Page 58 of Gift from the Source
“Yeah, but before then, you’re supposed to attend normal school. Learn to read, write, history, all that shit. I didn’t go through all that. I was half-ass taught by a farmer and pretty behind,” I clarify, then watch his cheeks turn red.
“I learned that back home. It wasn’t like an academy or school. An Elgian…uh, I guess elder here, taught all the younglings in our village. X and Dec taught me a little about the history of this realm but not much. I can read and write, though,” he says bashfully.
“Then you’re right on track,” I say with a smile that doesn’t work on him, so I get more serious and to the point I’m trying to make. “I was a fourteen-year-old dragon. The only one of my kind and everyone just thought I was a rabid killer. It was hard, but I wasn’t alone. And that made it worth it. You won’t be alone either. You’ll have us and you’ll make a handful of friends that you’ll fit right in with. People are going to stare and say shit behind your back because people are assholes. It won’t be easy at first, but you’ll learn to let it slide off your back.”
And I’ll fuck up any of those assholes. He’s a kid, they’re adults. They can keep their bullying to their own age bracket.
“Really?”
“Really, really,” I say and this time he does mimic my smile.
“Corentin mentioned he’s going to room me with another guy my age and the shifter instructor to help me get adjusted. You think I’m going to scare him?” he asks quietly.
Aww Layton, my buddy…
“To be honest with you, man, probably at first. His name’s Layton and he’s a rare shifter, but he’s been through some shit just like you. He spooks easy by anything, but he’s getting better every day.”
“Hopefully, it gets better for both of us,” he says so low I can barely hear him, but I sense the homesickness and heartache inside of him.
“It will,” I say confidently, patting him on his arm, well, attempting to.Damn, I look so small compared to him.“Come on, let’s get going.”
It takes me a second to get my balance as I try to stand because every move he makes shakes me. I try to hide it and continue to smile at him so I don’t make him feel bad.
“Thank you, Draken,” he says and fuck me, before I know it, I’m being lifted off the damn ground.
Oh, holy shit, this is terrifying.
You know? I kinda like it.
“Draken.”Willow snorts in my mind and I shoot her a winkfrom the air.
“Okay, put him down, Car. Time to go,” Dec shouts out, causing Carrington to grunt out an apology and put me down.
I give him a small punch on his forearm as I walk away, letting him know we’re all good. My Nexus all shakes their heads at me like they’re surprised or some shit and I just grin.
“We’re going to go straight to meet Vince. We’ll figure out a tour and all that later. For now, let’s just get them there and comfortable,” Corentin instructs as we all gather up.
“Thank fuck. I’m ready to go home,” Cas says, snuggling in close to Willow.
“On me,” she announces excitedly and Tillman scowls, causing her to place her hands on her hips. “I know good and well you’re not doubting me to transport everyone when I just opened a portal between realms.”
“No. I’m trying to figure out how the hell you know where Vince’s new place is since Corentin just told him to move again to accommodate Carrington. Literally just an hour ago,” he says, arching a jealous little brow, and I snicker at him.
“Oh,” she says, dropping her hands. “In that case, I don’t have any idea. I thought we were going to the other house where we dropped Layton off. You can dictate it then.”
Cas and I throw our heads back, laughing at the sweetness in her tone, while Corentin tries to hide his smirk.
I love when she’s bossy.
“Thank you, little warrior. On me,” T-man announces seriously although I hear the humor he’s trying to hide.
I should’ve volunteered to do it so I could try to feel how Tanith reacts to transporting. She can gloat all she wants, but I know better by the way my little wanderer was fussing discreetly over her.
No matter. As fast as we enter the darkness, we’re stepping out and to my disappointment, Tanith does just as good as she did earlier. Not that I really wanted her to get sick, but I am a little curious as to what a dragon throwing up would look like.
Would it be fire?
Maybe bones and bile?
