Page 13 of Fleshbound
“I dae. Too much dae I want ye here with me. But I can’t have ye trapped.” Tears shone in his eyes. “It wouldnae be right tae dae that tae ye.”
“I don’t care,” Quill said. “It feels too right between us. I don’t want to leave you.”
“Nay, Quillie… ye belong out there. Not in ma prison.” He winced in pain. “When we first got here, I didnae know how we got here and I almost says it... but somethin selfish inside wanted ye tae be trapped here so I wouldnae be alone. So I shut ma mouth.” He shook his head. “I tricked ye in tae lettin me past yer walls with a lie aboot the dream an then I was ready tae let ye be imprisoned just so I coud have ye in ma arms. That's proof alone that I dinnae deserve ye.” He winced. “Get out, before the wicked part o me wins and holds ye here forever.”
Quill shook his head.
“Get out, Quillie. Go back tae where ye belong.”
“But what if I belong with you?” Quill asked, absolutely sure in that moment they were fated to be together.
“I was ready tae use ye tae assuage ma own loneliness without thoughts of ye an what was best for ye. Ye’re no safe with me.”
“And as you said… my loneliness is as strong as yours,” Quill said, desperation making it harder to speak. “We’re both so lost. I want to stay… and be found in your arms.”
Tears shone in the man’s eyes.
Corven leaned in and kissed him, sinking a hand in Quill’s hair. He rested their foreheads together, his hot breath scented of cinnamon washing over Quill’s face. “Nay, Quillie. I will no dae that tae ye.”
“It’s my choice.”
“Ye’re lonely is all.” Corven rose to his feet and backed away. “I donae want ye here. Go back to yer world.” He lifted his head to the sky. “Take the witch back where he belongs.Now.”
Magic swelled over Quill’s skin. He lifted his arm, watching it spread over it. “No… no… Corven, stop.”
“Take him tae his coven. Tae his books.” Corven looked to the sky, without looking at him. “Take him back tae where he has a future.” He finally turned to look at Quill and a single tear rolleddown his cheek. “Where there might be a real love waitin for him one day. A man worthy o him.”
“Stop!”Quill roared as the magic built around him. He closed his eyes and attempted to battle it, but whatever it was… it was too strong.
The next time he opened his eyes, he was back in his bed.
Alone.
Quill reached for the book, flipping the pages. New words appeared. It was the story of them, of them finding a love together amid their loneliness.
And Corven’s noble choice to send Quill back, even with such love and sorrow in his heart.
“A hero once more,” Quill whispered to the book, holding it to his chest, hopeful Corven could hear him. Tears burned his eyes. “I love you, Corven of Evonium. I’ve never believed in love at first sight… but you were mine the minute I laid eyes on you.”
He gathered magic in his hands… as he gripped the open book to his chest… and attempted to return to Corven. Nothing happened. He tried again and again, but he couldn’t force himself into the book. “You’re still mine and Iwillfind a way back to you. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
He sat the book in front of him on the mattress. It suddenly pulsed with a golden light, powerful enough to send Quill rolling off the bed and onto the floor. He scrambled back up as quickly as he could and watched as the book closed itself.
And disintegrated into dust.
“No… no…”
The dust coiled in a spiral… and disappeared.
“Noooo!! Corven!!!”
Quill stood for several seconds, frozen and staring at the spot where the book had just been. Tears stung the backs of his eyes and he collapsed on the bed, sobbing.
He cried until he could cry no more. He then told himself crying wouldn’t help him find answers. He had a bookstore full of them downstairs. Maybe not the right ones, but there was somewhere to start. After a rushed shower, he dressed and ran down to the shop, wearing only a t-shirt and a pair of joggers. As soon as he was inside, he swept a hand, turning the Open sign to Closed. He spun to the two witches browsing his shelves.
“I’m sorry, but I have to close the shop early today. If you have purchases ready, make them now and… please leave.”
The witches blinked at him a few times.
