Page 192 of Gift from the Source
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“Don’t be upset for me, my girl. I’ve always cherished the fact my sister and I could use our elements together to grow things, make them flourish like no other. We created so much together, but we didn’t create this forest. Only nourished it. Tillman can tend to the next one. Carry on the tradition. You all go, get everyone ready,” she orders softly.
She laces her fingers with mine, then squeezes before she and my fathers-in-law walk through the parting E.F. members to get to the tree line. I don’t take my eyes off her until all her men lay a hand on her, and she holds her palm out. Just as the ground starts vibrating gently, I turn back to my men.
“What’s next?”
“You take Oakly and go talk to Gaster. He isn’t going to handle the command of not being here for this very well coming from one of us,” Corentin says, and I nod.
Oakly and I share a glance when I walk the few feet toward her. The two of us have so much to say, but neither is willing to speak itout loud. We just stick close and share looks. Our arms brush the entire time as we walk against the flow of E.F. members heading toward where we just left the guys and I spot Gaster pacing at the central doors.
“Girls, there you are. You both should eat something really quick,” he says frantically as soon as he sees us.
“Thank you,” we mumble together, taking the pastries he passes us.
My mouth is so dry and the lump in my throat is making it incredibly difficult to chew, but I force my jaw to work and swallow it all down. Including the tears forming in my eyes.
“Gaster…”
“No. Absolutely not. Don’t even start, child,” he says, shaking his head. He knows what I’m about to ask.
“Please,” I beg, latching onto one of his hands and Oakly’s, and she grabs his other.
“I won’t leave all of you in our realm’s time of need.”
I close my eyes and release a desperate breath. Behind me, I hear the distant echoing of Tillman’s voice. His words send a vibration through the earth to me and a pulse begins to surge through the air.
He’s readying everyone and they’re rallying with his words.
I don’t have time to convince myGuardriato please leave.
“I’m going to be honest with you, old man, and you’re not going to like it,”CC surprisingly chimes in and I couldn’t have asked for a better time for it.
Fuck, I needed to hear his voice.
“My boy…Say what you must, and I’ll decide then if I care to listen.”
“You must go. I don’t know the outcome of today, but what I do know is this…If something were to happen to Willow, you’d not survive. Your heart couldn’t handle it. You’d join us in the beyond. But reverse that. If something were to happen to you, Willow would survive. She has a completed true Nexus bond and a Perfecta Anima bond that would keep her going here. But you’d be leaving her here to mourn for you every day. Do not do that to my daughter.”
I didn’t expect that brand of bluntness and my heart explodes at the imaginary pain that scenario conjures up. My hand covers my mouth as I choke back a harsh breath and my eyes blink rapidly.
I don’t ever want to imagine a life without him. Living day to day without CC is hard enough, but to lose both of them…I’d never be the same.
“Don’t, Willow. Don’t lose yourself right now. You have so much to focus on,” Gaster grunts as he pulls me into his chest. “I’m sorry. I should’ve thought of that on my own. Not my selfish need to be with all of you. He could’ve put that more gently, but he is right.”
“I’m sorry, to both of you. But we don’t have time for sugar-coating right now. There’s not much time left at all. I love you both. Don’t let emotions get in the way of hard decisions today,”CC says and with that, his presence leaves me.
I want nothing more than to beg for it back. For him to stay with me through what’s to come.
“You girls listen to me, okay?” He pulls Oakly into our hug. “Protect each other out there. Do not second-guess yourselves or your abilities. You two are so incredibly strong and I am so very proud of you both. I am blessed beyond measure to have granddaughters as amazing as you two.”
“We love you,” Oakly and I choke out at the same time.
“I love you too. Now go join your Nexuses. I’ll go to the academy and I promise to stay safe if you both do as well,” he says, sniffling and wiping his eyes as he pulls back.
“We promise. Go make sure the boys haven’t torn your office apart,” I say lightheartedly.
“They will regret it if they have.”
