Wolf nodded. “Elisa and I will try to come for a visit within the next month or so – once everything has settled down here.”
“I’ll let them know.” He looked to her with a smile. “I’m sure our mother will be overjoyed to see you again. She’ll probably organize a second wedding just so she can see it herself.”
Elisa laughed. “She can do whatever she wants. I won’t argue.”
Wolf snorted. “As if you arguing would change it anyway. You don’t know my mother. If she gets something in her head, there’s no arguing about it.” He shuddered.
Elisa smacked him on the arm. “Stop being mean. She can’t be that bad.”
They both laughed. “Let her find out for herself,” Moose said with another chuckle. “I hope we’ll see each other soon. I’m happy for you two, just so you know.”
“Thanks, Moose,” Wolf said. He let go of her and stepped forward to embrace his brother. “May the God and Goddess watch over you on your journey.”
Moose pulled back, squeezing Wolf’s shoulders. “Thank you. I’ll need it, because I’m pretty sure Logan has decided he’s coming along.”
“Better warn the women,” Elisa muttered. Wolf and Moose looked at her and laughed loudly.
“Moose! Let’s go! I’m thirsty,” Logan shouted.
“Seriously. Warn them,” she said.
Moose leaned in and kissed her on the forehead before turning to walk toward Logan. Wolf pulled her close again as she watched her friends leave. It was weird how everyone’s paths were separating. They had been together for what felt like forever, and now they were going in separate directions. It was an end to a huge era of her life – of all their lives.
They walked to their room in silence. Inside, a roaring fire was already built, the room warm and inviting. The bed was sheathed in bronze fabric that glimmered in the dim lighting. Pillows were piled at the head, rose petals scattered across them.
“Wow,” Wolf said, amused. He walked over and picked up a petal, rolling it between two fingers. “They really went all out, huh?”
Elisa laughed. “I’m going to guess that Franca’s been here,” she said. “No one else would put rose petals on our bed.”
Wolf smiled wide. “I definitely didn’t think it was your father.” He walked back over to where she stood, his steps slow and measured. She held his stare, even though she suddenly felt nervous. He stopped just before her, his hands cupping her face gently. “You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen,” he said softly. He bent down placing a kiss on the corner of her mouth. “My beautiful wife.” He kissed the other corner. Her eyelids fluttered shut, her body swaying toward his.
“You’ve made me happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life,” he continued, dropping a kiss on the middle of her bottom lip. She pushed forward, seeking more, but he’d already pulled away. She opened her eyes to see him smiling down at her. “I never imagined this day would actually come. Seeing you walk toward me was the most surreal experience of my life. I couldn’t believe someone as perfect as you are was actually going to marry me.”
She laughed. “Then you obviously didn’t get a good look at yourself this morning, because dressed like that, you’re pretty perfect yourself.”
His mouth quirked up into his cocky grin. “You should see me without these clothes on.”
Elisa tried to fight back the smile trying to break through, but lost. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”
His eyebrows wiggled. “And I haven’t even removed anything yet.”
She pushed him away, shaking her head. He didn’t let her get far before pulling her close again, this time wrapping his arms around her waist. He buried his face in her neck, his laughter tickling her. His eyes were bright with humour when he lifted his head so they could look at each other again.
“I love you,” he said simply.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting her fingers play with the soft strands of his hair. “And I love you,” she said. He kissed her then, his lips gentle on hers, taking his time. They explored one another, every emotion she felt before, infused in her touch and movements. The loss of Aiden was still there, like a heavy weight in the back of her mind, but being with Wolf, and lost in what they had together helped to ease some of that weight.
When they pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavier. His hands gripped her hips firmly, plastering her body against his.
“What will we do now?” she said.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Do you really need to ask that? I’ve had one thing on my mind since the moment I saw you in this dress.”
She smacked his chest. “That’s not what I meant.”
He laughed. “It’s true though.”
“You are insatiable.”
He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers. “You have no idea.”
“I’m serious, Wolf. What happens now? Our friends are gone, there’s a new king, the war is over, and everything’s changed.”
“What happens now?” he repeated.
“Yeah.”
He brushed his lips across hers before pulling back to look down at her with so much affection it made her breath stop. “Now,” he said, “we live happily ever after.”
Callum watched as Felix’s breathing evened out. His little lips moved in his sleep like he was still suckling. It was the cutest thing he’d ever seen. Watching his son was fast becoming his favourite thing to do. The worries of the Palace could wait while he looked down at this bundle of perfection.
Slim arms encircled his waist from behind. Rose rested her cheek on his back as they stood like that in silence. Finally he turned away from their son, wrapping his arms around his wife. Ottman had filled him in that morning on a number of things that had taken place in their absence. His hold on Rose tightened. He’d almost lost her, and he hadn’t even known. The fact that he had come that close to losing everything that was important to him was too much to even think about. He’d already lost his brother. To have come home and discover he had also lost his heart would have ruined him.
“You’re going to crush me to death,” Rose said, looking up at him with a playful smile. Callum didn’t bother to loosen his hold. If he could stay like this forever, he’d be happy. Her smile faded. “Callum?”
