Page 2 of Castor

“You should be in bed,” he said, kneeling down to my level, his large black wings folding behind him. I threw my arms around his neck. He returned my hold and picked me up as he stood. “You’ve grown since I last saw you.”

“Someday I’ll be as big as you.”

Father lightly chuckled. “I have no doubts, young one.”

“Did you fight in any battles while you were away?”

“A few.”

“Did you win?”

He grinned. “Of course I did.”

“Caim?”

With me in his arms, Father turned. My mother stood in the doorway, the bottom of her long gown ruffling in the night breeze. He stepped toward her, and she rushed forward to close the distance, sliding her arms around his waist. I laid my head on his shoulder as he greeted her with a soft kiss.

“My whole world is right here in my arms,” Father said as he held me with one arm and embraced her with the other.

“As is mine.” Mother gently pinched my cheek before nuzzling into his chest.

“I brought you a gift.” Father set me down before pulling something from his belt.

“A dagger?” I asked, reaching for it.

He held it out of my reach. “You must be careful with it, Castor. The blade is sharp. It’s not a toy.”

“So do not play with it,” Mother added.

Father smiled at her before moving his gaze to me. “You listen to your mother.”

“I will.”

When he handed it to me, I admired the jewels in the hilt. They sparkled even in the darkness of night.

“It’s gold!” I beamed at him before looking at my mother. “Like the one from the dragon story.”

“Do you like it?”

I hugged him tightly in response, and he chuckled again.

“I have a gift for my lovely wife as well.” Father withdrew something from the pouch at his side. He placed a silver necklace around her neck before kissing her softly.

I hadn’t seen her look so happy in weeks.

The following days were filled with even more happiness. Love. Father and I rode horses, fished in the lake behind our home, and practiced swordplay—with the swords being sticks we found in the surrounding woods. He then taught me how to wield the dagger. It was small but still weighted in my grip.

“It will be easier to handle once you’re older,” he said.

“Will I be a warrior like you when I’m grown?”

He ruffled my hair. “Enjoy being a boy first.”

Little did I know what awaited me in the coming weeks and just how quickly the boy would become a man.

Father was called back for duty, leaving us once again. Not long after, a man came for me. My mother and I were in the garden when he approached. His hair was white as snow, and his blue eyes chilled me to the bone. White wings jutted from his back, the feathers bright under the glaring sun.

“Stay away from him!” Mother pushed me behind her.