Page 61 of The Missing Sentinel
Drexley had no time to reply. The Grand Warlock cast a spell, and the D’Vaires disappeared.
Ducarius grabbed Drexley’s hand. “Come with me.”
With a nod, Drexley allowed himself to be led around the gazebo. Drexley’s mouth twisted as he took in what awaited them. A pyre covered in gray flowers rested there.
“I wanted you to have your moment to say goodbye with no distractions,” Ducarius said quietly. “Everything else can wait as long as you need.”
Grateful to have someone who understood him, Drexley offered Ducarius a watery smile as his grief dominated him.
“Thank you, this is lovely.”
“It was the best we could do on short notice,” Ducarius corrected. He bent and grabbed a waiting torch. “You were the one who knew him best. For the past five centuries, you were united in your studies and kept each other company. It is you who should ensure that he is guided across the veil and does not linger anywhere else. Light the pyre when you are ready.”
Tightening his grip on Ducarius’s hand, Drexley used his free one to take the torch from his other half. Together, they approached the pile of carefully laid wood, and Drexley focused on the cut blooms that reminded him of Adney’s wise gaze. Five centuries had passed swiftly, and Drexley mourned the years erased by his poor memory.
He promised himself to cling to everything he recalled about Adney and never forget the lessons he was taught. Thanks to Adney’s guidance, Drexley had become a scholar. The bookswere now gone, but more adventures of the written word awaited him. It would make Adney proud to know that Drexley did not abandon his education.
Adney had been a stern man but one who had cared fiercely about Drexley and his own legacy. And Drexley could hardly believe that he had to think of Adney in the past tense.
“I hope you have already found your son on the other side of the veil, though little time has passed since you left us,” Drexley whispered. Filling his mind with a reunion between Adney and the son he had treasured, Drexley carefully touched the lit flame of the torch to the pyre. Smoke rose as the fire was transferred, and he inhaled deeply. The scent of a bonfire would likely forever remind him of this solemn moment. Or so he hoped. “I am glad you are no longer in pain and that your magic overflows again, Adney. Thank you for summoning me from the compound and teaching me. I am in your debt.”
Ducarius plucked the torch from Drexley’s grasp and returned it to its spot floating above the ground thanks to the magic that had created it. With his tears flowing in a river Drexley idly feared would never stop, he was hauled into Ducarius’s arms. Drexley clung to the man he loved as he said goodbye to the one who had molded him into a gentleman.
No matter where his future led, Drexley would remain grateful that he had known Adney and that the necromancer had invested so much of his time in offering his guidance. Drexley already missed him. Through his pain and tears, Drexley had a bright glow of light inside him.
It was Ducarius’s love and the powerful waves of caring and reassurance his other half was pushing through their mindlink. Already it comforted him.
“Can I do anything for you right now?” Ducarius asked.
“Do not let go of me. That is all I need at this moment.”
“I already had no intention of letting you go, so that is a simple task.”
“You did not always get along, but I am glad you knew him. That I am not alone in remembering him. In mourning him.”
“He was an important part of your life, and neither of us will ever forget him.”
“I wanted to be with him a little longer,” Drexley sobbed. “Just another day at the very least.”
“I am so sorry, love.”
Drexley lifted his head and forced himself to look past the now-roaring blaze of Adney’s pyre. Beyond it was an extensive garden. It made Drexley lift the corner of his mouth in a reluctant smile.
“At least I get to say goodbye in a beautiful spot.”
“This is the memorial garden. Someday I will take you through each part. It abounds with memories and beautiful statues, trees, and flowers dedicated to those lost in the lives of our extended family. We will add a spot for Adney, and we can come visit it whenever you want to take a moment to remember the centuries you spent together.”
Overwhelmed by the beauty of that, Drexley tightened his grip on his mate and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, I would like that very much. The gray flowers were stunning and made me think of Adney’s eyes. Or the colors of the castle.”
“This garden is tended by the world’s best inventors of flora. They will no doubt insist on creating something spectacular and unique to honor Adney’s spirit. If you want gray, they will be happy to oblige.”
“I will owe them a boon.”
“Good luck with that, love,” Ducarius drawled. “The D’Vaires are renowned for their generosity and their unwillingness to accept anything in return for their kindness.”
“They sound like wonderful people. I am already grateful to them for giving us this moment and the speed with which they set up Adney’s pyre.”
“I would do anything for you, and so would they. That is how family works. At least that is how ours functions.”
