2. Two

Two

Willow

Time seems meaningless as Gaster and I get thrown around every which way through the fabric of this ward.

Realistically, seconds have passed, but the way we’re slamming into the sides of this deadly rainbow repeatedly as we fall through existence makes it seem like an eon’s gone by.

The fibers of this void are connected to Elementra, that much is clear as her presence swarms me, but it doesn’t bring me any comfort.

The queasiness brought on by a transport is a cakewalk compared to this. My stomach flips mercilessly as our bodies are tossed around like nothing more than rag dolls and I wish, pray, for a transport at this moment. Hell, ten simultaneous ones if it means getting me out of this never-ending vortex.

“Hold on, Willow,” Gaster orders and he wraps his arms around me tighter. Too tight.

A scream gets lodged in my throat as the unyielding pressure surrounding us begins to squeeze to the point it’s painful, unbearable.

It’s smothering .

Suddenly, we stop tumbling head over heels and plummet through a now colorless void. My stomach lurches even more as gravity seems to reassert itself in this new level of our descent.

With a forceful shove, Gaster and I are ejected through the final layer of the ward and the noise that’s been building up in my throat roars out of me as we hit the solid ground with a bone-jarring thud. The impact sends a shockwave through my body, causing me to cry out and Gaster to huff a harsh breath of air, but we have no time for any other reactions.

We soar across the floor like we’ve been shot from a cannon until my senses come rumbling back and I send out a burst of air that blocks us from crashing into a wall.

Holy shit.

I roll off Gaster unceremoniously, hitting the floor with a bone-deep groan, and I let my heavy, shaking limbs fall beside me as I squeeze my eyes shut tight. The spinning from the ward has only intensified the dizziness I felt before getting sucked through and I’m seconds away from losing my breakfast.

“Here, sit up and drink,” Gaster commands gently, wrapping his hand around my elbow to pull me up.

“How in the realm did a healing vial survive that, Gaster? And how do you not feel like you’ve been tossed in a dryer?” I groan and my world spins as I struggle to push myself up.

“Why would being dried toss you around?”

“Never mind,” I mumble, washing down the saliva collecting in my mouth with the healing vial.

I whisper a breathy thank you as I let my head fall back against the wall behind me and my lungs burn with each deep breath I take.

Fuck, that was absolutely awful. I hope I never…

Gasping, my eyes fly open as the clarity of the situation returns to me tenfold. It’s an ambush of emotions all at once and I search the room for someone I know I’m not going to find.

“Oh, CC,” I say mournfully, using the wall as leverage to push myself up on wobbly legs.

Taking a few unsure steps, I let my gaze devour the sight around me .

“Willow…”

Tears flow freely as I stare up at a light gray stone vaulted ceiling and I allow myself to fall into the master craftsmanship of the architecture above me rather than answer Gaster’s plea of my name.

The soaring ceiling is decorated with complex but delicate carvings, and stone ribs that spread out across the surface are like dragon’s wings splayed out in flight. The tall, crisscross arches that lead you from one area to the next are sharp, commanding, and off to the side is a massive window that’s shedding enough light to breathe life into the whole room. It’s all crafted to precise, careful perfection.

The walls are a beautiful light lavender, that’s almost white when you first look at it. Ivy plants, flowers, and vines breathe fresh air into the space and add just enough of a pop of color to bring the area to life. Everything about this room gives me a sense of peace. Of home. It’s so familiar as if I’ve seen it a million times, but I’ve never stepped foot in here.

I choke on a sob as I turn around and my eyes find the center of the room.

There, surrounded by a wall of bookshelves, behind a sectional couch large enough to fit multiple Nexuses, is a willow tree.

A willow tree that matches mine to perfection.

With slow, measured steps, I walk around the couch until I’m standing in front of the tree and gently rub a leaf between my finger and thumb. A harsh exhale falls from my lips as the texture brings forth so many memories at once, it’s hard to stay standing on my feet as I sway.

“Gaster, where are we?” I ask through the wave of nausea.

“If you had asked me that while we were traveling through the ward, I would’ve said we were entering the south wing, but this is not at all what it was the last time I entered,” he says from somewhere behind me.

“How long has it been since you’ve entered?”

“My, it’s been—”

“I’m so glad you both are here.”

Whipping around, searching for the voice although it was said in my mind, my gaze collides with Gaster’s, who’s as pale as a ghost. His gaze has doubled in size, and even though the sight of him tells me my answer, I still ask.

“You heard him? Didn’t you?”

“That’s not the voice you’ve always heard,” he croaks out.

“No. Not until the memories unlocked.”

“This…this is impossible. He’s…gone.”

