“Feel better?” Cadoc’s voice snaps me out of my daze.
“Yes,” I turn. Cadoc sits beside Kirk.
“When did you get here?” I ask.
“About an hour ago.” Kirk smiles. “I had a breakthrough.”
“Oh. What?” I wipe my hands on the hand towel.
“The amulet is an item of power. It gives the wearer the ability to grant favor to their pack.”
“You got all of this from a potion?” I raise an eyebrow.
Kirk laughs. “No, but I did crack the code in the book that allowed me to read the words.”
“Jesus and J.R.R. Tolkien, it’s the one ring,” I whisper. The truth hits hard, this is a lifelong responsibility. Going back to normal won’t be an option.
“Ylva?” Kirk stands.
“Our life is never going to be ours again,” my voice cracks.
Kirk looks at Cadoc who nods. “Let’s get your mind off things.” Kirk takes my hand and twines our fingers. Let’s go outside. There’s something I want to show you.”
“Okay.” I trail behind him, down the stairs, and across the room blindly. My mind wrestles with my new existence.
We step outside. A gentle breeze carries a sweet scent.
“Hey.” Kirk squeezes my hand, and offers a gentle smile. smile. “Look.”
He turns me toward the setting sun. Orange and red hues kiss the garden. How had I not noticed this before?
“Beautiful.”
“Let’s explore it.” He tugs me toward the stone path. “Many of these are herbs.”
“For cooking?”
“And healing.” His back straightens.
Stepping into his field of expertise makes him grow a few inches taller as he moves with more confidence. Guiding me to a large fluffy yellow flower, he slips seamlessly into the role of teacher.
“I have plans to dry some of these out for the winter. This is a teddy bear sunflower. Stunning, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” I touch it, unable to resist its lure.”
“I find when I feel lost, immersing myself in nature helps bring things back into perspective.”
“Perspective? Our lives have been hijacked.” I scowl.
“Hmm. I’ve always wanted to help people. This is going to allow me to do that. It’s the truth I can stomach.”
“And the rest?”
He shrugs. “I’m dealing with it one day at a time.”
I want to ruffle his zen.
“Just like that?” I snap my fingers.
He turns toward me. “No.”
“But you said It was so easy, right?” I lift my chin. The flash in his eyes telling me he recognizes my reminder of his words.
“No. I said I’m choosing to control what I can.”
“Because you’re emotionless?”
His nostrils flare. “Ylva.”
“Tell me how you bundle up your rage and pack it away so easily.” I cross my arms.
“Because I know what I’m capable of when I do otherwise.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses “You don’t want to see that part of me. It’s an ugly, ruthless, cold version. He’ll come when it’s necessary and not a moment before. So testing me is only wasting your energy. If that’s what you need, I’m here.”
His words deflate me. I shake my head. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
“For better or worse, we’re all we have. Don’t let him inside your head. This is what we make it.” He pulls me close and wraps his arms around me.
I nuzzle the scent gland in his neck, taking deep breaths of his cinnamon and citrus smell. The last of the sun’s rays caress my back.
