Eirian’s eyes filled with tears, and she lifted her chin proudly. “She still holds your heart.”
“Yes,” I replied, knowing how much she wished for ownership of it. “But I would’ve given you everything.”
“I didn’t want everything. I only wanted you to love me.”
I stepped forward and allowed myself to caress her face once—her sweet blood calling out to me intoxicatingly. “I do love you. More than you will ever know. You’re the mother of my child. You sacrificed your own happiness to give me mine. How could I not love you?”
She threw her arms around my waist, leaning against my chest. “I miss you, Bran.”
It was curious for me to hear her speak my name and not have desire course through me at the sound of it, but there was still attraction between us. I could feel it vibrating strongly. I hugged her back briefly before forcing myself to let go and step away.
Our son stood watching us silently, and I suddenly felt overwhelmed. All my sins had come back to haunt me. Ceridwen must be told the truth. I found myself struggling with the fact that I was in love with two women and wondering how to sort this out so I wouldn’t hurt either of them.
Eirian read me perfectly. “Don’t worry. We’re not staying. I just wanted you to meet our son. He’s wanted to meet you for a long time. He is noble and strong, just like you. I raised him like you wished—with a mind of his own and he’ll make a good king someday because of it. Hopefully, he’ll be able to bring peace back to our lands.”
“I’ll do my best, Mother,” Shay replied, bowing his head toward her before he looked at me. “And also to honor you, Father. What my people have done to produce children is preposterous. I intend to stop it. The Fae created this war, and they will have to fight to end it—by themselves. No other human should have to suffer or die because of these dalliances.”
He really did have a mind of his own, and suddenly I felt very proud to have him as my son. It was then I noticed the charm hanging around his neck, the moon and the stars. I reached to finger the matching one hanging from my own. “Your mother gave this to you,” I said, pointing to his. “We picked these on the day we found out you were going to be born.”
“Yes. I see you still wear yours as well.”
“I do. I didn’t remember where it came from, but for some reason I couldn’t ever bring myself to take it off. Now I know why.” I glanced at Eirian. “That was a good day.”
“One of the best in my life,” she whispered. “I relive it in my head constantly.”
“I’m sorry for the way things turned out. Truly, I never meant to hurt you.” I wished there was some way to comfort her, but I wasn’t sure how. I felt an overwhelming ache begin to build inside me.
“I know you didn’t. If I hadn’t messed with your life there would’ve been no hurt to feel at all.”
“We all make mistakes,” Shay said, stepping up beside us. “You two need to forgive yourselves for your past and move on. You’ll never be truly happy unless you do.”
I chuckled, trying to swallow at the ball of emotion that was growing in my throat. “And he’s wise too. You’ve done a very fine job of raising him.”
“It wasn’t all me. He carries you inside him. What else could he be?” She smiled, reaching to rest her hand on Shay’s arm.
My heart felt like it was going to rip into pieces as I watched. The longing to be near my child was more than I could bear. I wished for a life with the two of them, knowing it wasn’t possible. I looked away and walked to the doorway, glancing up to where people were gathering for the celebration on the hilltop. Their figures were silhouetted by the setting sun.
“We should go. You have others waiting for you,” Eirian said.
“No!” I almost shouted turning to face her. “No,” I amended, softer. “Don’t go yet. You just got here. I want you both to stay—I’m just struggling with how to make the pieces of my life fit together.” I glanced back toward the hill. “She’s been a good wife, given everything she had—stayed with me when no one should’ve. I don’t want to hurt her any more than I already have. I’ve always loved her, and she has always loved me.
Eirian came to stand next to me, lifting a quivering hand to stroke my face. “Everything will be all right, Bran. I’ve already resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never have you.”
“You’re wrong,” I replied, running my hand through her luxurious silver hair, the simple act stirring many memories to the surface, and I realized I missed touching her. “You already have the best part of me.” I nodded toward our son, Shay.
A sob escaped Eirian. She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me, sharing a lifetime worth of passion and loneliness in that one single short moment. I trembled in her embrace, but before I could even truly respond, she stepped away, locking gazes with me.
“Forget,” she whispered.
I blinked and found myself standing near the doorway of the barn with no recollection of how I got there. As I watched the bonfire on the hill burst to life, a feeling of completion and satisfaction swept through me, stronger than anything I’d felt before. I didn’t know where it came from—I only knew I was happy and filled with contentment.
I turned back to look at the unfinished chores I had left. They could wait. Tonight I just wanted to be with the love of my life, Ceridwen.
About the Author
Lacey Weatherford is the bestselling author of the popular young adult paranormal romance series, Of Witches and Warlocks, and contemporary series, Chasing Nikki. She has always had a love of books and wanted to become a writer ever since reading her first Nancy Drew novel at the age of eight.
Lacey resides in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona. She lives with her wonderful husband and children along with their dog, Sophie, and cat, Minx. When she’s not out supporting one of her kids at their sporting/music events, she spends her time reading, writing, blogging, and visiting with her readers on her social media accounts.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
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