The Girl and The Gift

Chapter Two

MILO

Milo sat straight up out of his slumber, a cold sweat covering his muscles. He took shallow breaths as he surveyed his surroundings. To his eyes, it looked like he was in his room, in his bed, right where he had fallen asleep last night. Good, that means it was only a dream and he hadn't actually turned to gold dust after all. Milo sat still for a moment, repeating it over and over in his mind; it was just a dream. He wiped the sleep from his eyes and slipped out from underneath the covers. Dream or not, Milo had responsibilities and he couldn't afford to oversleep, not today anyway. The Elven Council was meeting to discuss Archidus' induction and his grandfather's retirement. 

Archidus, Milo thought, was probably the best man and candidate for the job he could think of. He was kind and just, always a good student, and a true champion to the village. More importantly he was a good friend, his best friend. He needed to be there for him today, and anyway it would be expected of an Elven Chief's son to attend such an important event. Milo walked slowly through his morning routine, showering off the night's sweat, gathering his formal attire, and reading up on some important magic. Truthfully his mind was still elsewhere. That dream, what did it mean? Did it mean anything at all? It seemed too real to him, too fresh in his mind still. Nonetheless, he shrugged it off and attempted to continue his day.

"Milooo, sweetie, breakfast is ready! I hope you're awake, otherwise you'll be late to the council!"

Lisbeth, Milo's mom, called from downstairs startling Milo out of his stupor. He quickly slapped a smile on his face and hustled down the stairs. He saddled into the kitchen, patting his sister Sana on the head as she sat at the table. Sana grumbled something vicious under her breath before shoving a pancake in her mouth. 

"I'm ready ma, no worries. Where is Theodore? Out on duty already?"

Lisbeth rolled her eyes and nodded. 

"Yep, you nailed it. He said he had to be extra alert today and keep his men in line with the council meeting and what not. I'll never understand how he can be out all night and still be on time for guard duty. Your brother is one hell of a guard."

Milo laughed heartily and planted a kiss on his mother's head, she was a kind and honorable woman, it was hard not to lose your worries in her presence. Milo grabbed a plate his mother had prepared for him and started in on it enthusiastically. Sana snorted from across the table, watching as Milo started to inhale his second serving. 

"Hey take it easy kid, you'll choke yourself and we'll never make it to the council!"

A booming voice echoed through the kitchen, as Calicos, Milo's father, appeared in the doorway. He laughed, an equally booming sound, and it filled the kitchen. Prompting the rest of the family to join in. 

"I'm fine really, just didn't get much rest so I'm compensating."

Milo choked out a few words to his father between bites and laughter. Calicos gave him a weary look.

"I hope you weren't out with your brother last night, I told you to rest up for today. The council can smell alcohol on your breath for days."

Milo shook his head violently.

"No, no. Nothing of the sort, just didn't sleep restfully. I must've been nervous about today."

Calicos nodded understandingly, Archidus' father was one of Calicos closest friends. Today was an exciting day for both families. 

"Sure, of course. Well, finish eating and let's head out. We're cutting it close."

Calicos rested against the doorway, waiting on Milo to finish. Milo swiftly cleared his plate, and to Sana's dismay, let out a rippling burp. He hopped up chuckling and turned to the sink to clean his plate. Suddenly, Milo felt the unmistakable grip of his father's fist lifting the back of his blazer and button down. 

"Hey, what the hell, what are you doing?!"

Milo's shock turned quickly to irritation when he received no answer. Behind him, Milo could hear his sister, mother, and father collectively gasp. His father released his grip on his clothing and spun him around. 

"What is the meaning of this? Are you finally seeing someone seriously?"

Calicos' face was a mixture of rage, confusion, and pride. He peered deeply into Milo's eyes, their equal blue tones reflecting off each other in the sunlight. Milo sputtered in absolute disbelief. 

"What? No? I haven't been dating anyone at all. What are you talking about?" 

Milo started to shake a little with confusion and the slight fear he had of his hulking father. 

"Honey, there seems to be a glowing rune on your back...typically in Elven culture this means you've found your soulmate. There's nothing wrong with that, we're just a little surprised and hurt you didn't tell us. I mean your father's rune glowed when we met, and there isn't really a human equivalent but I'm sure I was glowing too."

Lisbeth laughed softly, clearly trying to lighten the mood. Milo stood still staring between his mother and father. He truly had no idea what they were talking about. This was the first time he had ever heard anything like this before. Not only that, but he wasn't even dating anyone. 

"Ma, I promise you, I am not seeing anyone. Let alone my soulmate! This is crazy, there's no way!"

Milo continued to stand there reeling in horror and confusion. Lisbeth walked over to him and calmly led him back to the table. 

"Okay, well Milo, if that's true I'm concerned. Have you had any other strange occurrences? Dreams or visions, maybe?"

