The Girl and The Gift

Chapter Nine

MILO

Milo woke up in panic, breathing heavily and frantically searching his surroundings for Fae. He blinked a few times, realizing he was back in his room, sprawled out on the floor where he had made the spell. He sighed and groaned to himself as he tried to sit. Sleeping on the floor had been hard on his back, or maybe, he thought, the mana form had drained him of more energy than he'd thought. Milo rubbed his forehead and considered the time he'd spent with Fae last night. He had never felt so peaceful before. The moment Fae had rested against his chest and fallen asleep he had too. It was as if every burden, worry, yearn for adventure, or thought he'd ever had, was instantly laid to rest. He couldn't deny it any longer, he was falling in love with her, and quickly.

Milo could hear his family bustling around the kitchen downstairs, on the weekends his family usually ate breakfast together, attended one of his father's community events, and then went drinking. The thought of it though, was making him a bit nauseous. Actually, every second he wasn't with Fae was making him sick to his stomach, he wondered if it was a magical effect of the gift or rather a physical response to being in love. All stomach issues aside, Milo was nervous about the day. Last night, as he drifted off to sleep, other than Fae, the last thing on his mind was that today he would tell his family about the gift and his decision. He dragged his feet as he prepared himself for the day. By the time he made it downstairs, the only one left in the kitchen was his mother. 

"Hi, Ma."

Milo smiled weakly as he descended the stairs. Lisbeth whipped around, clearly surprised to see him. She let out a quick puff of air and wiped her forehead with the dish towel in her hand. 

"Hi. sweetie. We missed you at breakfast, are you...okay?"

Lisbeth's eyes were earnest and concerned, though there was a hint of suspicion mixed in. 

"I'm alright, I guess."

Milo plopped into a chair at the table and Lisbeth slid a warm plate of sausage and pancakes in front of him before taking a seat opposite him. 

"Do you want to talk about it, or maybe what I saw in your room last night?"

Lisbeth raised an all-knowing eyebrow, though she smiled warmly. 

"Ah, alright. So, you know already..."

Milo lowered his eyes, not sure what to expect. Lisbeth sighed and reached out a hand placing it over his. 

"Milo, you are my child, first and foremost. Above and before anything else. You have to understand that your father feels the same. We want what's best for you, but not at the cost of your happiness. It's clear to me that you've been visiting the witch with the gift, I saw the spell book. I didn't tell your father or anyone else. I was hoping you would talk to us on your own."

Milo sighed and looked up at his mother. Lisbeth's eyes were lightly glossed, she smiled, still as warm as ever, but he could since her pain and worry. 

"I'm sorry, Ma. I know this isn't what you and Dad had planned for me, but I'm an adult now. And, well, the truth is, I'm falling in love with her. Fae, the witch with the gift. I guess that was inevitable though, with her being my soulmate and all that."

Milo lowered his head again, resting it on his palms. 

"Milo, please, we don't want to plan your whole life for you. We were just surprised, the gift is so rare and, well, terrifying for those of us who know the histories."

Milo blinked slowly, and lifted his head to look at his mother. 

"You know? All this time, you've known?"

Lisbeth laughed, letting out a small snort. 

"Well, you don't get honorary status without a bit of knowledge and charm."

Lisbeth chuckled for another moment, before her face fell serious again.

"I won't ask you how you know the histories too, though I'm sure it has something to do with Sana. The important part is that you know now. And what will you do with that information?"

Milo stared at Lisbeth in contemplation. 

"Well, I don't know how to go about it but, I guess I'd like to share the truth. Those histories are important, we could change the world. If they hadn't killed those two all that time ago, we could've avoided a war, brought real peace to the realm, not just the region."

Lisbeth nodded solemnly.

"You would've made a great leader, my sweet son. You are so pure and noble of heart. I admire that, I never had the strength to stand up to the council."

Lisbeth smiled again. 

"Your path will likely lead you far from here, and in all my infinite wisdom I can't tell you what turns and twists that path might take. But I can tell you that the council will catch on soon enough. Come up with a plan, and quickly. I won't lose my son to them and your father won't either. The quicker you and Fae come up with a plan, the less likely anyone will get hurt."

Milo felt his eyes start to water, but before he could respond Lisbeth was on her feet bustling around the kitchen again. She strode over to his side and placed a firm kiss on the top of his forehead. 

"I know you'll do what feels right. For now, make sure to spend time with us, your family, and don't forget, you'll need to tell the rest of them what's going on. Do it tonight at the festival. They need to know, your father included. I need to get ready, and so do you, you look like death."

With that, Lisbeth slipped out of the kitchen and headed upstairs. Milo sighed, he had completely forgotten that today was a festival day. While that would typically be a fun excursion, today it was being held on their family land. There would be chaos everywhere you looked, not to mention the council members present, or the expectation of him to make rounds and small talk with the villagers. Well, either way he knew he had to get ready as well. It would be a long night ahead of him. 

*****

Archidus leaned coyly against the ivy and brick on the backside of Milo's house. As Milo made his way over, he could see Sana rolling her eyes and shoving a beer back towards him. Sana never drank, she was always a little tightly wound, but that wouldn't stop Archidus from trying. Milo reached Archidus' side as Sana strode off looking even more grumpy than usual. 

"What was that about?"

Milo raised an eyebrow playfully. Archidus' cheeks turned flush red. 

"I got her a beer as usual, and she said no, as usual. Then I told her that the dress she was wearing was nice, and she nearly spit in my drink. I'm lucky I got out unscathed." 

