Life, Death, and Time - A Books Of Beginning Collection

Oneshot: Darkest Desires

Background: Takes place after the canon ending of The Black Reckoning. The Wibberly family is staying with friends in the magical world until they get back on their feet.

Content: ANGST. Kate x Rafe, Michael x Wilamena, Gabriel and Emma's father/daughter relationship, pain for the Wibberly siblings, trippy magic.

"Bunny!" Michael heard the joyful squeal a split second before arms were locking tightly around his torso and hugging him tightly from behind. 

"Wilamena?" Michael said with surprise, "I thought you were with your father."

"I was, but I wanted to come see you before the dinner," Wilamena said, removing her arms and sidestepping Michael so that she could stand face to face with him. She was dressed in a gown of blue that brought out the sky in her eyes. Her hair, Michael thought in a bit of a daze, looked even more golden and soft than usual in the light of the torches illuminating King Robbie's palace. 

"Well, thanks," he said faintly, a goofy, undignified grin forcing its way onto his face. 

"I'm so proud of you, Michael. And I'm glad that you're finally getting the recognition you deserve," the elf princess said, her elated expression softening into something sweet and sincere. 

Michael felt his cheeks warm at her praise and affection, "I... you're so sweet, Wil. I'm so lucky to have you in my life."

"I'm lucky to have you in my life too, my Sir Rabbit," Wilamena giggled, "my very own knight in shining armor. I love you so much."

"I love you too," Michael replied, "you're the best girlfriend ever."

Wilamena looped her arm through his, beaming all the while, her smile a light of its own. "Shall we go to dinner?"

"Indeed we shall."

***

"Gabriel! I'm tired!" Emma complained, a childish pout playing on her face. 

The warrior didn't even bat an eye, "well, maybe that's because you stayed up until almost four in the morning last night playing board games with Emma."

"I wasn't about to admit defeat in monopoly!" Emma explained. 

"And yet the game only ended when she won and you upturned the board in a fit of rage," Gabriel deadpanned. 

"She cheated and she knows it!"

"Mhmm."

At Emma's indignant huff, Gabriel let out a chuckle. "Okay, okay. I'll give you a piggy back ride back to the cabin. But you can't complain about eating your vegetables at lunch today, and you have to drink all your goat milk  before I take you out to practice swordplay."

"Sounds good to me!" Emma cheered as Gabriel scooped her up and situated her on his back. She locked her arms around his broad shoulders and wrapped her legs around his torso, and the warrior started off. Gabriel, being incredibly strong, was able to keep a brisk pace, despite the twelve year old clinging to him. 

"You're trouble sometimes, you know," Gabriel said, as Emma bounced up and down with each broad stride he took. 

Emma laughed, "oh believe me, I know."

Gabriel said teasingly, "well, I suppose you being self aware is a good thing."

"Oh, you love me for it."

"I do love you. You're the best warrior daughter a man could ever ask for," Gabriel's voice was sincere, and Emma swelled with pride and love at his words. Then she began to laugh wildly as Gabriel broke into a run once the cabin came into sight, knowing that it would make her bounce like crazy, and that she loved it.