I’d never really thought about why I’d been pulled to resettle in San Diego after spending years traveling up and down the East Coast of the Americas searching for Teo. I’d assumed that there was a new wraith being formed, but now, over a hundred years later, I realized that wasn’t it at all.
I was drawn here because whatever magic had created me knew Willow would eventually be born here.
“I don’t think it was luck or happenstance that I was there the night you were attacked,” I said. She didn’t flinch at my words. When I looked up, her eyes were focused on me, and it seemed like she was listening intently. “We were always meant to meet.”
She tilted her head, as if encouraging me to continue. I went back to cleaning her as I talked.
“No wraith has ever felt anything like what I’ve experienced with you,” I continued. “When I told Sorrow about my climax, he was intensely angry and jealous. I’d never seen him likethat before. He and Pain have always been the most calm of the wraiths. Seeing him so affected helped me overcome my insecurities and fear.”
I moved on to washing her other leg.
“I know it probably seems strange that I would be afraid. What do I have to fear? I’m a wraith. As far as I know, I can’t be killed, but your kind dies so easily. Something as simple as tripping and bumping your head could end up killing you. Despite the absolute fragility of human life, all of you manage to go on each day as if there will be another after. I never understood how inspiring that was until meeting you.”
I’d finished with her legs and moved on to washing her arms. I noticed the dark blue nail polish was chipped on several nails. I’d have to research how to fix that so she could have the perfect colored nails she liked.
“Now that I have you in my life, I’ll do everything to protect you. I could buy you a dozen shops and fill them for you. Or I could finance any type of business you wish. Do you want to go to college? Become a lawyer? Doctor? I have the funds to support you in any pursuit. The only thing that matters is that you thrive because anything else isn’t acceptable.”
I finished washing her arms and then moved to her chest and back. I debated washing her hair, but I was worried about getting soap near her eyes.
With her body clean, I put the hand shower back and plugged the tub. I added some of the lightly scented bath salts and let the water pour in at full force.
She still hadn’t spoken, which worried me, but at least she hadn’t curled back up in a ball.
I misted and retook my solid form, leaving my clothes to fall to the ground without me in them. Now that I was naked, I carefully got into the tub behind her, stretching my legs out oneither side of her. She partially turned her body and hugged one of my arms to her chest.
“I’m not broken,” she whispered. “This hasn’t broken me.”
I rubbed her back with my free hand. “You’re too strong to break.” Then I thought of something I’d heard Sorrow say once. “It’s important we learn to rest so we don’t feel the need to give up.”
“Yeah,” she said, sniffing a few times. “I need a rest.”
Then she started crying. She clutched my arm tight and pressed her face against my chest. The steaming, fragrant water rose around our bodies as she wept into my pale skin.
I spoke comforting words. I didn’t think she could understand what I was saying, but I knew she felt my tone. It hurt my heart to hear her pain, but I instinctively knew this was cathartic.
She sobbed until she was exhausted.
I didn’t move, even after the tears were done. I waited until her body relaxed against mine and the water began to cool.
I’d managed to turn the water off with my foot earlier. It was easier to open the drain by pushing the lever with my toes. It took some maneuvering, but I stood up with her in my arms. When I stood her up on the bath mat, she swayed, and her eyes stayed mostly closed.
I quickly dried both of us off, then carried her to the bed. I slid her between the sheets, then slid in after her. She turned to face me, wrapping her arms and legs around me as if scared I would disappear.
“I’m here,” I whispered. “I’ll always be here.”
She let out a long, bone-deep sigh. “I love you.”
Her words were barely audible.
“You’re my heart,” I whispered back, pretty sure she was already asleep. “Without you, I wouldn’t even know what love is.”
Willow
When I woke up, it was still dark outside. There was no disorientation, I remembered everything that happened the day before in perfect detail. The sharp bite of yesterday's pain was gone. I felt strangely numb.
I didn’t like it.
Looking up, I found Vie staring down at me with those beautiful, glowing blue eyes.
