Imogen

The ritual is tomorrow.

Unless scenarios of the ritual going wrong were invading my sleep. Constantly twisting and turning, feeling myself burning up from the nightmares that kept occurring. I groaned, wanting to pull all my hair out. My eyes fluttered open, staring at the stars I hung up on the ceiling. For some reason, stars were able to relieve my anxiety ever since I was younger.

Once when I was younger, my mother and I had gotten into a nasty fight. It was the first time my mother said she wished for a different daughter. Funny to think about now; maybe she wished to have kept my sister instead of me. I escaped to the yard, falling onto my knees, and cried into them. Soon enough, the sun has set, allowing the stars to roam free in the sky.

The shooting stars seemed like the sparkling signs of the warmth generated when these tiny shivers created a blip in the frosty night sky. My hands reached out, pretending to grab one of the many stars shining that night. Childish, right? Why did I expect a star to fall into my hands? Eventually, my mother came out to check on me and yanked me inside. I lost tv privileges that week because of my little stunt and making my mother "worry" about me.

Realizing that sleep wasn't coming anytime soon, my body slipped out from under the comforter. My feet slid into my bunny slippers, stumbling over the piles of clothes on the floor. Quietly, I slid out my bedroom door, proceeding to wander downstairs. I stretched my arms over my head, making my way into the kitchen.

I was craving hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows. There was an internet article that said drinking hot beverages will help you fall back to sleep. My heart leaped out from my chest, noticing I wasn't the only one in the kitchen. I placed my hand on my chest, trying to regulate my breathing.

"Sorry didn't mean to scare you," Robert chuckled, pouring water into a teapot. Robert was wearing a brown robe hiding his pajamas, his hair disheveled along with his beard. What honestly scared me was when I walked in, watching Robert scratching his butt.

"It's okay," I said, flashing a slight smile at him.

I walked myself to the island, pulling a seat out for myself. For the next few moments, I played with thumbs, trying to think of what to talk about. The awkwardness was apparent, causing me to bit my lip. Honestly, I didn't expect anyone to be awake this late and I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone. After admitting the truth to Lucas, I felt so emotional since then.

It was refreshing, letting out my feelings to someone other than myself. Ever since my childhood years, I always held back how I felt. Frankie could see right through me, but sometimes I could be so rigid. When I developed the crush on Drew, it took months before confessing it to her. Of course, Frankie already knew; she can read me like a book.

Now that I'm in a relationship, I will have to gradually learn how to talk about my feelings with my boyfriend. I couldn't be more grateful to have Lucas here to support me. I know he's scared even if he didn't voice it; I knew he feared what could happen.

"I guess I wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep," Robert stated, placing the teapot onto the burner and putting it on medium.

My head snapped up. "Mmm? Oh yeah, I kept dreaming about. . ."

"Taisla?" he added.

"Yeah," I exhaled, even her name caused shivers to run down my spine.

Robert searched through his cabinets. "Do you want anything to drink?" he asked, pulling out several drink options. On the counter were green tea, ginger tea, ice tea, Hawaiian punch, and hot chocolate. Bingo!

"Yes actually. Hot chocolate please and do you have marshmallows and whipped cream?" I asked, praying that he had these ingredients in one of his three refrigerators.

"Well, you're in luck," Robert replied, strolling over to the refrigerator and opening it. He pulled out a brand new container of whipped cream then walked back to the cabinets. Placing away the rest of the drinks and pulling out a bag of marshmallows.

"The secret is to add chocolate syrup into the hot chocolate to make it extra chocolatey," Robert added, turning the burner off once the teapot started making noises. He opened the dishwasher, pulling out two fresh mugs. Robert opened the hot chocolate packets, draining in the mug. After he poured in the warm water, he grabbed the chocolate syrup squeezing a large amount of it into the cup.

Robert carefully brought the mugs to the island then turned back to search through the draws. He grabbed two spoons and handed it to me. I mixed the ingredients, making sure everything dissolved.

"Do you want to go move to the couch? It's more comfortable there," Robert asked.

"Sure," I said, lifting myself from the chair.

I reached for the marshmallows, whipped cream, and held onto the hot chocolate with my other hand. Robert was on his way towards the lounge while I struggled not to drip my hot chocolate all over the floor. Finally, I reached the couch, placing all the items on the coffee table. I made myself comfortable on the fuffy couch before reaching for my cup.

We both stared into the darkness for a while, both enjoying the crackling sound of fire coming from the fireplace. The warmth coming from the fire and hot chocolate soothed me. I glanced towards Robert, noticing how deep in thought he was as he gazed out to the night sky. My eyes shifted from him to my wrist, cherishing the tattoo of my boyfriend on it.

"I'm sorry," Robert mumbled, making me break my concentration on my wrist.

My eyebrows knotted in confusion. "For what?" I questioned, taking a long sip of my hot chocolate. The whipped cream and marshmallows melted, making it taste even better and I almost rolled my eyes back from how flavorful it tasted.

"For finding you. . . Maybe if I didn't find you. You wouldn't have to go through with the ritual," Robert said, his fingers tugging at the edges of his couch.

