Writing Home
1682 Words
Anguish.
I could hear it clearly in his voice. I could sense it in the way he moved, and I could feel it from where I stood.
"Leif, no, I've never had any of those things done to me," I murmured. "If you lived through that, you're stronger than anyone else I know. I'm not going to apologize for the actions of others, but I will say that I'm sorry you suffered. It's not right. No one deserves to be treated like that. Ever."
He stared at me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Then, moving quickly and quietly, he pushed me against the wall, pinning my arms above my head with a force that sent my pulse racing.
I squirmed, but the second his free hand touched my face, I was lost to him. His fingers traced my jaw with a quiet deliberation, rough but careful, as if testing a boundary neither of us fully understood. He dipped his head, black ringlets bouncing slightly as his breath warmed my ear.
"I know what we are, but do you, little Druid?" His voice was low, measured, laced with something I couldn't quite place. "I can feel it growing stronger with each passing moment. ‘Specially since my age to find my Mate is near to about two and a half months off."
Leif's fingers slid into my hair, and I groaned as he deepened the kiss. Breaking from me, he pressed his forehead against mine while we fought to catch our breath.
"Yer too adorable for words," he murmured, kissing me again.
I'd barely caught my breath from the last one.
Lightheaded, I grasped his arms tightly, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as a moan slipped past my lips. I let go of my inhibitions, kissing him back, feeling his muscles tighten under my touch. One arm slid around my waist, pulling me flush against him as he pressed me to the wall.
Breaking from me, he guided me to the bed, his grip firm but careful as he got me to sit down.
"My apologies, Dreson," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Shaking my head, I wanted to yell at him, wanted to smack him silly for doing that to me. I'd always been a romantic at heart, and that was not something I'd ever anticipated.
"I didnae know if you’d understand, but yer sharper than I thought," Leif admitted, rising to his feet. "I never meant to scare ya, but I'm still mendin', Dreson. I’m sorry."
Staring at him, I tried to fight the feelings that assaulted me, coming one after the other—happiness, frustration, and doubt weaving together into something I couldn't quite untangle.
"Dre," I gasped out.
"Pardon," he asked, tipping his head to the side. He turned back to me as he reached the door. "What did you say?"
I cleared my throat before speaking again. "My friends and family call me Dre. It wasn't fair, you know. You stole my first kiss, and I'm not sure how that makes me feel. I should be angry, I want to be, but I can't feel my powers. It's like they've gone silent."
His hands cupped my face, his thumbs brushing lightly over my cheekbones. "It's because they already see what you don't, Dre. Your stay here depends entirely on how fast you learn everything. The first thing I will tell you is that you will not be able to purposely harm the people you care deeply for. If any magic-user wields their power for malicious means, they become Tainted."
Nodding, I absorbed the information quickly and filed it away under my Tell Kaden About This list.
"Did you really go through all those things you said?" I asked, sadness weighing on my words.
He offered me a somber smile. "Aye. I won't lie, Dreson. Havin’ you here does comfort me, and I want to keep feelin’ like this. So, to make sure you pass the tests, I'm going to help you learn as much as I can. If I have to teach you, I will."
"What's going to happen when I have to leave, Leif? I mean, if we are Mates, how is that going to work?" I asked, uncertainty creeping in.
He stood, walking over to the window. His gaze drifted outward, as if searching for an answer beyond the glass. "I don't know, Dre. I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we get to it, won't we?"
Outside, the storm raged on, nature's forces battling for dominance. When he left to go to his own rooms, I stood by the window, watching as lightning split the sky, until natural sleep lulled me into a dreamless abyss.
When I woke in the morning, it was to the bittersweet sound of birds chirping and flecks of sun filtering through the wooden slats of the window shutters. The contrast between night and morning felt stark, as if the world had settled after its restless chaos.
Sitting at the desk, I pulled out a sheaf of parchment paper someone had left with a sleek black and gold pen. Had Leif left this for me?
So thoughtful.
My smile faded slightly as I thought about how abrasive and pained he was the night before.
Dear Mom and Dad,
I found out that Sage Harper is a Clairvoyant, but that's nothing. I've met someone who says I'm his Mate.
Do you remember, Dad? I asked you before I left if there was one out there for me, and you said there was someone for everyone, we just had to look? Well, I really hope this guy doesn't turn on me or anything. I mean, he's been through hell and back, so it's not surprising if he's got a bit of a temper.
I have one question, though, and no one here seems to want to answer it for me. Who is Farron Cage?
Mom, I really hope Dad and Kaden are picking up my slack in helping you around the house. I miss you so much it hurts, but I know that I can't fail. Not now. I've come too far to fall, so I'm just going to suck it up and keep advancing. My goal is to pass all the tests so I can come home to all of you. It's like you said, Mom, I got this.
Please tell Kaden I'm sending him a separate letter. I know the little bugger is probably worrying himself bald by now.
I can't call - there are no phones here unless I want to make the half-day trek to the mainland.
Walking through the wilderness is fun. Actually, it's nice to have Leif show me around. He offered, and I couldn't resist saying yes to him - he's too sweet sometimes. He's older than me, but he's willing to take things at my pace, and that's a comfort.
Don't worry, I'm being taken care of.
When my stay is over, can we make room in our home for one more? I wanted to show Leif that there are accepting people in this world. He's been through so much, I just want to give him something to look forward to.
I feel different when I look at him. I'm still not sure what it is, but it's there, pulling me toward him. Maybe it's nothing, but he takes my breath away every time I look at him. My skin tingles whenever he touches me, and his smile alone makes my heart flutter. Is this what the Mate bond feels like?
Missing and loving you like crazy, Your son, Dre.
Finishing the letter, I put it in the envelope and sealed it. Pulling out another piece of paper, I started a letter to Kaden.
Brat, you better not be giving mom and dad a hard time. If you are, then, when I get back, I'm kicking your scrawny ass six ways from Sunday.
Seriously, did you give Neil his letter and apologize for me just like we planned?
Oh, and did you read the diary yet? Please don't hate me for the thoughts inside it. I was afraid that I would lose you over my secret, but it's not a secret anymore. I wasn’t that strong when I first faced the fact that I am gay, but now I’m much better at handling it.
Learning with the Sage's is okay, but I've got bigger fish to fry. I want them to test me now, but so many of them are too high-class to bother looking in my direction. I guess I brought it on myself, though. I told them I wanted to be treated the same as everyone else.
Kaden, I miss you the most. You were my first friend, my first enemy, my little brother, and the one I could talk to no matter what. It’s hard not having you here with me, but now I know it was never going to happen. Sage Harper had something waiting for me here as soon as I woke up—an older boy named Leif. He's Sage Harper's nephew and a Sorcerer, but he's been hurt badly by people who should have cared for him.
Leif says he's my Mate, but I'm not sure yet. He makes me feel safe when he's near me, and I know that's a sign, but I'm scared, Kaden. What if it’s all an act?
FYI, please remember to never use your magic to hurt people needlessly. I don’t want my baby brother to become a Tainted One. Pester dad for answers. I know he has them.
Please don’t share this letter with anyone. I'm enclosing an edited one you can share with the guys, okay?
I'm going to do my best to get through this, so write me back to let me know you still care.
Forever always, Your big brother.
I folded the letter and shoved it into the envelope with Kaden's name on it before tucking it into a larger envelope.
- Writer
