Page 82 of Kings and Monsters

"It's still strong. If it wasn't for Arthur, she would've been eaten by the sluagh."

"She gets along with him then?" Jealousy, deep and sharp clawed at him.Damn Saul for putting that in my head.

"They are thick as thieves. That can't surprise you. I was reading her Arthur stories by the time she could demand things. No matter what has happened since you've been apart, she is still your Rosa. Trust me on that. She doesn't care what the queen made you do…or what I have made you do," Bleddyn said sadly.He looked around the attic at the unfinished artwork and the piles of papers and paint. "I'm sorry, Balthasar. So, so sorry."

"For what?" Balthasar hadn't seen Bleddyn upset for centuries. The Aos Si had changed him somehow, as if a coldness in him had finally broken. He had a woman who loved him, and Balthasar could see the way it already softened him.

"When I turned you, I thought to make you into a leader, someone ruthless and powerful as Cosimo was. You have natural ability, but it wasn't what you wanted," Bleddyn admitted. "I forced you to be something that you weren't. I forced you to kill, to make the decisions no one else would, to try to shape you into something that you were not. It was selfish and wrong of me. Being back in the Aos Si, I remembered what it felt like to have a responsibility forced onto you that you never wanted. I'm so sorry, Balthasar."

"Why are you saying this?"

"Because I'm releasing you of any responsibility to the clans or me. You are Leiddiad no longer. You will always be welcome here. You are my family and my blood, but only if it's what you want. If you want to wander the world with Rosa, painting every landscape, then do that. Do whatever you want. I'm giving you your life back. It was never mine to take from you."

"Father, I-I don't know what to say." Balthasar couldn't believe his ears. "But what will happen without me to help you?"

"I have help. Saul is a better politician than either of us will ever be. Don't worry; I've been apologizing to him as well. He has done an admirable job while we've been away. The Unseelie and the Gam like and trust him. He enjoys it and should have been doing it years ago."

Balthasar smiled. "How will he handle the responsibility? He's been the dilettante for so long. He's not going to know what do with himself."

"He loves it. I'm thinking of leaving him and traveling with Eirianwen myself. He doesn't need us to keep the family businesses running," Bleddyn said before sobering once more. "Can you forgive me for being a terrible parent? I promise I will learn to do better. If I don't, Eirianwen will make me suffer for it."

"You've never been a terrible parent. A hard parent, yes, but not a terrible one," Balthasar said, placing his empty bowl on the bedside table. "I think I am going to like Eirianwen if she makes you this nervous. I have to admit, I find it amazing and disturbing to see you in love. It's about time."

"You will like her, trust me. I haven't seen a Seren Du that can resist her. She's like Rosa that way." Bleddyn sighed. "Are you sure you don't want me to summon Rosa?"

"I don't want her to see me like this. I can't even walk properly."

"Then we'll get you a cane. She isn't going to care, Bal."

"I know, but I do. Rosa deserves?—"

"She deserves to be with you. The man who loves her. The one she fought for and nearly broke apart the Aos Si for. There isn't anything she wouldn't do for you. She quite literally went into a Hell realm to bring an army of the dead to help save you. You need to save yourself now. Let me tell her you are back at least."

"You think your protection wards will be strong enough to hold her back if you do?" Balthasar raised an eyebrow. "I don't think they will be."

"Then tell me what I can do, and I'll do it."

Balthasar took a deep breath. "Give me time? I need to get my mind right before I go anywhere near her."

Bleddyn had only left the room when a phone beside his bed began to ring. He didn't recognize the number but answered it anyway.

"Hello?"

"Hello, baby brother! So nice to hear your arrogant tone again," Merlin replied from thousands of miles away.

"How did you know I was healed? If Bleddyn has told Rosa?—"

"Bleddyn hasn't said anything, andshameon both of you for not doing so. I wanted to see if Gwyn could be decent, and looks like he has been for once."

"Don't tell Rosa. Not yet. I'm not well, Merlin. I don't want to hurt her, or for her to see me like this."

Merlin snorted. "I don't care what you want, you little bastard. Do you have any idea what she has gone through for you? And what? You don't want to see her because you aren't pretty enough?"

Balthasar growled out Italian curses at him until he ran out of breath.

"Yes, yes, I understand recovering from horrible spells can be hard," Merlin interrupted him. "I'm glad you understand how horrible they can be so you know I'm serious when I say to you that if youdon'twant to have another nasty curse put on you, you will be getting on a plane as soon as you can stand upright, yes?Great. I'll see you soon, little brother."

The phone line went dead. Balthasar hissed in anger and threw it across the room.

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