Page 236 of Gift from the Source
They’re going to be fine, and he’ll make sure they get reacclimated or punished properly.
Probably lose their heads.
“Ready?” Corentin asks as the five of us move to the front of everyone else and put our hands on the ward.
“Ready.”
As our palms get sucked in, he starts saying an incantation inElema Lingua Vetus.
Which, by the way, I haven’t started studying.
One language at a time, please.
Cas and I will do a little language tradzies.
There’s a small vibration that passes through us, then explodes outwardly behind us. Like glass shattering, the ward crumbles down around the forest with a thundering boom.
Instantly, there’s more light pouring into the forest and I squint my eyes for a second to give them time to adjust.
We all move to the side and allow the vampires to start walking through first. My little wanderer’s eyes glisten as she watches each of them look around with wonder. When about half are through, we lead her out so she can lead the way to the portal.
“Finally. I was preparing to come in there after you all.”
“Of course you were, Tanith.”
“Don’t make jokes with me, young lord. There was no good reason I couldn’t come through with you all anyways.”
“There was and you know it. Jamie said he didn’t want the ward to pull on your skin. Reason enough.”
“I’m so over being treated like a hatchling.”
“I don’t believe that for a second.”
She rumbles in warning, and I throw my head back, laughing before fully approaching her.
I lean my forehead down to hers and close my eyes.“Fuck, I’m gonna miss you.”
“And I you, Draken. So incredibly much.”
I pull back without looking at her because if I see a single tear welling in those big ol’ golden eyes, I’ll just die.
The whole horde stops walking as we reach the massive cave mouth and Willow takes a few steps forward, then stops again. There’s a slighttremble in her shoulders that I know she’s trying to hide, but it’s getting harder.
I step up beside her and lace my fingers with hers.“Where you go, little wanderer, I go.”
She breathes a shaky breath.“Thank you.”
The five of us walk into the cave alone and we give her some space as she continues on to the back wall. Her fingers caress the stone lovingly before she withdraws them and shifts them into claws.
Her murmured words are tear-drenched and my fists clench tightly beside me.
Just as her palm touches the wall, a tear rolls down my cheek, and a hand clamps on my shoulder.
Looking beside me, my dad has his own stream pouring out his ruby eyes and that breaks the rest of my dam.
“This is a moment I’ve waited for, for hundreds of years. I never would’ve imagined it would hurt this much. You have two homes now and you will always be welcome in both.”
“Same for you. This is your home now too.”
