Page 90 of A Touch of Flame
“So, you’re saying you think he’s not going back.”
“I would be surprised if he did. No, I’d be shocked. There’s something else you should know. Laura was here tonight. In my hospital room.”
A shiver traveled over Maeve, head-to-toe, and a gasp left her throat. “She was?”
“Braden was there when she appeared. She talked to him, telepathically, but she included me in the conversation. She said something I think you should know. She told Braden that when you took her life, her spirit had already gone to the other side. The poison had entered her bones as well as her blood-stream. She still had to endure the physical separation, but nothing could have saved her. You did the right thing and Braden knows it.”
At that, Maeve leaned forward and planted her elbow on her thigh, then her forehead in her hand. “I had no memory of what I’d done until tonight. I remembered it all when I was talking to you in your hospital room.” She told Kiara about using the poison paste on Braden so he would have some understanding of what Laura had endured.
“That was smart. Very smart. He would never have accepted what happened otherwise.”
“But can he forgive me? No, that’s not even the right question. How can he ever forgive me? I was the instrument that separated him forever from the woman who meant the world to him.”
“You know, I don’t think this is about Braden at all. You have a very different question to answer: Can you forgive yourself?”
At that, Maeve rose to a sitting position. “I didn’t mind killing those witches, not after the torture they’d put Laura through. But I hate that my hands took her life, even though I know it was necessary.”
“Well, tell you what. When you add to your staff, set up a few appointments with a therapist yourself. Otherwise, you’ll never get over this.”
“I will do just that.” After a moment, she said, “You know what’s funny?”
“What?”
“How much I complained about all the little things before I became analterwitch. If the day was too hot or too cold. Or if I didn’t like the meal I just ate. I fretted about my weight and worried about what other people thought of me. I worked hard to make money, but never paid the smallest attention to those in need in my community.
“Coming to live here didn’t just change my life. It’s changed my view of life. I would be a different person now, if I could return magically to the human world.”
“We all would. Ah, here comes Braden.” She was silent and Maeve could tell she was communicating telepathically with someone, probably Alfonso since he left the group he was chatting with and headed back to her as well.
Kiara turned to Maeve. “I’m ready for my bed and you need some time with Braden.”
Kiara caught her hand then sent the words straight into Maeve’s mind.Don’t let him go. You need each other and you’re good for each other.
At the same moment Braden drew close to Maeve, Alfonso slid behind Kiara’s wheelchair and started to push. Kiara caught Braden’s hand as well. “Good job tonight.”
“Thanks. Get some rest.”
“I will.”
Maeve turned toward him uncertain what to expect. His eyes were alive with celebration and rimmed with a golden light. “How many beers have you had?”
He chuckled. “Not nearly enough. I plan to keep celebrating for at least the next year.”
He settled beside her on the heavy top stones of the low garden wall. He pushed his shoulder against hers. “How you doin’? Are you recovered from the battle?”
She rubbed her left hand. “I’m not too bad, really. My fingers tingle and twitch, but that’s to be expected.” She glanced at his hand. “And you have killing power too, now.”
“That I do. Or maybe I do if I can recreate the same potion.”
“You used emerald flame.”
“Three grains. I’d do it again, too, if it meant ridding our world of another monster like Veyda. Name the time and place and I’m there.”
He heaved a sigh and grew quiet. His gaze shifted about.
She felt the need to address the tough issue between them. “Kiara told me Laura was here tonight.”
At that, he met her gaze. His beautiful green eyes bore a shard of pain she understood extremely well. “She was. She wore her favorite outfit.”
