Paper Moons Part 3 (Patreon)

A/N: Please remember this is the last Paper Moons of the month, posted at all tiers. Starting November, it will only be available at the Baron tier.

The room was dimly lit, the only window off to the far right covered in gauzy moonlit curtains.  The sound of the small brook outside filtered in with a trickle, providing a soft background noise to the otherwise still night.  Gabriel’s eyes followed my every move, tracking each of my breaths as I continued to sit on the side of his bed, wringing my hands together.

“I- I could wake your fathers?” I wasn’t sure if that’s how he referred to them.  There was still a small fear embedded like coal in my belly. One that said I was being played a fool this entire time and that this man before me was a prisoner.  Just as I would surly become as well.  “Reese and Elias?” I continued. “They- they introduced themselves as your fathers.”

“Don’t wake them,” the man demanded.  There was a sharpness to his tone that scared me. It must have shown on my face as I shifted away from him.  “I’m sorry. I only meant they should get their rest.” Settling back down onto the blankets, he blinked up at me, forcefully trying to relax his body.  “They have not gotten sleep since I have fallen ill.”

I nodded in understanding. A knot of trepidation cleared from my chest. At least the situation at hand was not one of dubious origin.

“Can I get you anything?” I asked. Rest was what he needed the most but I knew how active a mind could be when woken in the middle of the night. “Something to eat perhaps?” He looked far too skinny. While my experience with a man, or with anyone really, was limited to a darkened tussle in the hay bales back home, I knew that his body could not last in such a state. His ribs poked out from the dark shadows playing across his skin and his face looked sunken.

“Water would be good.”

I nodded, now set with a task. “I’ll be right back.”

Entering the kitchen, the house was quiet. Though, it was not eerily so. This was obviously a home. One that was full of compassion and kindness.  I could see the light of the moon shining through the window over the sink, its silvery glow much brighter tonight.  Grabbing a glass, I poured a cup of water from the stone pitcher off to the side. It was still cool, bathing in the moonlight to absorb whatever good properties the market wished to send our way.  A loaf of thick, crusted bread, still lay on the butcher block.  I had eaten it earlier with some cheese and had practically devoured half of it.

Cutting a few slices, I made a plate of easy foods, hoping that Reese and Elias would be okay with me rummaging through their kitchen.  Though, they had said, anything for their son. The sentiment left me rather warm. The ache of family was still present and I had to push it away on nights like tonight.

Gabriel had managed to prop himself up on the pillows when I returned. I set the plate beside him on the bed and helped him with his water, tipping it towards his chapped and greying lips.  He stared at me over the rim, fingers coming up to curl over my wrist.  Beneath my skin, my pulse fluttered.

“Who are you?” he asked, as I pulled the cup away.

“You may call me Graceling,” I told him gently.  “I have no name other than that.”

“Are you a child of the Knowing?” he asked curiously.

“I am.”

“Then why would you wish to help the likes of me?” Such bitterness laced his words. Ones that tinged each syllable with the disappointment of his actions.

“It is not my job to pass judgement,” I told him gently, setting the cup aside. Picking up the plate, I positioned it beside his hand, a soft encouragement for him to eat.  “It is only my job to see you well again.”

Head lolling to the side, his eyes cast towards the gauze covered window. They were flat and dull and looked sunken within the lines of his face. “Just let me die.”

I startled at the proclamation. “You cannot truly wish for that.” His fathers had asked for his salvation. Not for his demise. I was not here to ferry him to death's door.

“You do not know what I truly wish for,” he snapped.

I scooted away, my head cast downwards.  I had always heard of the Fallen. How they were cast from the Knowing without a second chance. Their crimes so heinous that the cosmos could not contain their sins any longer.  But I had to believe that Gracelings, people such as I, were made to help. For only our kind could help a Fallen.  The Knowing would not create us if they did not care for their lost brethren any further.

“Gabriel,” I said softly. His eyes ticked back to me, following the sound of my voice.  “Whatever you have done to get you in this position, whatever actions have led you here, you must understand that those same actions have led me to this door on this night.  I am here for you.”

He stared at me then.  A dark look had befallen his face, shimmering across his eyes.  There was no telling if he actually believed me. Perhaps the madness had already taken him and I was only prolonging the inevitable pain.  But I had to try. And I needed him to know that I was going to try.  That the love that was surrounding him in this household was what would save him.

“You do not even know me,” he said.

I smiled softly. “I do not. But I have spent time with your fathers and they care for you deeply.  I do not need to know you to know that you have a good heart.” Gently, I reached out, placing it across his chest. His skin was cracked and frigid, the grace having been sucked from his skin for some time now.  But I did not flinch at the feel. Only kept contact with his black eyes.  “You must trust me. As a Graceling I can feel these things. And you, Gabriel,” I said, dipping my head low.  “Are bound to do so much good.  I will not let you fall any further.”

Slowly, his hand came up to press lightly against mine, testing. Afraid that I was only going to pull it away at the first sign of trust.  I opened myself to him though, letting a small bit of light warm his skin and fill the cracks across his heart. The sound of bells chimed gently around us as the grace trickled into the room.  The relief on his face was almost instant and I suddenly knew why Gracelings continued to devout themselves so thoroughly.  The peace that came with healing others was nearly addicting.

Behind us, the window shattered, sending me jumping from the bed with a gasp. Something sickly and calloused slithered through the window, falling to the floor in a puddle before rising up in a mass of cobbled together flesh with jagged glass teeth.  My heart pounded in my chest. I had seen the creatures before. Had heard them dragging the helpless from their beds. I had hidden beneath bags of discarded waste many a night, until they had passed.

It looked right at me, a cackle falling like spit from its bloodless lips. “Lord Taliesin would like to see you now,” it croaked.

I felt the tears prick my eyes. The goblin was not here for Gabriel. For the fallen that was at death's door. It was here to collect a Graceling. I had stupidly used my power twice tonight and had created a beacon for anyone who was searching.  And now, the thing was through our window with a jagged looking knife and broken bottle.  I knew if I did not go with him, we would both be gutted.

As I stepped forward, ready to give myself to the goblin, an arm pressed in front of me.  With wide eyes, I turned, seeing Gabriel shakily standing from the bed. The grace I had given him glowed faintly in his eyes, rimming his black orbs with silver thread.  He pressed his hand flat to my belly, pushing me back behind him as he stared the creature down.

“You will not touch her,” he said.

The goblin sneered at him, eyes dancing with delight.  “You think you can stop me?”

“I think that I have nothing to lose so I should at least try.”  From his hand, a blade of light appeared. Gabriel pointed it towards the creature, a silver glow filling the room. “Would you like to choose how you die?”

[[Give him more grace so he can fight the creature]]

[[Don’t let him do this and go with the creature]]

[[Yell out for Reese and Elias]]