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“I’m sorry you felt so out of control tonight. I know it was hard to sit there and watch him hurt me. We won’t let that happen again,” I promise him.
A tear slides down his cheek but he ignores it. “It was terrifying. The worst thing I’ve ever experienced, knowing I was letting you down. You’re here now and I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe in the future.”
I hug him, pressing our bodies together and soaking up each other’s love through all the skin to skin. I take a moment to just feel our bond and Felix safe in my arms. To take comfort in him and reassure him in return.
We help each other get clean with soft touches and sure hands.
When we finally stop smelling like a campfire, we get out of the shower and dress in some comfortable clothes.
“I’m just going to take a moment,” Felix says when I go to the door.
I nod and leave him behind to head back downstairs.
Aksel is sitting there on the couch, waiting for everyone else and I need to use this moment to voice a question that’s sitting like a weight on my chest.
I get comfortable beside him on the couch.
“Aksel, what happens now that your dad is gone?” I ask, my voice cracking slightly.
He pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulder so the sides of our bodies are pressed tight. I like this new side of Aksel.
“Once they’ve waited the appropriate amount of time, his seat on the council will open. They can’t declare him dead since there’s no body from the fire, but it will be assumed. Traditionally, it goes to me as his son. It’s a classist tradition. I now need to decide if I accept or if it goes to my sister. I can’t imagine she’d want the burden, so I think I have to accept. Most importantly, Dorielle has her freedom now. I won’t hold her to my father’s expectations. She can do what she wants. I want her to have that.”
“You’re a good big brother. So, you’re going to be the dark fae elder? You’re so young, there’s no way you qualify as an elder.”
He laughs.
“I don’t and people will argue that. My father prepared me but the threat of a new heir was always there so I honestly thought I would escape the burden. It’s only happened a handful of times where someone is appointed before their time. That’s if we aren’t charged for his murder, of course.”
I stiffen in his arms. “Do you think that will happen?”
“No, I don’t. I will be keeping an eye on the investigation though. We will be safe. If not, I’ll protect you and the others. Even if we have to run.”
He says it so confidently, like there’s nothing that would stop him from being right. I think he lives life that way and so far it’s been a good strategy for him.
“I trust you,” I whisper, surprising even myself. When did that happen?
I do trust that he will physically take care of me and even the others. Aksel is a leader, he won’t leave anyone behind even if he wants to. My heart and emotions are another thing.
“You do?” His voice cracks as he whispers.
“I guess I do. You’re a good leader Aksel. I see that,” I tell him honestly.
“Thank you.”
“What was your life like growing up?” I ask.
I’m not sure I’ll have another chance where he’s being so open and I want to know everything about him.
“He was a bastard then too. He’s never been a real father to me. All Joka wanted was a legacy and he took every opportunity to mold me into his prodigy. I wish I could scrub it all from my brain but it wasn’t all bad advice. I’ve used it in my own way to get where I am now.”
He says it all without emotion like he’s distanced himself from the reality of things.
“I’m sorry, Aksel. No one’s parents should treat them that way. I thought he was a bad father before tonight, now I’m sure we are lucky you came out the way you did.”
He studies me before confessing, “It wasn’t my first time being locked in that basement. He used to take me down there and cut me up where no one would see. It was part of his lessons.”
Tears form in my eyes and drip down my cheek. Aksel should never have had to go through that. That decides it. I won’t feel guilt for Joka’s death. He was a terrible person and we all needed him gone from our lives.
