Free Unafraid by Michael Griffo Page B

would be easy; he didn’t think it would conjure such a wellspring of emotion and make him feel as unstable as a wave caught in the tide, but he was wrong. He looked away from Michael and watched the waves roll closer, then recede. Michael knew Ronan had no interest in watching the ocean’s dance; he was pausing to find the strength to continue. Michael would wait as long as it took.
    â€œUntil I learned the truth,” Ronan resumed, his voice stronger now. “Until I learned that Morgandy never loved me, he never wanted to be my soul mate. He merely wanted to betray our people and the sanctity of The Well.”
    Breathing deeply, Michael felt the sun and salt water in the air. It almost made him feel as good as it did to hear the honesty in Ronan’s voice. Ronan meant it when he said he didn’t want there to be any more secrets between them. He was keeping his promise not because he felt a need to confess, or because he was scared that Michael would one day stumble upon his secret, but because he loved and trusted Michael and wanted to share every detail of his life with him, the good and the bad. “It wasn’t until after we pledged our souls that I discovered he was secretly working for David.”
    Michael had not expected that twist to Ronan’s story, and the surprise revelation forced him to break his silence. “Morgandy was one of Them? ”
    â€œPhysically he was still a water vampire,” Ronan explained. “But spiritually he was part of David’s race.”
    A gentle breeze blew past, cooling the fire that was beginning to consume them. Ronan accepted this intrusion as a reason to rest, calm his mind; Michael accepted it as a reminder that Ronan was his sole purpose now and that he needed to embrace every opportunity to let Ronan know that he would never leave his side. Michael held Ronan’s hands tighter. He stared at his face until Ronan had no other choice but to return the gaze. When he did, Ronan saw nothing but love in his eyes.
    â€œThat must have really hurt,” Michael said.
    Nodding slightly, Ronan answered. “Yes, it did.” Ronan caressed Michael’s hands and noticed that they felt stronger than before. They were still incredibly smooth, but as if stone lived under the flesh. “He was my first love. He was handsome, charming, worldlier than I was.”
    Michael couldn’t help but smile. “I know exactly how that feels.”
    Blushing, yet alarmed, Ronan hadn’t realized those same words could have been used by Michael to describe Ronan in the early days of their relationship. He had to make him understand that beyond the superficial description, there was no comparison. “But Morgandy didn’t love me like I love you,” Ronan said, his voice so earnest it almost broke Michael’s heart.
    â€œI know,” Michael said. “I didn’t mean to suggest ...” He didn’t want to keep talking, so Michael kissed Ronan, softly, but long enough to make Ronan understand he had not meant to compare him to Morgandy. Ronan was grateful, and one kiss turned into another and then several. It was splendid kissing Ronan on the beach, their bodies drenched in sunlight, but Michael wanted to know what had happened to Morgandy once his duplicity was revealed. Pulling away from Ronan, Michael asked, “So what happened once you found out his real agenda?”
    â€œThe Well intervened,” Ronan replied. “It showed Morgandy and every other Atlantian just how powerful It is.”
    Michael tried to wait for Ronan to continue, but he couldn’t; he was dying of curiosity. “So what exactly did The Well do?”
    â€œThe Well gave us back our souls, and our connection to each other was forever broken.”
    Although Ronan spoke the words simply, Michael knew the emotions that surrounded them had to be complex. He must have been heartbroken, Michael realized, devastated that someone he