Page 15 of The Prince and the Double Shot
“Oh, honey, I have known you since the day you were born, even if we never met.” She glanced away and smirked. “Well, we actually did meet once. It was a long time ago in another life. But that’s not for you to know. We all have our secrets, don’t we?”
“That’s what Zane said.”
“Some secrets are darker than others. He hides his well. Too well if you ask me. He might need someone even more than you do. Life-givers… Isn’t that what your people call themselves?”
“Donneurs de vie…”
“Yes. Maybe you should extend some of that mantra to yourself and maybe to others in need. I am sure it would go a long way with Margaurite. She’s been calling every few days to check up on you.”
“Of course she is.” I rolled my eyes.
“Are you enjoying your time here?”
“I’ve enjoyed working in the gardens. It’s been nice to feel the sun on my face even if the days are overcast. You get so much rain in this area.”
“Do you miss home?”
“My home disintegrated in front of my eyes the moment Petra died.”
“But would you like to have a home again, Phillipe? The world is a lonely place for a nomad.”
“I’m tired, Sheena.”
“Then try. Wouldn’t you love to wake up one day and feel like at least part of you has healed? It can never be as it was because your love was true. But you can have a second chance at life, Phillipe. All you have to do is try.”
“God, I can totally tell that you’ve been speaking to my mother. What are you asking me to do?”
“Maybe you could give Zane a chance. He’s a very nice guy underneath all that… weight he carries. I think that you need a friend, Phillipe. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to share everything with?”
“I have friends.” I bristled.
“When’s the last time you spoke to any of them?” I shrank from her gaze. God, she really was a lot like dear old Mom.
“God, you really have been talking to my mother.”
“Of course, I have. Don’t be daft, boy.”
“I’ll give him another chance, alright? The way I walked away, though… He may not want to see me ever again.”
“I think that you will find him rather forgiving. Like I said, he’s truly a very nice boy. I think that the two of you were meant to meet. The burdens we carry are meant to be shared. The load is heavy if we try to carry it all ourselves.”
“Does the same go for you?”
“I struggled with my own secrets, just like you. But I found someone to help lessen the load. It’s all I can hope for any of my… workers.”
“Is that all?”
“You’re dismissed,” she laughed deeply. “By the way, the gardens look lovely. Not even your mother could have done such a nice job, and she is one of the most powerful witches I have ever seen.”
She grinned, and before I could say anything, she turned and walked back the way she had come.
What had I agreed to, and did I really have any choice? It seemed that fate was going to put Zane in my path once again, whether I could handle it or not.
ZANE
Imean… Maybe I did smell?
Whatever it was, Phil skedaddled like a mouse after the last piece of cheese, and it kept me up all night.
