Page 33 of The Missing Sentinel
“All I know about the future is that the more I learn, the less convinced I am of my ease in adjusting to it. Being different will not be an easy road if sanctuaries are designed for people like me. I have no questions. I must face a world without Adney someday. But I am in no hurry for that day to arrive. I need to check on him, please excuse me.”
Slumping in his chair, Ducarius blew out an exasperated breath that fluttered his messy hair. He needed to apologize to Drexley, and he had to learn to keep his big mouth shut. If Drexley wanted to pretend he could hide from the future, then that was his prerogative. Ducarius was terrified of how everything would unfold, but he had faith in Drexley. Despite how little trust the other sentinel had in himself.
Chapter 16
At the end of the morning meal the next day, Drexley rushed to the library with a blanket. Adney was already in the room and settled in his favorite chair near the window. Despite the fire roaring in the fireplace nearby, Adney often grew cold. So, Drexley was happy to aid him by fetching his favored cover and ensuring it was laid over him as he preferred.
“You may leave me now,” Adney said once he was satisfied with Drexley’s efforts.
Pleased Adney could relax and enjoy his chosen book, Drexley smiled and left him to join Ducarius on the other side of the massive space. Since the previous morning, Adney had voiced no further objections to Drexley’s matebond. Although Drexley was not optimistic enough to believe the necromancer no longer disapproved, he hoped Adney was not stressing himself about it. It would likely take time, but Adney would understand that Drexley was not turning his back on Fate. Nor was he willing to reject Ducarius.
“Do you know that until I arrived here, I had never read a romantic tale?” Ducarius asked conversationally as Drexley sat in his now-usual spot across from the other sentinel. “Now I fear I am growing addicted to them, and that is entirely your fault.”
“I happily take responsibility. I fancy a romantic book myself and am happy to share such an interest with you.”
Ducarius glanced at Adney, then his gaze locked on Drexley’s face. “Would you take a walk with me?”
“Yes, of course.”
Drexley’s intention to lose himself in a story dissolved instantly. Being with Ducarius was far more enticing than any tale, so he happily left the confines of the library with the other sentinel at his side. After ensuring the tall doors leading into the vast room were tightly shut to ensure no chill invaded the space to harm Adney, Drexley smiled at Ducarius.
“Did you have a destination in mind?”
“The sun is out; would you like to walk outside?”
Drexley nodded. “That sounds nice.”
“Take my hand,” Ducarius suggested and held his palm out.
His grin growing, Drexley laced his fingers with Ducarius’s. That spark of electricity Drexley recalled from the last time they touched zinged through him. Along with the attraction was a lovely sense of comfort.
“I like holding your hand,” Drexley remarked as they walked side-by-side to the front door of the castle.
“It is wonderful. I look forward to touching more of you someday.”
“You are forward,” Drexley said, his gaze sliding to Ducarius’s handsome face to find the other sentinel smirking. “I enjoy that about you.”
“No matter what anyone thinks or says, I believe we are doing marvelously in our matebond.”
Drexley bobbed his head. “Adney objects because he worries about me. I know he is vocal about his belief that we have no common interests because I am a scholar and you are dedicated to protecting people with your weapons at your sides.But I have begun to wonder if he would have an issue no matter what mate Fate dropped into his realm. He is a man who prefers to control things. That is why he grows so cross as his magic is fading. You should have seen this place a decade ago. We had an army of skeletons, and his land was extensive. Now look at it.”
Neither man spoke as they surveyed the broken, blackened ground left surrounding the castle. In some places there was barely enough for two grown men to pass, and even in spots where the terrain was wider, it was cracked and likely weak.
“I may have to move indoors soon to train,” Ducarius commented. “Yesterday, the patch of grass I was using crumbled away. I had to get creative last night so I did not bounce off the edge of the realm. If it were not for Adney’s spell keeping us here, I might have fallen off.”
Drexley blew out a shaky breath as a horrible vision of himself tumbling out of Adney’s realm filled his mind. “How do you think that works? When…when Adney dies…and this place goes with him, what will happen next?”
“Look at me,” Ducarius ordered as he tugged on Drexley’s hand and came to a standstill.
Drexley’s chin was quivering as he tried to keep his tears at bay, and he wondered why he had allowed any aspect of his future to filter into his brain. It was terrifying, and he hated being scared. Strong fingers caressed his jaw and gently turned his head. Drexley’s gaze locked with Ducarius’s. Compassion, kindness, and strength blazed in Ducarius’s brown eyes.
“I do not know what will happen,” Ducarius said. “But whatever the future brings, you will be okay. You are strong and intelligent, and you will survive. And I will be there at your side.”
“Do you know what scares me most?”
“Tell me.”
“I have a terrible memory. Even important moments slip away. I cannot recall meeting Adney or arriving here. Those were significant milestones, but I do not have a shadow of a memory of those days. The compound I lived in for a millennium and a half, I can barely summon an image of it any longer. What if I retain nothing of Adney eventually? Someday I may lose these five centuries too. Adney deserves better than to be forgotten. That is one of the reasons I fear the future so greatly. Building anew means throwing away the old. Are all sentinels plagued in this way? Was this a flaw in our spell?”
