Henry. Just. Henry.

Chapter 23|The Secret of the Stone

“Wait what?” Henry said, putting the rock on the bay window seat board.

“I thought Uldine only had nine kingdoms.” Fallon said, taking his feet out of the water.

Cedric used the wind to dry them, about to regale them on a tale long forgotten. “That’s true but-“

“We’re back!”

Henry jolted at his mother’s voice. When he ran downstairs, she, Andre and Ezra has so many bags with them it looked like they bought the entire store. Andre and Harper dropped their bags on the couch and plopped on it, sighing.

“Holy moly, what a day.” Harper muttered.

“Hey Henny Benny.” Ezra said, kissing his forehead and Henry smiled.

“Hi, when did you and my parents hang out?”

“Well I saw them while I was cruising town, so they showed me a lot of places and bought gifts for all of you.”

“No no,” Andre said, popping open a canned soda. “He bought gifts.”

“Okay, well, I bought. Where is everyone?”

“In my room. Come on.” Henry said, taking his hand, and he blushed at how natural and at home it felt.

In his room, Miyu grinned at Ezra from her laid position, Cedric greeted him and Fallon… well Fallon didn’t even bother to look up from checking out his nails. This was his way of ignoring his feelings, by ignoring the guy who caused them.

Unbothered, Ezra placed the bags on the floor. “I come bearing gifts.”

“Oh what a surprise!” Miyu said, not shifting from her position.

“Well I know none is for me.” Cedric deadpanned.

“If only ghost merchandise existed.”

“The ghost realm has lots of fun things ghost can use that living people don’t even know about. It’s a whole new world over there with a bunch of different objects and devices you only get to see when you die.”

“How-“ Ezra stopped and cocked his head. “interesting…” He looked at the rock next to Fallon and wanted to pick it up.

But there was a force around Fallon. Ezra was sure a toddler could see it. He looked tense the closer Ezra got to him. Even as he stretched for the stone, he felt this locked up tension thickening in the small space between them. As close as they were right now, the walls of unease pushed them miles apart.

Ezra pulled away from the window and sat in Henry's bed, the stone in hand.

“This… looks familiar.”

“It’s the Grandour stone.” Cedric said.

“Ohhhh, that’s why. Every royal was told the secret of this stone.” Ezra then looked at Henry, whom was confused and a little irritated he didn’t know the secret. “Well, I guess not you. You became a royal late.”

“Yeah, thanks.” He retorted.

“I don’t remember the tale of it though. It was at such a young age they told my sister and I.”

Cedric used his wind magic to slam the door like a ghost in the movies. “I can tell you, and Henry, you should listen too.” He turned his head to the window, watching the dark looming sky. “'cause I never want to say this again.”  He murmured to himself, but Henry heard him.

“Okay?” He said, taking a seat at the edge of his bed.

This was the first time Henry felt a serious aura surround Cedric. His muscles and jawline tightened, and this felt crazy to Henry, but it was like a ghost of the past loomed over him. Even when he talked about his death, he wasn’t this stiff.