Gone | Rowan

Chapter Twenty Three

After what felt like hours of light burning into my eyes,I opened them.I looked around,I was in bed.I sat up.wincing.I looked down at my stomach,I wasn't wearing a shirt.Most my torso was covered by bandages,i looked around and saw a note on my bedside table.I sighed,rubbed the bridge of my nose and then picked it up.It took a moment for my eyes to adjust but soon the writing became clear.

Dear Wendy,

Kasai and I are fine,we're at the guild to give you some peace.Someone is in the guest room,try not to disturb them and i'll explain everything when we're home.

I groaned,was my house a hospital or something?I swung my legs to the side of my bed and i very slowly stood up.I made my way out of the room and down the stairs,yet as i reached the bottom step i noticed someone in the kitchen.From the note Macao had left me i wasn't surprised,they might've been hungry or thirsty."Good morning,I'm Wendy,"i announced.The tall silhouette didn't turn around.

"I can make us something to eat,Macao told me you were here and not to bother you.Are you hurt?I can heal you."

The man,im assuming from their height,didn't turn around or speak.They had a sleeveless jumper on and the hoodie was on top of their head.I noticed the red guild mark on their arm,"oh you're from the guild!"i said.I laughed and walked over further,despite how awkward it was i wanted them to feel welcome.Then the person turned around,time slowed down.The figure turned around,revealing the toned body of none other then my supposed dead lover.

"I'm seeing things..."

I pinched my arm,hoping i'd wake up and everything would be normal."No you're not...sit down,"said Romeo.I shook my head,refusing to do anything.Tears fell down my cheeks like a waterfall.I was shaking all over."I'm so sorry...i was going to explain when dad was here but i didn't want to wake you..."Romeo trailed off.I was crying,then i hobbled forward and wrapped my arms around him.

"I missed you..."

Romeo rubbed my back,i knew it was him instantly from the small scar close to his elbow.He got it accidentally when i turned around and slashed him with a kitchen knife.He smelt the same too."I don't know what's going on,"i whispered.Romeo chuckled,then he pulled back.I didn't want to leave his arms,after three-almost four years without him i couldn't bear it.However,i controlled myself.

"I promise ill explain the full story later...for now all you need to know is that i'm alive and i'm here."

I nodded slowly,unsure of how to react to any of this.Romeo lifted his hand up,cradling my face."I don't want this to be a dream,"i whispered.Romeo sighed,pulling me close again.I wanted nothing more then to stay there for the rest of my life.I wanted to lay down with Romeo and Kasai,it was something i wanted so badly.Kasai!I pulled back from his arms,"has he seen you?"i asked.

"Who?"

"Kasai!"i yelled,Romeo put his arms up in defence.He had a confused look on his face,then it went to worry."Is Kasai your new boyfriend?"asked Romeo.I frowned,just as confused as he was.My new boyfriend?I hadn't dated anyone since he supposedly died."I don't have a boyfriend,"i said.Romeo made a silent 'ohh' sound,then he tilted his head slightly."Who is Kasai?"asked Romeo.

"Our son,has he seen you?"

"We had a son?"asked Romeo,did he not remember?A thought deep down said maybe it wasn't Romeo,maybe it was someone fake.A spy maybe."Hisao told me the baby died during birth,"said Romeo.I assumed Hisao was the man who had attacked me,and the man that supposedly killed Romeo."No,he was healthy right away.He never got sick as a baby besides a few colds,"i replied.Romeo ran a hand through his hair.

"For three years i stressed that the baby died...I was worried because when a dragons mate dies they usually grieve and go into a sleep they never wake from.I knew you were alive but after i was told that the baby was dead i assumed you were depressed and i didn't know much.For a year i didn't know you were alive."

We both assumed we had died.Both of us went through a grieving time,yet neither of us were dead."After Kasai was born i had a reason to live,"i said.Romeo nodded slowly,then he hugged me again.It had been three years since either of us had been in each others presence."I am so sorry,"said Romeo.I shook my head,he had no need to apologise.It all felt too real for any of it to be a dream.

"So...this son of ours...does he know about me?Does he think i'm dead?"

"Well,he does know.I told him a few days ago,i told him you were very hurt and thats why he couldn't see you,"i explained.Romeo nodded,a question was bugging me in the back of my mind.I bit my lip nervously,"did you ever think of coming back?Why didn't you?"i asked.Romeo let out a huff,then leaned against the kitchen counter.He shrugged his shoulders.

"To be honest i was scared of what i'd find.I was told the baby died and you were in a deep depression,i wasn't sure you were alive until a few months ago.I wanted to come back but i've been captured dozens of times.I've been trying to kill the leader for three years."

"I don't understand,"i said.He had been trying to kill the leader?How was that relevant to him coming back to me?Romeo tapped his fingers,fiddling."That's something we need to talk about,when dad gets back.Can you wait?"asked Romeo.I knew i couldn't answer truthfully,after all i couldn't wait for Macao to return.I needed to hear the story and where he had been.Yet,from his nervous and skittish actions i decided against it.I nodded,he thanked me.

"You should let me look at those wounds."

Romeo looked down,he had a few bandages and i could tell there was some under his shirt."Yeah,i'll grab the kit,"said Romeo.I nodded then grabbed a wooden stool from the island bench.I pulled it out,the Romeo walked over and sat down.I was used to stitching him up.I only ever healed him if he was in life threatening danger.

I helped him take his jumper off,his arm had a large open cut."That will need stitches,"i said.Romeo nodded,but stayed silent.Was it just me thinking it,or was it slightly awkward between the two of us.Maybe we had both changed too much.I slapped myself mentally,then focused on cleaning the wounds.I spent a while fixing them,maybe a bit over an hour.

For the rest of the day it was quiet,mainly checking his wounds and my own.I wasn't sure what time Macao would come home.I needed to make sure to hide Romeo before he returned,otherwise Kasai would freak out.Romeo was going through his clothes,"you kept all of these?"asked Romeo.I nodded,then he saw the clothes i wore to bed most nights.He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"You still wore them?"

"I brought the same deodorant you used to wear,so i'd spray you clothes.It was just a coping mechanism thing..."i said,trailing off.I heard sudden thumping.For a quick minute i thought someone was trying to break in,then i realised it was someone running upstairs.I cursed mentally,Macao was home.I looked around frantically,what about Romeo?Then the small silhouette appeared in my doorway,i froze.There was no way i could break the news softly now.