Page 80 of Luca

“You didn’t,” my mate reassured him. “I’m just very protective of my family and friends—a trait I only really realized I had when I met Cair, funnily enough.”

I smiled proudly.

“An honorable trait to possess.” Zadok appeared just as proud, and after a moment of fondly admiring his son, he inched toward the door. “Don’t let me delay you further. I will meet you both outside when you are ready, yes?”

“Uh, yeah,” my mate said, lunging to his feet to walk his father out. I busied myself with refolding the pile of shirts he’d unwittingly knocked over, giving them a moment of privacy. “We won’t be long, then I’m going to check on my flower patch if you wanna join? Maybe you can show me that forcefield spell once more? The one that can dissolve an arrow.”

“Absolutely.”

“I think I’ve almost got it, but something’s not quite working and I still have to dodge out of the way before it hits me.”

My head snapped up, a growl vibrating in my throat before I could stop it. “I beg your pardon?” Zadok’s face turned pallid, and he slunk out the door. Luca just reached back, waving a dismissive hand.

“Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

* * *

“Don’t be a stranger, junior,” Flick said, giving my mate’s shoulder a firm squeeze. “You are always welcome here. You and your princeling.”

It was a jest, an ode to our first meeting, but I still dipped my head in appreciation.

Leaf wound her sleek body around Luca’s legs, expelling sad chirping sounds. He bent down to scoop her into his arms. “I’ll miss you too, girl.”

She trilled, then looked over at me, subjecting me to the most manipulative puppy-dog eyes I’d ever seen. I briefly wondered if she’d learned that tactic from my mate. I huffed in amusement, reaching out to scritch her chin. “Yes, you will be missed, little fire creature.” That pleased her greatly as she ruffled her wings before leaping back to the ground and wandering away like a spoiled kitten.

Zadok stepped forward, his eyes wet and red-rimmed, attempting to school the aura of discontent shrouding him. He was hanging back, but Luca didn’t give him the chance to worry about protocol as the boy threw himself at the older Fae and hugged him tight. Zadok wobbled on his feet but recovered quickly, smiling and wrapping his son in his arms. A heartwarming display.

“Send a missive if you need me, and I will be there,” he whispered into Luca’s mane. “Banishment be damned.”

The boy sniffled. “I will.”

“You’ll make a change, I can feel it,” his father expressed with a tone of resolution. His eyes found mine. “Both of you.”

My mate gave him one last squeeze before reluctantly withdrawing, tears welling in his sweet eyes and a wet smile firmly on his lips.

Zadok faced me. “Take care of my son, do you hear?”

I bowed slightly in a show of deference. “I will defend him with everything I have, you can rest assured.”

“I don’t want to say bye ’cause it feels too final,” Luca said, voice wavering. I inched closer to him, hooking an arm around his waist for comfort. He sagged against me, and gripped my shirt as if he desperately needed the purchase. I held him even tighter.

“See you soon works just fine,” Zadok offered, a tear tracking down his gaunt cheek. Flick appeared beside him in an instant, threading their fingers together.

“See you soon… Dad.”

My mate’s bottom lip wobbled, and never one to linger over drawn-out goodbyes, he turned to conjure his magic, crafting the symbols in midair and missing how his father’s tears flowed freely at the endearment. That familiar rush swooped in, goose bumps rising on my skin as an emerald tear opened at our feet. We had discussed beforehand where it would be best to travel to, so I was already aware it led to my office at the club in the human realm.

It was not wise to return to the capital yet, and The Veil was the safest place I knew.

Luca glanced over his shoulder, his wistful gaze spanning the farmstead once more. This was where he longed to be, I could see it plainly. The way he seemed to be memorizing every detail, soaking up his surroundings so he would never forget the source of the pure contentment I knew he’d experienced here. The peace and simplicity that a life here afforded was his calling, and in that moment, I vowed to do everything in my power to one day make it so.

With one last parting smile, my mate nodded his readiness to me. I rested a hand on the small of his back, and together we stepped through the portal.

LUCA

Afamiliar body crashed into me as arms flew around my shoulders, clutching me for dear life. “I can’t believe you almost died,” Alex sobbed, sniffling right into my ear.

“Ididdie,” I corrected him wryly, hugging him back just as tight. “But I got better.”

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