Lisbeth knelt in front of him, holding his hands between hers and peering deeply into his eyes. Milo shook his head, then paused as it suddenly occurred to him.

"Well, actually, I had a dream last night. I was standing at the end of a gold path and a girl suddenly appeared. We talked a little, I think through telepathy. At the end of the dream though, we turned into gold dust and floated away from each other."

Lisbeth lifted one hand and covered her mouth. Sana suddenly sat upright looking at Milo less like a pest now, and more like a sickly relative or lost child. Milo instinctively scowled. 

"Okay, what? What is the problem?"

Lisbeth took a deep breath and turned to Calicos, whispering something in Elvish tongue. Calicos let out a deep growl. 

"How could this be happening to my own flesh and blood, my son, my eldest, my heir -"

Lisbeth quickly cut him off.

"That's enough Calicos, please, this isn't about you right now."

Lisbeth turned back to Milo.

"Sweetie listen, the girl you met last night was a witch with something called the gift. It's extremely rare, and to my knowledge, this exact arrangement has never happened before. The gift allows a witch to meet their soulmate before they've actually met, and it would seem from your rune, she too is your soulmate."

Milo inhaled sharply, before resting his head in his hands. Of all the things that could happen today, it just had to be this. How was he going to explain this to the council? How could he even explain this to himself?

"Well, this has to be a mistake right? I mean, we'll ask the council about it and -"

"NO. Absolutely not, that is out of the question indefinitely."

Calicos was firm but seemed to have regained his composure. He moved forward to stand in front of Milo.

"Son, there is a very slim chance that any of this is a mistake. And, as you know, the penalty for interacting with witches in any manner is death. The council will not understand this, and I will not jeopardize your life or position over something so trivial. You will not speak of this, and you will not speak to that witch again."

Milo felt himself scowling, for what reason he wasn't sure. 

"It's hardly appropriate for a father to be telling his 25 year old son whom he can and cannot talk to. I'll have the final say on that."

Calicos let out another deep growl.

"I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you what will keep you alive."

Milo shrugged defiantly, Calicos wasn't wrong but the choice was still his. 

"I need time to think it over, I'll have Archidus cast a concealing spell on it before the council meeting. I'm leaving."

Calicos began to object to Milo telling Archidus about his dream, but Milo was already out the door. 

*****

"So yeah, you're basically caught up. I apparently have a soulmate and she's a witch."

Archidus sat calmly on the other side of his kitchen table and tousled his jet black hair while looking on pensively. He was the only one home, considering the council meeting was about to start, but he had cast a protection spell anyway. 

"I've read about this before...I'm not sure there's anything we can do to stop it if I'm being honest. It's rare so there's not much study on it, and frankly the council has little interest in witches affairs."

Milo sighed, feeling defeated at hearing the words come out of Archidus' mouth. He knew there was a chance this was real, but the actuality of it was starting to sink in. Archidus clamped a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry bro, I'll cast the concealing spell and you don't have to worry about me telling anyone. I could never condemn someone for finding their true love, and hell would freeze over before I betrayed you."

Milo took comfort in his words and found himself feeling more at ease about it all. 

"Alright, well let's get started. But first I have to ask you a question."

Archidus wiggled his eyebrows suspiciously. Milo grunted. 

"What, now?"

Archidus chuckled slyly.

"Was she hot?"

Milo shot him a horribly dirty look, baring his teeth and flaring his nostrils. Archidus laughed with his whole body, doubling over as he lost his breath. 

"I'm just kidding, kind of, I mean I'm only a little curious. At least tell me what she looked like!"

Archidus slapped Milos back as he pleaded. 

"Uh, well, now that you mention it...she was beautiful. Probably the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Archidus leaned in as if drinking in the details. 

"She had perfect green eyes, and a cute little mole on her left cheek. Her hair was flowing, bright red and curly. Truth be told, her body was - "

Milo cut himself off abruptly, his face glowing red as he realized what he was saying. It was almost as if he couldn't resist, every fiber of his being knew she was perfect in every way. Archidus interrupted his embarrassment with a stiff jab from his elbow.

"Hey, it sounds like you've got it pretty good. I know I should be a by-the-books guy, but love is love. I support whatever you decide to do, okay? I'm happy if you're happy. Now turn around lover boy, I have to conceal this quickly. We have a meeting to get to."

Milo turned around and leaned over the back of the chair. While Archidus got to work, Milo lost himself in thoughts of a mysterious soulmate. He wondered if and when they might meet again. He still harbored doubts, what if this was all an elaborate trap? Though he doubted it. Something about her aura had both soothed him and lit a fire in him all at once. He closed his eyes and pictured her, then decided; the next time they met he would ask her if she knew about their fate. He would ask her if she felt this same soothing flame. Maybe she could ease his mind.