Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 26781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Too much,” he sighed, “Which is why I decided to retire. There’s only so many horrific cases a man can work.” I understood, and appreciated that he’d put so many years and so much of himself into helping others. “So, I live alone in a cottage in the countryside. Well, except for Slippers, of course.”
“Slippers?”
“My cat. Well, sort of; I don’t suppose he belongs to me because he doesn’t like to come inside. He is more of an explorer who comes around to be fed. But he does let me scratch him behind his ears.”
“That’s adorable.”
“Now, now, there’s no need to call me names,” he teased.
I snorted at his fake offense and asked, “Do you have any family close by?”
“I don’t have any siblings, and unfortunately, my parents passed a long time ago.”
“I’m so sorry.” He thanked me with a smile, and I couldn’t help my curiosity; his parents would have been mages as well, and therefore should have been immortal. “May I ask what happened to them?”
He nodded and explained, “My mother was the most caring woman I ever met. She helped anyone in need, and that’s what ended up getting her killed. There was a young girl in her village who fell very ill. Her parents were terrified, and tried every treatment they could find, but nothing worked. The poor girl only became sicker. It was obvious that the poor child was going to die.”
“At this time, mages kept their powers and identities a secret for their own safety. They weren’t understood by humans, and were often feared. But my mother knew she had to do something to help the poor girl. So, she went to her parents and asked for permission to heal their daughter. They were desperate and grateful for anything she could do. My mother had brewed a special potion, and recited an incantation as she spooned it into the girl’s mouth. Within hours, she was cured.”
“That’s incredible,” I gushed. I was in awe of his mother’s strength and caring, let alone her powers.
“It was, until the other villagers found out what had happened. They were terrified of my mother’s magic, even though she had used it for good. They came together and attacked her. The father of the girl tried to protect my mother, but he was restrained. My mother didn’t even put up a fight; she wouldn’t harm anyone, even if it meant sacrificing her own life. Unfortunately, because she and my father were bonded, he lost his life that day as well.”
It was the most horrible thing I’d ever heard. I didn’t know her, but I admired her, and hated what had been done. I was also worried about Nigel. “Did you see it happen? Were you young?”
He shook his head no. “I was grown and on my own by then, so I only heard about it later. I was gutted; my parents were both wonderful people, and my mother was my best friend.”
I admired Nigel’s strength as well. It would be devastating to lose both parents in an instant, no matter his age; especially when he expected them to live forever. I knew that reality all too well. But Nigel didn’t let it keep him from doing good in the world. He protected the very species of people who took his family away from him. I couldn’t be more proud of him, or to be with him.
“She sounds like a great woman.”
“Thank you. She was, and a great mother as well. One thing she loved to do was tend her garden. She never used magic to help her; she would pull the weeds by hand, water the soil, and sing to the plants. She taught me how to do it as well; it was our favorite activity together. At my home, I have a garden full of her favorite flowers - poppies. It helps keep her memory close.”
I dabbed the corner of my eyes. I usually wasn’t affected by stories so much, but Nigel’s touched my heart. He might be a little rough around the edges, but he had a pure and beautiful spirit. “I hope I can see your garden sometime.”
“You will,” he promised with a smile. “But enough about me. I want to hear more about my beautiful mate.”
My cheeks warmed and I answered, “Well, I grew up here in New York. I fell in love with the bustling city life. There was always something to see and do. Of course, being the only ‘magical’ kid without powers didn’t come without its own issues. I used to get picked on or teased for being different.
“But Micah always had my back. He got in more fights than any other kid on the block.” I chuckled as I remembered my brother’s fiery spirit. He never backed down, especially when I was involved.