Northern Crown [t.r]

Chapter Seventeen

Moonlight caught in the strands of her hair as she slept, her body rising and falling evenly as she was curled up in the sand.

Tom sat holding the elderwand, watching her and trying not to let his mind go back to earlier. How could he be so stupid? Never in a million years did he think those words would have left his mouth. But in a mangled mess of blood and adrenaline, she had been standing in front of him looking so— just her. It felt like, in that brief moment, like they were hurtling through space. Just the two of them.

Like the world had dropped from beneath their feet and there they stood. Surrounded by nothing but stars and each other's company and the words had come rushing from his throat in an instant- like if he didn't say them then he would choke on what little oxygen was left.

He sighed, dropping his head into his hands and the wood from the wand pressed into his forehead. The thrum of magic low and nearly soothing, yet equal parts electrifying. One thing he was having trouble grasping was her reaction. Now, Tom was no romantic, but the last thing he was expecting to see in her eyes was horror.

She looked so frightened.

Tom looked at her again, even though she was asleep, exhaustion still clung to her features. Did she not believe him?

Did he believe himself?

He threw his head back, annoyed. Nothing felt real at the moment. His world had completely turned on its axis when he met her. Originally, he was supposed to be in London right now, getting a job at Borgin and Burke's. Hunting down more artifacts to potentially use. He was supposed to be creating more horcruxes.

He was supposed to not be caring about anyone but himself. And oh how much easier that would all be.

A glint of light then caught his eye, and in the distance he saw the door to the house opening for a brief moment before closing. The form that had exited moving briskly.

Tom sat up a bit, eyes narrowing in an attempt to see a bit better in the dark. The moonlight only gave so much away as clouds passed under it.

Once he realized who it was, he saw red for a moment before having to reel himself back to where he sat.

Aleksander had snuck out of the house.

Tom stood, watching the boy weave himself through the tall beach grass carefully. Though he didn't seem like he was in a rush. He wasn't running. More so it looked like he was going to something. Tom's eyes tracked ahead and his stomach sank a little bit.

Elio's grave.

His jaw clenched and he looked down at Delilah, who he hoped was dreaming of happier times. Before all this shit blew up in their face. Lingering one last glance on her, his grip tightened on the elderwand and he began walking. His shoes sank into the sand making his steps uneven. He hated sand. Nonetheless he was careful, feeling like he was stalking prey as he watched Aleksander come to a stop a few yards away.

Once he was close enough, Tom crouched a bit so he wouldn't be seen so easily. Watching Aleksander from a shorter distance, but his own eyes trailed down to the headstone in the sand for a brief moment. All that was written on it was Elio. The group made the collective decision not to add his last name. Given his own kin had killed him.

Tom looked back at Aleksander, who had an unreadable expression on his face as he stared at the grave. He looked gaunt, had lost weight, and scars littered his body. Familiar scars only a certain curse could leave. One only a blonde girl knew.

He couldn't help the small smile that tugged a bit at his lips before he snapped out of it.

The boy wasn't allowed to mourn him. Then again, Tom didn't feel he had that right either.