Total pages in book: 197
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
My lips trembled, shaking the teardrop balancing on the tip of my mouth. “So, you forgive me, then? For wanting to take the children away from all of this? Even though they may not thank me for it.”
“You don’t need my forgiveness, faywen. You don’t even need my permission. As borrowed mothers go, you’ve proven yourself the best of them. I learned to trust your judgement a long time ago.”
I roughly rubbed my stinging eyes, willing the gushing flood pushing against them to retreat.
“Mama, I... Thank you.” I tossed my head. “But no more tears, and no more speaking with such finality. I won’t have to make any decision Meli will curse me for, because the target will remain on your back,” I said, earning a soft chuckle. “All that matters now is you focusing on getting well and hanging on long enough so I can save you.”
She hummed. “So, tell me more about this Alisdair.”
“Ah!” Savia shrieked, reminding us she was a part of this conversation too.
I didn’t remark on either of their subject changes. The wasting sickness and what waited at the end of it has hung over my mother for years. I understood her wanting to speak of something else—if only for a little while.
“There’s not much more to tell. He’s strong, powerful, handsome, funny, and the biggest jackass in Elva.”
She snorted—a weak, sudden sound that was over as soon as it started. “Jackass was an addition I wasn’t expecting.”
“I may love him, but that part is undeniable.” I smiled despite myself. “Even though he drives me crazy, he’s the only one that could make me... run slower.”
“You should never slow down for anyone,” she replied, not knowing the reference. When I told her about my time in Lumenfell, I left out the terms of our marriage runes, and that Alisdair would chase me down every night and fuck me until I saw the stars.
A mother didn’t need to know everything.
“But despite his hard and prickly exterior, it’s his soul, Mama. The real and true him is... so...” I trailed off, muscles winding tight.
“His soul,” I whispered, eyes widening. “Charm.”
“Calli?”
“Oh my Meya.” I gaped unseeingly at the bedsheets. “So, that’s it. That’s how you break the curse.”
“Calli, darling?”
I shook myself, coming to. “Sorry, Mama. I was just saying that despite how much of a raging jackass he can be, he’s my soulmate.” A small smile danced on my lips. “I know that more than ever now.”
She hummed. “I admit I understand the appeal. I loved my fair share of jackasses.”
“Wait, what? Asses? As in more than one? But I thought you said Papa was your true love.”
“He was my one true love and mate, but it took me hundreds of years to see that. All the while your father was patient, caring, supportive, and yes, a bit of a jackass too.” I sensed her rolling her eyes behind her lids.
“He loved telling me that I could deny it all I wanted, but one day we’d end up together. Want to know what the bastard said after I told him I loved him for the first time? I told you so.” She snorted. “With the biggest smirk on his face too. I almost followed the confession with a punch to his throat.”
I giggled.
“Even though he could infuriate me like nothing else, what I wouldn’t give to go back and tell him I loved him sooner. It’s the biggest regret of my life that I wasted hundreds of years not feeling as blissfully happy and loved as he made me.
“Don’t make my mistake,” she whispered. “Don’t spend a single day being less happy than you could be. Meya gave blessings to the bugs and birds. She has even more wonder and adventure in store for you.”
“Oh, Mama...” I fell on her other side, clutching her tight and blubbing against her shoulder.
It was a while before my tears stopped, but that was okay. They weren’t all sad tears. Some were hopeful for the promise of happiness to come with the man who made me want to punch him in the throat and kiss him until I couldn’t breathe—all in the same measure.
Taking a deep breath, I let it out slow—hugging her tighter. “You know, I was actually thinking of you and Papa when I was trying to get Alisdair to fall in love with me. Will you tell me more stories about him? What was it, in the end, that changed everything for you two?”
She didn’t reply.
“Mama? Are you asleep?” I peeked over her shoulder, and froze. “Mama? Are you okay? Mama?”
I shook her gently, then harder. She flopped in my grasp—eyes closed shut.
“Mama!”
Jerking in surprise, Savia started bawling.
I grabbed my baby sister and scrambled off the bed. Feet tangling, I fell hard on my butt and kept going, crawling back until I hit the wall. Clamping my hand over my mouth, I screamed—nails piercing my cheek smothering my cries.