Page 33 of Let It Snow
I blink and swallow in disbelief.
He truly had been in hell! The magic of True Mates healed his wounds, inside and out, but this picture is living proof of the torment he endured.
The shock is so strong that a sharp cry slips out of me. He didn't exaggerate earlier; and his horror was even worse than mine.
Without thinking, on pure impulse, I fling my arms around him and clutch him tight.
He exhales in surprise at my sudden move, his body stiffening slightly, as if even for him my desperate clutch is too intense. Only his hands respond, gently patting my back.
"Okay, okay. It’s all right now, Summer. All that pain and suffering was healed by the Bond I have with Aiden. The magic of fated mates blurred the memories. I barely even recall it; it feels like some distant dream that means nothing, like something that happened in another universe."
Slowly, I let him go. His scent is sweet and calming. There’s something strangely therapeutic about being near him, as if his gentle energy washes over mine.
Lake smiles softly again, encouraging. We’re standing right in front of each other now as he lifts his hand and brushes my cheek. I shiver, because it’s his initiative, not mine, and it takes effort not to jump back, the feeling sending a wave of unease through me. But for some reason I forgive him, just him.
"I believe things will change for you too, that time will heal your wounds, Summer," he says solemnly.
I stay quiet for a moment, thoughtful. I also feel a faint shadow of hope. If he could go through that kind of suffering and still end up with a beautiful, fulfilled life, maybe I can move past my own history too?
That perspective gives me a measure of peace.
For exactly ten seconds.
And as quickly as it appears, it dissolves.
Because I’m not him.
I carry a burden he never had; people want things from me. My power. So all I can do now is envy him. I want to have the kind of life he has: normal family life, surrounded by children, with a loving husband. He still seems to be the true heart of this family, even though his sons have left home.
But these dreams seem a million miles away. They’re just not my reality. I’m a damn sorcerer, living in secrecy, isolated, with a tangled, dark past.
Still, I give him a small nod, and Lake’s face brightens again.
"I’d like you to stay with us as long as you want, even forever, Summer. We’ll keep you safe, though from what I’ve heard about your power from Sun, you’re probably the one who could protect us rather than the other way around." He smiles, teasing a little.
What can I say? Something stirs at the back of my mind, but it’s not time to dig into it yet. I leave it for later.
"Are you sure you don’t want to come with me to the store? Just you and me?"
Well… I hesitate, then suddenly decide. A plunge into the deep end? I’m not a fan of crowds, and this time it’s the middle of the day, not night like before, but there are a few things I want.
It may sound vain, but I just don’t want to walk around in old T-shirts and sweatpants. I don’t want harsh, soapy toiletries, orplain white underwear. Maybe I want to look… good. For myself, not for a certain someone, of course.
Which means I have to push through the stress.
Slowly, I nod.
His smile widens again. I have to admit I like his energy; it really helps. When I’m near him, it feels like stepping into a sphere of soft pink light.
"Then go get changed, and I’ll meet you in the living room in fifteen minutes."
As he leaves, a wave of anxiety rises inside me. I step into the bathroom, braid my hair, and wrap it into a crown around my head. Once again, I put on Nathaniel’s baseball cap.
From the clothes Lake brought me, I pick a dark lilac T-shirt and black sweatpants. They’re a little too long, but the cuffs at the ankles make them manageable. His shoes are two sizes too big, but that’s fine. I’ll get new ones. After all, I’m starting from scratch, rebuilding everything from the ruins and blurry shadows.
I glance at my reflection. An oval face with delicate features stares back at me, eyes mismatched: one silver, one gold. My caramel hair frames it, slightly shadowed by the cap. They have a color similar to fudge candy.
For a moment I try making funny faces, smiling, frowning, but the signals from my brain reach my muscles sluggishly, like wading through mud. Eventually I give up, step out of the bathroom, and feel my heart speed up as I brace myself for being around more people.
