A balmy breeze blew past, carrying within it a touch of cool air.
Maelin looked up at the night sky. “It feels like it’s going to storm, but it doesn’t look it. Not a cloud in sight.”
If I were a full peace dragon, I’d be able to transform. I’d be able to become skye. I’d leap up and touch the sky.
She remembered Preyuna’s illusion.
I would have my father’s red enamel scales.
I would have a dragon’s voice.
I would—-
She shook herself out of such thoughts. “This is not about me. I need to find Robin for Isellta.” She sniffed the air, searching for his tangerine scent.
There was no trace of it.
“Maybe the wind blew it away. Or maybe it was never there to start with. Maybe he just isn’t here.”
But I can’t tell that to Isellta. Not yet. He’s so certain that Robin is here. I need to be equally certain that he isn’t here.
Maelin scanned the immediate premises, but Robin was nowhere in sight. “I must be certain.” She walked to the back of the mansion.
***
“She’ll find him.” Isellta took another sip of his tea. “You’ll see. Maelin will find him. She will catch his scent. She will follow it. It will lead her straight to him. My Robin. My Robin.”
Jay petted Isellta’s soft hair. “I hope so. You deserve this.”
The fey tilted his head and blinked quickly.
“After all of the garbage and hurt you’ve gone through, you deserve to be reunited with the one you love.”
“Oh.” So, that’s it? That’s what I deserve? I hadn’t thought about it that way. “And you deserve to be happy. Simply, wonderfully happy. No more fears. No more frustrations.” He laid his hand on Jay’s face. “No more tears. No more crying for my dear Jay.”
Jay set the mostly empty cup on the nightstand and kissed the middle of Isellta’s forehead. “You’re such a sweet kid. How could Preyuna or anyone else hurt you?”
If I answer his question, he’ll get mad at me. Or it will make him upset. I don’t want to make Jay upset.
I’ve done that more than enough these past couple days.
“Jay.” He carefully leaned forward and hugged him. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for hurting you.”
Jay returned the hug.
“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, kid.” He stroked Isellta’s back, from his neck to the middle of his wings. “All that matters is you’re okay. You’re alive and you’re okay. That’s all that matters to me.”
Isellta dug his fingers into the back of Jay’s shirt. “He’ll be here soon. Maelin will find Robin and lead him in here. You’ll see, Jay. Robin will finally come to me.”
“I hope so.”
ambroseandelsie 