A sense of foreboding settled in Boris's chest, growing heavier with each passing moment of the day. The weight of his impending departure in the morning pressed down on him. How would he be able to leave, knowing he wouldn't be nearby if Trinity needed him?
He rubbed the back of his neck, waiting in the entryway for Trinity to come down the stairs. A pleasant smile came to his face as he noticed the curious glances of young pups walking by. They were drawn to the leaders of their pack, even in his quiet state. A familiar scent soon filled the air, and he knew Trinity was near, along with the four guards he'd assigned to her.
At the top of the stairs, Trinity tilted her head, her brow furrowed in question. What could have gone wrong now? It seemed lately that disaster was always right around the corner.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she descended the steps, her long black hair falling across her face.
Boris's eyes widened in relief. Her eyes were no longer glowing gold, but a stunning shade of blue, with a few specks of gold that hadn't been there before. They were her eyes again. A wide, genuine smile broke across his face, and he pulled her into a quick, tender hug, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head.
"Let me go," she groaned playfully, pushing against his chest. Boris's heart swelled, not with pain, but with profound relief that she was speaking and acting like herself again.
"Walk with me," he said, gesturing with his hand for them to go outside. They left the Warrior House, heading toward the forest for some privacy. Trinity's guards hung back, giving them space. They knew their charge was ultimately safe with her father.
"Do you feel like yourself again?" Boris asked, a note of gentle concern in his voice.
Trinity glanced around, making sure they were alone before she answered. "No. Not yet." She felt a quiet ache in her heart. Maybe she would never fully return to herself. There were some things you couldn't fully come back from.
Give it time, Boris's voice resonated in her mind. He was testing their mental connection, wondering if she could still hear him.
"I will," she responded aloud, not realizing that he hadn't spoken aloud. "I don't want you to worry about me. I always survive." A flicker of guilt crossed her face. Sometimes, she felt selfish. Boris poured every ounce of energy he had into trying to make her feel better. He still felt the need to make up for something that was never his fault.
"I know you can handle yourself," he said, smiling down at her. "But I will help. Even when you don't ask." A deep sense of contentment settled over him.
"Are you still fighting with Alana?" Trinity asked. As much as she couldn't stand her, Boris loved Alana. They were mates, and there was no getting around that.
A momentary grimace flashed across Boris's face before his smile returned. "Mates are inevitable." It was the most honest answer he could give her.
"So, are you going to tell me why you came?"
Boris stopped in his tracks, turning to face her. He leaned down slightly, meeting her at eye level. "I'm going away for a while. There's some pack business I have to take care of. I'm hoping I'll be back soon, but it could be a few weeks."
"Weeks?" The word hung in the air, a long, hollow sound. The thought of being here without him, of knowing he wasn't nearby, sent a pang of unease through her.
"It might not be that long," he reassured her, pointing in the direction of her guards. "But you'll still have your guards with you. Ryan is still here. I'll be back in no time."
Trinity couldn't believe her own reaction. She felt so unsettled by his departure. She'd lived most of her life without even knowing who he was, and now, after only a few months, she felt anxious about his absence.
"I'm at the Warrior House. I barely see you anyway. It's fine." She fidgeted with her sleeve, pulling it over her hands, feeling awkward and unsure.
Boris felt her anxiety through the tenuous bond they shared. He wanted to put her mind at ease. "Close your eyes," he said softly.
"Why?"
"Just close them."
Reluctantly, she complied. "We share a bond. I need you to feel it inside. It should feel like a physical weight in your chest. Search for it."
When she went to open her eyes, Boris gently placed his hands over them. "Just try."
With her hands on her hips, she focused on her task. She didn't understand what she was looking for, so she took deep, calming breaths, letting her body relax and her mind wander. She let her thoughts drift to her memories of Boris, and something in those memories seemed to guide her. Just as he said, she felt a physical weight in her chest. She reached for the feeling, gasping in shock as a wave of warmth washed over her. It was as if something was tied around her very being, a gentle tether connected to his.
Pushing his hands away, she opened her eyes and looked at her father. She saw it. Like a physical, shimmering ribbon of light, the bond wrapped around them both. Her hand reached out, trying to touch the ethereal anchor between them. She couldn't feel it, but as her hand neared the tether, it radiated warmth.
She laughed, letting her hand glide around the tether. She basked in its warmth, a beautiful smile on her face. "Can you see it?" she asked, her eyes shining.
Boris couldn't see the shimmering ribbon she was playing with. The tether was still new, frail, and buzzing with life. He could sometimes see it in rare moments of heightened emotion, but he normally could only feel it.
"Sometimes. But I always feel it." He pressed his hand to his own chest, over the place where he could feel the bond. "And now that you can feel it, I want you to think of what you want to say to me, and then push it through the bond."
Trinity focused, her eyes closed tightly. She thought of what she wanted to say, how she wanted to say it, and then she pushed. She even raised her hands in the air, as if physically pushing something toward Boris.
Boris winced, a sudden, sharp pain lancing through his head. He heard her words like a deafening scream. "Damn! Yeah, that's how you do it," he murmured, squinting his eyes shut. A headache was already forming. "Just remember, if you yell in your head, you're yelling in mine. You can just talk at a regular volume. I'll hear you just fine."
"Oh," she said, a wide grin spreading across her face. She couldn't help but laugh.
Gently rubbing her head, he guided her back toward the Warrior House, his hand resting on her back. As they walked, he let one of his claws grow long and thin, pricking her back ever so lightly. The action was so fast and superficial she didn't seem to notice. He quickly hid his transformed finger behind his back.
"You can talk to me anytime," he said, cupping her cheek with his other hand. "I leave in the morning. I love you, and I'll see you soon. Go inside." With one last hug, he gently pushed her toward the doors, waiting for her to enter.
"Boris!" she called out just as she stepped inside.
He looked at her, waiting for her to speak again, but instead, her soft voice echoed in his head. I'm going to miss you, she said sweetly, before closing the door.
Rooted to his spot, Boris couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He brought his shifted hand in front of him, inspecting the tip of his nail. Like the ancient books had described, her blood wasn't just red. It shimmered with gold, with divinity. It was the gift bestowed upon her by their Goddess. It was the proof he wished she didn't have.
Trinity felt a little better as she went up the stairs, knowing she could talk to Boris if something went wrong. She was relieved he wasn't completely out of touch. It was late in the evening. She quickly showered before getting into her bed. Jess was probably still with Noah. Ryan was coming back to the room later and later, likely to avoid looking at Jess's empty bed. Timothy seemed to hang out with Mona most nights.
Sleep took Trinity quickly that night, easily allowing her to drift into a deep abyss.
Authors note
I love all the things power Stones, votes and comments.