Page 50 of Gift from the Source
Behind me, the warmth gradually recedes like a lingering hug, then closes, leaving me in darkness.
My eyes quickly adjust, and I stare at the spot CC stood over two hundred years ago, waiting to escort my mom. The cave is both reassuring and welcoming because I know exactly where I’ll be when I walk out the entrance.
Before I can take my first step away from the wall, though, the entire structure shakes, causing dust and debris to fall from above me. Panic grips my chest for a second, then the magic from outside washes all over me.
Shit. They’re going to tear this cave down.
My eyes nearly bug out of my head as I race through the small distance separating me from them to stop them. Once I pass through the cave mouth, my skin pulls tight. The block, almost like a ward, that Elementra put up to keep them from entering.
Air, earth, water, and fire fly toward me in a blaze of power as the guys cast out their elements once again. My feet skid to a stop as I watch the storm head straight for me, but it all fizzles out feet away.
My gaze tracks over each of them. Their heavy breaths, shaking shoulders, and the murderous looks that could kill on the spot. I have no clue how long that took back there, but judging by their emotions and body language, far too long for their liking.
Unconsciously, my breathing begins to sync with theirs and I find it harder to draw in air as the tension continues to climb. They seem almost in a state of shock while my body becomes too heavy to hold up. The emotional roller coaster I just experienced seems to have taken its toll on me and now that I’m home, feet from my men even though they’re mad as shit, it’s hard to stay standing.
Swaying harshly, I land against a chest as hard as stone, yet the gentle hands that cup my face betray that strength.
“Little warrior…You were right behind me. What happened?” Tillman asks, strained. When my eyes meet his, the power it’s taking for him to keep himself together is almost at its limit.
“My…my last memory unlocked before I stepped through,” I mumble, attempting to keep the tears at bay.
The other three surround me and their worry cuts me deep enough I have to slam my eyes shut.
“How long?” I ask.
“Too long,” Cas grunts while Corentin answers very literally.
“Seventeen minutes and forty-eight seconds.”
“I’m so sorry for worrying you all. I didn’t know it was going to happen.”
“Hey, you have nothing to be sorry for, little wanderer. You couldn’t help it, right?” Draken says, surprisingly being the first to calm down. Actually, judging by his bond and dragon, I think he was the calmest this entire time.
When I turn my head to him, I find our new bird friend still sitting comfortably on his shoulder. Those eyes speak a thousand words and I have a feeling not only did he warn Draken, but he knows far more than we do about everything.
“Yes and no. It’s complicated and I need to show you all but…” I trail off, looking at each of them. It’s their decision to know the truth, though. They deserve that.
“It’s about him, isn’t it? Uncle Orien? That’s the only memory that he’s withheld from you,” Cas concludes knowingly and the deep rumble in his tone hurts my heart.
“Yeah, it is.”
“Let’s go inside and make some tea. Your brother has already lowered the ward, and the rest are in there, waiting for your return, child.”
Tillman steps to the side and I nearly hit my knees at the sight of Gaster. The broken, knowing look in his features is a knife to my heart. Of everyone, even me, though, he deserves this closure. I’ll relive it once again to give him that. So with a pinched smile and a nod to him, he turns and leads the way for us.
Corentin leans in close, laying a gentle kiss on my cheek before moving to the side for Tillman to do the same. A mixture of fire and ice mingles through my blood as Draken takes one hand, and surprisingly, Caspian links his fingers with mine tightly. The tremble passing through his skin vibrates my entire arm and I gently coax his bond. Reassuring him as much as I can that everything will be okay.
I swear as we pass through my mom’s front door, my shoulders relax at the smell of rain. The threshold seems to strip the negativity surrounding us, leaving us more comfortable for the conversation to come.
A small smile dusts my lips as we enter the very crowded kitchen. Oakly’s voice sassing someone, mixed with Aria’s giggling at her draws a laugh from me that has every head turning in my direction.
“Not cool, little dragon. Not cool at all. They damn near destroyed our forest,” Lyker grumbles, crossing his arms and scowling at me.
“They would’ve fixed it afterward,” I say, still chuckling as they make grunting noises around me.
I believe agreeing with both of us.
“Come sit down. I’m not waiting over twenty-four hours this time for answers. I’ll be damned,” Oakly demands, crossing her arms and plopping down in a seat as she stares daggers at me.