The heavy tears that fall from Gaster’s eyes nearly slice my heart from my chest. His grief is as potent as my own and the confusion warring within both of us is palpable.

“I’m sorry to both of you for the rough journey to get here. The ward and everything else. But I promise, it’ll all make sense soon.”

“CC, what does that—”

Suddenly, my mental voice is stolen from me as Gaster and I are lifted from our feet and suspended in the air in the middle of the room. I lose all control over my limbs, my movements, my thoughts, everything as we’re brought closer to one another by the bond that tethers us together.

Blinding light flashes between the two of us and an ear-piercing scream leaves my chest as pain splices through every inch of my body. Like a pair of scissors has been taken to the cord connecting us, Gaster’s bond is cut from me, and I bellow out in agony.

My soul attempts to shed off yet another piece, but I hold on to it for dear life. I refuse to let it tear completely. Every ounce of love, strength, devotion I have within me, I use it to fight against the hold over me.

I can’t lose him too.

Scalding tears burn a trail down my face, and I command every gift, every element free, begging them to do something, to fix this. Protect us. Put us back together again. There’s a slight crack in the pressure surrounding me before my powers are shoved back down.

“Bear with me, Ultima unum. It is almost over. ”

“Elementra, please don’t do this. Please give him back to me.”

“I vowed to you before, and I will vow it once more. Your bonds will never break. None of them. ”

Every ounce of air in my lungs is sucked out and my back bows as power pours from my chest. I faintly hear Gaster’s grunt as the force of Elementra explodes between the two of us.

The arch in my back corrects itself and I’m left gasping, staring at the bright luminescent cords connecting my chest to Gaster’s. Not two but three purple threads of fabric braid themselves together, weaving tightly as one.

Starting from the middle point between us, the strands work themselves until they reach our hearts. The second they penetrate, they latch on to our souls, and our awakenings blossom.

Just like the moment at my willow tree when I shook Gaster’s hand for the first time, my mind begins to play a picture of the past.

Gaster bops a tiny little swaddled baby on the nose. A baby whose face I now get to see. Even as an infant, his features alone tell me exactly who that is. He has the lightest sky blue eyes. They’re almost clear. Even his pupil is a fairer shade of black. His hair…it’s as white as snow.

“Your mother has bestowed on me the privilege of gifting you a middle name. Under the stipulation, I couldn’t name you after myself,” Gaster says gently, to which the baby, I swear, narrows his eyes.

Gaster chuckles and the soft sound has the baby’s face morphing into a smile before a small, sweet little laugh falls from his lips.

“I believe we can work our way around that a little. There’re ways to spin Gaster Ducere Cato. Let us think…” Gaster hums, continuing to grin down at the baby as if he’s his whole world. “How about Caduceus? CC for short, when you’re behaving.”

As the baby coos and reaches his little hand up, Gaster sighs deeply, falling into his eyes, and I continue to fall through time.

Watching, reliving, experiencing our awakening in a whole new light.

CC is no longer hidden from me, and I get to watch the true growth of their time. Their bond together grows and flourishes from one that started as a father-son relationship, one CC desperately needed, to a beautiful, impenetrable friendship.

Coming back to the present, Gaster’s soft eyes are on me, and as the new threads of our bond slink their way deeper into our hearts, we’re lowered to the ground. When my feet touch the floor, I throw myself into his arms and cry in relief.

“There, there, child. Everything’s okay,” he murmurs repeatedly, patting my back and holding me close.

“Do you…I…” I stutter through my tears. The question, maybe comment, I don’t know, is stuck in my throat and my whirling mind.

I know what Elementra just did. My soul sings out in elation at the feeling of being whole once more, but I’m so confused. How is any of this possible? What is going on?

“I’m so sorry for the things I’ve put you both through,” CC softly mumbles, and Gaster and I twitch, startled by the sound.

“How is this possible? Please explain this to us,” I beg.

“I will. It will take some time for all your memories to settle down, and the ones that are still locked away will be revealed with time. There’s so much at play, but it will all continue to make sense.”

Gaster and I huff, rolling our eyes, causing not just us but CC to chuckle as well.

“After two hundred and fifty-two years, I didn’t believe you could surprise me anymore, Orien Caduceus Vito. Is this communication here to stay?” Gaster asks timidly, sniffling even in our minds.

“Not exactly. You can hear me now because of the contact and bond with Willow. Her Memoria stone is the conduct for many, many possibilities.”

“So the original severing…” Gaster trails off.

There’s a long, tense moment of silence where I feel his hope rising like a tide. We hold our breaths, waiting for the true verdict, although my heart knows the truth. I just don’t want to be the one to tell him. CC needs to. I don’t know how he’s doing what he’s doing or all the whys yet, but he’s gone.

