“Tanekan.” I spoke aloud, almost breathless. “I’ve missed your voice.”
He did not respond to my comment.
We know his scent well. I will help. Follow.
“Tanekan,” I said again. My heart ached. “I’ve missed you so much.”
I've always been here.
“I know. But not your thoughts. You've guarded them all these years.”
I had nothing to say.
“I'm so sorry.”
Maybe you weren't listening. There is no fault. No blame. Now, listen to me. Follow his scent.
Hot tears burned in my eyes. I wasn't listening? Was I that terrible of a person?
I repeat, no blame. Follow his scent. Please do this now.
I lifted my head and sniffed the air. I took a few steps forward and repeated the gesture. Something tingled through me. It was difficult to describe. The sweetness, maybe, of planting and replanting. Light rushing around me—Tanekan and me—in flight.
As if of their own will, my feet took a few forward steps. When I got to the stairs I ran up them two at a time. At the second story landing I heard music coming from Malin’s room, glad he was occupied for now. I knew he’d done something and I no longer wanted to fight. I just needed to make sure Kirion was all right.
My senses led me to the hall opposite from Malin’s space. Past my office. All the way to my bedroom door.
This couldn’t be right. I’d made it quite clear no one was ever allowed into my bedroom but cleaning staff every Friday morning. Certainly, Kirion wouldn’t breach that rule.
I stood in front of the door just staring.
Keep going.
I raised my palm to the handle and pressed. Nothing. I pressed again. Locked. I hadn’t left it that way this morning.
Something was wrong.
Running to my office, I came around my desk and opened the top drawer. Inside was a box where I kept the key.
Turning, I went back to the bedroom and slipped the key in the hole. The door opened.
The room was dark but I could see water and wind thrashing against the windows. The hall light cast moving shadows on thewalls. Nothing moved. But the scent was strongest here and I knew I had found him.
I stepped into the room, shutting the door behind me and storing the key in my pocket. The living area of the room was two steps down.
The couch.
As I came around the side I saw a small figure curled up tight and a satin pillow beneath a head covered in bright blond hair. I walked between the couch and the coffee table and stood before him.
“Kirion?”
The figure jerked and abruptly sat up. “Malin,” he whispered.
Malin? I was right. Something had happened.
I knelt down and Kirion backed up tight against the cushion clutching his knees to his chest. The beautiful scent I’d been following projected an edge of fire. Fear.
“It’s Tane. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
