76 Confessions (2/2)

Will slightly bowed his head before turning to Jonathan. ”Dad, would you show us out?” He smiled warmly as he looked at the tired cowboy. ”There are still a few things I need to discuss with you.”

Hearing his son call him dad warmed his heart. For most of the meeting, Will had called the king 'father' for what seemed more than courtesy. ”Then we will take our leave, your majesty.” Jonathan bowed deeply to the king before turning with his son and Maya, departing for the exit.

They walked past the many golden pillars leading to the exit in silence. It wasn't until they finally closed the door to the throne room that Jonathan took a deep breath. ”I suppose there's more to the story besides an evil doppelganger?”

Will scratched his head sheepishly. ”You really don't beat around the bush, do you dad?” His smile faded into a serious expression. ”In a few days, myself and Maya will be returning to New York for a few weeks. She has had a trying few years, dying and coming back and the price she paid to do so.” Will put an arm around Maya and drew her close. ”I made a promise to her before my nap.” He winked at her. ”I intend to keep it.”

Maya looked down in embarrassment. Though she wore her training armor, she couldn't help but imagine the black tattered dress she had worn for almost two years. The holes at the bottom of the skirt as well as the frayed stitching, most of the dress was coming apart. Even if she wanted to wear it every day, it probably wouldn't last more than another month before falling apart completely.

Jonathan let out a small cough, letting his son know he was still there. ”What are your plans after this vacation?”

”I need you to come home and teach me to use the earth aura.” Will shrugged as if it weren't a big deal.

”Earth aura?” Jonathan wrinkled his brows. ”I thought the affinities come natural to you.” He was thinking of the wind aura that Will could use now. He hadn't needed any training to reach perfection within the element.

”The wind aura came to me in a time of desperation. I can't wait until the next enemy shows up in order to learn more of my ability.” Will brought his hand up, a little twister danced in his palm before he crushed it in a fist. ”I need to be ready for whatever comes next.”

Jonathan nodded his head in understanding. ”Its good that you still have to train. I was worried that all of that power just came to you. It would be a waste.” He breathed a sigh of relief. ”When do you want to start your training?”

”Give me a month in our world to show Maya around. After that, you choose where we train. Until then, I'll be on my way.” Having given the promised time, Will took Maya's hand and walked to the exit of the castle.

”Finally!” Will stretched his arms and yelled loudly. ”I thought they would have gone on forever.” He looked at Maya with a grin. ”Are you ready to go?”

Maya shook her head and led the way. ”I bet it was nice to see your dad again.” She said with a grin. It had been years since she had seen her own father. In her eyes, Will was the luckiest man in the world for having two father figures.

”In the future, they will seem like your parents as well.” Will said with an understanding smile. ”They already seem quite taken by you.”

Maya's face turned red with the thought. ”Don't tease me.” Will was being much more forward with her than he usually was.

”You are my family, Maya.” Will's voice was quiet as he spoke. He didn't need to say it too loud for Maya to hear. Goosebumps formed along her arm as she kept walking.

”I am just a peasant farmer who got lucky.” She tried to argue with Will. ”You should be with someone of noble birth.”

Will pulled her arm to stop. ”There is no noble person that could compare to you.” He said honestly. ”Ragnos agrees.”

Maya's eyes went wide. ”What?”

”He was there every moment I was by your side while you watched over my body. He saw the immense care you took while keeping me safe. He is glad he saved you that time.”

The truth was finally spoken. Maya brought her hand to her mouth as a tear dropped from her eye. ”He saved me?”

”I may have said that my time on earth was what changed me for the better, but it was Ragnos saving you that truly made me into the man I am today.”

Maya fell into his arms. She put her head on his chest and breathed heavily. She seemed to fit perfectly in those arms, as if she were made to be embraced by him.

Relief poured from her. For the longest time, she was clueless as to her purpose in Will's life, as well as the life she had been given. ”A god may have been what gave me life, but you are the one who saved me.”

Will smiled as he rested his head in her hair. ”We were fated to be together since the moment I met you.” Now that he was holding her in his arms, everything in the world seemed right.