Page 55 of Forbidden Obsession
“A bit, though it’s fuzzy.”
“There’s been some trouble in Irondale between humans and fae. Who better than mixlings to help them iron out their differences? The goal is to restore the peace, the safety of the people, and the trade routes.”
“So much has happened while I slumbered.”
Yes. My entire life. Rahz’s as well. “You’re really all right with me leaving?” I look at her, not father, who’s still scowling but has enough sense to stay quiet.
“I’ll miss you, but you explained yourself quite well. You must follow your heart, and your heart is with Rahz.”
“And with you.”
“And me.” She smiles. “I shall look forward to your return.”
We haven’t even left yet, and already I look forward to our return. Perhaps, in that time, she’ll talk some sense into Father.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Rahz
My bags are already packed.They were never completely unpacked, but I’m picking through them again anyway. Maybe I forgot something.
Maybe there’s something here I still need.
I’m fidgety, restless, and without anything useful to do. All that’s left is to leave, but I promised Jin I’d wait until tomorrow morning.
Though I’d like to be spending this time with him, our last day corresponds with his first day back with his mother. It’s only fair to give them some privacy, so I came to be with my mum while I wait.
“Do you have anything that needs mending before you go? That would keep our hands busy,” she says from the rocking chair in the corner.
We’re in our main room, and I can’t help but feel like I’m keeping her from whatever work she would be doing if I wasn’t still lingering. When I showed up with the story of Jindal’s mother finally waking, we’d already said our good-byes, and that leaves us in this liminal space, unsure of what to do with ourselves.
“Actually, yes. That’s a good idea.” I dig through the bag I have open and pull out a couple of my older shirts. “Would you prefer the one with the hole at the elbow or the torn seam at the cuff?”
“Seam, please. You can patch the hole.”
“Deal.” I hand her the shirt and fetch our sewing supplies. “And thank you.”
“My pleasure.” She probably even means it. Mum is good with a needle and thread. I’m merely passable, but it’ll do to mend a hole.
We settle in again, each with our project, both of us quiet. Waiting has never been in either of our skill sets. We prefer doing. And I’m too sad to put effort into a cheerful conversation when all I feel is dread over my and Jindal’s inevitable parting.
Mum, as if reading my mind, says, “It won’t be forever. You’ll be back before you know it, and the two of you will pick up right where you left off.”
She’s right, but her words do nothing to ease the ache in my chest. “I don’t want to say good-bye to him. Not again. It was hard enough when I was only going to be gone for a month, but now? Who knows how long this mission will take?”
She hums, drawing needle and thread through fabric with care. “You could stay. Princess Suvi is fae. Surely, she’ll understand the importance of one’s mother waking from dormancy.”
“I’ve thought about backing out. But if I stay and word comes that the humans of Irondale have all been slaughtered by the queen’s troops, I’ll never be able to forgive myself. I have to do this.”
“You’re a good man, Rahz, with a good heart. I’m lucky to be your mother, and Jindal is lucky to be your mate. Trust he knows that and will wait for you with open arms.”
“Oh, Mum.” I release a big sigh and resolve not to cry. “I wish he were coming with me. I’ll be so lonely. And so worried about him while I’m away. I thought, well, even after his mother woke, I’d hoped maybe he'd still choose me.” My shoulders sink. “But I know he couldn’t.”
“Listen.” She sets her sewing on her lap and tilts up my chin. “It isn’t about him choosing his mother over you any more than it’s about you choosing Princess Suvi over him. That’s not what’s happening. It’s about both of you following the paths you need to follow, even if they diverge for some time. Those sorts of decisions won’t always be easy or clear, but you must be true to yourselves.”
A breath shudders out of me. “You always know what to say.”
“But it hasn’t made you feel any better.”