He’s in the beyond.

“Truly happened. I asked, begged really, Elementra for many, many things over the years. Some of my requests were granted while others were not. This situation we’re in now is one of those requests she allowed.”

Gaster squeezes his lids shut, blocking the tears that are gathering again. His pain isn’t nearly as harsh as it was earlier. Having the severed bond restored has helped ease that burden, but it doesn’t truly take away the grief we both feel. The pain now is just emotional, no longer physical as well.

“Where are we?” I ask, trying to change the subject to distract Gaster’s mind for a moment.

“You’re in the south wing.”

“Gaster said this looks like nothing what he remembers it as, though.”

“About that…” CC trails off.

“Orien Caduceus Vito,” Gaster warns, narrowing his eyes.

An unexpected chuckle slips free despite me trying to hold it in. The gentle scolding coming from Gaster makes me feel like I’m witnessing my grandparent reprimanding my parent.

That sudden thought makes my entire body shudder and my eyes widen in shock, although it makes perfect sense.

“Our Guardria bond manifested as a father-daughter tie. That’s why Gaster’s formed as a familial one as well,” I whisper.

“Very good, filia mea.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“That memory will come forth soon. If it’s okay with you, I’d rather you recall that conversation on your own than me tell you, although I believe if you searched your heart and soul, you’d know its meaning.”

I want to reject his request instantly, but I force myself to pause. I crave to know everything now, but that’s just my impatience. The more I think about it, the more I’d rather let my memories emerge naturally. Even without remembering them all, my heart knows there are moments—special ones—that should stay just between us. Moments that shaped our bond.

My heart also has a feeling about the meaning of filia mea , but that makes no sense in my mind.

“That’s okay with me.”

“Good. Now, there’s a lot I need to tell you, all of you, but it would probably be best if you allowed the boys in before they tear down your home.”

Why would they…

The thought of my Nexus immediately pushes everything else to the side. It’s not like I forgot about them or anything like that, but I was so overcome with grief, followed by everything else going on since we entered this wing. It seems my senses were blocking the rest of the realm out to protect the thin shred of sanity I’m clinging to.

Their emotions, thoughts, everything bombards me, and my feet move faster than my mind does. I cross the room as if my ass is on fire and lay my forehead against the ward. I don’t need any instructions or guidance.

“Allow them to enter,” I command, pushing my magic out of my palms.

I hold my breath and take a step back as the ward shivers. Its tremors aren’t nearly as vicious as earlier, and my men won’t have to fall down the pit of pain like I did to get to this side.

They don’t give me a chance to fully lay my eyes on them as their silhouettes become visible to me. Instead, they ambush me from every angle.

A ball of air whisks me off my feet as a vine latches itself around my waist. A calming purr permeates the space, soothing my tense muscles as we’re shrouded in a thin veil of darkness.

No words pass from any of us as they close in so tightly around me, all I feel is them. I roam my hands over each of them chaotically, without restraint, and feeling their relief pulls tears from my eyes.

Fuck, they were so worried for me.

“Princess,” Corentin says, strained.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, you have nothing to be sorry for,” he whispers, kissing my forehead and pulling me into his chest.

I soak in the feeling of him deflating with my touch, and I try to pull all the worry from his heart by pushing as much love and reassurance as I can from my soul to his.

He gives me a sweet kiss that’s over far faster than I’d wish for, and I chase after his touch. He smiles down at me, running his thumb across my bottom lip, then turns me around to face my dark protector.

His eyes are so soft, it takes me by surprise. The emotions pouring off him scream he’s figured it all out. Well, most of it.

“Primary.” Cas sighs, reaching his fingers up and running them down my tear streaks .

“I’m back,” I say when I see his eyes searching.

“I know. Even the darkest part of yourself can’t smother out the light.”

Leaning forward, he lays his forehead to mine and takes slow breaths until our hearts beat as one. He sits like that for a long moment before gently gripping my throat and tilting my head up until our lips touch.

“Don’t leave me behind again, Primary,” he warns darkly, completely opposite to the tender kiss he just gave me, and a smile pulls at the corners of my mouth.

“Never.”

“Little warrior,” Tillman whispers, almost cautiously, like he’s afraid he won’t get an answer.

“My gentle giant.”

His coiled shoulders sag and he pulls me from Caspian’s hands, then lifts me until my feet no longer touch the ground.

“Your mind is a mess right now, Will.”

I snort, because well, what can I say to that when it’s the truth.

“A mess I never want to be shoved out of again. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I believe so. There’s so much I need to explain.”