“I love you, Rose,” he said thickly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you by my side.”
She smiled gently. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He reached up, caressing her cheek gently with his thumb. “I almost lost you. I don’t think you understand what that does to me.”
She waved him off. “Ottman is over exaggerating,” she said. “I wasn’t going anywhere.”
She was playing it off, he knew. There was no doubt how close to death she had really come. Callum spoke to the doctor as well, so he was aware of everything that had happened. But she didn’t want him to worry. It was one of the things he loved most about her. She was always concerned more about other people’s feelings than her own.
The day had been a long one, and tomorrow would be even longer. Now was the only time they’d been alone since he’d gotten back. In one quick movement, he swept her up into his arms. She squealed in surprise.
He gave her a disapproving look. “Quiet now, you’ll wake the baby.” Her answering chuckle forced the smile he’d been fighting to break through. He carried her over to their bed, laying her down gently. Removing his boots, he climbed up beside her, tucking her close as he trailed his fingertips over every inch of her face.
“So much for a quiet life on a farm, hmm?” she murmured, her eyes closed as she let him explore her. He pushed back strands of hair that fell across her forehead, letting the silky texture glide through his fingers.
“Are you happy being queen?” he asked, afraid for the answer. It wasn’t like they had much of a choice at this point, but he knew she had expressed otherwise before.
Her eyes opened, looking up at him. “I’m happy just being where you are. If
this is where we’re meant to be, then this is where we’ll be. As long as I have you and our son, I will always be happy. And I’ve come to love this city already in my short time here.”
A weight he hadn’t even realized was there lifted off his chest. “I am glad,” he said, kissing her.
“And you?” she asked when they pulled apart. “Are you happy?”
He thought about it. “I miss him,” he said. Saying Jameson’s name was still too much at this point. “I spent so much time hating him for things that were never his fault. And just as I came to realize it, he was taken away from me. Now I’m left with this title I always wanted, but it just doesn’t feel like I thought it would. I would have rather he lived.”
Rose propped herself up onto her elbows, looking down on him. “He would be so happy for you, you know? To see how the people have accepted you, and to see little Felix. He knew you’d make a great King, I’m sure of it. And I know he’s watching, supporting you every step of the way. We can’t go back in time and change the things that have happened. But we can move forward and make those we’ve lost proud. Keeping the peace in this land is all he ever wanted. If you do that, you will honor him.”
Callum smiled, soaking in every detail of his wife. He still couldn’t believe how blessed he was to have her, especially after everything he’d done in his life. Did he deserve it? Probably not. But he would spend the rest of his life trying to. “Why are you so wise, for someone so young?” he teased.
“I am an old soul,” she replied with a grin.
He pulled her down so her head rested on his chest. He just wanted to sleep with her in his arms like this for a little while. Soon he’d have to be up again, but for now, he just wanted to hold her. The silence stretched until he heard her even breathing. He knew how exhausted she must be. The doctor said it would be a while before she was back to her regular self, and that she’d need a lot of rest. She’d been going all day so he could only imagine how worn out she was.
His mind, however, would not stop. Too many things were still happening for him to find that peace he needed. Moving gently, Callum slipped out from beneath Rose, laying her back down. She was out. He stood beside the bed, watching her for a moment, before walking over and doing the same with Felix. Then he walked out to the sitting area, surprised to see someone was already there.
“Don’t you sleep?” Callum asked, walking over to pour himself a glass of spiced wine.
“Don’t you?” Turk replied.
Callum turned to look at him, taking a sip of his drink. “How did you know I’d come out here?”
Turk smiled, looking into the dark, red liquid in his glass, swirling it around. “Because in many ways you’re just like your brother,” he said, looking up. “And in many ways you’re not. But I know what the stress of being King does to a man, and a peaceful night’s rest is hard to come by.”
Callum snorted, taking the seat across from him. “My mind doesn’t seem to want to stop thinking.”
Turk laughed gruffly. “Get used to it.” They sat in silence for a moment. “What are we to do about Markus?”
Callum leaned his head back against the chair he sat in. Markus. That was a situation he didn’t know what to make of. The leader of the Sun People had shown up here, demanding entrance. It was odd, and more than a bit concerning. Especially since they had rode back home, and not joined the King’s army like they promised. No one had heard anything from Markus since, all messages unanswered. Callum had yet to send one personally, but he was planning on doing so first thing in the morning.
“I honestly don’t know,” Callum admitted. “We will feel him out, see what he has to say. For now, all we can do is keep an eye on him. Our people have gone through enough war. I’m not starting a new one.”
Turk nodded. “Good to know some habits die.”
Callum looked over at the Captain. “I’m not the same man I was when we were younger, or even six months ago,” he said.
Turk looked at him, his face serious. “I know.”
They measured one another. “Will you still remain in your position as Captain of the army, under my rule?”
Turk stared at him for another moment, before taking a drink of his wine again. “I know we were never as close as your brother and I,” he said, looking back up. “But I’ve still always considered you family, as I did him. I will stand beside you no matter what, until the Gods decide it’s time for me to join my wife, wherever she may be.”
