Page 125 of Gift from the Source
Sure, she gets overwhelmed, and we step in to help her. That’s what we’re supposed to do. Balance her.
But right now, we all got shit going on and I’ve been keeping this overwhelming amount of change to myself. I don’t want to burden everyone with it. It’s not like these are bad changes.
They’re just a lot.
At least now knowing they’re supposed to be happening helps.
Sort of.
One thing at a time, dragon. One thing at a time. One thing at…
“You okay, son?”
“Oh,” I say, spinning on my heels at Keeper’s voice. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just…thinking.”
He cocks his eyebrow at me and glances down at the grass. “Doesn’t really look like thinking. Looks more like you’re ruining a path in this fine Elementrian grass here.”
I give him a little lighthearted chuckle. “I guess I was thinking a little too hard.”
“You want to talk about it?” he asks.
“No, it’s…” I pause when I notice his eyes cloud over slightly in disappointment. “Actually, I do need to talk to you about something. That’s why I asked you to meet me here rather than fly back to the palace.”
A bright smile, one that would normally match my own, lights his face. “I’m all ears, son.”
“Well, I need you to be all eyes.” I laugh, sticking my arm out for him to grab for transport.
“Whatever you need.”
With a clipped nod, I take a deep breath and release all the other shit trying to take over my thoughts. I had already made the decision yesterday when me and Willow figured out what we did, I wasn’t going to keep this from him.
He deserves a little piece of home.
When we step out of the transport, we stand in front of my shut door at the south wing. I don’t believe he’s even been in this hall since we’ve come here. I surely haven’t offered him a tour of my room. I didn’t think it was going to make me as nervous as I feel right now.
“Uh, this is my bedroom. Uncle Oreo designed it for me,” I murmur as I lay my hand on the handle.
“Lead the way,” he says with a small, understanding smile.
A low whistle blows through his lips as we step through the threshold, and he takes in the sight of my mural painted walls.
They’re masterpieces.
Even though I don’t spend a whole lot of time here, it brings me plenty of comfort when I do. I love to gaze at the amazing times somehow captured between Willow’s and my dragon.
“How…” he trails off, pointing at the painting between my bookshelves.
“The sight is one hell of a gift.”
He hums as he approaches the wall and lightly runs his finger across the image of Tanith. The small smile dotting his face is full of love, respect, and appreciation. That sassy dragon means a lot to him.
“It seems like a gift that would come with many blessings. Yet so much heartbreak.”
“I hope and pray Elementra doesn’t curse Willow with any more heartbreak, but for Uncle Oreo, yeah, he had a pretty hard time. Although he made the best of it. He was incredibly smart. The way he had to plan out steps for hundreds of years to come…mind-blowing.”
“I’ve heard many good things about the man who wore many masks. It would’ve been nice to meet him.”
I rock back and forth on my heels. The action draws his attention to me. I take my hands out of my pockets and point toward the bookshelves. “That’s kinda why I brought you here. He left something for you, well, us.”
