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My heart pounds the closer we get to him. He didn’t seem aware that I was tracking his location, and I don’t know how he'll react. Now that I'm close to him, the confidence in my own reaction dwindles. His shoulders don’t look as wide. As a boy, he seemed like a giant. I looked up to him in many ways. I prepare myself for disappointment since there is a chance he'll turn away from me again. If he does, I still have Savy and a family who loves me. I can move on, and at least have the answers I've always wanted.

I pause behind the bench. He’s close enough to touch. Seeing him is what I’ve always dreamed of, and dreaded at the same time.

Dad turns around, laying his arm on the back of the seat. His hair is black like mine, and even though we don’t age, there are faint lines around his eyes. I can only guess the pain of losing his soul bond affected him and his magic.

“Does this mean you forgive me?” he asks.

“What?” I inhale sharply, staring at him.

“I feared that you hated me,” he says, standing. “Many times I was tempted to show myself, but my shame stopped me. You seemed happy with your family. They loved you, and I thought I would just bring back horrible memories.”

“I…” My voice is stuck in my throat as I try to process his words. How did I not know he found me?

“I’m Savy.” She smiles tensely.

“Grant.” Dad returns her smile. “You must be his soul bond.”

“Yes, we bonded recently. Archer is the best man I've ever known. I’ve heard a lot about his mom. I’m sorry for your loss, but I want him to get the answers he’s struggled with over the years. You left him,” she whispers, and I swallow thickly. “He was terrified of what his spell did, and you walked away. Your actions scarred him deeply, and you need to justify that. He tried to move on, and luckily, a kind woman found him. He was loved and given a home, yet filled with guilt. I need you to tell him why you stayed away. I understand your grief, but what happened when the shock wore off, and you thought of the little boy you left alone?” She tightens her grip and glares at him. “You have no idea what he has been through with his magic. How could you leave him without someone to guide him?”

“Wild One,” I mumble, shaking my head. “It’s alright.” I kiss the side of her head.

“No, it’s not,” she grits out.

“She usually forgives easily,” I say, and meet his eyes. “But she's my protector.”

“As it should be,” he says softly.

“Perhaps we were feeling the same way.” I tilt my head. “Shame and guilt. Savy has taught me that I shouldn’t live with that burden. I can understand your pain. If I lost her, I don’t know how I would go on. Yet, if we had a child, I would never turn away from them. Mom was special, and what I did wasn’t done intentionally. I thought my magic was a curse. I spent years trying to shove it down, until I met my family. My found Mom showed me the love I desperately wanted from you, and she gave me a brother and a dad.”

“Too many years have passed, and many opportunities to reunite have gone to waste. I’m sure you've changed, and I'm far from the carefree boy you once knew. I don’t know if I can forgive you; I probably should, but as I said, Savy is better than me.” I frown. “When did you find me? How long did it take to look?”

He clears his throat. “I traveled for a long time.” He looks away. “Five years after her death, I did a spell.”

“And you found me, but didn’t have the guts to follow through,” I say.

“Yeah, you looked happy.”

Savy snorts. “Don’t make excuses.”

I almost want to laugh. She’s harder on him than I am.

“You’re right,” he says, looking at her. “I made many mistakes.” He turns his gaze to me. “I’m sorry. I should have never left you. I had nightmares for years. Wondering if you hated me, and wishing I would have handled it differently.”

“I lived the nightmare of that day all my life,” I rasp. “I saw her death, over and over every time I used my magic or closed my eyes. I’m sure your memory still hurts to remember, but I experienced it as if it was happening again.” I grit my teeth and look away. “If we want to have any kind of relationship, I have to stop comparing our pain. I can’t trust you, though. You left me.” I look at him. “Even after five years, if you had come to me, I would have forgiven you. I was young and scared. You were all I had left. I could have found you sooner, but how could I know you wanted to be found? The last time I saw you, the only thing you looked at me with was hatred. I didn’t want to subject myself to more rejection and abandonment.”

“I wish I would have stayed with you,” he says.

“Me too,” I say gruffly.

We stare at each other, the bench between us, and perhaps a barrier always will be. Maybe I hoped he couldn’t find me, not that he did but didn’t do anything about it. I wanted to be the bigger man, and for us to be father and son again.

Savy steps forward, holding out her hand. “Give me your phone,” she demands, and he does as she asks. “This is my number. I'll have yours. Archer will decide when he wants to reach out.” She gives it back.

“I respect that,” he says, glancing at me.

“I'll take some time, but I'll call,” I say, wrapping my arm around Savy. “I know the value of family. When we have children, I would like them to know the man who was the soul bond to a wonderful woman who left us too soon. I thought I could forget what you did, and go back to the time I worshipped you. Have you forgiven me for what I did to your soul bond?”

“I did a long time ago,” he says.