Chapter 25
CHAPTER 25
BIANCA
D eparture day is always chaotic. Despite the number of times we’ve done this already, staff rushes around packing and loading the cars. I make myself useful and see if I can help with anything. I’m gracefully told no by five people before I give up and stand on the side of the curve.
“Bianca Blanco.”
I turn toward the voice. Janelle Duelo stands alone at the top of the steps landing. We haven’t exchanged a single word during my stay here. I’m not sure how she even knows my name. She looks physically uncomfortable as she approaches me.
Janelle produces a small box from her dress pocket. She hands it to me with a blank expression. I open the box, curious what it could be. A blue apatite rock sits in the middle of the box on top of a white cushion. I turn back to her in question.
“Call it a small act of kindness or a thank you gift.”
She looks up at something behind me. Without turning around, I know Brandon is standing there. She nods and then leaves .
“What was that about?” Brandon moves to stand next to me.
My eyes shift from the box in my hands to Janelle. Jesse is standing next to her. Though their posture is professional and distant, their eyes reveal a different story. Something is said between them, and suddenly, they’re laughing together. Whatever happened between them has mended to an extent.
Brandon takes the box from my hands and gives it a closer inspection.
“What does it do?” I ask.
I can feel magic radiating from it, but I’ve never seen one like it. Brandon’s eyes meet mine, and I ignore the trill running over me at having his attention.
“It’s an organic shield. With a simple spell, you can activate it. It blocks organic elements like fire, water, and wind, and it slows down physical objects. Rare to come by.”
I take the gift and pocket it. I'll examine it when I have free time.
“Make sure you go in the last car,” Brandon says.
I observed the loading of numerous luggage items onto the parked cars. My backpack feels heavier than usual as I hoist it higher on my shoulder. I packed enough items to last me to Fierno and back.
Leaving in between tour dates seemed almost impossible until I reminded Brandon of the spell his brothers would use to impersonate him. Upon our return, Brandon and the group came up with a plan that has everyone unhappy. Roman said his goodbyes last night, only to return, posing as one guard. Upon leaving the Duelo estate, the last car in the fleet will mistakenly take a wrong turn and separate. Brandon, the driver Jose who is a trusted guard, and I will be the only ones on board. We will take a straight path to Fierno and make it there by nighttime .
I rub my hands together as the anticipation of what will come builds inside me. I'm returning to Fierno for the first time. Amidst the hustle and bustle of people getting in and out of cars, Brandon slips behind me in the last car. Without delay, we all start moving. The car slips out of sight, incognito.
“Would you like to stop at your home while we’re there?” Brandon searches my eyes for the answer.
“No.”
It’s not my home without Matias. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but it’s the truth. There’s no home to return to. I have nothing I need there. The thought of returning to our old home without him fills me with dread. It was never meant to happen this way.
Brandon doesn’t ask anything else. Instead, he leans back into the seat and rests his hand on my knee. I like it. The soft and subtle touches are done in confidence. I like how he doesn’t hide affection in front of his inner circle. He begins to share more of his everyday thoughts with me so naturally. I know this won’t last forever and will hurt when it ends, but I can’t talk myself into creating space.
I don’t want to stop the crumbs directed my way. I want to eat up everything he is willing to give me. Maybe since I know he won't do it for long, I can savor every moment.