Made of very large, old pine trees, the cabin had been carefully shaped and built by his ancestors.The space was designed using entirely natural elements, preserved magically against age and deterioration.The result was incredibly peaceful, a hideout within nature that allowed for warmth and comfort.
“Yes.A gift from my mother at their joining.My father—Treyvon—came from Greylon.He struggled being away from his home realm.Fitting into hers.He always said she gifted him peace in the shape of these walls.”
“I can see why he loved it,” Rodric said, eyes landing on the huge fireplace that took up one of the walls.
Two large chairs and a thick fur rug sat in front of it—his father’s favorite setup in any room.Connor ran his hand over the stone bricks that made up the fireplace.
“I spent a lot of time here after they died, but over the years, I was home less and less, and the time I was home was devoted to Celina and Cat.”
Rodric watched him with perceptive eyes.“Why did you bring me here, Connor?”
“Because you need it more than I do.And, I think, after me, he would have wanted you to have this place.”
“Connor, I can’t—”
“I want you to have it.Use it as a hunting cabin, an escape for you and Celina, or one for yourself—when you need to be just Rodric and not Lord Blackwood.You’re going to need that.”
Walking to one of the windows, Rodric stared out at the wild landscape in silence for a few moments.Eventually he turned around and met Connor’s gaze.“You’re really leaving, then?”
“I am.This is the final piece of my estate I need to handle before I go.It was harder than the others.I still see it as his, though I was a boy when we last sat in these chairs together.”Clearing the emotion from his throat, Connor gestured to the two visible doors on either side of the fireplace.“There’s a study and bedroom.Out back, there’s a small barn with two stalls for horses and room for tools and hunting gear.”
“Connor…” Rodric spread his hands like he wasn’t sure what he wanted to say.Finally, he smiled.“Thank you.It already feels like coming home.I’ll use it well.”
“Good.Get to know the place while I gather some belongings and papers I need.”
Leaving Rodric to wander the cabin, Connor stepped into the study.As with any place his father called his own, books had migrated to fill the space.One wall had been turned into shelving to host the books, journals, and maps that had ended up here.Including a few of his own.
Throat tight, he gathered up his father’s journals and a few belongings he’d left over the years.More than packing up his personal room at the keep, this felt like goodbye.
Aswirlofmagicfluttered against Connor’s palm as the lock to the balcony recognized him and disengaged.Slipping through the carved doorway, he saw that his sisters were already present, curled up on the two lounge chairs against a backdrop of greenery.
Celina’s private balcony was a thing of wonder.A blend between a greenhouse, a warm den, and an observatory.The small space had little seating, designed as it was to be a secret escape.
He took a seat on the second lounge beside Cat and was surprised when she tucked in close to him and laid her head against his shoulder.The movement reminded him that she was barely an adult.
Putting his arm around her, he hugged her close.“It’s going to be okay, spark.”
“You don’t know that.You could die, Con!”
“I know.It’s a risk I’m willing to take.It’s what I’m being called to do.”
“You don’t believe in fate,” she argued.
“You’re right, I don’t.This is my choice, Cat.Trust me, not fate.”
Cat sighed and wiped a tear from her cheek.“Don’t die.You’re still ours, whatever this mountain decides.”
“Always, Spark.”
Sacred site or not, his family deserved to know what he was attempting, what could happen to him.He’d told them everything he could, knowing they would hold his secrets close.
His gaze flicked to Celina, and he saw the knowledge in her eyes that he was trying to keep from Cat.Though he’d spoken only truth, she knew he was minimizing the dangers.
Cat had erupted when he’d told them that whether he succeeded or not, the attempt would sever his bonds with them.He didn’t want them to panic thinking he’d died when they couldn’t feel him any longer.Especially Celina.She’d followed that thread of connection in a way he didn’t know was even possible in order to find him.
“You’ll make a great protector, Connor.You already are one,” Celina said.“I agree with Cat though, not knowing what happens to you is just not acceptable.”
Guilt ate at him for that.Ryan was traveling with him to help protect Opal.If he failed and died, she would come back to Calderre with Ryan.
