537- Two Halves, One Eternal Destiny
POV Thalyndra Moonclaw:
I heard the sound of drawers being opened. I unfolded my legs and sat up straight, interlacing my fingers on my lap.
My heart was beating fast. After everything that had happened, I felt anxious about anything. He emerged, still walking naked toward me. I looked at his hands, identifying what he was holding.
I clenched my teeth tightly, swallowing the tears.
"Here in Eldoria we have a different way of dealing with death. We usually burn the body on a pyre of noble wood, because we believe that this helps the loved one reach their afterlife." He breathed heavily. "On the day we met, at your house, I took the opportunity while packing your bag and went to your parents' room. I collected these personal objects of theirs, which had their scents, and brought them here, because I thought that at some point you might want a proper funeral."
I couldn't control the new flood of tears that began to pour from my eyes. In one hand, Anton held a polka-dot scarf that my mother always wore around her neck, she matched it with her elegant suits. In the other, there was my father's notebook, his great ally and intimate friend. He never left without it, always keeping it close, jotting down every thought.
I rubbed my fingers over my eyes.
"I thought I wouldn't have the opportunity to do anything meaningful for him."
"I didn't want to force you into anything, I decided to keep it a secret until I found the right opportunity." He looked at the objects in his hands. "The funeral is like a tribute and a farewell. We celebrate who he was in life, while also saying goodbye. You, however, weren't ready for that farewell."
"I wasn't," I agreed, with no desire to deny it.
Pretending I had managed to move on, that I was fine with all of it, would be pointless. I managed to be strong most of the time, keep everything to myself, swallow the tears and let my pride prevail. But... I couldn't take it anymore, I was exhausted, and admitting it didn't make me weaker.
"And now you are?"
I looked again through the window.
"To be quite honest? I don't know if I'll ever be ready to say goodbye to him. I will always remember who he was, in every detail of my life. But..., now that I know the truth, now that those involved are gone, it's time to give him a worthy tribute." I let out a laugh, more tears streaming down. "He would love this, to be burned on a pyre of noble wood. My father loved these ancient, ancestral customs. He never told me what he would like done when he died, but I know that, if he could choose, he would definitely choose this."
A historian being honored in an ancient ceremony, laden with hidden meanings and ancient values. Nothing I could think of could be better than that.
"Can I ask them to organize it? Do you want it?"
I looked at the notebook, feeling my heart so small. The memories of him hit me hard, sweeping me away.
"Yes, I... I want it," I confirmed, my voice faltering.
Anton nodded, and then raised his hand with the scarf that belonged to my mother. He bit his lips, reflecting on what to say.
"And what about her?" he asked, finally.
"We... can we bury it in the forest?" I whispered, rubbing my thumbnail on the sofa leather.
"We can do whatever you want."
I wouldn't burn it along with my father's notebook. She didn't deserve a tribute like his, nor to share such an important ceremony. But still, she was still my mother, and despite everything she had done, I would carry the pain of missing her with me.
I could say to throw it away, but that would mean I didn't care, when in reality, it was the opposite. She wouldn't have an honorable ceremony, but she also wouldn't be completely discarded.
"We'll bury it," I affirmed, decided on that.
Anton picked up his phone that was on the sofa beside me and typed a message. He gently placed the objects down and extended his empty palm to me.
"Let's go to bed. You need to rest and I want to be by your side, giving you comfort."
I accepted without hesitation, holding his hand firmly. He was like a lantern illuminating the darkness that surrounded me. I felt sad, defeated, and worn out, but when I touched him... it was as if everything was left behind, as if there was still hope for the future.
I let myself be led to the bedroom. Anton lay down beside me on the bed, ignoring the fact that he was dirty, wanting only to be with me, to care for and watch over me. I placed my head on his hard chest, focusing on his slow breathing and steady heartbeat.
There was a different smell in the room, so pleasant and welcoming.
I felt something like comfort tingling on my skin, easing the weight in my chest.
"What are you doing?" I asked with my eyes closed, letting the air out through my nose.
"Our connection has some benefits. I can make you comfortable, release pheromones that make you feel good."
I gasped, shocked by this new information.
"I like that," I confessed, snuggling a little closer to him.
"I think this way, you'll be able to sleep, rest your troubled mind a little." He kissed the side of my head. "I can do this all day, if necessary."
I opened a weak, sleepy smile, with closed lips.
"Just being near you is already enough." He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth.
"That's a fact, but I can make things even better." I blew out a laugh.
"Always conceited and arrogant."
"Admit that you love the way I am."
"Why would I do that? Just to make you even more presumptuous?"
"It's not presumption when you're telling the truth, we've had this conversation before."
"We have, and my opinion hasn't changed."
"Still," he teased, kissing the top of my head.
I smiled, feeling the connected beats of our hearts. It was as if they were in the same rhythm.
In his arms, the world seemed to become irrelevant. Nothing shook me, nothing tormented me. I felt protected, loved, light, and intensely happy.
There would be no more Mercantes chasing me, I wouldn't need to run, abandon, and leave everything behind. Now there was only... peace. I could allow myself to put down roots, make plans for the future. There were no more shadows and fear of tomorrow.
I let out a heavy sigh, the scent he released growing stronger and stronger, serving as a sedative.
All that remained was to say goodbye to my father, accept his departure, and... move forward alongside Anton and the family that welcomed me, that became mine.
In the end, the future wasn't so bad, and destiny really did have something great waiting for me, as my father used to tell me.
Life was a little box of surprises. Some good and others not so much, but always a different surprise.