Page 129 of Gift from the Source
I offer him a smile as I lightly tap the paper against my palm. “Would you like to read it with me or after or before? Whatever you’d like.”
He gently lays the Keeper Line book down and nods. “Together.”
I release a breath as he comes to stand next to me, and I gently tear the wax seal. The ink comes to life in a delicate cursive.
Dearest Grandson,
That’s a title we weren’t sure we’d ever be privileged enough to say.
The gifter of our letter did inform us the time of your birth and our son’s freedom are still to come. By the time you read this, years will have passed since this day, but rest assured we will feel it in our blood once you arrive. We will celebrate as though you are among us.
I arch my brow at Keeper and he clears his throat. “All born of the Keeper line know when another comes about. Our blood sings in strength. Each of us added to the line, adds to our vitality and power. The day you were born, they probably nearly fell off their thrones when they felt your strength.”
“Why didn’t you feel it?”
“I assume the lack of well, everything in the forest or maybe one of the many enchantments the Summum-Master has placed around it. Possibly even Elementra’s interference. Surely she knows I would’ve gone crazy if I felt it and couldn’t find you. Tanith did, though. She said it was her first taste of hope and home she’d had since we were separated.”
I remember her saying she felt me…
My heart clenches that he missed that experience.
It may be a very long time before you are able to come to our realm, so we wanted to send a piece of it to you. Our language, history, culture, even our most delicious cuisine recipes. We’ve identified what used to be your father’s favorites in the book. There may be some you will find you like the most as well and the two of you can share them together one day.
The many books we’ve sent come from your father’s personal study. They’ve been passed down through our line. They’re well read and annotated, and the information inside has been loved and honored greatly. Your grandfather and your father have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. It’s a strong trait that no doubt has been passed down. We greatly look forward to the conversations we will have and the stories you’ll tell. We’re confident a young vampire such as you’ll be one day will have much to teach us.
I grimace and look at Keeper in panic.
Fuck. I hate reading and I’m not a vampire.
Uncle Oreo didn’t tell them everything, Isee…
He sucks in a sharp hiss, but as soon as he looks at my face, he clears his throat. “It’s going to be fine. They’ll be thrilled and very surprised.”
Great. I’m going to give the ancient vampires a heart attack.
There’s so much we want to say and could honestly go on for years writing this letter to you. It’s almost time for your beloved’s mother to depart, though.
We weren’t told all of what was planned for you, but we’ve got the sense you are destined for great things. Much like your father.
So much has changed in Essemist Keep, even in our own line, since he’s been gone.
At first, we were honestly very angry at him for not returning. Then that anger turned to worry and fear. We knew he was alive, we could feel it, but we could not understand why he didn’t return home to us.
The portal to Elementra closing didn’t concern us at first because we didn’t believe he was there.
We know the truth now. We may not fully understand it, but we know our boy was meant for more than just ruling our realm. We’ve always known he wanted more out of life than that. He took his duties seriously, more than any other, but his heart has always craved more. We just didn’t want to admit that.
We admit it now and have accepted it.
For us, please tell your father we are not angry with him. We’re eagerly awaiting his return home. There will be much to figure out when the time comes, but rest assured, we will figure it out.
You will have your father. We will have our son. Two realms will have peace with one another.
You will always have a home and a place here, our young lord. No matter who you become.
We love you very much,
Your grandparents,
