The Arcadia Chronicles

“Zac! You’re awake!”



“Hey baby.”



He smiled broadly at her and put down his fork as she rushed to his side. Throwing her arms around him she almost knocked his tray of food to the ground. Not that Zac would’ve minded, as far as he was concerned it was tasteless mush.



“I was so worried about you,” she enthused, crushing herself against him.



He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, not wanting to let her go, trying not to think about her under the cascading waterfall in the Jedi’s embrace.



It’s over, he thought, she’s mine.



Pulling back from him, she brushed his hair off his face. “How are you feeling?” she asked, concern etching her features.



He smirked, “better than ever,” and raised an eyebrow at her.



She shook her head and returned his smirk. He placed his hand on her cheek and rubbed his thumb over her lips, pausing where her bruise had been. His expression suddenly turned serious.



“What about you babe? How are you?”



She placed her hand over his and closed her eyes as she gently grazed her teeth over his thumb then she looked up at him and smiled. “Happy that you’re still here.”



He pulled her in towards him and kissed her gently. When she pulled back she glared at him sternly and punched him in the arm.



“Ouch! Hey!”



“What the hell where you thinking barging in there like that! You almost got yourself killed! Damn it Zac, don’t you ever put me through something like that again or I swear I will kill you myself.”



His rich laughter filled the room. He took hold of her arms and pulled her back in towards him but she fought him off.



“I mean it Zac that was stupid.” Her eyes started to fill with tears.



“Oh baby don’t, don’t cry. Everything worked out. I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere, not without you anyway.”



“I came so close to losing you Zac. You have no idea how that feels.”



He stared longingly at her and licked his lips. Anyone else would’ve missed the glint of anger and fear that flashed across his eyes but not the Princess. She knew him too well.



“Yeah, I do,” he replied seriously.



She froze, the knot in her stomach doubled in size. He knew. She was sure of it.



“I need to tell you something Zac. Something you won’t want to hear.” She couldn’t hide her feelings for Luke from him, but she had to explain to him that it was over, that she had made her decision. That she had chosen him… If he still wants me, she thought.



“Sh,” he placed his finger on her lips and shook his head. “No. You don’t need to tell me anything. It’s over. He’s gone and you’re here with me.”



“But”



“No, no buts. I love you and I’m going to marry you and that is the end of the conversation.”





~~





Nadine and Arcadia strolled along the sun drenched path, soaking in the tranquillity of the Tor’quaen afternoon.



“Zac knows,” Arcadia stated suddenly.



“Yes. I showed him.”



Arcadia looked at the Enlightened surprised, “You did? Why?”



“It was necessary Arcadia,” Nadine stated bluntly.



“Necessary?” she shook her head, “The waterfall? You set it all up. You wanted Luke and me to make love.”



“Yes.”



“Why?”



“Many reasons. Your union was inevitable. You needed him and he you. Zac needed to see.” She replied matter-of-factly.



“He’s in so much pain.”



“Better him than the entire galaxy.”



Arcadia looked up at the Enlightened’s remark and met her steely gaze. After a moment her eyes softened and she smiled.



“He will recover Arcadia and he will forgive you. I did what I must to ensure our future. If Zac didn’t return, you would have borne the Jedi’s children. Now all will be well.”



“I’m not so sure,” Arcadia shook her head.



“I am,” replied the Enlightened with conviction.



A thought occurred to the Princess and she suddenly felt ashamed.

“Nadine, I held a gun to a child’s head. I threatened to kill her and her sister…”



“Be at peace Arcadia. The children’s memories have been cleansed. They will suffer no ill effects from their ordeal. You on the other hand will have to live with your actions. Harness your emotions Arcadia, You must learn from your mistakes if you are to fulfil your purpose.”



“What is my purpose Nadine?”



The Enlightened smiled sagely at her, “Be assured that you are on the right path, my child.”



Arcadia hated it when the Enlightened's answers where so vague. Changing the subject she asked, “and what of Thomas Jenkins?”



“He has recovered but will remain on Tor’quae for a while. We have use of him here.”







~~





Arcadia stood before the large portal watching the misty magenta clouds envelope the planet and slowly hide it from view. After saying their goodbyes, Zac and Arcadia had boarded their ship and blasted off into the fading sunset.



Zac stood in the doorway watching the princess silhouetted by the planets eerie glow. She looked sad, a lonely figure dwarfed by the vast star studded blackness that surrounded her.



