Page 71 of Cultivating Caden
“I’m yours.” Caden’s voice was soft, dreamy. “But just so we’re clear, the garland bit might be a little much.”
“Noted.” Quade stepped back, staring into Caden’s eyes. He now understood the story of the sprite rings. He might own Caden’s heart, but Caden had claimed Quade’s soul.
And he didn’t mind in the least.
* * *
“What about school?You have to have classes.”
Ten frowned. “They can’t teach me anything I don’t already know or can’t learn in an instant.” He cocked his head. “Mrs. Khaab speaks Hmong Daw.” He closed his eyes a moment, then when he opened them he said, “Thiab tam sim no kuv ua ib yam nkaus thiab. Or, in English, now I do too.”
He leaned back and stared into Caden’s eyes.
“ I’m more use in the infirmary, helping people understand their abilities or getting them comfortable with Sanctuary.” His nose wrinkled further. “Besides, have you ever read the mind of a kid? Video games, sex, boobies, sex, food, sex. They’re so… base.”
“And yet you need more to your life than just working in the infirmary. How do you expect to prepare yourself for adult interactions?”
Ten sighed as though he was bored with the conversation. “I already interact with adults. Their minds aren’t nearly as chaotic. I like the order.”
Caden did his best to suppress a groan. He and Ten had been going around on this for almost an hour. Every time he tried to get Ten involved in something meant for people his age, he got shut down hard. He wished Quade was home instead of being out in the field. Caden would admit he wasn’t prepared for dealing with a twelve-year-old.
“You need to be more social with your peers.”
“Peers?” Ten cocked his head. “I don’t have peers.”
Around them, the air grew warm. Caden turned for a second and saw what was happening. Objects small and large were floating in the air, bobbing around as though on strings.
“No one can do the things I can. And when they look at me, they’re afraid. And who can blame them?”
Things started to move, slowly at first, then picking up speed. They whirled through the room, keeping an orbit around Ten and Caden.
“They might not admit it, but even the adults are afraid of me. I’m a freak, you know. Oh, I’m useful to them, but beyond that? They’re terrified of what would happen if I ever lose control. So guess what? Even when I get upset, I. Can. Never. Lose. Control. I’m not supposed to have the same emotions as kids my age. It’s expected that I won’t laugh or cry or be angry. So why would I want to subject myself to being alone in a crowd?”
Caden pinned Ten with a glare. “Put everything back where it came from.Now. And if you break so much as a glass, you’re going to be in more trouble than you ever thought possible.”
“But I won’t—”
“Now, Ten.”
Things slowed, then hung in the air once more. They settled back into their spots, and you would be hard pressed to tell they’d been moved at all.
Caden’s mind was awhirl. He tried to think of the best way to handle the situation. He could be tough on Ten, insist that he curb his abilities, but what good would that do? Ten was alone and frightened, and what kind of parent would compound that? Instead, he thought about what his mother did when Caden was afraid. Without saying anything, he opened his arms. At first, Ten simply stared at him, but then took a few tentative steps closer.
“I get it now, and I’m sorry. I’m not saying you shouldn’t interact with people your age, but you’ve never had anyone who cared, did you? How often have you been hugged or been told you were loved?”
“Mr. Martin… Dad. He used to kiss my forehead when he thought I was asleep. When I was younger, I used to dream that he was my father and that he would love me and want to keep me. We’d be a normal family with all the good and bad things that go along with it. But Dad was too afraid of being whole. That didn’t change until the day I sensed you. You’d just moved to Millinocket, and in you, I’d found the half of Dad that was missing.”
Caden guided them to the couch, where they sat down, Ten still holding on tight. A wet spot was forming on Caden’s shirt where Ten’s tears had been absorbed.
“I thought I could tell Dad that you were meant for him, but he resisted everything I said. Then when he met you, he finally understood. His race lost itself over the centuries. The lycans used to be artists and thinkers. Yeah, they were a little rowdy, but it was all about family for them. Nothing was more important than your mate or children. Now? They’re not like that at all. You wouldn’t know looking at them that some of the greatest works in museums had come from the hands of a lycan, some of the most beautiful songs were composed by them. Now? It’s all about war, death, destruction. It’s so sad that they lost their way.”
Caden rubbed Ten’s back, wanting to give him the touch he obviously needed. Sanctuary might be a refuge, but it seemed that they had very few people who could interact with kids.
“Once Dad found you, everything was finally unfolding the way my visions said it would. You both found love, and then you included me. You don’t know what it was like, hearing the two of you talking about adopting me. Of finally giving me a home. It’s all down to you. You’re the crux of it all. The linchpin, if you will. Without you, there is no family. Without you, there will be no life.”
“Everyone keeps saying that, but I don’t understand. I’m not anyone special, just a guy with a green thumb.”
Ten pulled away, staring incredulously. “No, you’re much more. Do you want me to show you?”
