from The Eye of the Moon

Once everyone left he asked Lara to walk with him along the creek and just as the sun began to set and the sky turned a brilliant soft orange he handed her a small cloth bag. Lara had forbidden Cormac to buy her a birthday gift but, he couldn’t let the day pass without recognition.
“Happy birthday Lara, don’t be mad at me, I didn’t buy it for you, it’s something I’ve had for a long time and I wanted to pass it on to you.” He could see her struggling with her feelings and trying not to be upset with him; being gracious was not one of Lara strengths. She sat on a fallen tree and pulled a necklace out of the bag. It had a small Eye of Horus pendant that was silver and there was a deep jade stone in the center of the eye, it was a beautiful pendant and for the first time since Cormac had met her, Lara was unable to speak. She sat on the tree for several minutes holding it in her fingers and staring at it. “I’ve never had anything so beautiful Cormac, thank you” she said so quietly he could barely hear her.
“You’re beautiful” Cormac told her crouching beside her and sliding the necklace over her head, then he gently pulled her hair out from underneath it, letting his hands linger on her shoulders. The soft orange glow of the sun danced in her eyes; their eyes met and a warm breeze circled them like an invisible wall. Cormac could hear the gentle sounds of the creek, birds busily flitting around and the soft rhythm of Lara’s breath, it was as if the world came to a standstill.
“Kiss me” he heard her whisper as his hand slid behind her head and his fingers got lost in her soft honey hair. Their lips touched lightly and for several minutes, the creek seemed to be flowing in rhythm with the kiss. Cormac had been dreaming of this moment for several weeks now, but his dreams didn’t even come close to the intensity surrounding them at this moment.
They broke apart abruptly as a cold sensation passed through Cormac. Lara jumped also and they were both on their feet instantly surveying their surroundings. They could see the silhouette of two men approaching; one was her ex-boyfriend Damian, the one she had been fighting with a few weeks ago behind the book store. There was danger all around them and Cormac wanted nothing more than to protect her.
“You have no idea who you’re dealing with. She belongs with us.” Damian said looking intensely at Cormac. A strong current was flowing around him almost binding his arms to his body, but he knew this magick well and was able to break out of it easily. The men seemed a bit surprised and stepped back.
“If Lara wants to go with you, I’ll turn and walk away now. It’s her choice.” Cormac told them.
“I’ve told you that I’m done with you Damian and if you come any closer I will break your arm this time.” Cormac held back a chuckle because he knew she meant it and she was fully capable of doing it too! He kept quiet to allow Lara the opportunity to handle the situation.
“You know she’s a slut don’t you? She’s just using you like she does everyone in her life.” Damian spit at Cormac, he knew Damian was just trying to get a reaction out of him, but it was hard to keep calm when Damian insulted Lara. He took several breaths until he felt that he could speak without bringing his emotions into it.
“Lara makes her own decisions. You’ve know her longer than I have, I would think you’d know this by now.” Cormac could feel Lara’s wall go up and it surrounded him too, she was protecting Cormac; the men could feel it too.
“Watch your backs” the other man retorted and the two men walked away leaving them standing by the side of the creek with the sun setting fast around them. Cormac took Lara’s hand and they walked briskly back to his car.
“You are one scary witch” He told her as he locked the car door and took off for home.