Page 50 of The Rowan's Stone
Theron explains while I add everything back to my bag.
“Are you going to read it now?” he asks.
“No, later,” I reply. Biting my lip, I realize we don’t have a lounge where I can relax and go through everything. They each have couches in their rooms, so they never needed one, but my room is too small. Besides, they should stop living separately. “Is there a comfy lounging place in The Abbey? Somewhere where we could all hang out together?”
Surprised, Theron tilts his head and considers me. “There’s not, but The Abbey accommodates our wishes. One can be created pretty easily. If you want one, I can do it when we arrive, but you’ll have to find couches and stuff for it. Preferably organic fabrics for Fallon and me. Will that work?” When I agree, he makes a note on his phone.
“Can you put in a fireplace? And a bar area where we could get drinks and snacks?” I try to think of anything else I can ask him to add, but nothing comes to mind. “Thanks, Theron. Maybe we can all meet there this evening and hang out? I’m going to read this letter and the MacAllister journal.”
Astor eyes me speculatively. “I’ll join you. I’d like to study the MacAllister grimoire, if you don’t mind?”
“Are you sure? We resolved our last witch issue, and I don’t want to create a new one,” I ask, frowning. “Think about it. Regardless, I’d love to have you join me.” Glancing around, I realize I don’t see anyone else. “Where are Fallon and Daire?”
“Fallon needed to go see his father, and Daire left last night to run an errand,” Theron explains. “Ready?”
Excited about the new lounge, I smile, ready to get back. Vargas, Solandis, and I used to hang out at home all the time. Callyx too, when he was around. I miss it.
* * *
After an afternoon of rushing around,I stop and study the room with satisfaction. Besides the two large couches in the room, there are several comfy chairs scattered throughout, a large table by the bar area for food or games or whatever, ottomans by the fireplace, and a ton of soft pillows and blankets. It’s everything we could possibly need to lounge.
Exhausted, I head to my room and pop into the shower, then dress in leggings, a long shirt, and socks, perfect lounging clothes. Grabbing the small chest with the rowan tree on the lid, I make my way to our new lounge and set it down on the coffee table.
After grabbing a water, I pick a corner on the sofa, grab a blanket, and settle in with the letter and the journal. Of course, I’m reading the letter first.
My darling Arden,
In my visions, your green eyes shine brightly now, which means the path to discovering your Elven heritage is right around the corner. And if you’re reading this letter, you’ve found your MacAllister heritage as well. They are two important pieces of your father’s lineage.
When your father and I met, we didn’t know it was destiny. We simply fell in love. I thought I was falling in love with an Elven male, which was hard enough, given the coven’s views on exclusivity and purity of blood. I didn’t care. I was willing to leave the coven for him, but after I became pregnant with you, things changed quickly.
He had to confess his greatest secrets, because they would now impact your safety. The first secret he revealed was his MacAllister heritage. He explained his entire family had been living under a false name with a fictitious background for twelve hundred years. When he revealed he was also a witch of an unheard seventh bloodline, I wanted to scream and rail against the Fates. His bloodline, combined with my six, meant you were the Rowan, witch of seven bloodlines. Gemma left me a letter telling me about the Rowan, a witch of seven bloodlines and the key to saving our race. I just hadn’t realized my child would be the one chosen for this destiny. I started preparing and planning immediately to give you the best chance of fulfilling your destiny. My visions helped me see the possibilities and pitfalls, and I took steps accordingly.
When Agnes left her final journal for you, along with the history of the MacAllisters, she only had one piece of a much larger puzzle. There are two more journals. It’s time to find your father, as he has the second journal. It’s his grandmother’s, and it tells of her life after she left the MacAllisters. As you step foot on the path to find your father, you’ll find your Elven heritage and his second secret. Only those you trust with your life should know this truth.
Your father also holds a clue to the location of the third journal, the one written by me. It will contain my final words to you. Until then, be safe, and tell your father I’m counting the days.
All my love,
Your mother, Gia Perrone
Tears roll down my cheeks.My emotions are all over the place when I finish reading the letter. More secrets. More journals. It’s frustrating, but it’s her story punching me in the gut. I can’t imagine falling in love and getting pregnant, only to have it ripped away. I didn’t know whether to cry tears of joy or tears of sorrow when she mentioned my green eyes. She could see me in her visions. I can’t even imagine how it must have felt knowing she wouldn’t be there in person. I’d been feeling pretty good about my seer ability after things turned out well in the Kingdom of Dragons, but after reading this letter, I’m not sure I want it.
Astor saunters into the lounge, his eyes checking everything out, and announces, “This just became my favorite place in the whole building. It’s fantastic.” He frowns when I don’t respond. “What’s wrong, gorgeous?” He sits down on the edge of the sofa and sweeps my hair from my face. His expression grows dark when he sees my tears. “Who do I have to kill? Tell me and it’s done.”
“Who are you killing now?” Daire taunts Astor as he enters the room and whistles. “This place is incredible. Kind of reminds me of another recently remodeled room.” He peeks over Astor’s shoulder, and his face is thunderous when he sees my tears. “What the hell?” He pulls Astor up to face him. “Did you make her cry?”
Astor shoves him back. “Get off me. She was crying when I came into the room. I was trying to find out who I needed to kill. Do you mind?”
“Stop,” I croak out and reach behind me for a tissue. After wiping my face, I hand the letter to Astor and Daire for them to read. A second later, Theron enters, and they give it to him.
Daire leans over and picks me up, then he turns and sits back down with me in his lap. As soon as I feel comforting arms around me, my tears flow faster.
“Cry all you want. I’m not going anywhere,” he assures me. He tucks the blanket in tight around me and holds me, letting me douse his silk shirt with my tears.
“I wish Solandis was here,” I whisper. “She always has the right words to make me feel better. But this feels good too.”
His arms tighten around me. “I know what it feels like to live without your mother. We all do, actually. Although technically, Theron’s mother is alive, she’s been absent his whole life. Any time you want to talk about it, you can pick any one of us, and we’d be happy to listen.”
