Keeper of the Great Adventures

Chapter 23

"And you really think this will work?" Mr. Forkle asked after Keefe explained his theory.

"Do you really think it will not?" Keefe replied with a raised eyebrow.

"You kids and your sarcastic comments," Mr. Forkle grumbled.

He was about to leap away when Sophie said, "Can you ask Dex to make a gadget that cancels out whatever the Neverseen use to block my inflicting?"

Keefe looked at her in surprise and said, "Why didn't we think of that before?"

Sophie shrugged. Mr. Forkle said he would ask him about it, then leaped away.

"So, what do you want to do?" Sophie asked, rising from the couch they were sitting on.

"Do you trust me?" Keefe asked with a grin.

"Did Dex make you watch Aladdin?" Sophie asked in surprise.

Keefe's face twisted in confusion. "Sorry, human reference. And yes, I do trust you."

Keefe pulled out a crystal, took Sophie's hand, and brought her into the light.

"Where are we?" Sophie asked.

"Shores of Solace. Don't worry; my dad isn't here."

Keefe led Sophie to the back patio, where it overlooks the ocean. The sun was starting to set, making Keefe's icy eyes warm.

He took her hand and said, "I never got to thank you,"

Sophie leaned against the wooden railing of the patio and asked, "For what?"

Keefe met her eyes and said, "For making me feel like I'm actually worth something. All my life, I've felt useless and meaningless. Until I met you."

Sophie turned red and faced the water, hoping he wouldn't notice. "I didn't know I made that much of an impact. I mean, I don't know how people, especially your parents, live life, not loving you."

A cold breeze blew past them, making Sophie's hair waft in the wind.

"Are you cold?" Keefe asked, looking at her with concern.

"Well, there's no point in lying,"  She thought to herself.

"A little," She answered. Without saying anything, Keefe pulled her close and regulated his temperature.

At first, Sophie was tense. But, after a few seconds, she melted into his arms. His head lay gently against hers as they both looked at the stunning scenery before them.

The sunset turned into an ombré of orange and yellow, with small clouds weaving into the color. It reflected off the water, lighting up the land around them.

"Wow... this sunset is beautiful," Sophie said.

"Not as beautiful as you," Keefe replied. Sophie blushed and looked away.

"I love you," He said.

Sophie paused, then said, "Will that ever change?"

Keefe looked at her with surprise and said, "Of course. Every time I see you smile or hear you laugh... every time I hold you close... every time I am with you, it changes. It grows. They say that your first love isn't your true love, yet here I am, with you,"

Sophie didn't say anything at first. She couldn't believe what Keefe had just told her.

"Are you okay?" Keefe asked.

"You tell me, empath," She said with a smile. She felt overjoyed and excited, along with love and affection.

He gave a small laugh before turning her to face him. He leaned in and kissed her, softly at first. Before it got too intense, Sophie pulled away and whispered, "We have to go. Biana and Tam are waiting to play Base Quest with us,"

Keefe smiled and said, "Okay,"

They walked to an open area and leaped to the forest near Havenfield where, sure enough, Biana and Tam were waiting.