Page 106 of Gift from the Source
Even Draken got to see a piece of it. Well, at least with my mom and Uncle Orien.
I want to kick myself for how when we got older, I’d roll my eyes and we’d run off to find something else to do. Or we’d go to the east wing because it wasn’t “cool” to hang out with our parents.
I wish I knew then that those were the moments he cherished so much. It was a small piece of fun and enjoyment that he got to experience.
I wish I hadn’t taken those moments for granted.
Beside me, Willow squeezes my side tight, and I lean down to kiss her on top of her head. My silent way of thanking her for her silent support.
“I’m rusty. I can promise you. I haven’t danced in years. So I need a good refresher,” she says with a bright smile, cheering my mom back up instantly.
“As do the boys.”
“Especially Corentin.” Draken snickers and I glare at him.
“Why especially you?” Willow asks, but I clear my throat and pretend I didn’t hear her.
“He can’t dance,” Caspian supplies unhelpfully.
“Neither can you. You’ve never participated in these practices a day in your life,” I snap back, covering the sound of Willow’s surprised gasp.
“Psst okay. Start the music, Dad,” he orders, to which Mom squeals and Theo sends out a current of air that turns the churner on the music player. “May I have the honors, Primary?”
My princess’s face flushes scarlet and although Cas is making a point to show me up right now, I still smile down at her. The nervous but thrilled beat of her bond sings through my chest.
“Take it slow, yeah? I really am rusty,” she whispers as she places her hand in his.
“I’ve got you, sweet Willow.” He smiles, wrapping his shadows around her and pulling her into the middle of the floor.
That little lying, observant shit.
Tillman earns himself an elbow from me as he snorts, but I can’t take my eyes off the makeshift dance floor. I’m witnessing something I’ve never seen in my life.
I watch as the deadliest—most stubborn, refused to ever dance a day in his life when Mom would make us—man I’ve ever known, twirl around with grace.
Willow’s first few steps are stiff and uncoordinated, much like my own will be, but Cas leans in close, whispers something to her, and her body melts into his.
My heart pounds at the sight of the two of them.
The soft, yet emotional sound of the instrumental music becomes mere background noise in my ears. My gaze tracks the two of them as they float around the floor like they’ve done this a million times together.
The smile on my brother’s face continues to grow as he makes her giggle and blush with each spin or step. Their bodies mold and flow together like a river moving over rocks.
He’s never looked happier.
Tillman nudges me softly, pulling me out of my mesmerized stare. The sound of the music comes back to me, and I hear why he was gaining my attention.
I quietly clear my throat and shake my hands out discreetly as he, Draken, and I step up to the two of them. As we circle them, it’s only then I notice that my parents’ Nexus plus Oakly’s have joined them on the dance floor.
Cas slowly pulls away from Willow with a soft kiss to the corner of her lip and joins us in our circle. We each lay a hand on her while she stands still in the middle. As we begin to rotate around her, closing in, I follow the rise and fall of her chest. Her pupils dilate, and the emotions coursing through her bond pierce my heart.
She knows the significance of this dance is different now than when she was taught it.
At the last beat in the transition of the music, Draken’s the one in front of her. He moves in on her with a gentle purr and the three of us step away from them.
The Blessing.
That’s the name of this ancient and treasured dance.
