Page 106 of An Enchanted Spring

She didn’t care, either.

She knew Colin was worried about her. Reilly, too. According to the hospital, about a month ago she was released into the custody of her cousins, who were her next of kin. She had a passport that said she was Emmaline Perkins MacWilliam. A marriage certificate verified that, too.

Aidan, damn him to hell, certainly followed through on his promise of protection. She had the modern-day equivalent of full clan protection on this side of the time continuum.

Her heart hurt too much when she thought about anything having to do with a certain green-eyed warrior, so she focused on where she was at present. Diplomas lined the wall. A mahogany desk stood about two arm lengths away. A black leather chair, probably placed on the tallest setting so the lawyer would look larger and more commanding, sat behind it.

The door opened, and a stocky man entered. He shook her limp hand, apologized for his tardiness, and set a folder on the desk.

“Mrs. MacWilliam, I’m very sorry about your loss. As you may or may not be aware, Mr. MacWilliam set up some provisions for you, in the case of his death.”

Death.

Aidan had been dead for hundreds of years. The thought, as it always did, pushed her mind into the safe, blank space where no feeling was allowed.

Mr. O’Rourke forewent the leather chair and perched on the edge of the desk. He picked up the folder, and Emma noticed it was more of a binder.

A white binder.

Tears threatened, but she held them at bay.

No feelings.

The man was still talking, and she tried to pay attention, more to stop the emotion than anything else.

Emotion was very, very bad.

“He left you everything he had,” Mr. O’Rourke said. “That is standard procedure for most married couples, and you can rest assured that he had this all fully legalized and witnessed. There won’t be any problems as far as your joint account, and Mr. MacWilliam’s other accounts overseas are in your name also. He didn’t have life insurance, but he did leave you this.” Mr. O’Rourke pulled a sealed envelope from the binder and handed it to her.

She glanced at the wax seal, and her world stuttered.

A silver M, ivy twisted about it, with a sword sliced through it. His letter. His symbol.

The tears came fast and furious, and with a murmured “I’m so sorry for your loss,” Mr. O’Rourke placed a box of tissues on his desk and quietly left, allowing her privacy.

After a few moments, Emma wiped the tears, and studied the envelope. She even sniffed it, hoping to catch his scent, but all she smelled was the paper.

The stab of disappointment cut through her like a knife.

Carefully, so as to not disturb the wax, she used a letteropener on the desk to slit the envelope. She pulled out a piece of parchment, and she stifled another sob that rose to the surface. She smoothed the paper onto the desk. The parchment was something he’d touched—it was as close as she would ever get to him again.

She began to read.

Dear Emmaline,

Right now, you’re asleep on my plane. I’m watching you as we fly together over the Atlantic, and you look so peaceful. I need to keep you safe. Family is important, Emma. Don’t shut out the one you’ve been given; Colin and his brother, James, will always be there for you if I am not. O’Malley, too, although I’d caution against staying near his cottage (too many strange visitors). On second thought, O’Malley’s an arse. Look to Colin.

If you’re reading this, it means that I didn’t make it back to you. You’re either crying or laughing while reading this, and I find myself curious to know which—did I succeed in convincing you that we’re meant to be? Or did I screw it up? If it’s the latter, let me assure you that, when we next meet, be it heaven, hell, or in between, that means I’ve an eternity to convince you. Though you would never go to hell; you’re too good for such a place. If it’s the former, please don’t grieve for me. Our souls are forever intertwined, my love, and you must continue on in this life, realizing that we will be together again someday. I love you, Emmaline Perkins. You are my soul mate, and I recognized that immediately, although I fought it. I think you did as well, but you were understandably scared. I hope I was able to ease your fears. I will always be there to protect you—listen to your heart. I’ll forever speak to you through it.

I believe that even before I met you, I knew we were fated. My job, from this moment on, is to protect you, love you, and provide you with everything you could ever need. Forgive me my errors in judgement, as I’m sure they’ll be plenty. This is new to me; these feelings that overtake me are strong, stronger than any I’ve experienced before. Is it love? I’m not sure. I think it could growinto love, if we merely open ourselves to it. And knowing myself, I’ll fight it. I’m sorry if I fought too hard.

Again—if I’ve somehow mucked this up, I’ll spend eternity fixing it, when we’re together again.

I bequeath you everything. All my money, properties, and restaurants. And, most importantly, my family. Take care of them, Emma. James needs to visit more. Colin needs to be bossed a bit, and O’Malley…well, hit him over the head a few times for me. He’ll understand.

I think I love you more than you could ever know. Be at peace, love, and take solace in the fact that I am yours, eternally.

Aidan

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