Chapter six

Jude

"Take a deep breath," I murmur, trying to get my spark to calm the fuck down. He takes off his glasses, rubbing at his eyes as he sucks in a deep breath. He holds it for a moment before blowing it back out.

He's so worked up, psyching himself out before even trying anything. It's equal parts endearing and frustrating. He can do this, I know he can, but he has to get out of his own way first.

"Sorry," he says for the fifth time in about two minutes. "I'm just really nervous. I want this so badly. What if I suck at it? Or I still can't use my magic even now that you're here?"

I put my hands on his shoulders. "Cooper. Worrying about those things before you've even tried is just making it harder for yourself. Lady Fate converged our paths. We are meant to know each other. Trust in that and let the rest go, okay?"

"Okay," he says softly, his composure coming back slowly. He puts his glasses back in their place. He's worked himself up in circles and my heart goes out to him. Being raised by sparks but unable to do what they did must have been difficult. I'm glad I can help him now.

I'm so glad I thought to grab this metal box when Carlos and I were packing up my things. I lay it on the table, placing a piece of white chalk next to it.

"Are you ready to get started?"

"I think so, yeah."

"I'm sure you've read about something like this before," I start, my fingers tapping at the table between us. "We're going to cover this metal box with protection symbols and as you use the chalk, you'll be placing traces of magic into your lines."

I watch as Cooper swallows thickly. "Right," he says slowly. "I've memorized lots of symbols before. I can do this."

"You can. That warmth you feel right at the center of your chest? Reach for it as you make each line. Don't overthink it, instead just let the feeling wash over you and the magic will hear you, it'll react and do what it needs to do."

"Can you do magic?"

I shake my head. "I can sense it, I can feel it and track it. I have the ability to shift into an animal skin. I'm more of a conduit for it, but I've never been able to wield it myself. That's your job."

Cooper nods, letting my words sink in. Then he takes a deep breath before finally picking up the piece of chalk. He brings it to the metal box before pausing, closing his eyes.

"Think of your chalk like an extension of your magic. Like dipping a pen into ink. The magic should drip off the end of your chalk."

A look of concentration forms on Cooper's face, his eyebrows pinching together. Finally, the chalk touches the box. He slides it down and around, forming the first sigil. I can't help but smile to myself, feeling magic pour from his markings, embedding itself into the box. He's doing it and I can feel the warmth of the magic, like feeling the warm morning light against my face.

"That's it," I murmur, watching as the grip on the chalk slowly loosens, his shoulders coming away from his ears as he realizes he can do this. He needed the first sigil to break the tension, to prove he can do this. Once he's started, there's no stopping. He draws sigil after sigil, marking the box for protection, containment, and disablement.

Pride wells up within my chest as he makes each sigil and marking. He's doing it. He's trusting the warmth within his chest, he's trusting the bond that we share and he's doing it.

I knew he could do it with every fiber of my being, but seeing him work his magic, leaning into it, and trusting it? It steals my breath in the best possible way. I couldn't be happier in this moment.

We get through about half of the box before Cooper's eyes dart away. He leans back in his seat, sweat dotting his forehead. "Wow," he breathes. He looks exhausted but there's a gleeful smile across his face. Like someone who's just gone through an extensive workout, feeling the adrenaline and endorphins hit.

I reach over, squeezing his shoulder and I can feel how depleted he is. "You did awesome," I tell him, just barely keeping myself from bouncing in my seat. "Magic is kinda like a muscle in the sense that you can't just go from zero to sixty on the first try. You used up the little well you have with that, but with practice your well of magic will grow bigger and stronger."

"This is--" Cooper looks away, shaking his head. "Fuck. I never thought I would get to do this. This feels like a little piece of myself is clicking into place. Or like a dream is coming true."

"I'm really glad," I say softly. "At our next stop I'm going to jump over to Carlos' truck. You should rest for the night and we'll finish the box tomorrow, okay?"

"That sounds great," he says, his eyes excited but exhausted. I couldn't be happier with the progress we've gained today. Cooper used his magic for the first time. That was probably the hardest step and he took that leap, proving to himself he can do this. He realized how capable he is and from here, things will only get easier.

I can already feel our connection blossoming. It's warm, encompassing my chest in a way that feels like being at home. It's a tether, tugging us together, connecting us in a way that's special to only a spark and their familiar. Today was difficult on him because he hasn't learned how to lean on our connection, but that will come with time and practice. Just another muscle he needs to learn to exercise.

