Page 138 of Tales of a Deadly Devotion
Because he loved him. The house let out a small sad groan in answer to those words.
I crossed the space between us and laid my hand gently on his shoulder. ‘You were a child too, Gideon.’
‘You sound like Emmaline,’ he snorted but didn’t shrug off my touch.
‘Then maybe we’re both right,’ I smiled, wishing she was still here for both of them. How painfully that wound still gaped.
‘He thinks I left because I’m ashamed of what he is.’ He rubbed at his jaw, his eyes shone with unshed tears. ‘I’m ashamed of myself. Ashamed of the times I should have chosen him over my father’s schemes.’
‘Youdidchoose him Gideon. You’re here.’ He’d come back. Emrys had listened to me but he’d listened to Gideon too. He’d needed him. ‘I don’t think the crescent moon was a curse at all. I think he was blessed before he was born to have a brother like you.’
Such agony cut across Gideon’s expression, yet he didn’t fight those words. Not as he turned his attention to the fire. It was strange to see such depth of emotion from a man I knew was reserved and sharp.
But living with Alma, calling her my friend, I understood Gideon. He felt too deeply and wished not to.
‘You’d better get back to him. He’ll know you’re missing.’ His voice was the barest rasp, as if struggling to swallow down his feelings. ‘And I’m certain we should be anticipating a right bollocking off Lady Ramsey any time soon.’
Not a dismissal. A request for privacy I understood as I smiled again and moved to bid him goodnight.
‘Kat,’ he called, making me pause at the door. ‘Thank you for caring for him. Even now.’
Even knowing the truth of it all.
‘I’m glad he found you. Even if you are both massive fucking pains in my arse.’
I couldn’t help the small laugh that burst from my lips. How true those words were. ‘Get some rest, Gideon. Please?’
He nodded in small surrender just as the house manifested another apple tea for him and a small tray of tarts. I also noted the small handkerchief on the edge of the plate.
I went back into the calm darkness of the bedroom. Emrys was still as I’d left him. I curled into his side. Slipping back into the bed, sliding back into his arms and pressing my palm against that mark over his heart, watching the darkness slowly moving beneath his skin. As if recognising my presence.
‘Shh,’ I chided. Unwilling to disturb him. Burdened with the sadness of everything that had come before. But knowing, no matter what came next … he was mine, and this world would know it. I’d make certain of it.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Kat
There was a sorceress formed of moonlight who danced between the shadows of the wood alone. Too powerful for her kin … too wild for the world to catch. Until a demon prince sang to her untamed heart. A storm of silver and endless night. A love pressed between the shadows. A courting of nightmares that danced into the everlasting night.
Song of the Eternal Night – Unknown
I woke to the barest brush of something against my temple. I was curled around Emrys’s pillow on his side of the bed. A bed Emrys wasn’t in.
I forced myself onto my elbows, taking in the room bathed in morning light. A rustle came from the pillow, catching my attention. A small paper bird perched there, its head tilted expectantly.
A note. I pushed the unruly hair from my face.
‘You have something for me?’ I held out my palm for it to hop into. The paper unfurling immediately.
Croinn.
You were too beautiful to wake.
Lady Ramsey sent summons. I assume she wasn’t best pleased by our delivery yesterday. I promise not to fight with any mirocs.
Yours, always.
Emrys
