I had, however, sent word to my father, and he, Leanna, and all of my half siblings were already on their way to The Isle for an extended visit until after the baby was born.
Shortly after Nicol and Freya left to build their new life together and so many of The Eight had left to pursue their newfound freedom, Raudrich worried that the castle would seem far too empty. Little did he know just how intent the women of Castle Murray were on seeing the castle halls populated. If we all kept up at this pace, it wouldn’t be too long before we had to build even more cabins out back.
I wiggled the still-unopened letter in my hands as I looked up at Marcus.
“Do you want to read it with me? I don’t mind if you do.”
He stepped away, shook his head, and smiled. He knew he’d won. Ross was no longer of any concern to him.
“No. I know that he will always hold part of your heart, and I’m okay with that. I’m the one who gets to share my life with you. I’ll leave you alone so you can read whatever he has to say. I’m sure he just means to wish you well.”
I waited until Marcus disappeared from the garden before I settled down on one of the benches near my favorite fountain. The garden felt different now, lighter somehow, without Freya’s presence. All the joy she’d given the space remained, but it was as if even the flowers were happy to see her gone from this place and returned to her human life.
Sighing, I carefully opened the letter and bent my head to read. I could hear his voice, his thick Scottish brogue, slightly more slurred than usual from drink as I read the letter in my mind.
* * *
Silva, lass,
Boston is sweltering in summer. Much like those July nights we spent in NYC, but I know I shouldn’t speak to you of such things now. I knew even as I held you in my arms that last time that you would never truly be mine again, but I would’ve taken any minute I could get with you. I would have let you pretend you loved me still forever if it meant I could be near you. That selfishness in me is why you deserve far better than I could ever give you.
I suppose it was only a matter of time before he made you his wife. Only a fool would do otherwise.
I want you to know that I’m happy for you. My own broken heart will be able to keep beating because I know you are loved and cared for.
I don’t suppose I’ll ever see you again, but know that wherever you are, even decades from now, I’ll be thinking of you still, holding you close to my heart, and hoping you are as happy then as you are now.
Always yours,
Ross
* * *
Tears ran down my face as I closed his letter and held it against my chest. There was so much I could say to him, but I was familiar enough with grief to know that until time completed its work on his heart, he wouldn’t believe me anyway.
Instead, I pictured him in my mind as I whispered what I knew in my heart, hoping with every word that somehow it would travel across the centuries to him and that someday he would know the truth in my words.
“You’ll always love me, yes, but Ross, my darling Ross, one day I’ll only occupy the small space in your heart saved for the happy memory of us. If I was truly meant to be yours, I’d be yours still. There’s another on her way to you. You don’t have to believe it. Just don’t shut down so much that you aren’t able to let her in. Just hold on. I’m sending you all my love. Today, tomorrow, always.”
I wouldn’t write back to Ross. My words would do him no good, but I knew there was another letter I’d be writing that night. One to a witch I’d only met once, one to ask for a little help for a man I would always love.
If Marcus was right about her, I was certain Morna would be up to the task.
* * *
THE END
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BETHANY CLAIRE is a USA Today bestselling author of swoon-worthy, Scottish romance and time travel novels. Bethany loves to immerse her readers in worlds filled with lush landscapes, hunky Scots, lots of magic, and happy endings.
She has two ornery fur-babies, plays the piano every day, and loves Disney and yoga pants more than any twenty-something really should. She is most creative after a good night’s sleep and the perfect cup of tea. When not writing, Bethany travels as much as she possibly can, and she never leaves home without a good book to keep her company.
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Acknowledgments
Firstly, to my readers. I know this one was a doozy of a wait. Thanks so for much for hanging in there and for returning to this world after so much time.
* * *
To Rori Bumgarner, Karen Corboy, Elizabeth Halliday, Johnetta Ivey, Vivian Nwankpah, and Pamela Oviatt, you ladies are Rock Stars. Thank you for continually coming back for more.
* * *
To Mom and Maegan, I know that I don’t thank you guys enough. I’m not sure I would be able to put up with me the way you guys do. I really am so grateful. I love you both more than you’ll ever know.
Love Beyond Destiny Page 20
