Enchanted (Willowbrook Book One): A Mysterious Tale of Love and Magic - A Gay MM Fantasy Romance by Ken Sanchez

Author:Ken Sanchez [Sanchez, Ken]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2023-12-11T16:00:00+00:00

15

Love’s Icy Embrace

Benjamin

Consciousness returned in fragments to Benjamin - a bone-deep ache throughout his body, dryness in his throat. With great effort, he pried his eyelids open to see Adrian’s hazy form silhouetted against the window, sporting uncharacteristic stubble.

“H-hey,” Benjamin managed to rasp out.

Adrian whirled, immediately rushing to the bedside. “Benjamin, you’re awake. Thank god.” Up close, his eyes were red-rimmed with exhaustion.

Benjamin cleared his parched throat. “Water?”

“Of course, here.” Adrian helped prop him up gently against the pillows and held a glass to his lips. The cool liquid had never tasted sweeter.

Once Benjamin had drunk his fill, Adrian set the glass aside and perched on the mattress edge, clasping his hand. “How are you feeling, my dear?” His voice was full of quiet concern.

Benjamin considered through the lingering haze of pain. “Like I was tossed off a cliff. How long have I been out?”

“A little over two days,” Adrian said somberly, caressing Benjamin’s cheek. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to see you awake at last.” His smile didn’t reach his weary eyes.

A jolt of panic had Benjamin struggling to sit up further. “Is everyone else okay? My dads, Jimmy?”

Adrian gently eased him back against the pillows. “All is well, I promise. Your family has hardly left your side. Focus on healing yourself - you’re our only casualty.” His voice was infinitely tender.

Relaxing again, stark memories began filtering back to Benjamin - the perilous trials, the battle with Malachite. He clutched Adrian’s hand tighter. “The book! Did we manage to keep it from him?”

Adrian hesitated before replying heavily. “I’m afraid Malachite escaped with it. But you needn’t worry about that now.”

Benjamin’s head spun. Their struggle had been for nothing. Willowbrook was still in grave danger, all because of him. “I just wanted to help free you from the curse. Now I’ve made everything worse,” he whispered.

“Hush now, none of that,” Adrian chided softly, knuckles grazing Benjamin’s cheek. “We will set things right, together. Though in the future, I hope you’ll consider telling me before racing into mortal peril.” The admonishment held no heat.

Ducking his head in shame, Benjamin whispered, “I’m so sorry for worrying you. I never meant…”

Adrian tilted Benjamin’s chin up, a wealth of unspoken emotions shining in his dark eyes. “I know, sweet boy. And if nothing else, this tribulation revealed the…depth of my feelings for you.”

Benjamin’s bruised heart stuttered in his chest. Voice scarcely a breath, he asked “You mean you…?”

“I love you, Benjamin,” Adrian said simply, the words resonating through Benjamin’s core. “I understand if it’s too soon, but -”

Benjamin surged up to capture Adrian’s lips before he could overthink this gift, this miracle. Pouring all of his overwhelming feelings into the contact, he gasped “I love you too. So much.”

They clung together wordlessly until Adrian gently guided Benjamin to lay back, fussing with the blankets. “You need your rest. I’ll be right here when you wake.”

Exhaustion pulled Benjamin back under into deep, dreamless sleep, soothed by Adrian’s steadfast presence.

Some time later, muted voices stirred him again.

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