Page 57 of Eternal Thorns

“That's not-” he started, but couldn't finish the denial. Because wasn't that exactly what terrified him? Not just growing trust or attraction, but the possibility of something deeper. Something that could shatter him more thoroughly than any betrayal.

The Elder Willow's presence wrapped around him like a protective embrace. “Some risks are worth taking twice,” she said softly. “Some wounds can only heal through daring to feel again.”

And when he breaks you?The shadow pressed.When trust shatters and takes your heart with it?

But even these warnings felt hollow now. Because Thorne had felt the difference through their growing connection. His genuine desire to understand went soul-deep, carrying none of Marcus's subtle hunger for control.

Still, the entity's warnings about vulnerability couldn't be entirely dismissed. What was growing between them went beyond any magical bond, creating connections that could be used against them both.

“I can't protect him if I'm compromised,” Thorne argued, more to himself than his observers.

The Elder Willow's laugh rustled through his grove. “Perhaps protection isn't what he needs from you. Perhaps what you both need is simply courage to trust again.”

“I'm in trouble, aren't I?” Thorne asked the night air.

The Elder Willow's manifestation took solid form beside him, her bark-skin glowing softly in the darkness. “That depends entirely on your definition of trouble, dear Guardian.”

“You know what I mean.” His form flickered with agitation. “This wasn't supposed to happen.”

“And instead?” Her roots shifted beneath her, amusement clear in her ancient voice.

“Instead he sees right through every defense I've built. Walks past centuries of careful barriers like they're nothing.” Thorne ran a hand through his silver-white hair, still unable to dismiss his solid form. “He touches me like it's natural. Looks at me like-”

“Like you're worth knowing?” the Elder Willow suggested gently. “Worth caring for?”

“Worth risking everything for,” Thorne corrected quietly. “That's what terrifies me. I see it in his eyes, feel it throughour connection. He'd tear down every wall between realms if it meant healing what's broken. Including me.”

“And this is trouble because?”

“Because I want to let him.” The admission cost him, but there was no point hiding from her wisdom. “Every time he reaches out, I want to reach back. Every time he understands something new about forest magic, I want to show him more. It's like watching spring return after endless winter, and I”

“You're falling in love with him,” she finished simply.

Thorne's power scattered like startled fireflies before reforming. “That's not-”

“Oh please.” She actually rolled her eyes, an expression that looked bizarre on her ancient face. “I'm old, dear one, not blind. The forest itself blooms with your awakening heart. Even the youngest sprites can see how you look at him.”

“This is serious,” he protested.

“Yes, it is. That's precisely why you should stop fighting it.” Her expression softened. “Love isn't weakness, Thorne. It's the strongest magic we know. Why do you think the shadow entity fears it so much?”

She gestured at the grove around them, where new growth continued sprouting with every pulse of his unsettled emotions. “Look what merely accepting these feelings has already done for the forest. Imagine what might be possible if you actually embraced them.”

Unable to findpeace in his grove, Thorne threw himself into preparations for tomorrow's lessons. But each choice he made betrayed his shifting priorities. Instead of the usual testing grounds, he found himself selecting locations of particularbeauty - the crystal falls where morning light created rainbow paths through the mist, the ancient hollow where bioluminescent flowers created patterns like fallen stars.

“The moonweave glade would be perfect for teaching resonance theory,” he muttered, arranging magical currents to flow more visibly. Then caught himself imagining Silas's face lit by the ethereal glow, how his eyes would brighten with understanding and wonder.

“You're fussing,” Rowan observed, materializing beside him. His moss armor gleamed with pre-dawn dew.

“I'm preparing,” Thorne corrected, though he couldn't quite meet his old friend's knowing gaze. “These concepts require proper demonstration.”

“Mhmm.” Rowan watched him carefully align another magical current. “And the fact that this particular arrangement will create beautiful light patterns around anyone working with forest magic is purely educational?”

Thorne's form flickered with embarrassment, but he didn't stop his adjustments. Each preparation served dual purpose now - to teach essential concepts, yes, but also to share the forest's wonders with someone who truly appreciated them.

“The forest approaches balance differently with each generation,” Rowan said cryptically, watching Thorne fuss with the arrangement of some luminous vines.

“What's that supposed to mean?”

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