Milo laughed heartily and grabbed the beer that had been meant for Sana.

"I'm exhausted, I love this village but damn, there sure are a lot of people here."

Archidus laughed and took a sip. 

"So, did you tell the rest of your family yet?"

Milo furrowed his brows. 

"No, I'm going to round them up in a few minutes when the fireworks start. I'll talk to them in my Dad's office while everyone else is distracted."

Archidus nodded and stared up at the sky. 

"I wish we hadn't involved Sana, she doesn't like conflict you know."

Milo stared at him for a moment, it was unlike Archidus to be so sentimental.

"And while we're at it, I need to ask you something."

Archidus turned his gaze back to Milo. 

"Promise me, if the council finds out what's going on, you'll blame it on me. I have access to that Archive too, since I'm a pledged council member. I'll tell them it was me who showed you the histories. It'll be a lot harder for them to make a claim against me, and I don't want Sana involved. Promise me, okay?"

Milo studied the expression on Archidus' face carefully, taking in the deep worry lines stretched across his forehead. He wondered when Archidus had grown up so much. Milo smiled. 

"Soooo, you do love her then?"

Archidus jabbed Milo sharply in the ribs but that didn't stop him from cackling hysterically. Suddenly, the sound of fireworks erupted above their heads and drowned out the sound of their laughter and bickering. Milo collected himself and nodded at Archidus before running off to collect his family. It didn't take him long to find them all and gather them in his father's office, though no one except Lisbeth seemed pleased. Lisbeth stood by the door next to Calicos who looked sullen, arms crossed in a belligerent fashion, while Theodore and Sana perched on top of the desk. 

"If you've got something to say, spit it out Milo. It's hot as hell in here and I have drinking to do."

Theodore swung his feet like an angry toddler, glowering at Milo. Sana sighed and stared at the ceiling, and although Calicos said nothing, Milo could tell he agreed. 

"Right, I'll just get to it. I have decided to be with the witch with the gift, her name is Fae and I'm falling in love with her. I'm also aware of the histories surrounding the war and the gift, and I want to spread the truth to the people in the realm. That's my decision and I won't change my mind."

Milo looked around the room slowly. The silence was deafening. 

"What histories are you talking about?"

Theodore was the first to speak, but Sana raised a hand and a small leather book appeared in front of him. 

"I made a copy while I was in the Archive, in case something happened to the original. This is of course a copy of that copy. Read it later and then burn it immediately. I figured you should know anyway, since you work for the council technically."

Theodore grabbed the book and slipped it into his pocket, looking around the room quizzically. 

"Well, I don't think anyone is really that surprised, Milo. I mean you're a natural born leader so you were bound to stir up some trouble eventually. I don't know how I can help yet, but I'll help you man. You're my brother, as annoying as that is."

Milo smiled to himself, Theodore was simple in a lot of ways, but he was always perceptive. He knew exactly what Milo needed to hear right now. Sana nodded along as well. 

"Yeah, you're a certified dumbass but I guess I don't want to see you dead or heartbroken. I mean pick a struggle, seriously. I'll do whatever I can."

"No, Sana, please. I promised Archidus I would keep you out of this, okay. Anything you do needs to be with extreme digression. I would rather you didn't do anything at all."

San huffed and rose to her feet immediately. 

"You and Archidus would be lost without me, stop treating me like a child. It's sexist and infantilizing, you're disgusting."

Sana began to walk to the door, but Milo caught her arm. 

"I am not trying to diminish your role in this family or this village Sana, I am protecting you because you're my sister and Archidus is in love with you. Get your head out of your ass, I'm not that stupid."

A soft gasp escaped Sana's lips, but she pulled away and rushed out the door. Theodore snickered in the background. 

"I knew it."

Calicos growled from his corner by the door. 

"Theodore, get out. I need to talk to your brother alone."

Theodore mocked disappointment but shuffled out of the room as quickly as possible, he hadn't been kidding about that drinking he mentioned earlier. Milo sighed and watched as Calicos made his way to the desk, Lisbeth close behind. Calicos took a seat, and Lisbeth perched herself gently on his lap. 

"Milo, I don't agree with your decision, but I'm going to spare you the lecture. You're a grown man now, you have every right to decide who you'll spend your life with. I knew the day would come soon when you'd become a leader in your own right, I just hoped it wouldn't be so soon or so dangerous. What I'm trying to say is, you have my support."

Milo took a deep breath and sighed in relief. It was comforting to know his family supported him, he wondered if Fae would be afforded that same comfort. Lisbeth leaned down and planted a soft kiss on Calicos' cheek. Milo smiled, and wished for his own future to be filled with that kind of love. 

"Alright son, do you have a plan or are you winging it like a maniac?"

Calicos' voice held a hint of pride and excitement in it. Milo smiled again and took a step forward when he was suddenly stopped in his tracks by an excruciating pain in his head. He gripped his temples and fell to the ground, it sounded like someone was screaming in his mind. Wait, he thought, that screaming seemed eerily familiar. 

"Milo, are you okay, what's going on?"

Lisbeth was at his side in an instant, stabilizing him and helping him to the bench in front of the desk. Milo continued to writhe in pain and grip his temple, and then he heard it, soft but clear. 

Milo, please help me. 

Milo gasped and grabbed Lisbeth's arm. 

"It's Fae, I can hear her, she's screaming. I think she's in trouble."