Page 27

Kross wiped his cheek, still smiling faintly. “…What sort of stick?”

Krave went dead serious. “Eldritch birch. Grows once a century under moons that shouldn’t exist.” He angled his head, peeking at his sobered little face. “Very exclusive.”

A small smile settled on his perfect lips as he leaned in, just a little, and rested his forehead against Krave’s collarbone.

Krave went still, then curled his arm tighter, holding him like something sacred. “You’re not a monster,” he murmured, voice barely above a breath. “Now, let me hear you say it.” He tucked his hair behind his ear then traced the small shell, waiting.

“I’m not a monster,” he finally mumbled against his chest.

Krave scoffed. “I didn’t quite hear you.”

His fingers flexed against Krave's neck before he repeated it a little louder.

“Now tell the trees,” Krave instructed, firmly.

“The trees?” he worried. “Are they afraid of me too?”

Krave stilled and angled his face at his upturned one. “No,” he assured firmly. “Not even a little.”

His brows furrowed. “Father says I’m not safe.”

Krave eased him away a little more, studying him. “What else did he say to you?”

The green flecks in his big eyes overtook the blood red, making them shimmer. “That... I mustn’t wake mother until I’m fully grown.”

“Why?” Krave asked, his heart soaring at hearing he fucking could.

The boy stared at him for many seconds, his breaths turning shallow before casting his eyes to the right. “He fears…” he barely whispered, finally returning his compassionate gaze on him, swimming in tears. His mouth opened and closed as he struggled with an agony that crippled Krave. “He fears I may hurt her soul.”

The wind in Krave surged through him as he enclosed him in a tight embrace.

“I think he’s right,” the boy confessed against his chest between hot breaths. “I hurt people when I don’t even mean to. I’m… I’m hurting you now.”

Ah fuck.

“It’s not a bad pain, Little King,” Krave breathed, his voice shaking against the shell of his ear. “It’s the kind of ache that only belongs to gods—those burdened with a power that could end worlds... or cradle them.” He held him tighter, grounding him with his wind. “That’s you. Do you understand? That’s what you carry.” He pressed his mouth to his head, stroking reverently in his hair. “That’s your unbreakable, breathtaking love.” He swallowed, forcing air through his burning lungs. “It clings to life when all that is wicked demands it be burned.”

He pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, cradling his head in both hands. “No matter how vast the darkness inside you, Little King—your love is profoundly deeper and far greater. And your mother is so proud of you. When you wake her, she will be filled with your power just as I am. And she will know that everything she gave to protect you was worth a million deaths.”

He threw himself against him, his tiny arms clinging tightly. “I love Mother very much,” he wept, his body jerking with soft sobs. “I never want to hurt her. I want to protect her. Just like I want to protect Uncle Reuban and the Angel of Mothers, and all the mothers that she longs to protect. That’s what I want, Father. I want to protect all of you, but... what if I can’t? What if the monster won’t let me?”

“The monster has no authority over you, Little King,” he swore, his fingers gripping the back of his head tightly against him. “Each of us, yourfathers, will fight with you. That’s why you’re with us,” he said. “So we can help you fight and defeat anyevil that dares come against you. We will not fail, my Little King. We will be victorious, do you understand?”

He nodded quickly against his chest. “Father is coming now,” he whispered, his body locking up.

Krave stood with him right as the air kicked up with the arrival of Kaos and Kildare in the clearing, Kaos heading for the hut and Kildare making his way toward him.

Krave’s winds had formed a dense lattice of power around every inch of the boy while he eyed the hard lines on Kildare’s face for signs of what the fuck was going on.

“How is he?” Kildare only mouthed.

Krave shook his head in answer before whispering, “What’s going on? Did he find Raviel?”

“Nobody finds Raviel if he doesn’t want to be found,” Kildare informed.

Kross lifted his head from Krave’s shoulder. “I know where he is.”

Kildare angled a curious look at him. “You do?”