Page 23 of Buoy
“Got more meat on your bones now,” Taron mumbled around a bite of his own food.
“Touch of muscle too.” Carys lifted her brows and let them drop.
Soren had been given more laborious tasks and, in return, Bellani allowed him more food. He didn’t go hungry any more. And he had fleshed out a bit and grown taller, much to his happiness.
“Soren,” Carys started. “Sweetie, you’re a nice boy, but what are your intentions with our son?”
He stopped mid-bite. “Intentions?” His cheeks warmed.
“Rhys is…” Taron said. “How to put this? He’s smitten with you.”
Soren didn’t think his cheeks could get any hotter.
“But—” Carys said.
“I’m a pirate,” Soren mumbled.
“So you understand our hesitation to the two of you getting closer.” Taron waved towards Soren. “You’re getting too old for fantasies. Whatever you’ve talked about for the future needs to end.”
“We haven’t talked about the future.” Soren pushed his plate out of the way, his stomach souring. “There is no future. He’ll go off to research, or teach at a fancy school, or maybe stay in the academy and I’ll…” Soren was stuck on the ship, doing whatever Vex and Bellani wanted. “Die a pirate.”
“Then it’s settled. You won’t see each other again.”
Soren looked between the pair, who were silently nodding to each other, satisfied with their verdict.
“What?”
Carys lifted a hand. “We would like you to honor our wishes. Rhys left a note to say goodbye. And we have the usual bundle of food, but it’s our last.”
“I can’t read.” Soren took the note with both hands, then looked back at them.
“He knew. I don’t think you’ll have a problem.” Taron gave him a small smile and stood. “We’ve enjoyed your company, but we think you’re old enough to understand. Pirates and scholars like Rhys don’t mix.”
Soren shook in his chair. “I… Thank you for your generosity over the years.” He swallowed back tears as he stood and pushed his seat under the table. How could he argue? He agreed with them. But was last year the last time he’d ever see Rhys?
“You’re welcome.” Carys stood, Taron joined her. “We just don’t see it beneficial for either of you to allow your friendship to continue. You’ll just drag Rhys down and we can’t let you do that. We can’t let you destroy his future.”
Soren swallowed again and again, bile threatened to come up. There really was no future. Not as long as Soren was a pirate. But Vex owned him. He wasn’t free.
Carys held out the parcel. “I spelled the food like Rhys always does. Please take care of yourself.”
Soren took the gifts and tucked his note from Rhys into the cloth. “Thank you.” He bit the inside of his cheek to stop the sniffle that threatened. Quickly, he left and ran all the way back to the dock with the bundle pressed to his chest, along with the shell necklace he’d made for Rhys. He couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think.
What had just happened?
The docks were the only familiar place to him, but he couldn’t stay. Not without Rhys. He couldn’t think about all the conversations. The laughter. The jokes. Magic. It all happened on the docks, and he couldn’t handle being there. Alone.
Soren wandered the streets, looking for some place private to sit and quietly grieve. Maybe even look at whatever the note said. Even if he couldn’t read it, he could look at the words. See Rhys’ handwriting.
What would have happened if Rhys hadn’t left early? The next thought turned Soren’s blood cold. What if Rhys’ parents had forced him to leave early so they couldn’t meet this year?
Soren hadn’t been paying attention to where he was going and found himself on a dirt path heading towards a forest. He walked faster, needing to be in the peaceful darkness. Rustling of leaves and chittering of birds grew louder the closer he got. He needed whatever grounding it would provide.
Finally, he burst through the treeline and breathed in the scent of trees and dirt and leaves and animal. He pushed further inside to find a clearing and a fallen tree, which he decided would be a good place to rest. He settled in, leaning against said tree and laid his head back, hoping for his thoughts to clear before he looked at the letter.
A few wood mice ran by. Birds chatted overhead. It was more peace than Soren had had in a long time. He had until the next morning to himself. He’d earned the free time and had hoped to spend it all with Rhys. Now all he had was rejection and memories.
Carefully, he broke the wax seal to Rhys’ letter. His heart pounded as he unfolded the paper. The letters were large and sloppy. Soren couldn’t help the grin as he ran a finger across the first line. That must have activated the magic Rhys had poured into it, because his voice boomed into the clearing.
