Protector

all was right

I woke in a cloud of white. Birdsong and sunshine filled the air and a gentle breeze blew across my face. I sighed, a smile playing on my lips.
If this was heaven, it was perfect.
I slowly opened my eyes, squinting at the ray of sunlight that shone across my face. I was in a large bed in what appeared to be a pretty sizeable bedroom. The delightful ambiance came from an open window beside the bed. Opaque, flowing curtains billowed out with the wind's every breath, dancing around the room. As I moved to sit up, a dull ache shot through me, and my shoulder groaned, startling me. But that couldn't be... I didn't have to deal with the pain anymore. Not here.

Unless...

A sudden awareness took over my body and I carefully moved to get up. My bare feet touched down on the cold granite floor and I stood. I was wearing a white nightgown that fell to my knees and was covered in bandages. My shoulder, side, and back had all been neatly wrapped in bandages and cleaned. Moving quickly to the window, I gazed out at my surroundings. Far below, a garden full of tall flowers in full bloom surrounded an old oak tree I knew very well. I stumbled backward as I finally realized where I was.

I was home. Really home.

Forgetting my injuries, I ran to the door and threw it open. I made my way through the halls of my castle, passing servants who bowed and smiled at me as I passed. I finally made it to the entrance to the gardens and burst out into the bright sunshine. As I turned my gaze onto that huge oak tree in the middle, I saw that two boys sat below it, leaning against the trunk, talking. My footfalls made no sound as I made my way towards them. When I was about halfway there, Jaron turned to look back at the castle and saw me. He was on his feet and running towards me faster than I could blink, Roden close behind.
When we met by the lilacs, I was enveloped in a hug, surrounded completely by love. We knelt to the ground, still in an embrace.

"Oh, Hunter," Jaron whispered, burying his face in my shoulder.

I leaned into him, happy beyond words to be right where I was. Roden reached up and wiped a tear from my face.

"We thought you were gone. You died, Hunter," he said.

I smiled, holding him closer, "You're not getting rid of me that easy."

They laughed and we pulled apart. Turning to Roden, I pulled him into a kiss.

"I think I love you too," I whispered when we broke away.

As the three of us joined hands and made our way back inside, I knew everything was going to be okay. Because, for the first time in a long time, all was right.

(Thank you all so much for reading!! I'll be posting a bit of an epilogue, so stay tuned! 🙂)