King In The Making (Throne of Thorns #1)

Chapter 19 - Will you stay?

Chapter 19

The moonlight danced with the leaves of the surrounding maple trees, following the beat of the light breeze that caressed that autumn night. A serene silence had spread over Chaumont like a fuzzy blanket, lulling everyone to a peaceful sleep. The only sounds that disturbed the quiet of that night were some owls hooting overhead and the heavy footsteps crunching the fallen leaves underneath.

Raf leaned back on a tree next to the one Roi was using for support. He said nothing as he followed his best friend's gaze to the building in front of them. It looked so big under the flickering light of the moon casually hidden by clouds; so scary even. Like one of those huge houses where horror movies were filmed. The silence it offered was eerie and the shadows it cast gave away the impression that they housed those monsters all kids were afraid of. And yet, it had been this very building that had offered them a place to call home.

The orphanage may have seemed intimidating when seen from outside but it held so much warmth and light within its walls; enough to fill the cracks of all the broken souls that lived there.

Rafail knew he would find Roi in this spot. It was where they'd go when life made no sense and they needed a break. The sweet ladies that took care of the children always welcomed their help and they were happy to give it.

They hadn't stayed at the orphanage for many years. Elson had taken them under his care as soon as Raf showed interest in becoming a hunter and well, Roi went where Raf went. But nothing had felt more like home than that scary-looking building. The hunters' quarters were cold and unwelcoming - a simple means to make their job easier. There were no sweet words, no one kissing your boo-boos better, no warmth. Just icy coldness and missions to complete.

So, the duo paid a visit to their 'home' from time to time. The kids there loved them and the nice ladies always offered yummy, homemade food. It was a place where they felt like they belonged.

"Do you miss it?" Roi broke the silence between the two without detaching his eyes from the orphanage.

"What?" Raf asked with a low voice.

"Living there," Roi muttered.

"Yeah," Rafail admitted. "I do... at times, I do."

"It was so easy back then," Roi's gaze didn't waver, almost like the past life he was talking about was being played in front of his eyes and he couldn't afford to miss a glimpse of it. "So much has changed," He whispered.

"Not that much," Raf said with a sigh and finally Roi turned his gaze towards him.

"Everything has changed, Raf," Roi snorted in frustration.

"No," Rafail repeated and beside him, Roi grew angrier. "I mean, yes, sure. A hell lot has changed. But what I'm seeing right now is you and me, in this same damn spot. This is not much different than before, Roi. It is new, yes, but we've faced so many things together. We can face more."

Roi looked at his brother in a different light, unable to hide his surprise. Usually, Raf was the one who calculated every single step in silence. He was observant, calm and wordless. It wasn't like him to express his thoughts or give an encouraging speech. He was more of a 'show-don't-tell' type. As Raf frequently claimed, he wasn't a people's person. That was Roi's department.

"You used to say that cringe quote," Raf continued. "What was it?"

Roi raised a brow as his brother tried to remember the words.

"Something about life and lemons," Raf grumbled, annoyed at himself. "It slipped my mind, dammit."

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," Roi helped Raf out of his misery.