"It's not your fault besides Taisla would have eventually found me. If anything I'm the sorry one, everyone is at risk because of me," I answered, reaching for the whipped cream and squeezing a good amount in my mug.

"Everyone knew what they signed up for. It's been going for generations now, making sure your family is kept safe," he replied.

"I know but I don't know how I can live with myself if I let someone die for me," I said, taking a sip from my hot chocolate, getting whipped cream on my lips, and licked them.

"Everything is going to be fine," Robert said.

"Please stop saying that! You all are lying to me to make myself feel better. The elixir was my only hope I had left but even with the elixir others were still at risk," I sighed, frustratedly gliding my fingers through my lifeless locks as I placed the mug on the coffee stand.

"The only thing we can do is think positive and pray everything turns out alright," Robert hesitated, trying to figure out how to speak his opinions without hurting me.

"But what if it doesn't! Robert. . ." my lips trembled, trying to hold back the tears that were forming. "I'm scared. . ." I whispered, my face hiding in my hands.

I heard Robert move from the couch, and felt the couch sink in when he sat down next to me. He pulled my head onto his shoulder and started caressing my shoulder.

"Tomorrow could be my last day alive. . . Who would have thought that I wouldn't live past sixteen?" I sniffed, removing my head from his shoulder. "Promise me if you have to choose between Daenerys or me that you will save her. I rather die than leave you alone with no one. You spend years searching for her and you can't let that go." I said, clasping his hands in mine and staring into his eyes.

He stared into mine, letting the silence sneak in. He seemed deep in thought. . . Is he really questioning what I asked him? Robert is a loyal man but he can't pick the chosen one over his loved one. I won't allow it, Daenerys has been like a genuine mother to me, unlike mine. It's only been a few months since we've met but they treated better than both my parents ever did.

"I promise to keep you guys both safe," he answered. "I'm going to make sure you live out your life and make it till your older. I don't plan on losing either one of you."

A smile tugged at my lips. "That's really nice of you to say but you can't promise something that's impossible."

He sighed, staring at the floor and searching for a response. I know he would do anything to protect me. He took me in without question, they could have turned me away and left for me to fight for myself. The whole prophecy meant nothing; I know even if he didn't exist Robert and Daenerys would have been there for me. They love me and I love them.

"I'll prove it to you, tomorrow won't be your last day. . . Daenerys and I will be here for you. We will be there when you graduated," Robert beamed, his eyes squinting from how massive his smile was.

"Oh gosh, I could already imagine Daenerys with thousands of balloons and yelling my name when I walk on stage," I cringed at the embarrassing thought.

"Yes, she would then she would plan the biggest party for you and also I want to mention we would pay for your college if you planned to go," Robert offered.

"No, I can't accept that," I said, gesturing with hands.

"Who said we were going to give you the check?" Robert joked, reaching for his mug and taking a sip from it.

"No, but seriously if you manage to keep me alive that's enough for me," I answered.

Maybe it's foolish of me to start believing again, but that's all I have left. Should I really spend my last day afraid to leave my bed? If tomorrow is my last day shouldn't I live it to fullest. Everything is left in the hands of the higher up, they going to decide if I'm worth saving. Either way, the best-case scenario is all of us making it out alive and Taisla dead.

"Are you done with your hot chocolate? We should probably head to bed. We have to wake up early and drive to the mountain," Robert mentioned, pointing at the hot chocolate.

"It's taking place in a mountain?" I questioned.

He picked up the mugs and started walking towards the kitchen. I followed behind him, holding the container of whipped cream and marshmallows. Gently I placed them on the island, taking a seat in one of the swirling chairs.

"Yes, it's the highest peak where the eclipse's light can strike you directly and giving you all the powers," he explained, opening the faucet and squeezed a good amount of soap onto the sponge.

"Do you know if it hurts?" I asked, my eyebrows knotting.

"From the books I've read. . . none of them mentioned the strike hurting you but it was over thousands ago. With the amount of power that has grown who knows if it will hurt," he inferred, placing the freshly washed mugs onto the drying rack.

"Thanks for making me feel better," I joked, biting my fingernails.

"Sorry, I tend to be blunt," he answered, drying his hands on the towel that was hanging on the stove hander.

"Not as blunt as Carter," I mumbled.

"Carter never had too many associates. So he basically has no filter when he talks to anyone," Robert explained, walking to the island and leaning down on the counter.

To be honest, Carter is the only one who admitted that I have a ninety percent chance of dying tomorrow, which I admired.

"It's almost 3:30 we should head to bed," Robert said, breaking my concentration from my thoughts.

"Yeah, goodnight. I'll see you in the morning," I smiled, quietly pushing the chair in.

"Goodnight," he whispered, pulling me into a tight warm hug.

He rubbed my back softly, before releasing me. He smiled, turning away to the opposite way of the hallway.

Thank you for reading the newest chapter!! This is the calm before the storm since next chapter the ritual is going to start ;). I hope you guys are excited for long waiting ritual!!!

If you were Imogen would you be able to sleep?

Thank you for every comment, vote and just read! Love you guys!!!!