Page 117 of Gift from the Source
“Within the letter, I also told them who Iris was, but I asked that they not tell her the words I had written. That your coming needed to be kept a secret. At that point, she had no clue that she was actually taking a letter to her daughter’s Nexus member’s grandparents. She just thought she was delivering news to another realm’s rulers.
“I remember laughing when she returned and told me the Keepers are the most generous and sweetest people she’d ever met. That the vampires had such a bad reputation for nothing. They apparently spoiled her with food, tours, and literature from their realm. They sent the books that now line your shelves in your room back with her. They asked her to give them to the individual who wrote the letter.
“Inside one of the books was a letter back to me. Of course thanking me, but also, they asked that I made sure their grandson one day knew where he came from and where he’d always be welcome. They left you a letter and I left it for you. I know you haven’t found it yet because you’ve refused to open a book, but I believe it would be a nice bonding moment with you and your father.”
Draken’s hand twitches against mine. I clench my fingers tighter around him and use my other hand to rub soothing circles overhis knuckles.
Surprisingly, eagerness is pouring through our bond. I was prepared for some apprehension or hesitation, but it seems that my dragon man is looking forward to experiencing this.
“Not at all where I thought you were going with this,”I say, gaining back both of their attention.
“Patience, filia mea, I’m getting there,”CC playfully scolds, and I roll my eyes as Draken starts laughing as well.
“Fine. Please continue at your own pace.”
Snorting and shaking his head at me, Draken unravels our fingers and pulls me into his lap. I nuzzle into his chest to get comfortable and wait for the rest of the story.
“This adventure is what sparked my request for Iris to go and visit someone for me. That someone was Eryken. The Keepers had treated your mother so well, she said it was as though they viewed her as family by the end of her trip. She was both grateful and longed for that experience here.
“Typically, in our Nexuses structure, when a Primary meets her Nexus, each of her members have their own families. So she’d be coming into a very large amount of new family members. Iris didn’t get that. She also knew, one day, she’d never get to meet your Patera-Nexuses or become friends with any of them. It was something she really longed for, and it was just another opportunity I felt like I was stealing from her. It was far too dangerous for me to introduce her to Aurora and her men. So unbeknownst to her, I arranged for her to meet Eryken.
“At that time, Draken, your mother was a barkeeper at a pub. I told Iris to go there, just speak and spend time with her. I never told her who she was. Just someone who needed a friend and some advice. I made sure to pick a night where your mother usually saw no guests and typically spent that time singing to herself and cleaning.
“Lo and behold, a few hours into their time together, they were both drunk. Iris ordered her men to do all the fixing and upkeep around the bar while she and Eryken had a grand ol’ time. It wasn’t but a few more drinks in, Iris drunkenly blabbed her whole life story to Eryken. Everything that was to come, what her blood could do, who her family was. Everything.
“Iris’s Nexus rushed her out in a panic and they never saw each other again. Eryken never told a soul what she was told that night. Instead, she wrote a song about it.”
“Wait—” I shout, sitting straight up once again.
This time when I turn to Draken, his eyebrows are nearly in his hairline and his jaw is hanging open.
“Shit. In the veins where crimson streams flow, ties of blessings begin to show. The essence of the realm comes to start, from the blood of one’s beating heart. One’s blood, many souls twist tight, bonds run deep, but the tapestry fights. Vows we keep must come to light, one’s blood will weave things right,” Draken whispers.
“That would be the song. Eryken wrote about Willow’s bloodline and their future because her big-mouthed mother—I mean, my dearest friend—unloaded her whole life story on her.”
“Oh my God.” A surprised laugh bursts free from my chest, and I can’t stop it.
I swear in my mind, all I can think about is Oakly’s and my drunk night where we rolled around on the rug singing songs, telling stories, and just having a ‘grand ol’ time’ for that moment.
Then I picture my mom and Eryken doing the same thing but in an empty bar. Both desperate for friendship and my mom, for a small fraction of time, finding enough comfort in her that she told her secrets she knew she was supposed to keep.
“I can’t believe that whole time she used to sing that to me, she was telling me your mom’s story long before you ever got here,” Draken says, pulling me back into the moment.
“They made lasting impressions on each other that night. They still talk about it, unfortunately,”CC says with a little sigh that has Draken and me rolling our eyes.
“Give them our love, Uncle Oreo,”Draken mumbles softly.
“I will, my boy. I will.”
His presence fades from my mind and I hum quietly as Draken begins to run circles around my back. It still drives me crazy that he comes and goes so quickly, but this time, I’m grateful for the surprisestory.
“I did not see that coming, dragon,” I say as our silence stretches on longer than I’d like. If I couldn’t feel his emotions, I’d think he’s upset with how quiet he’s being. Instead, he’s so content.
“I didn’t either, obviously. But that was nice. I love a good surprise.”
“Those are far and few between lately. Speaking of them, though…when are you going to tell Keeper?” I ask.
Might as well just get it out there.
