Page 117 of A Soul to Steal

Since Gideon had watched the physical action of his thoughts, he understood that Aleron had wanted to place his large palm on his shoulder for comfort. Once more, shame prickled on the back of his neck as disappointment trailed down his spine.

In that moment, he would have appreciated a platonic yet comforting touch. To feel the warmth of someone’s hand against the cold sadness that frosted within. A gesture to show that he wasn’t alone, and that it was okay to have these feelings.

He had no one else to blame but himself, and he knew that. He’d pushed Aleron away to the point he couldn’t even do something so simple and innocent, for fear it would upset Gideon or he’d shrink from his touch.

His shoulders drooped.I feel worse than I did before.

“When I died, it was due to a horde of Demons attacking my kindred and I,” Aleron stated. “For over half a day, we ran. They separated us on purpose, then crushed my skull. When I woke up in the afterworld... all I could think about was Ingram. We have never been apart, and we often acted and thought like one being. I was distraught that I could not be by his side, and the space beside me felt remarkably empty. Yet, for all my own selfish pain, I feared for Ingram more. I worried that he would do something foolish, which he did, but a part of me wished he would come join me if I could not go to him.”

“Oh, I didn’t know something so horrible happened to you.” At least Gideon’s death had been delivered in mere minutes. He couldn’t imagine running for his life for so long.

“But... I never lingered on the things I could not change,” Aleron continued, turning his skull to him. “There was nothingI could do, as there is nothing you can do. I have come to learn that, despite the fact we both died and have been returned, the weight of our time spans is not the same. I also understand that it would not have mattered to me. Whether it be a month or eight years, I would have returned to my kindred’s side as though nothing had changed. He will welcome me – I know this for certain. But you? You cannot go back to that life. Too long has passed, and we are bonded.”

Gideon hated hearing that last part, but he couldn’t deny the truth of it.

“Nothing you linger on will change what happened.” Then Aleron turned his skull towards him, and Gideon found himself meeting his glowing gaze. “I have always admired the sacrifice you made that night. I would have made that same sacrifice had I been given a choice.”

“I’m a little annoyed at myself that I partially blame her,” Gideon grumbled, but he eventually sighed. He averted his gaze by looking forward at the rhythmic waves, watching them froth as they sprayed the sharp scent of brine towards them each time. “But yeah, if given the choice, I would have done it again if it came down to me or her. I just wish it hadn’t been necessary.”

“Emerie is happy with my kindred,” Aleron stated with absolute confidence, dipping forward to sift sand through his clawed fingers. “Ingram is good. He always tried to make me happy, always protected me as I did him, and his heart is big. She could not have asked for a better Mavka.”

His eyelids drew down halfway, and he gave Aleron a dull look. “You’re making a very big assumption there.”

Aleron let out a small chuckle. “I know it for certain, even if I have not seen it. When asked if she wanted to be with Ingram, and knowing what that would entail, she leapt for him. I did not know her long, but she hugged me and showed me kindness. He has chosen a lovely female, and I am happy for him aswell. These are the things I choose to linger on. Ingram found contentment even after I was taken from his side, and I am sure it is the same for those in your life.”

Somehow, a small smile curled Gideon’s lips. “Yeah, I guess that’s true. People do learn to heal, especially after so long.” He brought his knees up to hug them and placed his chin on top of them. “Thank you. I feel a little better.”

“You are welcome. When you are ready, you will see for yourself. We can go find Emerie and Ingram together.”

When I’m ready...He examined Aleron from the corner of his eye, noting the usual pale pink of his orbs.He’s not pushing me anymore.

He was intending to be patient, for Gideon’s sake. Even if he didn’t say it, he appreciated it. It let him be more at ease in Aleron’s presence.

He needed to feel like he was in control, and that he could willingly make this decision. He needed it to not feel forced.

If I go with Aleron, maybe we can be happy too, or something.He was beginning to miss Emerie like crazy. The more playful Aleron had been with him, the more he wished to nettle his little sister until she gave him a sour, but adorable pouty face.

‘We can go find Emerie and Ingram together.’

Why did it feel like they’d said something along those lines before?

A memory began to resurface, one where he and Aleron were talking on their knees. It popped, but the feelings of relief and... joy swelled within.

A new memory came. One that stung, and instantly made his eyes and nose tingle when he was bombarded by the emotions of betrayal.

The words he began to hear were garbled and inaudible before they became crystal clear.I know I said you may yet steal asoul from me, since I may need the bonding power of a bride to bring you back to life, but I–

It faded out, only for the image of a white serpent skull to tower over him with orange orbs. Out of context, the way it twisted its head side to side was eerie, and it didn’t help that the last memory felt like a punch to the gut.

When he came back to, nothing had changed.

Aleron still sat by his side. The waves still crashed. The sun still shone down on their backs, but an unholy amount of rage took hold.

Aleron tilted his head at him. “Your heart rate has increased. Is something the matter?”

Gideon rolled to his hands and knees away from the Duskwalker, fisted clumps of sand, then darted to his feet. Anger flushed his cheeks, the back of his neck, his ears, until he thought he’d implode.

“I can’t believe I almost trusted you.” Gideon chuckled darkly, his hands unclenching to let go of the sand before he fisted them again.

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