Page 13 of Rix & Val
Bracketed between the male that’s become like a father to all us females and the male that loves me with both his hearts, I flick the tab, holding the parchment closed, and open it up, reading it out loud so that all those gathered can hear it.
Valoria,
I’m so sorry.
I should have never sent you away. It broke my heart to do so. The boys were right. I should have freed you. I’m sorry that I didn’t. As soon as the guards took you away, I knew I’d made a mistake. I tried to find you, and when I’d heard there were escapees from the ship, I knew one of them would be you. You are the strongest female I know, and I can never thank you enough for all you taught the boys while you were with us. I’m hoping it will be enough to save them because what I’m about to do may be the death of them, but I have to try.
You were right about the female I married. I’m ashamed to say I was blind to all her faults. She is poisoning me and I’m declining fast.
I know I have no right to ask this of you, but I hope that the love you carry for the boys will be enough. I’m sending them your way because I know you will havefound a way to stay free. I hope they can find you. I’m begging you to look after them. Raz is nearly fully grown, but Luc still has many years until adulthood.
I’ve hidden Intergalactic Crowns for them in an account that my wife doesn’t know about. It is under your name. The passcode is the date you left us because I know it’s burned in my memory as one of the worst days for all of us.
I hope that one day you can forgive me. Nothing I say will ever make up for the way I treated you.
Look after my boys for me. Tell them I love them.
Moons’ blessings to you, Valoria. May the stars and all the universe keep you and my boys safe.
Until we meet again.
Joshu
I’m in tears by the time I finish reading. Old hurts rising to the surface. But he’d been right in knowing that I’d never send the boys away. They hadn’t been at fault.
Rix runs a finger across my cheek, wiping the tears away as quickly as they fall. Until he gives up and drags me onto his lap, enfolding me in his arms, murmuring soft words of comfort to me. Kragor grips my calf, letting me know he’s there. For someone who’s been a loner most of her life, the fact that I have so many caring for me a year later fills my heart with happiness.
I know what I have to do. The boys are my family just as much as everyone gathered in this room and my sisters outside are. Wiping at my eyes, I tilt my head back on Rix’s shoulder.
“We’ll have to add more rooms to our house,” I tell him.
“We can do that,” he agrees.
“Well,” Vex tells us as he stands, “looks like we won’t have to look far for the next batch of prospects.”
Laughter bursts out of me, and I turn my head to look at him. “No, we won’t. It’s good to keep it in-house and I’ll start training these two as soon as I can, so we’re halfway there already.”
“Excellent,” Stron tells me as they all stand to leave. Somehow, they know I need some time alone with Rix. Kragor is the last to go.
“You’re a good female, Val.” He looks at me, and I can see the pride he has in me when he says, “I’m proud of you and what you are doing for those boys.” He pats my leg one more time before heaving himself from the couch and lumbering out after the rest.
When it’s only Rix and I left, I turn to look at him. “Are you okay with taking on the boys?”
“Of course,milseán. Because they are important to you, they are important to me. They aren’t weak and that’s partly down to you, I’m sure. They’ve been through hell to find you.”
Sitting up, I straddle his thighs. Wrapping my hands around the back of his neck, I rest my forehead against his. “I love you, Rix.”
It’s the first time I’ve said it out loud. I’ve shown him, but I’ve always held back the words.
He smiles a soft smile. “I know, stór mo chroí. But it’s good to hear the words. I love you very much. Thank you for being you.”
My eyes fill with tears again at his heartfelt words.
‘Gah, this male always knows the right things to say.’
I’m not sure how I got this lucky, but I’ll be holding onto him forever.
The End
