Andi

Kingsley sat at the table, poring over the book with rapt attention. He'd been reading a lot lately - ever since he'd relearned how to read. He spent most nights with his snout buried in a book, sitting by the candlelight. During the day he would sit in the study with Caleb and Essek, or talk with Fjord and Nott about the places they'd been. Lately he'd been reading up on the different races and flights of Sornieth.

Andi sat near him, as she always did. Her fingers flew as she embroidered. However late Kingsley stayed up, however many "just one more pages" he said, she'd be by his side.

Kingsley's brow furrowed. "Hey," he asked, looking up at her. "Do all Guardians have Charges?"

She nodded.

"It says they go on a journey to find their Charge? I like that. A journey to find yourself..."

Andi nodded again, this time putting aside her embroidery. Her hand signs were just as quick as her stitches. It had taken some time for Kingsley to get the hang of her language, but his fluentness had returned with the easy grace of muscle memory.

You're on a journey of your own, now, she signed. Maybe you're an honourary Guardian.

He laughed, that quick, easy laugh that made her heart flutter. Some things hadn't changed.

"How do you know what it is? Once you've found it?"

You just...know, she answered. There was a faraway look in her eyes. There's this feeling of rightness, of belonging. Like a puzzle piece that clicks. Like that perfect moment of understanding. You KNOW.

"Huh." Kingsley thought about that for a moment, something wistful on his face. "Hey, Andi?"

Yes?

"What's your Charge?"

She looked at him - and smiled.

Kingsley looked quizzical as he waited. Her cheeks tinted a darker blue, and she looked aside.

"Is it- too personal?" he asked. "Should I not have asked? Did I break some rule of etiquette?" Purple fingers turned the pages on his book as he anxiously scanned it.

Andi's fingers caught his own, stopping him. He looked up into her eyes. That blue tint was still there, but her eyes were twinkling merrily.

It's alright, she signed with one hand, the other still holding his. You didn't do anything wrong.

He heaved a sigh of relief. One of his hands moved to cover hers. "So...can I know? What your Charge is?"

Her smile grew - and so did her blush. You know I'm an empath. That I feel so deeply, love so strongly. It made sense that my Charge would be something I care about very much.

He nodded slowly. "Your healing? Is that why you're so dedicated to it?" He absentmindedly traced the markings on her skin with feather-light touch.

She shook her head.

Kingsley frowned. "Is it the Nein, then? The group? Your Charge is to protect them?"

Andi wobbled her hand back and forth in a kind of gesture.

The Coatl's voice was earnest. "Please, Andi? I want to know."

The Guardian raked a hand through her hair, her expression suddenly serious. A Guardian isn't considered...whole, without a Charge. It's what makes us who we are. Once we find it, it's hard to imagine going back to how we were before it.

She gently extricated her hand from his grasp, needing both hands to explain. Some lingering shadow of pain passed over her face. I failed in my Charge. I failed to protect that which I held most dear. It's...the greatest shame, the greatest pain, a Guardian can know. It nearly broke me.

Kingsley's face was awash in worry. He reached for her, but she shook her head, a wistful smile on her face. I didn't give up. It took years, but I reclaimed my Charge. And now I'll never lose it again.

"So what is it? Your Charge?"

Andi smiled at him. Silly. Haven't you figured it out yet? It's you.

He froze for a moment. His eyes widened. Andi looked a little nervous, a little unsure.

And then it all began to come together. Andi's face when he had first awakened. The way she kept by
his side every moment of every day. The moments of grief he had seen on her face, before Jester's spell had restored him fully. The way everyone had looked at her when he'd announced that he wasn't Molly, but someone knew - as if they were afraid she'd break. Her patience, her tenderness, her love--

Andi was still watching him, and he could see it in her eyes, now.

He wondered how he had ever missed it.

Kingsley leaned forward and pressed his lips against her forehead. His hands clasped hers. He lowered his face, leaning his own forehead against hers.

"Your Charge is right here. And this time, I'm not going anywhere."