Page 10 of Gift from the Wing

“Where are we?”I ask, trying to change the subject to distract Gaster’s mind for a moment.

“You’re in the south wing.”

“Gaster said this looks like nothing what he remembers it as, though.”

“About that…”CC trails off.

“Orien Caduceus Vito,”Gaster warns, narrowing his eyes.

An unexpected chuckle slips free despite me trying to hold it in. The gentle scolding coming from Gaster makes me feel like I’m witnessing my grandparent reprimanding my parent.

That sudden thought makes my entire body shudder and my eyes widen in shock, although it makes perfect sense.

“Our Guardria bond manifested as a father-daughter tie. That’s why Gaster’s formed as a familial one as well,”I whisper.

“Very good, filia mea.”

“What does that mean?”I ask.

“That memory will come forth soon. If it’s okay with you, I’d rather you recall that conversation on your own than me tell you, although I believe if you searched your heart and soul, you’d know its meaning.”

I want to reject his request instantly, but I force myself to pause. I crave to know everything now, but that’s just my impatience. The more I think about it, the more I’d rather let my memories emerge naturally. Even without remembering them all, my heart knows there are moments—special ones—that should stay just between us. Moments that shaped our bond.

My heart also has a feeling about the meaning offilia mea, but that makes no sense in my mind.

“That’s okay with me.”

“Good. Now, there’s a lot I need to tell you, all of you, but it would probably be best if you allowed the boys in before they tear down your home.”

Why would they…

The thought of my Nexus immediately pushes everything else to the side. It’s not like I forgot about them or anything like that, but I wasso overcome with grief, followed by everything else going on since we entered this wing. It seems my senses were blocking the rest of the realm out to protect the thin shred of sanity I’m clinging to.

Their emotions, thoughts, everything bombards me, and my feet move faster than my mind does. I cross the room as if my ass is on fire and lay my forehead against the ward. I don’t need any instructions or guidance.

“Allow them to enter,”I command, pushing my magic out of my palms.

I hold my breath and take a step back as the ward shivers. Its tremors aren’t nearly as vicious as earlier, and my men won’t have to fall down the pit of pain like I did to get to this side.

They don’t give me a chance to fully lay my eyes on them as their silhouettes become visible to me. Instead, they ambush me from every angle.

A ball of air whisks me off my feet as a vine latches itself around my waist. A calming purr permeates the space, soothing my tense muscles as we’re shrouded in a thin veil of darkness.

No words pass from any of us as they close in so tightly around me, all I feel is them. I roam my hands over each of them chaotically, without restraint, and feeling their relief pulls tears from my eyes.

Fuck, they were so worried for me.

“Princess,” Corentin says, strained.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, you have nothing to be sorry for,” he whispers, kissing my forehead and pulling me into his chest.

I soak in the feeling of him deflating with my touch, and I try to pull all the worry from his heart by pushing as much love and reassurance as I can from my soul to his.

He gives me a sweet kiss that’s over far faster than I’d wish for, and I chase after his touch. He smiles down at me, running his thumb across my bottom lip, then turns me around to face my dark protector.

His eyes are so soft, it takes me by surprise. The emotions pouring off him scream he’s figured it all out. Well, most of it.

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