ELEMENTS: Acquiesce by Kathryn Andrews (snow like ashes series .TXT) 📕

Flynn suddenly felt dizzy and beads of sweat dripped from his forehead.

“Here,” said Cordelia, passing him a lace handkerchief. “Are you alright?”

“I’ll be fine,” said Flynn, leaning on the stone wall to steady himself.

“Breck!” called Cordelia excitedly. “I’ve someone to meet you.”

Breck stepped out of the hut and into the sunlight. He raised a hand to shield his eyes from the dazzling light and walked towards the track. Flynn did his best to compose himself as Breck approached. Breck removed his cap and reached out his hand to Flynn who hesitated. Their eyes met and they were drawn into each others’ souls like they had known each other in another life. Cordelia watched with great curiosity. As Flynn took Breck’s hand, an orb of light radiated from their hands. It wasn’t like anything either of them had experienced before. This was different. Flynn instantly felt the connection he had with Breck and pulled him in closer, hugging him tight.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Forgive me.”

FIFTEEN

FAMILY

“Forgive you?” asked Cordelia, “What for?”

The men stood apart. Flynn’s eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry,” said Flynn. “I wish things had been different, but I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I thought it was for the best. I thought you’d be safer with them.”

“I don’t follow,” said Breck.

“The people who raised you, your parents, they took you on as their own, out of kindness.”

“You’ve lost me.” said Breck. “Look, I don’t know what being prisoner on that island has done to your mind but you’ve no business talking about my parents.”

“I’m sorry son, it’s true.”

“I’m not your son.” Breck turned to Cordelia. “Did you know about this?”

Cordelia floundered, not quite knowing what to say. “No, I didn’t.”

“Your mother died giving birth to you,” explained Flynn.

“My mother died from fever only months ago,” said Breck, his eyes glazed and fierce.

“I was overcome with grief,” continued Flynn. “I was angry and sparks started flying from my hands. I couldn’t control it. I was worried I’d hurt you. I wasn’t in a good place. Everything at home and in town reminded me of your mother. The sea calmed me. Out there I couldn’t hurt anyone.”

“So you gave me up, you blamed me for her death.”

“No, I’ve never blamed you but you weren’t safe with me.”

“So what, you just left me to deal with the same thing on my own? No one to guide me or give me answers?”

“I didn’t have any answers. I didn’t know I’d passed it on to you. I thought I was the only one.”

“If you’re who you say you are, you should have been there for me.” With his hands resting on his hips, Breck looked up to the sky. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“Do you know any others like us?” asked Flynn. “The people who raised you, did you ever see electricity fly out of their fingers? Do you recall anything of that nature at all?”

Cordelia had been studying both men closely throughout their conversation. She was astounded that she hadn’t noticed the similarity before. The brown windswept hair, the olive skin, the strong jaw line and those deep brown eyes. There was no question they were related. Cordelia wasn’t sure what to make of this revelation. She had cherished Flynn as her father but discovering he’d abandoned Breck didn’t sit easy with her.

Breck mounted his horse.

“Where are you going?” asked Cordelia.

“I can’t listen to this right now,” said Breck, “I need time to think.”

Breck jabbed his heel into Misty’s side and galloped towards the town. Cordelia stared at Flynn in disbelief.

“Don’t look at me like that,” said Flynn.

“Were you ever going to tell me you had a son? How could you abandon him like that? Your own flesh and blood.”

“I’ve told you, it was the right thing to do at the time.”

“But you raised me and I’m not even yours.”

“You are mine, don’t ever say differently.”

“Not really. Not like Breck. I feel terrible knowing that you raised me for all those years when your own son was here, without you.”

“He was fine. He had parents who loved him.”

“But you never came back for him.”

“How could I? He was theirs. He didn’t know me.”

“You didn’t give him a chance to know you.”

“It’s not that simple Cordelia. There hasn’t been a day that I haven’t thought about that boy, but he was settled. Me showing up would have upset everything.”

“So why take me in? Weren’t you worried you might hurt me too?”

“No. Everything was calm out there on the boat. It hadn’t happened for at least two years when I found you. Finding you was a gift, Cordelia. A chance to do the right thing.”

“Did you know his aunt and uncle ran the tavern?”

“There wasn’t a tavern back then and I never mixed much after, you know. I didn’t hear much about anything in town.”

“That explains it,” said Cordelia.

“What?”

“Why they’ve been so awful to him. He’s not really one of them, is he? His aunt and uncle must have known he was someone else’s child.”

“Have they treated him badly?”

“He’s had a tough time since his parents died. Sorry, you know what I mean. Mr Kelly was particularly awful to him.”

Flynn shook his head. “It sounds like Mr Kelly got what he deserved. Perhaps that’s why I served time on the island, as punishment for my sins. I never meant for Breck to be unhappy.”

“He needs you,” said Cordelia. “He needs his father. Make it right.”

Cordelia turned and walked back to the lighthouse, leaving Flynn standing alone by the peat bog. Hands in her pockets and her head bowed, Cordelia watched her tears fall to the ground and nestle on the grass like the morning dew.

At the lighthouse, Cordelia met Mazu in the tunnel.

“What’s wrong?” asked Mazu. “Where’s Flynn?”

“He’s out walking,” said Cordelia, “he needed some air.”

“You’ve been crying,” said Mazu.

Cordelia wiped a tear from her eye, “It’s