"How'd it go?" Dorian asks, coming into the back of the RV once we're stopped at a rest stop.

"Good," Cooper says excitedly. He points at the box on the table. "I added these sigils today! I used my magic."

"I'm so fucking proud of you, baby," Dorian says, leaning down and kissing Cooper. "I knew you had it in you."

I smile to myself as I stand up, wanting to give them a moment to themselves to celebrate. "I'll see you guys later," I say as I step out, stretching my arms over my head. After using the bathroom and getting myself a Coke from one of the vending machines I make my way over to Carlos' truck.

"Hey," he says with a soft smile as I get into the passenger seat.

"Hi," I say brightly, happy that we get to spend some time together, just the two of us.

"How's the magic going?"

I tuck my feet under myself, getting comfortable in the truck as we start our drive once more. "Oh my gods, Carlos. Cooper is a natural. He's about halfway through enchanting the protection box. That's incredibly impressive when you remember it was the very first time he's used his magic ever."

Carlos gives me a soft smile before looking back at the road. "I'm really glad. I know this is something he's wanted since he was a little kid. I'm really glad he's finally getting to experience this."

My chest somehow grows even warmer. There's something about my mate being proud of my spark that makes me melt into my seat. I sip at my Coke, just taking in his profile. He's handsome, there's no doubt about that with his dark skin, his curly hair, and his brown eyes. His jaw is sharp and his lips full. And that's without thinking about his body that I know for a fact is toned and strong.

I can't wait until I can see all of him.

I shift in my seat, doing my best not to let myself fall into thoughts of Carlos naked because I know he'll be able to smell it. Fucking shifter noses picking up on all of my secrets!

"Are you doing okay?"

Carlos lets out a long breath, shrugging his shoulders. "Honestly?"

"Of course," I say, reaching over and putting my hand on his thigh, wanting to offer a little bit of my strength. "This can't be easy and I wanna make sure you're okay."

"I'm okay?"

"Is that a question or are you telling me?"

"How dare you not let me hide my emotions and sulk silently all the way there," he says with a laugh. He takes my wrist in his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before holding onto the steering wheel again.

"Oh no, I'm just so awful. Wanting to be there for my mate."

Carlos chuckles and he finally smiles. "The truth is I'm freaking out a little bit. I'm mostly just nervous."

"Why are you nervous?"

Carlos' brows wrinkle and he stares out at the road. There's a long moment where he processes my question, really thinking before he's finally blowing out a long breath and answering. "What if they hate me?"

I squeeze Carlos' thigh. "Well, I don't have kids but from my experience, good parents could never hate their kids."

"But I ran away. I stayed away from them for years, Jude. They're just gonna welcome me back with open arms?"

"Well duh," I say bluntly, turning in my seat fully. "You were a teenager who thought his shit didn't stink. You were a dumbass but most teenagers are. We don't hold that against them. Their brains aren't even fully developed yet, Carlos."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You heard me. You were a dumbass. That's no reason for a parent to not forgive you though. They're the ones who signed up to have you. It's their job to love you no matter what."

Carlos seems to digest the words for a moment before finally nodding. "I think you're right."

"Damn right I am."

Carlos snorts, looking over at me with soft eyes. "I know this is wildly off topic but when you get up on your soapbox like that I find it incredibly hot."

I sputter, my cheeks flaming. "What?"

"You heard me," he says, mirroring my earlier words. "You're hot when you get all worked up like that." Then he takes my hand gently in his own. "And it makes me thankful because someday we might have children who'll have a dad like you behind them no matter what."

My chest is so warm it threatens to set me ablaze with emotion. I tamper it down as best as I can. I take Carlos' hand, bringing it up to my mouth and kissing his knuckles. "Compliments like that will get you everywhere, Carlos."

"Good to know," he says softly, smiling to himself.

By Lady Fate, this man will have me wrapped around his finger so quickly if he keeps this up.

"I'm really glad I'm here," I say softly. I unbuckle my seatbelt and scoot over to the middle seat, rebuckling once I'm there. I take Carlos' hand in mind, twining our fingers together before leaning my head on his shoulder. He hums happily, squeezing my hand. I close my eyes, letting the drive soothe me into a little nap, feeling safe and warm as Carlos' scent wraps around us in the cabin of his truck.