Callum nodded, another weight lifted from him. “I am glad,” he said honestly.
Turk snorted. “Don’t be. You have no idea what a pain in the ass I can be.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Aiden landed with a jarring thump. He groaned as his tailbone met hard ground. His eyes opened to a night sky above him, only one moon casting its glow upon him. He turned his head to see Ethan helping Melissa up off the ground.
“You okay, man?” Ethan called out.
“Yeah,” Aiden answered, sitting up. He looked around, his eyes finding the colourful lights of the school fair still happening in the distance. He was back. The reality hit him like a sucker punch, and he instantly felt sick. He knew this was the right choice, but knowing it was over and he wasn’t going to see his friends or Eden again left him feeling empty.
Ethan walked over, holding out a hand. Aiden grabbed it and let his best friend pull him up. “Thanks,” he said, smiling weakly.
“You made the right choice,” he said, gripping his shoulder.
“Yeah,” Aiden sighed. “I know I did.”
“Come on,” Ethan went on, throwing an arm around him. “Let’s go home.”
The three of them headed back to the Fair where Ethan had parked his car. Melissa held Ethan’s hand, her face a little green from the rough travelling. None of them said anything, still trying to come to terms with everything that had happened. When they reached the Fair, and Aiden saw all the people from school laughing and carrying on, he couldn’t help but envy them. None of them knew anything about what it felt like to fight for your life and lose those close to you right before your eyes. None of them would ever know what the three of them had been through. He looked over at his two friends.
“Are you guys going to be okay?” he asked.
“Of course,” Ethan answered right away, pulling Melissa closer.
“Yeah, we’ll be just fine,” she affirmed, smiling up at Ethan. “What about you?” she asked, looking to him.
“I think with time I will be,” he replied honestly.
“Aiden!”
He turned to see Wes running toward him, a wide grin spread across his face.
“Dude!” he said, slapping his back when he reached him. “I can’t believe you jumped off the Ferris wheel! That was like the sickest thing I’ve ever seen!” Wes caught sight of Ethan and Melissa standing by. “Oh, hey, Ethan. Melissa,” he greeted, looking questioningly back at Aiden. “Are they dating?” he lowered his voice to ask Aiden.
“Yeah,” he replied.
“Oh. Cool. Are you heading back with us?”
“Nah, I’m going to go with Ethan if that’s cool.”
“Sharpshooter!” Aiden looked over at the other guys from the football team. He waved back with a smile.
“Well, I’ll see you at practice, Aiden,” Wes said, waving goodbye and heading back to join the others.
“Ready?” Ethan asked.
“Do you even have to ask?”
Aiden entered his house, shutting the door quietly behind him.
“Aiden?” his mother’s voice came down the hall. He walked into the family room, his parents both sitting on the couch watching television. “Hey,” she said happily. “How was the fair?”
He looked at her closely, wondering what it must be like to keep a secret as big as the one she’d been carrying all his life, and couldn’t imagine it. Aiden remembered when she got pregnant with Eddie, and how excited they had been. All the comments she made about her miracle baby sudd
enly made sense. He always wondered why they waited so long to have another child, and now he understood why. He decided there was no way he would ever bring up the truth. To hurt his mom was unthinkable, and as far as he was concerned he was their son regardless of blood.
“It was good, mom,” he replied slowly. Leaning down, he placed a kiss on her forehead, breathing in her familiar perfume. “I’m beat though, so I’m going to head to bed.”
“Okay,” she said, looking up at him with a smile. “Just don’t wake up your sister. I only just got her to fall asleep.”
Aiden headed up the first flight of stairs, pausing in front of the door that led to his bedroom in the attic. He turned and walked the short distance to his sister’s room, peaking in. A little, blonde head stuck up from the bars.
“Man, do you have her fooled,” he chuckled, walking in. Eddie reached up for him, saying his name in the broken way only she did. “You’re supposed to be asleep, monkey face.” He picked her up, kissing her temple. “Want to sleep with Aiden tonight?” Eddie nodded her head. He reached into the crib and grabbed her blanket then headed to his room. That night he slept with his little sister cuddled in his arms, and knew that no matter how hard it was on him, at least he knew he hadn’t left this little girl to grow up wondering what happened to her big brother. It was going to be tough, but it had been the right decision in the end.
The whole week had been painful. Aiden was glad it was finally Friday so he could sleep his entire day away. Waking up and going to school felt strange and unfamiliar to him. He had seen and done too many things to feel comfortable in the monotony of regular day to day life.
Melissa and Ethan must have noticed because if not both, one of them was always with him. He felt like a child being babysat by his parents. They did their best to cheer him up, or get him out of the house. Aiden liked that the two of them had become an official couple. Seeing them together and how happy they made each other, in turn made him happy. It was great to see Ethan step out of his shell a little more. The rest of the school thought it was straight up weird. The most popular girl suddenly dating one of the “nerds”? The horror! Aiden tried his best to ignore all the snide comments made in their direction, and when he couldn’t he made sure the people saying them knew he was pissed. And surprisingly it worked. Most people would look away guiltily when he’d throw them a hard look. Honestly, he found it sort of amusing.
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