Page 88 of The Heir
As I spun on my heel and rushed out of the room, my mother called after me, “Be patient with her.”
“And don’t be shy if you have to fart. Apparently, it charmed your mother.”
I heard my mother protest and then a shriek followed by laughter. I figured my dad was letting out his playful side and charming her once more.
That strong bond that my parents had was exactly what I wanted with Linea. With my jaw set, I called up Mason, who unlocked his drone remotely without asking me where I was going.
He would be surprised to learn who I’d chosen for my bride. Everyone would. And yet, I couldn’t imagine marrying anyone else but her.
Like a man possessed, I had the drone set off at high speed, determined to convince Linea that I was worth the trouble.
CHAPTER 21
Your Body Knows
Linea
Unsure if I was dreaming or half awake, I felt my bed dip, and someone spoon me from behind.
“Darling.” A hand brushed across my hair.
“Mom?” My voice sounded distant and dream-like and I was too tired to open my eyes.
“Dad told me about you and Thor.”
“Mm-hmm.” I turned and placed my head against her collarbone, soaking up my mother’s wonderful scent of lavender soap. “I’m so confused.”
“Are you? Dad told me what happened. It sounds like your body wasn’t confused but knew what you wanted.”
With a drowsy voice, I asked, “But what if he hurts me again?”
“Is that what you worry about? Did you forget how strong you are now?”
“But am I strong enough to love him?”
My mother caressed my hair again. “What’s your alternative? Suppressing love is a waste of pure emotions.”
“What if he humiliates me?”
“Then you’ll tell him no.”
“No?”
“Love can be unconditional, but relationships never are. If Thor doesn’t value you, I know that you’ll respect yourself enough to walk away. You aren’t twelve anymore, sweetheart, you have the power to set your boundaries and you’re good at it.”
I yawned and kept my eyes closed. “Yeah, but what if it doesn’t work between us? Thor is… complicated.”
My mother’s soft chuckle soothed me. “What did you expect? He’s an Nman like your father. They are a complicated bunch.”
“Is it worth it?”
“What? Love?”
“Mm-hmm. Is it worth the pain?”
“Baby, it sounds to me like you’re in pain from trying to avoid pain.”
I loved the way her fingers were circling my shoulder blades.
