The Dragon Prince - Marked

Part 44

A week after Rayla's arrival, Callum was once again training with Decker and Soren, only this time he was winning. Soren dug his sword in the ground to help him stand before calling to Decker.

"One week! It took one week for him to catch up. Are you holding back?" He asked through heavy breaths.

"What? No asshole. I'm getting pissed." Decker replied angrily before looking back at Callum. The mage stood there unphased by the exercise sporting a confident grin. "Oh, I'm gonna knock that smile right off!" Decker roared, charging at Callum. With a huff, Soren quickly followed the elf's lead.

"I can't believe he's gotten that good." Seri told Rayla. Since her appearance, both Callum and Seri forbade Rayla from exerting herself too much. She had lost a lot of weight and muscle during her 'shut down'.

"I knew he would. It's the bond. He matched those two with only half his strength. Now Cal's back up to full power. Wish I could say the same." Rayla spoke with a hint of annoyance that Seri didn't fail to pick up on.

"Rayla, you're not a mage like Callum. Its going to take a while for you to build back up. Callum's body has more magic than it can handle right now so all his abilities are working twice as much as they did. He also spent all these months training, you didn't."

"I know, don't remind me."

"Speaking of, have you talked to anyone about it yet? Callum even?"

"We did a little, but I don't feel comfortable just yet. And I know it's killing Cal since he knows what I'm feeling from when we di talk about it. He's not pushing me, but I just don't know."

"Callum's never been the type to pry, but you shouldn't avoid it. I don't know how you feel, but even if its going to hurt Callum, you need to talk it out. You can forgive but forgetting is a different story." Seri told Rayla who was hugging her legs while looking into the distance. "I probably shouldn't tell you this but when Callum found out what happened to you, while he made it seem like he was holding together, he really wasn't. I got up on night to use the bathroom and on my walk back I saw him walk into the forest. I followed because I was worried, but I really wasn't prepared for what happened next. In the whole time I've known him, Callum has never given up. He never let defeat get to him. Each loss was just fuel for him. But that night, all I saw was a scared boy who was all alone. I've never seen him so broken. The crying, the shaking, the........ it wasn't good. I know I should've done something, but I just left back to my room. I still don't know how to process it. Next time you two are alone, take off the bandages on his knuckles and his left bicep." Rayla thought for a moment while watching Callum before speaking.

"Thank you for tellin me. Truth be told, he has panic attacks often. Usually his dreams, but he's always told me what happened. I guess we both have secrets." Just as Rayla finished speaking, Callum walked up to the pair. Seri was the first to speak.

"All finished I guess." She spoke while looking past Callum to see the other two laying down while breathing heavily. "I'll go check on them." Once Seri was gone, an awkward silence filled the air.

"I know what you're feelin Cal. Don't worry, its not anger I'm feelin. I'm a little disappointed that you didn't talk to me." Callum kneeled in front of Rayla, resting his arms on the top of her knees.

"What... d-do.... you mean." He croaked out. Reaching over to grab Callum's hand, Rayla began.

"About runnin off in the night, cryin. Or tellin me about what's under these." Rayla spoke as she rubbed Callum's knuckles with her thumb. "I know I haven't been very talkative either, but maybe it's time we both changed that." Callum looked at Rayla's small hand in his before bringing it to his lips. Standing up, Callum pulled Rayla from her seat. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Seri talking to Soren while Decker was still on his back. Looking back at Rayla's pleading eyes, he figured everyone was finished for the day.

"Ok." He spoke. The walk back to their room was rather short. They were both eager and nervous to get to their privacy. Once inside the room, Rayla pointed for Callum to sit on the bed while she pulled the chair from his desk. Once they were both settled, neither knew how to start. After a few moments, Callum began to unwrap the bandages covering his knuckles. Rayla was expecting to see bloody knuckles, but they were far worse than she thought. Raw skin was an understatement.

"Callum." Rayla whispered, while holding his hand in her's. "This is awful." The skin that should be on his hand was long gone. Bare muscle was all that remained between the air and his bones. Had Callum punched anything, Rayla was certain the bones would split through. Rayla then began to undo the bandage on his arm. Once gone, Rayla saw 4 very clear and very deep gashes in his arm. A quick glance at his fingernails confirmed her suspicions. Looking back up at Callum, she saw the shame in his eyes.

"knuckles.... rage for...Adon..is." Callum forced out while tearing.

"And the arm from panic." Rayla spoke as Callum nodded. "Cal, you need to tell me these things. I'm always here for ya."

"Not.. always." Rayla took a moment before responding.

"Right. That. I guess it's my turn to share. Well after the fight, I rushed back in hoping to find you. Astoria quickly followed and when I tried to reason how you'd still be alive, she shot it down. I just broke. No tears, no cries, just a shell of a person. I spent every day just flippin through the pages in your sketchbook. I'd have that horrible dream we talked about, and then I'd see that drawin of me on our picnic. Then the maid would flip back to the beginin. When Ezran and Amaya woke me up and told me you were alive, I was thrilled. But on the flight here, I tried to figure out why you'd choose to leave me like that. Alone and heartbroken. I know it wasn't really your choice, but I just wondered if you just stopped caring. When I got to the edge of the forest that day, I was goin to scream at you, but seein you just changed my thoughts." Silence filled the room before Callum tried to speak.

"Ray-la... I will... always... love.. you."

"I know, I love you too. So, from now on, new promise. Happy, sad, or mad. We always tell each other everythin. No matter what its about. No more secrets." Rayla spoke. In response, Callum lifted his normal hand out, pinky extended. Laughing at the childish action, Rayla crossed her pinky with his.