Page 22 of Gift from the Wing

“Come in,” he calls out, less patiently.

“Corentin, my boy, may I have a moment with you? Maybe some breakfast. I need to talk to you about some things,” I ask somewhat cheerily.

“Is it important, Uncle Orien? I’m in the middle of Advanced Enchantments,” he says, not bothering to take his eyes off the books.

“Advanced Enchantments? You still have two years until you need that class,” I say as I tuck my hands in my pockets and lean against the doorframe.

“Yes, well, I’ve decided I won’t be waiting until I’m fifty to take the Headmaster role. Headmaster Rux is doing well enough, been a family friend of Mom and my dad’s for years, but I don’t like the direction he’s moving the academy. So I’ll complete my studies early, begin my apprenticeship, finish it in two years, then take over in the role at thirty. That’s four years from now. Plenty of time.”

Pride bursts from my heart as I stare down at him where he mindlessly continues to flip pages, write notes, shake his head, grunt. He just throws one hundred percent of himself into the books. Fully dedicated. Once his mind is made up, that’s that.

I’ve seen this. There are two ways it will go.

Good luck with this argument, sister.

“I’m so very proud of you, Corentin, and I love you so much.”

His insistent scribbling stops as he finally looks up at me and I mask everything I’m feeling. I slow my breathing and regulate my pounding heart as his gaze tracks me from head to toe.

“Everything okay?” he asks, arching a brow.

“Everything’s fine. As I said, I just wanted to see if you had a moment for breakfast and a chat.”

He sighs deeply, laying his pencil down, and my ears ring. Everything inside of me screams.

Pick the pencil back up. Pick it up.

Send me on my way.

Please, my boy.

“I don’t mean to be rude, Uncle Orien, but I need to finish this. I don’t really have time. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s okay. Don’t let me distract you from your studies. You’re going to do amazing things, Corentin,” I say softly, standing back up straight, preparing to leave before he changes his mind.

“Thanks, Uncle. I’ll see you later. Please shut the door on your way out,” he says as his eyes find the words on the pages once more.

Smiling warmly at him, I back out and shut the door as he asked.

Thank you, Core.

Hastily pushing from his door, I lay my hand to Cas’s once more as I pass by, knowing it’s still empty inside, and I jog down the hall to catch Draken before I miss him as well. The moment I approach his room, there’s nothing but silence on the other side, and I pull at the roots of my hair.

Fuck, I can’t have missed him too.

Transporting to the back patio, I quickly grab the box, silver, and bowl off the table where I left them, then turn to check the back lawn. Air whooshes from my lungs as I spot Draken walking out across the green grass and the relief that washes over me makes my body slump.

“Draken, wait up,” I call out, jogging toward him.

“Uncle Oreo. Thought I heard you talking to Corentin,” he says happily, wrapping his arms around me in a hug, lifting me off my feet.

I can’t help but laugh. That nickname has stuck since I slipped up once and spoke about an Oreo cookie. I convinced him it was a delicacy that’s long been forgotten but I’d try to make it for him one day.

That day never came, sadly.

“Yeah. Trying to track down all of you this morning. Busy boys you are. You headed to the academy?”

“I need to fly first. My dragon’s a little worked up this morning. Hate to scare any of the pups in class today so…” He laughs it off, but I see the shame shining through and I bite my tongue. This boy just doesn’t understand how spectacular he is.

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