Page 116 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
“I’m sorry about your mother,” Alastor said, breaking the silence between Teddy and me.
I cleared my throat. “As am I. I’m sorry about Grandma Richter,” I told Teddy. “She wasn’t my grandmother, but sometimes it felt like she was. She was a good female, a good woman. I’m sorry this war cost you, Ry, and Donnie her life.”
Teddy’s expression fell, and I scented the tears she held back. When she nodded, I forced my attention away from my mate and felt my throat bob with my swallow when I faced Alastor again. “My mother wanted us to tell you she was sorry for what she and my father did to you and your family. I know it isn’t enough, but I’m sorry too. Not just for that but how I acted at the first compound.”
“You wouldn’t be here in our village if the lirio and I hadn’t already forgiven you and moved past your transgression.” Alastor wiped his hand beneath his nose before he brought his fingers back to his temple. “I don’t know how your parents would feel about it, but I’m grateful you’re allowing me to have the mage land back. If I can still have them?”
“Yes, yes,” I hurried out. “That hasn’t changed. The land is yours, and we’ll talk about how to extend your borders.”
“Go to bed, Alastor.” Teddy eyed him carefully, and he dipped his head in reply. “Do you want me to make you another tea?”
“If you don’t mind.” He rose to his feet with a smooth precision my aching muscles probably couldn’t replicate. “One of Bon’s neighbors is bringing the younglings along with supper. It’d be best if you and your family stayed here since Bon’s house is already full.”
I helped Teddy to her feet, and while so much in my world felt chaotic, having her next to me settled my soul. She patted my chest twice before she stepped away to hug Alastor. This time, he was quick to hug her back.
“Thanks for letting us stay with you,” she said.
“You both lost much today. You’re welcome here for as long as you require.”
The idea of hiding in Tera Insaldame was too enticing.While I wasn’t sure of my merits as a king, I knew I couldn’t stay there forever. Whether my people needed me or not, I was all the leadership they had.
This time, though, I wouldn’t try to do everything on my own. I had people surrounding me who not only could help but also wanted to. For too long, I’d tried to carry too much. I’d tried to be too much for too many people and had ignored the wound that had festered in my own kingdom.
No more.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
ELIAS
Our castleand its grounds were demolished. It now sat on piles of ash and rubble that continued to burn. While Brenton had offered to go through the destruction along with several other fae, I wasn’t ready to face it. Lives had been lost there while other lives hung somewhere between life and death, waiting for someone to rescue them from beneath the wreckage. Those were the ones Brenton searched for as he listened for even the faintest sound of a heart beating.
I respected him for it. Appreciated him for it.
All the while, I kept myself far from where my mother and Grandma Richter lay. It wouldn’t serve as their tomb. No, I wouldn’t permit that. Not for them or anyone else.
Already, Teddy and Everly had started preparing our people for a kingdom-wide ceremony to honor those who had died. Although I hated the idea of watching my mother’s body disappear to join my father in the stars, I wouldn’t deny her or anyone else that final journey.
Once we retrieved each fallen body, our kingdom would honor our dead. Again.
Until then, we each did what we could. I hated separating from my mate. I hated the idea of me not being at her side should danger find her again, but I was needed here while she worked with Alastor, going to establishments throughout Somnio and Reignom where large groups gathered so they could cast a spell that would protect the establishments and its people from those who wished others harm. The protective barriers they put in place would ensure places, such as the tavern, would remain safe from those who terrorized our people.
Far from the castle, where my uncle once called home, Javier, George, and I worked together in building a prison made of iron. Unfortunately, because of the material, Javier had to do most of the work. Despite the gloves George and I wore, the iron stole our energy, making George’s magic flicker in and out of existence.
I sensed Evander and Silas before they stepped beside me. Kieren and Aidas followed them, wearing matching frowns.
“How can we help?” Silas asked.
I pointed my chin toward the foundation of the prison cell we were working on. “If you have gloves to protect your hands from the iron, we could use your assistance in building the cell.”
It was a large cell that needed to fit sixty-three people. All humans, ranging from someone as young as twenty-one to as old as seventy-six.
Javier wiped sweat from his forehead and tossed the pair of gloves I’d brought him to Kieren.
“I don’t need it,” Javier told his friend.
“It’s strange that such delicate hands can withstand such volatile material.” Aidas smirked.
