Page 272 of Gift from the Source
Had I not had a leg up because of Willow, I never in my life would’ve discovered what I have.
This little side adventure I gave myself has taken me from one end of Elementra to the other.
There isn’t a place my shadows haven’t reached.
It’s also taken me across realms with my Primary by my side.
I’ve loved every minute of it.
“Cas…”
My mind fills with an accusatory tone.
“Yes, sweet Willow.”
“Don’t even give me that innocent voice. Have you been harassing Oakly again?”
“Why everwould I do that?”
“Not sure, but she just said the next time you interrupt her in the middle of an experiment, she’s going to use you as her tester.”
I cringe at the thought of what that sassy monster would do to me.
“I assure you, I haven’t been bothering your Perfecta Anima today.”
“Lies.”Her chuckle pulls the corners of my lips into a smile.“Well, what are you up to then?”
I peer up at my masterpiece I’ve created for her and my shoulders sag. I don’t like admitting defeat, so I won’t call this that, but I don’t believe I’ll be able to finish it without her.
“Come to my library, Primary.”
My shadows flow from my hands as I wave them in the direction of the frame so I can at least give her the grand reveal I was looking forward to.
It’s only seconds until she’s walking out the corner of the room, smiling around at everything in here as she does each time she enters.
Those observant eyes do a double take at the huge cloud of shadows I have hovering behind me. “What’s going on?”
“There’s something I’d like to show you.”
“What is it?”
Her slow question is full of wonder and curiosity. Something that’s never abandoned her and I’m grateful for it.
Despite my willow tree not being finished, she’s going to love it.
She lays her hand in my outstretched palm without ever taking her eyes off the secret in the room. Her heart pounds in excited pulses that travel from her fingers to mine.
“Ready?”
“Always.”
She snatches her hand out of mine as she uses it to cover her mouth and the gasp that just flew from it.
Tentatively, she steps forward until her fingers can reach the bark of the trunk. Her eyes eat up every surface and by the flinch and twitch of her finger above a name, I know she’s figured out what I’ve made.
“Iris Quinn (Fortia). That’s the name of our line. You…how? When?”
Her hair nearly slaps me in the face as she whips around.
