Page 19 of Tempting the Fae Lord
“Oh, that. Chester rode into the village first thing. He returned with a wet nurse who kept you until Eulayla recovered.”
“Why didn’t you keep me?”
“You’re here, aren't you?”
“Isn’t it what Eulayla wanted? For you to raise me?”
“Perhaps, but contrary to popular belief, Eulayla doesn’t get absolutely everything she wants around here.”
“Yes, she does.”
“Well, she didn’t get that. And be grateful for it. I’m in no way suitable to be a father. Beyond choosing your name, I certainly never acted in that capacity. You have Chester for that.”
“Chester isn’t my father. My father is a blacksmith.”
I don’t know what to say to that, but I’m glad Chester isn’t here to hear it. “Are you angry with me?”
“No.” His answer comes quick.
I thought perhaps he would be. I’m well accustomed to the anger of others. “No?”
“You were only doing your job. I won’t be angry at you for that. But I will be angry if you don’t take me back. I want to meet them.”
I should have expected as much. “Then you will be angry because my answer is and always will be no.”
“But—”
“Your place is here, in Luminia, not earth. Your family is here.”
“It’s not.”
That stings, but I school my face to a blank expression, refusing to let Gale see the hurt. “The other side is dangerous. I cannot protect you there.”
“I don’t need your protection anymore.”
“I disagree.”
“I don’t care. I need to go. I have to find them.”
“Put the idea out of your mind, child. It isn’t possible.”
“Don’t call me child. And sure it is. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Your presence would only disrupt their lives and cause chaos. They have their son, Gale, and it’s not you.”
As the words leave my mouth, I regret them. As his face falls, I regret them. As the air is vacuumed from the space between us, I regret them.
But there’s no taking them back.
There’s no escaping the wounded look he shoots me.
Voice gone cold, he says, “Get out.”
So with regret, I leave.
Chapter Six
Gale
