Page 68 of Shattering

Tomos took another sip of milk, then said, "Da made you cry."

Cadi's breath caught.

Tomos's blue eyes, still slightly puffy from sleep, locked onto hers with a quiet intensity.

"I saw you," he added. "When I woke up at night. Your face was all red like a tomato, and your eyes were wet." His fingers toyed with the edge of his blanket. "I don't like it when you cry."

Cadi swallowed past the sudden tightness in her throat. "Oh, baby..."

Tomos huffed, a tiny, indignant sound. "So, Iamgiving him a telling off."

Cadi smiled softly, brushing a hand over his curls. "You can tell him how you feel. That's even more important than a telling off."

Tomos considered that. "Maybe both," he concluded.

Cadi let out a quiet laugh. "We'll see, puppy. We'll see."

She reached out. "Hug?"

Tomos nodded, sliding off the chair and walking straight into her arms. She wrapped him up, pressing a soft kiss to his messy curls, inhaling that subtle, warmlittle boyscent that was uniquely Tomos.

When she lifted her head, her breath caught.

Gray was standing at the entrance to the kitchen now, no longer hidden in the shadows, watching them.

His expression was unreadable—conflictedand filled with guilt—his emotions warring in his eyes.

Cadi held his gaze for a moment, something silent passing between them.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, without a word, Gray exhaled, his shoulders shifting ever so slightly—like a man who had just been hit with something he wasn't sure how to carry.

Chapter 33

Tomos, still wrapped in his blanket, blinked sleepily and finally noticed Gray standing near the kitchen entrance.

For a moment, he hesitated—just a split second—his blue eyes flickering toward Cadi, as if waiting for direction..

Gray felt the hesitation like a punch to the gut. Tomos was always full-on, bounding toward him without a second thought. But now...

Gray swallowed past the ache, his heart twisting painfully in his chest.

But just as quickly as it came, the moment passed.

Tomos dropped his blanket and padded over to his father, grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the kitchen table with the single-minded determination of a child on a mission. "Come on, Da."

Gray allowed himself to be pulled along, sinking into the chair as Tomos climbed onto the one beside him, blanket and all.

Cadi turned to the stove, reaching for the eggs and bread while setting the coffee to brew. She could hear their hushed conversation behind her, the soft murmur of Tomos's voice filling the room.

"You were being mean," Tomos stated, his little voice tinged with quiet disappointment.

Gray sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Aye, lad, I was."

"You didn't read me my story for days."

Gray flinched. He knew exactly which one. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

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