Page 77 of Gift from the Wing

“Your hard work, dedication, focus, drive. They’re all key parts of your personality. I believe they’re gifts. In their own right. The crystals enhanced all your natural strengths.”

The pride shining in her piercing silver eyes makes a hum vibrate in the back of my throat. Even if I couldn’t feel the truth of her words in my chest, where our bond seems to sing, the devotion and surety skirting across her features would tell me everything I need to know.

My lip tilts up when her face darkens in a blush, and she turns from my hungry gaze. I don’t bother to hide it from her. There’s nothing quite as sexy as your woman looking at you like she has unwavering confidence in all you do.

“Corentin,” she whispers as her body flinches.

The surprise in her tone instantly doses that rising desire. It’s as if she’s seen a ghost and I immediately tighten my arms around her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Look,” she says, pointing her finger down to the ground.

My gaze follows her direction, as does my body’s reaction when I flinch as well.

Corentin.

The wind gets knocked out of me as I glare at my name written across a letter that’s taped to the back of my leather mat. The two of us know exactly who it’s from by the handwriting alone.

All I can do is stare at it for what feels like an eternity. I don’t have the control not to read it like my brother, though. It’s already a festering need to know what’s inked across that parchment.

“I can give you a minute,” Willow says softly as I bend down and pull the letter free.

“No. Stay,” I command, lacing my fingers through hers and pulling her down into my lap as I sink into my chair.

I position her until she’s laid back on my chest, where she can read the letter with me. There’s nothing he could say that I wouldn’t want her toknow. She’s aware of all my failures, plus the many embarrassing stories my mom has decided to share since we’ve been here.

Releasing a breath harsh enough to ruffle Willow’s hair, I allow the laugh that leaves her to soak into my heart and calm its frantic rhythm. The weight of this thin parchment feels as though it’s a thousand pounds, yet so fragile as I easily tear through its seal.

Now or never.

Nephew,

I’ll admit completing your room was the most difficult. I asked myself countless times, “What do you do for someone who does it all for himself? Someone who dedicates so much of their life to the needs of others that they’ve neglected to allow themselves their own enjoyment.” Then it dawned on me. This is just you, my boy. You find enjoyment and happiness in the prosperity of others. Despite the cost to yourself.

You’ve been the first of many things, Corentin. First born, first to wake in the morning, first to emerge, first to get their work done, first to have a plan, first to make a decision, youngest to become Headmaster.

You’ve also been last so many times.

Last to call it a day, last to relax, last to the dinner table, last to eat his food, last to finally lay his head down at night.

So many firsts. So many lasts. So many responsibilities.

I wanted nothing more than to alleviate some of those obligations for you, but in reality, I gave you more. It was a brutal pill for me to swallow because although I knew you could handle it, I didn’t want you to have to. I didn’t want any of you to face what I have, but unfortunately, you all will face more.

So my only solution to this was to give you the tools you needed to continue to be yourself but also find and embrace the side of you that will seem so foreign, it will feel wrong at times.

The purpose of each crystal you’ve now found embedded in your desk has been explained to you and I can confirm that you will gain control over their abilities with continued practice. Soon enough, you’ll recall everything you fly through. There is no magic or enchantment making the work complete itself. It’s all you and your know-how, just at an accelerated rate due to the untiring concentration.

This is my giftto you, nephew.

Time.

There’s far too much for you to miss out on now. Grasp the moments given to you and never let them go.

I’m so proud of you, Corentin. What all you’ve done. Who you’ve become and who you will continue to grow to be.

Take care, my boy.

---