Old Scars - 1

"I cannot be seen with you at this time, not until…" She muttered something under her breath. A finishing thought that couldn't be heard.

My head fell against the pillow, sated. Dinner had ended a while ago, with it we had retired to Abigail's room.

Her hand placed in mine, leading me towards the bed. Where I was pushed down and roughly handled.

Even then I barely resisted, giving the most curt responses before tucking myself into the blanket. At least after some struggling.

Only then was I left alone with my thoughts. Finding that Abigail had disappeared to somewhere she could not be seen.

And completely left on my own.

Yet that didn't last for long as soon after I was engulfed in another hug. Sweet nothings whispered into my ear. An affectionate tugging of my clothes as she ruffled her way under the covers and next to me.

It was only then that I could hear something comprehensible from her.

"Why?" I asked.

"I- we can not be seen together, luckily Johan is trustworthy but if any other wandering eye catches wind of us, then I will no longer be able to send you to the academy. Not without a heavy price."

"Then don't, I am to be yours, and if my presence disturbs your plans then merely think of me as a stain upon your shirt. There but hidden."

She tugged me closer, and I just tilted my head in confusion. Why? Was it something I said, as this only happened, according to my sister, when a lady was especially emotional. 

But what had made Abigail so emotional. Was it truly something I said?

…

…

…

Hands touched hands, a wing that flew through the window. Flying closer and closer through the window before it ultimately landed before some being. A cry of pain and fight. Only for it to be defeated, wings clipped and thrown through the window once more.

A mere annoyance, broken bones and shattered wings. It tried and tried once more to defeat the thing, trying to reclaim what was rightfully its.

Yet as it stumbled through another window, flying with pain racking through all of its mind. It could think of nothing but the golden healer.

The one that welcomed it despite the injuries, despite its bad attitude.

I gasped, flinging myself over the bird, protectively. It was the first time I had felt such emotions, such… such deep thoughts from what I had healed.

I turned it over, petting its head as it crowed its feelings towards me. I merely giggled, taking the attention of the room.

Only to stop as I realized the souls within the vicinity were watching. With some sort of amusement that I couldn't tell of.

What had they found so funny, was it me?

I stopped and felt a hand placed over my head. It was not the same I had felt so many times. It felt almost softer and bigger at the same time.

A sort of presence that I could barely figure out.

"Don't worry." He said, and it was then that I realized. That was why.

It was not a she, but a he. The husband of the matriarch of this family. For whatever reason he had come to me and comforted my feelings.

"Hm?" I asked. Even if I knew what he was doing, that did not correlate to intention.

"Walk with me." He spoke, taking my hand in his. And with it he led me through the crowds of souls, of orbs that shone brightly and dully. 

Each their own brightness.

Until they faded, left to the fading horizon. I felt a smile play over my lips as I looked over the horizon. 

A sea of black, intermittently mingled with small orbs of light. Souls that spoke of their simple and content lifes.

Was this the true reality of the world? A sea of souls, each interacting and affecting the other in their own ways. Creating untold of changes that crashed forth like waves against the wall of life.

I took in the cold air, feeling it against my skin. 

"I brought you here, even knowing that you cannot see. For a very specific reason."

I turned to the soul next to me.

"To greet you to this family. And to hopefully create a lasting relationship. For my daughter I am so proud of, and the brave soul that sits before me."

He took my head into his chest, hugging me closely.

I felt a tear waft down over my head.

"I have always wanted a son. I hope… that maybe one day you may see me as a father."

I turned and held his hand in mine, grappling him so as to not let him escape.

"I can't… not at this moment. But this sincerity, I can at least return it."

I pushed forth my power, golden flutters of pain pushing their way through my skin. Grunts of pain, and death falling over mine.

And what I saw told me more than words ever could.

A boy, sent just like me, to this house. Betrothed to the head of the family. Yet he was not as pathetic as I.

He took his duties with a serious charge, cooking, cleaning and caring for all members of the family, ingratiating himself into them.

All with a smile on his face.

It didn't come with no cost though. Beatings and harsh scoldings etched themselves into his body. A percentage of what I had expected to experience coming here.

A family that was content in their ways, only changing after the current head took charge, changing policies so that her husband could live without prejudice.

Without abuse.

And so it came, that I gasped, reaching outwards with a hand and rubbing the cheeks of my own face.

Letting the tears of abuse fall down, replaced by the feathers of my everwatchful bird.

I laughed, feeling the man's hand once more. Callouses that had been so prominent were healed, leaving bare skin.

And when I stood up once more, stumbling about with that same walking stick, back to the house. I found myself caught once more in the hands of my wife.

Smiling, for with just the memories of those wounds, I knew that I was in good hands.