“Cadi”



His voice caught her off guard and she jumped, startled. Raising her hand to her face she wiped away the tears before turning and fixing him with a smile.



“Hey Baby.” She noticed him clutching his side and concern filled her face. “Does it still hurt?” she asked walking towards him.



“A little,” he grimaced. “But not as much as seeing you cry.”



She opened her mouth to deny that she had been crying then thought better of it. Instead she shrugged and smiled.



“Babe, I hate to see you this way.” He tried to swallow the lump in his throat but it just wouldn’t go down. “If you really want him, I mean, if he makes you happy, then…”



“Sh.” She stopped him going on by placing a finger to his lips. “No Zac. No.” She shook her head. “I love you. You make me happy. You have always made me happy. I want you.” She looked at the floor and licked lips that had suddenly gone dry, “that is, if you still want me.”



He exhaled loudly, not realising that he had been holding his breath. His fingers gently brushed against her lips before they lifted her chin so he could gaze into her eyes. “I have never wanted anyone the way that I want you,” he told her, his voice full of emotion. “And I have never wanted you more than I do right now.”



The wave of raw desire that raced through Arcadia’s body made her gasp. Staring deeply into his luminous green eyes she realised just how much she actually loved him, how badly she needed him. The events of the past few days had changed their lives for ever. It seemed that fate had interceded to break them out of the rut that had become their life and set them back upon destiny’s true path. Zac was her life. His presence brought breath to her very soul. He was her rock, her guardian, her defender. He kept her focused, grounded…alive. She needed him



He looked longingly into her eyes, hoping beyond hope to see his desire reflected in hers. She inhaled sharply and bit her bottom lip to stop it from quivering. Moving his hand from her chin he grasped her arms firmly and searched her face for answers. She had said that she wanted him but no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t suppress the image of her in the Jedi’s embrace or forget her soft moans mingled with the sounds of the crashing waterfall. He knew that her feelings for Luke were strong and he wanted her to be happy. He asked himself if he could really let her go and wasn’t surprised to hear the resounding ‘NO’ echo back at him.



Please, he prayed silently, please give her back to me.



The salty tears started to well in her eyes once more and he felt her trembling. She sucked in a shaky breath as the swollen tear escaped her eye and slid down her cheek, leaving a wet smudge in its wake.



“Zac,” she breathed, her voice wavering.



She ran her hands up his chest and grabbing fistfuls of his shirt, she pulled him into her, crushing her soft, moist lips on his. Her kisses were urgent, feverish. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth then grazed it with her teeth. Her body moved against his, evoking moans of pleasure from them both. Grabbing her buttocks with both hands he pulled her up until she was eye level with him. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she stopped kissing him and gazed into his smouldering emerald eyes.



“Make love to me, Zac,” she whispered between shallow breaths, her eyes dark with desire.



He smiled wickedly at her. “Does this mean that you’ll marry me?” he asked, relief filling his soul.



She hesitated long enough to return his smile. “Only if you’re good in bed,” she countered cheekily.



He laughed, “I’m good everywhere,” he replied.



“Really?” she asked smirking.



“Yea, really,” he assured and pressed her up against the wall, “but you already know that.”



“Remind me,” she teased, running her fingers through his dark hair.



“Not until you give me a proper answer.”



“What was the question again?” she asked innocently.



Smirking he leaned in and placed feather light kisses on the side of her neck. She titled her head to allow him better access and closing her eyes, she softly sighed.



“I asked,” he sucked on her soft flesh. “If,” he nibbled her ear. “You,” his warm breath caressed her, sending shivers down her spine. He felt her tremble and smiling he brushed his lips against her cheek. “Will,” she exhaled softly. He pulled back so he could look into her sparkling eyes. “Marry me?”



She held his gaze as her pulse quickened and feelings of warmth and happiness flowed through her.



“Absolutely,” she answered, smiling broadly, not at all surprised that she meant it wholeheartedly.



He returned her smile and moved in close to kiss her. “Absolutely?” he asked, his lips millimetres from hers.



She breathed him in and nodded. “Absolutely,” she confirmed and lightly brushed her lips against his.



A soft growl emanated from his throat as his primal side claimed victory over his prize. Pressing his lips on hers, he kissed her passionately, their probing tongues being only the first part of their bodies and souls to entwine in the ancient dance of love.



Mine, he thought, she’s mine.