Page 130 of Gift from the Source
Dericko and Alicen Keeper.
I reread the letter a few times. It gives me a moment to collect my thoughts while Keeper collects his emotions. The burden of him disappointing them was visible for me to see, but it’s slowly fading.
It’s strange to know that I have family out there that seems incredibly excited to know me. Their acceptance of me, even though they know truly nothing, is written clearly in their words.
It also brings me a lot of comfort knowing they know the truth and aren’t mad at him.
Unfortunately, at the same time, their words cause my heart to thud wildly.
They didn’t say anything surprising—other than the reading and vampire thing—but they’re patiently and eagerly waiting for their son to return home.
Whereas I don’t want to let him go at all.
I clear my throat and pass him the letter to hold. He sighs and closes his eyes as he folds it. “You were named after your dad.”
“I was. It was a great honor that came with a lot of pressure.”
“I can imagine…” I trail off. There’s a lot I want to say but can’t exactly find the words.
“They were right about what they said. I always have taken my duties seriously. It’s not that I didn’t want to rule because I do. I just wanted to know more than only the Keep. I felt like a piece of me was missing and I wouldn’t find it there. I was right all along.” He tilts his head back to the ceiling and blinks his eyes repeatedly. “I found what I was looking for. She may not be here with me any longer, but she left me the greatest piece of her.”
My throat tightens.
I don’t want him to leave me.
He has to, though.
Sixteen
Willow
“Are you all about to blindfold, then have your way with me?” I ask, placing my hands on my hips.
Four—well, three—low chuckles sound around me. Corentin attempts and fails to hold a straight face. The longer I smirk at him, the more his serious mask cracks.
Quickly enough, his lips twitch and I smile in victory.
“That wasn’t on the itinerary, princess, but I can make time for that,” he says with a wink that has me squirming.
“Don’t tempt me with a good time, your highness.”
“You’re becoming just as bad as Draken, little warrior. You’re going to be late for your surprise.” Tillman laughs from behind me.
“Surprise?” I ask excitedly and they all grunt, shutting back down. “Oh, come on. I’ve indulged your bossiness all morning. You’ve allowed me two cups of coffee on the balcony, I’ve showered, dressed comfy, and now you’re trying to blindfold me. Time to tell me what’s going on.”
In all honesty, I’ve quite enjoyed them—mostly Corentin—telling me what to do this morning. I haven’t had to think or do anything for myself in the last two hours since I’ve been awake.
Also, it was such a wonderful surprise not waking up to the blaring sound of Tillman’s timekeeper. He told me last night we were working out this morning since Aurora canceled our normal practice because of the ball tonight. I groaned and made my unhappiness clear.
I was ecstatic that he was just giving me shit and I got to sleep in.
They’ve all been extra sweet this morning, though. I’ve got a sneaky suspicion it’s because they’re nervous for the ball tonight so they’re trying to make sure I’m not.
I’m trying to respect their privacy and not read their minds, but now, they’re all giddy at what’s about to happen. Despite their sealed lips, I still feel their eagerness. Even Cas has small little zaps of happy anticipation passing through him.
So I know they’re up to something.
“Just trust us and put the blindfold on, baby,” Corentin hums.
