Zethora's POV

"Sis, where are we going?"

I glance over my shoulder to my sister who is currently on the back of Shadow with my helmet on. I grin and see her giggle as she shakes her head. 

The last week has been magical to say the least. I have spent almost every evening with Maddox at his home and laying down wrapped in his comforting embrace. My sister has been with Macey helping her but she will be returning to school in two days so I wanted time with her. Plus Captain will be returning tomorrow and I will officially be pushed passed my limits and probably to sore to do anything. So today, I am spending the day with my sister. 

Arabella has always been the center of my universe and now... It feels different with her wanting me to gravitate to Maddox and begin creating roots with him. It was as if my baby sister became the adult over night telling me to take a chance at my own happiness. I am proud of the young woman she has become and I know that is due to two specific reasons. First, is the natural personality she was gifted from our mother. Second, is how my uncle has raised her. He gave her a safe environment to spread her wings but also get her grounded and set boundaries she was not to step out of. Not that she ever really needed them. Now she is the one pushing  me out the door. 

Maddox has been terrific. That is putting it mildly. We haven't really had any heated moments since the incident with Cass last week. He seems to always debate whether or not he is pushing me too far so he always is the first to stop it. Honestly, I feel my own frustration with the situation. Regardless, I have become all too comfortable with him and at ease. I have made sounds and said his name a few times softly but never anything past that. I knew for awhile that my promise was being fulfilled so now was the time for the one person I care most about to hear me first. 

Flashback

"Momma, I need you! You can't leave me!" 

I wail holding onto my mother's hand as she continues to try keeping her eyes open. Her skin is sickly pale and her forehead holds beads of sweat. Her eyes can barely stay open as she tries glancing over to me. I cry pulling her hand to my cheek where I feel her rub against my cheek. 

"Listen Zethora, you are worth far more than what this life has given you sweetie." I cry and drop my head but she continues. Her voice heavy. "Don't waste a breath on a man who can't see your worth. Who doesn't know what he has. He should be able to look at you and see the universe. THAT is when you have found your soulmate." 

She coughs and lays her head back as I reach up pushing her bangs from her forehead. My tears still trailing down my cheeks. She looks out the glass window seeing my uncle standing there with red eyes holding my baby sister. He doesn't say anything but I can see the pain in his eyes. 

"Words are meaningless. Actions speak louder. You find your voice when you find the person who makes you feel whole. Promise me Zethora to wait for that person." 

"I-I pr-promise mom." I stutter and sob through my tears. She nods her head like it is taking all her energy to speak. Her eyes drifting to my sister. I follow and look. 

"She will need you now... to show her what it means to be loved." I cry loudly still looking to my sister before turning back to my mom. "I love you Zethora, you were always my world." 

I drop my head gathering her in my arms to hug her form tightly. I continue holding her til a sound jolts me looking up. 

BEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPP

I look back to my mother and see her eyes have closed. A small content smile placed on her lips. I close my eyes and vow right then and there... Words only matter if the actions follow suit. Wait for that person...

End of Flashback

I turn off the road pulling up to a church. I place the kickstand down as my sister looks over at it in confusion. She gets off as I swing my leg off of Shadow. I look around and then reach my hand out for Arabella's. She gives me it but still looks upon the building with utter confusion. 

We walk through the entrance of the church and I see it is completely empty. I smile softly happy that I can have this time with her. I go about half way down and sit down in a pew with her beside me still holding my hand. 

I close my eyes for a moment taking a shaky breath. I want to do this right. It's time... I turn forward to nervous to look at her. I feel her squeeze my hand. I smile before I open my mouth. 

"I lo-love you Arabella." 

I say it softly but her head quickly whips to me with her eyes bulging. 

"Did you- Did you just talk?!" She turns her whole body to me as I match her grabbing both her hands. 

"I love you sister. I will miss you." 

Her eyes well up with tears as she smiles ear to ear. Her hand going up to her mouth as if she can't believe it. 

"I love you Zethora." 

"I brought you here because this is where our mother was laid to rest." I look around remembering that day as tears begin sliding down my cheek. "I wanted her to be here when I..." 

I trailed off as Arabella looks to the front before bowing her head and taking my hand tightly. 

"Mom, we miss you..." 

I bow my head and grip back as she continues. "Thank you for giving me the strongest sister one could ever have." 

I smile through the tears as I continue for her. "Thank you mom for not leaving me alone..." 

Arabella chuckle sobs before turning back to me wiping away her fallen tears. "Wow, I didn't think I would ever get to hear your voice." 

"I made a promise to mom... one that I believe I have fulfilled." 

Arabella looks confused but doesn't question further. 

"It's sounds smooth like silk." I laugh loudly though the church making the sound revert throughout the church. Arabella's face lights up hearing the unfamiliar sound as I pull her into a hug. I continue to hold her for a few minutes kissing her forehead multiple times. 

"I will be leaving for camp and you are the only one I wanted to speak to before then. I am going to finish my goal." 

She nods her head against me. "Does that mean you will not speak?"

"Time will tell but I still have some achievements to complete first." 

"Will you speak to Maddox?" I look into her large doe eyes debating on how to answer her question. 

"I would like to" 

She grins before lunging back into me making me grin and embrace her firmly to my frame. 

"I love you sister." 

"As I love you Arabella."