?"
Fidelis sighed as he took a seat on the couch. "Like we expected. Actually, it was a little bit worse than I planned for," he amended, grimacing as he recalled the horrendous outfit Sera's family had forced her to wear.
"Tell me about it," replied his father.
His father sat on the opposite couch, sipping a cup of tea, his focus on Fidelis.
Fidelis launched into a retelling of the night's events, ending his story with Amy's threat and Sera's defeated reaction.
His father thoughtfully stroked his chin and pondered his words.
"So, Sera said she would let you know when she was ready?"
"Yes. I was surprised she said that. All this time, she's been avoiding the problem. I feel that she's trying to protect me. She thinks I'm human. I need to tell her who I really am, that's the only way she'll let us protect her."
His father nodded. "I agree. The time for secrecy is over. Her life is at stake."
"I'm going to," Fidelis's words got cut off when a way of intense agony scorched his nerves. He grunted, his vision spun, and then his vision darkened.
~***~
Fidelis blinked. He didn't recognize the carpet beneath him. The sounds were muffled around him. He tried to move, but something was pressing him into the carpet.
"…during that time. You will learn your place and remember my orders."
A whimper of despair escaped his mouth. This sound was not from him. He recognized that voice! It was Mr. Holland.
"Now, let's begin."
This must be Sera's body I'm in. I'm seeing and feeling what she is. With that realization came a wave of terror and dread from her at her father's words.
He heard the swish of the cane in the air before it landed heavily across his back, pulling a scream from him. He heard Amy's cackling laugh fill the air in between the cane's rain of blows. More screams were wrenched from his mouth, the thundering pounding of his heart at the pain sent him hurtling out of that place and back to consciousness.
~***~
"Fidelis! My son! Wake up!"
His father's concerned yelling roused him from the remnants of the vision. He blinked, his eyes taking in the familiar furniture of his father's office.
"Father," he groaned, his back still twitching with phantom pains from the caning.
"Your Highness," a voice intruded.
Fidelis turned his head and spotted a worried Michaelus next to his father.
"High Priest," he croaked, his throat hurting, "you're here?"
"I was resting when our god appeared to me and sent me to you."
"Autem did?" Fidelis sat up with his father's help. He didn't even remember getting on the floor.
"Yes. It's a good thing he did. The connection between you and your fated one was so strong that I feared it would kill you."
Fidelis shook his head. "We were not dying," he mumbled, wincing as he recalled the Sera's agony and anguish during the caning. "In extreme pain but not dying."
Michaelus and his father frowned, exchanging glances.
"What?" Fidelis demanded.
"Your Highness," Michaelus began, his tone serious and careful. "Your heart stopped."
For a moment, Fidelis thought the high priest was joking. However, he saw the truth in the man's eyes.
"I don't understand," he stammered. "It's never happened before! Wait, if my heart stopped, what about Sera?"
Fidelis surged to his feet, his hand shaking as he called Sera's phone. He paced, his heartbeat roaring in his ears in time with the ringing of the phone. After six rings, it went to voicemail.
He tried Al's phone and got the same result. He cursed, despair threading its way into his soul. He prayed to Autem that Sera was alive. He wouldn't survive her loss if she weren't.
His father placed his hand on Fidelis's shoulder.
"My son, I have faith that she is alive. The two of you are bound completely. If she were to die, you would know before anyone else."
His father's calm, reasonable tone helped Fidelis calm down. His father was right. He would know if she were truly gone.
"I'm going to my room to rest. I'll keep trying to reach her or Al. I'll call all weekend if I have to."
His father squeezed his shoulder. "Do that. Make sure when you reach her, you remain calm. She will need your steadiness more than anything else at this time."
"Yes, Father, I understand." Fidelis turned to Michaelus. "Thank you for coming to check on me."
"Of course, Your Highness."
Fidelis bowed to them and left for his room, his mind filled with worry for his beloved. It was going to be a long weekend.