His understanding eyes douse the rising panic in me about how they’re going to feel hearing everything I need to tell them. The calm and patience that always surround him ground me in a way nothing else can.

Reaching out, gripping his cheeks in my palms, I pull his face to mine. Each swipe of his tongue eases every burning anxiety I have, and I fall as deeply as I can into his protection and unwavering belief in me.

“The dragon is gonna go feral if he doesn’t get his hands on you.” He chuckles lightly in my head.

“I love it when he goes feral.”

With another chuckle, he spins me around and Draken pulls me into his chest as if he knew we were talking about him. Unlike the others, he doesn’t take the sweet and soft approach. It’s all heat and passion from him as he captures my mouth in a consuming feast.

His flames lick across my skin and I allow mine to merge with his as soon as they begin boiling my blood. I let them roam his body completely until I feel his dragon back off from the surface .

“Little wanderer,” he breathes, burying his face into my neck.

“Hey, you.”

“Fuck, my dragon was ready to burn this palace to the ground.”

“Well, I’m glad he didn’t. It’s far too beautiful to be turned to ash.” I giggle, running my fingers down the back of his neck.

“Let me see your hand,” he orders.

I honestly forgot I’d punctured myself with my claws. That sting of pain couldn’t come close to comparing to what I felt in that moment.

“Gaster gave me a healing vial,” I say when they all gather closer to look at my already healed palm.

“The old man’s always prepared,” Caspian says.

“I don’t know if I’d say always.” I sigh. “Will you pull your shadows back in, please? There’s something you all should see.”

His throat bobs as he swallows, and again, I find myself surprised. I’ve seen many sides of Caspian. Sides the rest of the realm—hell, maybe even his brothers—hasn’t seen. But not this side.

There isn’t a time that I’ve known him that I ever recall seeing him nervous. Sure, there have been times when maybe a shred of the emotion may have poked through, but right now, that’s all he is. A ball of nervous energy.

“I don’t know what all is in this wing waiting for us yet, but I can promise you, it’s going to be okay. One way or another,” I whisper, wrapping my own shadows around his wrist. All their wrists.

I need solidarity as much as they do.

With a clipped nod, his shadows slowly retreat into his skin.

The apprehension and anticipation in each of them grow to substantial heights. This is a moment they’ve been waiting their entire lives for. The burning curiosity would’ve driven me mad years ago if I were in their shoes. That’s probably a top reason why they call this beautiful wing a curse.

As soon as the veil of darkness completely fades away, my eyes immediately seek out Gaster, just to make sure he’s okay. I find him observing my tree with a faint smile on his face, gently caressing the leaves just as I had.

My tree …

Possessiveness rises in me quickly. Not over the fact Gaster’s touching a random tree that I’ve suddenly declared mine, but the fact that in my mind, in my heart, this whole space is mine. Ours.

Obsessive much, Willow?

“Is talking to yourself going to become a thing, little warrior?” Tillman picks mindlessly as he looks around the space with keen fascination. His eyes trace the architecture, the craftsmanship with an appreciative glint that shows a lot of respect for the person who built all this.

“Maybe. Sometimes I get answers back.”

“This space is yours. All of yours,” CC says as if he was waiting for his cue.

My guys freeze in their spots. Their bodies shiver as if they’ve been covered in ice and it breaks my heart to literally see the color fade from each of their faces. Dissecting their emotions is difficult, but I get a sense they’d worked out their uncle was involved in my life, but not to this extent.

I don’t know what to say as they each turn to face me slowly.

The immediate tension in the room is so thick, I could slice through it with my claw.

“That was…” Draken whispers, unable to finish his sentence.

“He’s your stranger,” Corentin mumbles. The hurt and the confusion coloring his tone are loud and clear despite the soft delivery.

With a small, sad smile, I lead us over to the couch to sit before my legs give out. My body is so jittery and the way my mind is still doing somersaults, I need a minute to sit or I’m going to pass out.

“There’s so much I—we, need to tell you.”

“We? As in you and our dead uncle who can apparently still speak?” Caspian asks skeptically.

“Don’t sound so discouraged, nephew. Weirder things have happened in Elementra,” CC says and Caspian’s body trembles before he closes his eyes and sinks down onto the armrest of the couch. “I need to show you all some things that’ll hopefully make this easier to understand.”

“How will you—”

My echoing gasp interrupts Draken’s question as my Memoria stone blazes against my chest. Their minds, including Gaster’s, latch on to mine without my command. This isn’t something I’ve caused, nor is the Memoria stone doing this on its own.

“Everyone, hold on. I don’t know what’s happening.”

That’s the only warning I get to give them before we’re sucked into my mind, with no control or any idea at all about what’s to be seen.