Page 102 of Knightfall
“Um…” Declan shrugged.
Ryan cuffed him over the head. “You weren’t supposed to tell anyone!”
“She said any secrets! We’re married now. That qualifies—”
I laughed. My anger dissipated, and I walked forward to kiss Declan on the cheek. “Thank you.”
I turned to Ryan, who was still muttering under his breath.
“Ryan, are you embarrassed?” I teased, looking up at my blushing giant. “Don’t be. One day, I’ll probably ask you to punish Declan for telling your secret. So I can watch.”
Ryan turned his hot gaze to mine. “Really?”
Heat fluttered down my spine. “Really.”
Sard. I hate to interrupt this just as it’s getting hot again. But one of your fathers is in the hall.
I strode quickly to the door. My knights had left it open.
My father, Peter, hovered a few feet past the door frame. His face was drawn and grey.
My heart immediately imploded. “What is it, dad?” I asked.
“Blossie. It’s your mother.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
We entered the queen’s chambers in a rush, crowding through the door. But as soon as we were in, we stopped.
She was gone.
I could feel it. Her presence, which normally filled a room, was nowhere to be found. She’d had an energy in life that could throttle you, make you feel small, or make you glow with pride.
My fathers surrounded her; one of them held each of her hands, Peter walked up to touch her knee. Johan's face was red and blotchy from tears. Gorg was more stoic.
I stepped forward so that I could see my mother's face. It was relaxed in a way it never been in life.
It felt like someone had taken a broken bottle to my ribs, as though glass was cutting through me, all the way down to my bones.
My mind couldn't think, couldn't form words. Inside me, there was just a tiny yelp. The cry of an abandoned child, one now forced to face the terrors of the world alone. I collapsed to my knees.
Someone put their arms around me. I didn't look to see who, because the tears came then. Long and loud and hard.
I cried until I felt like I was floating. Like reality was gone and I was no longer tethered to the world. An image popped up in my brain. Of Quinn and I floating through the sky, twined together by red ribbon. The ribbon slowly extended and pulled Ryan into my line of sight and bound him against Quinn and myself. The ribbon pulled Declan in and added him to the knot. The sentient ribbon reached out one more time, unfurling its long arm, searching through the sky for—
"Connor," I breathed.
"Yeah?" A broken whisper sounded in my ear.
I opened my eyes in shock, wiping my face quickly with the palms of my hands, clearing my vision. Conner was on the ground, cradling me. He'd wrapped me in his arms and pulled me onto his lap. His brown curls were mussed. And his eyes were red and swollen, tears still leaked down his face.
I reached up and grabbed his face in my hands. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug.
The awful feeling in my chest eased. Still, I clutched at him. Connor had hardly touched me since my return. I'd known I'd missed him. But being in his arms made me realize how much more I needed him—needed, not simply missed him. He'd been my rock. My entire youth, he'd been my rock. During my travels, he been my rock without knowing it. I’d lived to write those letters to him. To feel connected and not adrift. I burrowed deeper, resting my cheek on his shoulder, burying my face in his neck.
Connor didn't protest, he just began to stroke my back.
When my limbs were numb, I finally struggled to stand. Connor help me to my feet. Then he held my hand.
