Page 9 of The Healing Dragon
I’ve heard already of two magic wielders that overstayed intown and were found by the King's soldiers soon after. My only guess is that there are two spells over the land. One that blocks spells from being performed and another that alerts the king’s guards to the presence of magic wielders. Whatever the case, my current state is enough to help me blend.
A few of the sellers nod in greeting as I pass their stands. I’ve been here for weeks now, and I cannot say that my presence has gone unnoticed. Not as much as I had hoped. Young women living alone in a cabin in the woods are not common.
My hair has attracted more than one second glance. I’ve contemplated cutting it or dying it a dark color, but I never fully commit to the idea. So much of me feels stripped and ripped out. I yearn to keep something of myself untouched.
I get the items I’m looking for and quickly make my way back. Recently, the sight of the small cabin brings me peace and joy. A piece of this world that is mine and mine alone. Regardless of the quiet nights, I have found peace in the silence.
My cabin sits at the edge of a river a couple miles inside the forest. Even from inside, I can hear the water's current. When I bought it, it was nothing more than walls and a ceiling. Now, it's a home.
The colors that paint the sky this high in the mountains feel so much closer to paradise. I often wonder how long my eyes will see this picture before they grow accustomed to its beauty.
The first sign that someone is in my home comes from the smoke of the chimney. I spot the cloud from a mile out. I’m instantly alerted that whoever is inside wants me to know in advance they are there. Their reasoning for announcing themselves could be many things. As I walk that last mile to my front porch, I think of all the possibilities.
A pair of boots outside the door clues me in that my visitoris male. What gives me pause is the manners they displayed by ensuring no dirt is tracked in with their entrance. No man trained by my father would be so conscientious about their intrusion. If anything, they make it their job to be a nuisance to me.
“Do you plan on staring at my shoes all day?”
I jump back at hearing the voice. My heart is nearly beating out of my chest. I cannot believe I allowed someone to catch me off guard like that. I look up at the roof and find Jesse Oscuro sitting there. The open window to his left leading to my room tells me how he got there. He is also wearing shoes on his feet. The ones by the door were a distraction.
Our eyes meet, and I’m confronted with the oh-so-familiar hues of gold I know so well I could paint from memory. The sight that once brought me so much fulfillment now only reminds me of my shortcomings.
I didn’t mean to, but I was never strong enough to stop it. That’s something I need to live with. After all I’ve taken from him, I can’t even meet his eyes.
“What do you want?” I ask. I don’t allow the unease to reflect in my tone.
A flutter of hope spreads in my heart at the sight of him. I never thought I would see him again.
He looks off to the horizon like the sky will answer. After a beat, his eyes turn back to me. His expression hardens, like his determination has concluded on something.
“Let’s talk inside,” he says.
I try to get a hold of my breathing. He has already slipped inside the window before I can even gather my thoughts. He is in my room.Here.I hurry inside, forgetting about my own dirty shoes, and meet him as he comes down the ladder that heads to the second floor.
My cabin is technically two rooms: thebathroom and everything else. The kitchen and living room are one small space. My bedroom is on top, connected by a small ladder. The entire space is open, and despite its size, I love it. I chose every single detail that makes this place what it is.
I wipe my hands on my pants, feeling more self-aware than I have been in so long. “Would you like something to drink?”
I move to the kitchen, mentally listing all I have to offer. It’s not much. I put down the bag of things I purchased at the market this morning. I consider putting the groceries away. My hands ache with the need to do something.
“This is not a friendly visit.”
His voice stops me in place. Of course it’s not. What was I thinking? That he would come here looking for me because he missed me? After everything I’ve done?
The pain that strikes through my heart at the thought is almost paralyzing. A day hasn’t gone by that Jesse doesn’t cross my mind. A tiny piece of me held hope that in my new freedom, I would find my way back to him. But the coldness behind his eyes kills that tiny piece of me that dared hope.
I close my eyes and swallow down all my emotions. I raise a wall between us and tell myself it is for my survival. When I open my eyes, I’m more determined than ever. I raise my chin and look at him head-on.
“State your purpose.” There’s an edge to my tone.
“I came here with an offer from your King,” Jesse says.
I don’t live in Puerto Quinn, which means Brandon isn’t my king, but I keep quiet. He has my interest.
His eyes are not on me while he speaks. Instead, his eyes scan the place like he is trying to piece together this new version of me. There are used blankets on the couch, watercolors on the table, and dirty dishes in the sink. Each thing scattered around is a puzzle piece of the person I am today. The version of me he’s not part of.
“A trade, if you wish to call it. The Red Book was stolen the night of the attack. We need you to get it back.”
His eyes finally find mine, and once again, I wish to be buried with the souls we lost that night. The hurt and brokenness I see is my fault, and I will never forgive myself for putting it there.
