Page 72 of The Heir

“I promise, I will tell you everything I know. But it will take some time. You’d think I would be able to explain it, but it is difficult,” he said.

“This is all just so—surprising. If I am from the same place as you, why did they not outright tell me?” My heart ached, but something like a lost puzzle piece felt like it gently fell into place inside of me.

“I am so sorry. There had to be a reason. Things for Terrans are not good, which is why the portal to this realm was opened.”

“Shad, this is—I am—even though it’s unbelievable, in a weird way, it’s sort ofbelievable,” I finally admitted.

“As in?”

“I felt like there was something extra happening. I had been imagining vampires or magical creatures. But it’s like I knew it was something.”

“Yousensedsomething.”

“In a way, I thought that what we had was too good to be real. Anyway–it felt like fantasy and like what my mother talked about in her stories. So in a way, this is kind of validating,” I rambled, my mind racing.

Shad smiled. “I am glad it is not too frightening.”

“No–I mean, this is a lot, but actually, it kind of explains some things, especially this thing, this connection, between us. I knew it was special,” I said, squeezing his hand and looking into his eyes.

We are special. What we have–I knew it was.I spoke to his soul. Once I knew what it was, it was easy enough.

“I will probably never get used to hearing your voice inside my soul,” he whispered. “It is special and wonderful. I have been searching for you, Emma, for so long,” he said, pressing his forehead against mine.

“I just—this is so amazing.”

“It isn’t an uncommon thing where I come from—I mean, what we shareisrare. It’s usually just emotions, not actual words and language, that are understood between people. I have never heard of melodies being so overwhelming and perfectly clear like this.” He cleared his throat, taking a step back.

“So, if you are not a vampire, fae, or witch–what are you exactly? What am I?” I asked, confused and not even sure what to think.

“So, your mother’s stories are about a land called Terra, with happily-ever-afters, magical and Ancient beings?” he paused.

I nodded.

“It’s so different from this place, and there are all sorts of magical beings: dragons, elves, Fey, Ancients, pixies, mermaids, princesses, and princes there. I am an Ancient Heir, Emma, an Ancient Heir of Terra, and I believe, so are you.”

Chapter Twenty

“What? An–an–Ancient Heir?”

“I know this is hard to believe–but you said so yourself, that this feels special, right? It is, Emma; it is not something of this place–of this realm; it is Terran. People with melodies–strong ones like what you and I have are Terran.”

“Terran?” I asked softly. “Okay, so that is whereyouare from–and my mother’s magical fairytale world is real?” I trailed off, trying to understand what he was telling me.

“Yes–you must be from Terra also, at least on your mother’s side.”

“My mothers side? Terra is real?”

Am I just repeating things he is saying?

Yes.

It was hard for my mind to see the truth, even when my soul could sense it was true.

“I do not know for sure; I only suspect. My darling, wonderful Emma, do you know how desperately I have searched? How long I have waited for you–so many lifetimes–to arrive atthis moment?” he said with a sweet smile, holding my face tenderly in his strong hands. He caressed my cheek, sending tingles rippling through me in the wake of the strokes. The way he looked at me made me melt, I leaned against him, and he easily braced me up against his body so I would not fall. His warm breath caressed my face as he leaned in closer. “So many lifetimes I have searched for you. I can't even believe, sometimes, that you are truly here–that you are here withme,” he held my face as if I was infinitely precious and I did not know what to do with the feelings coursing through me. “Sometimes, I believe it is all a dream–a dream that I will wake up from to see all that is all in my mind. But every single day, I wake up here–so close to you and hear your melody, and–” He paused as he ran his fingers through my hair.

I had never felt more special, or more cherished than right at that moment. How or why had he been searching for me? For lifetimes? What did that mean?

“You exist, you are real, bless the Ancients.” He said as he pressed his forehead to mine, closing his eyes as he whispered: “Bless the Creator.” His voice became deeper and more rumbly as I felt it vibrate as we stood so close. “I shall never let you go, Emma–ever.”

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