Chapter 30

**Harper**

I sat in my dorm on my phone, listening to my father tell me all the changes that were coming to my life within the next 48 hours. Gabriel had let me have some privacy, he told me he would be waiting for me to be off the phone before we talked about anything.

"Honey...I know this is a lot, and I had hoped that this had jumped a generation...he will be okay Harper." He said it low like he wasn't sure of how I would react.

"Dad---he might be hurt while I am gone, so many things can happen."

"You can't protect him all the time, and if he gets sent out on a job you have to think of the client first, you have to be able to step in front of the client if something attacks, not your significant other." The words he said were true and I knew they were, but at the same time, it felt like I wasn't going to see the light of day again. I was being dramatic, you are being dramatic Harper.

"It will be good to get some distance, it will put things into perspective for you sweetheart, I have everything set up, you don't have to worry about packing up your room, someone is going to pick you up tomorrow after dinner is done and you will be taken straight to your new dorm and the headmistress will be waiting for you." I felt my heart constrict in my chest, leaving. That soon?

"Dad--"

"You can't let this fester Harper, the change is going to have to be quick. Like a bandaid rip, it off. Make the change and you will have an easier time adjusting." I didn't want to adjust.

"Daddy--" He took a deep breath, trying to draw strength.

"Yes, Harper?"

"I don't want to go alone---" It was the weaker part of me showing. My subconscious needs to be protected and he didn't take it personally.

"You will be stronger for it I promise. I will fly you back every holiday to spend with Gabriel and his family."

"But the summer plans Dad, why can't I finish out the semester here and then start next year..." He paused for a second and seemed to be thinking it over. I thought I had him, he was quiet which was good. He was thinking about it.

"Let me talk to the Headmistress at the school and I will call you back, this isn't a yes Harper. If you don't hear back from me assume you will be leaving tomorrow." I hung up the phone and sat down on my bed. A single ray of light shined through the dark cloud of depression. Hildr was torn between letting me have the last couple of weeks of freedom before the real work started. It felt like a life vest in the ocean. I had lost control of my life, and I wanted to take it back. This wasn't something I was going to be able to do without training. I wanted to have this time with Gabe, this summer at the very least.

Running through the paces trying to keep my mind focused on the coursework and the classes. Gabriel noticed my mental absence, through our combat class, and history. Flight class had been pushed back to the later part of the day so we sat through our study classes and I couldn't hold down any single thought, I just wanted my phone to ring. As we walked out onto that field at the end of the day. Both my heart and Hildr inside getting lighter inside. My wings shifted and ruffled anxious to get into the air. I reached a hand back to Gabriel. His fingers threaded through mine almost immediately. We walked through the grass his fingers tightened on mine.

"You don't have to be afraid," He walked around me keeping my hand in his. He walked backward in front of me. I felt my heart swell in my chest.

"I'm not afraid," I raised my chin, but he knew it was a lie. I was terrified. He gave my hand a little tug as he stopped walking and I leaned against his chest. I wanted to stay here.

"I talked to my father about staying until the beginning of next school year...he is thinking about it. I mean it makes sense to finish up the year here, and I mean I would still like to go on that vacation you promised me." His green sparked as he laughed.

"I hope he says yes. Because I definitely want to be able to see you in a bikini at the beach." I playfully swatted his chest. We continued across the grass and it was like a stress release. I lifted my wings as we crossed that line, and I jumped into the air. Gabriel was right behind me, he playfully tugged on my ankle, before rolling to the left into the clouds. I followed in a shallow dive, and he circled around the cloud coming up behind me. I hovered inside the cloud enjoying the mist on my face. He came over the top of me tucking his wings against him slightly, he dropped enough to very softly brush his fingertips against my cheek. I followed him down to the ground, and he opened his wings just a couple of feet before the ground and I circled up higher feeling the cool air on my face. I felt my heart lightened and Hildr supported me. It would be good for us to have those extra couple of weeks. It would do us well. The teacher's loud whistle sounded and it was time to get to work. I dove down from the clouds landing in a slight jog. Gabriel landed beside me tucking his wings in tightly to his back to make sure we could get as close as possible standing side by side.

((Gabriel))

I have only wanted one thing more in my life than I had wanted her to stay for the summer. I had wanted her to wake up from that hospital bed, I had asked for it and now she stood next to me. I was afraid to ask for any more than what I had already gotten. I had spent so much time with her light of course she was going to share it with others. That was only fair, but it hurt how much I wanted her to stay with me for the summer. It would give me so much more time to process her leaving, it would still be hard, but not as hard as it would be if she would be ripped away. I wanted to hold her just a little longer, it was a lot to ask, but I was going to hope for it nevertheless.

The teacher drew on the chalkboard showing us complicated flight patterns to avoid detection and we practiced low-earth flying to avoid radar or any monitoring that might be looking for us. It was punishing but a good way to distract myself from the pain that was hanging by a string in my heart. A bomb was ready to drop and destroy me, but it was held on the string of her being allowed to stay for vacation.

I sent a silent prayer in my mind.

'Please...please...let her come on vacation with me.'