He dropped to his knees, his life draining away as the two men fell upon him like wolves to their prey. It was soon over. One man went through Corwin’s belongings, while the other helped the third back to his feet.
Corwin appeared at Mason’s side, confused by the sight of his dead body in the alley. He looked around, his gaze finally settling on Mason. “Am I… am I dead?”
“Yes—and no.” Mason let out a deep sigh. “You’ll need to come with me. I’ll explain everything.”
“And if I don’t?” Corwin took a step back, ready for another fight.
Mason laughed, for it was up to him to complete Corwin’s transition to reaper. He’d like nothing more than for Corwin to choose death, even if it meant Lilly would grieve him. Better that than have to witness their reunion.
“Stay here then and welcome your finality.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Lilly was pulled from her fitful slumber to find Mason by her side. Her mind immediately went to Corwin, guilt overwhelming her once more. “Were you able to stop it?”
“No, love.” His words broke her heart and the tears spilled over. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her tears away. “Hope is not lost, though I don’t know how to tell you this.”
The worry in his eyes sent her mind racing. “What? Mason…” She was slipping into a torturous madness that stripped her of any coherent thought, her mind spinning around each possibility.
Mason kissed her, a sweet lingering kiss that slowed the insanity and calmed her. He pulled away and took her in for a long moment, before speaking with a sigh. “He’s waiting for you, love. Damon’s solution to Corwin’s death was to make him a reaper.”
His words left her dizzy, one thought after another battering her brain. She then focused on the one thing that mattered. “He’s here?” Her fingers knotted around the fabric of his shirt. “When did he die?”
“Only an hour ago, though I’ve yet to tell him about you.” Mason held her to him, though she could not escape her grief.
It was all her fault. How would she explain her role in his death? Would he ever forgive her? Because of her, he’d now be a reaper, bringing death to the unsuspecting, and living the hell she kept trying to escape.
“Come, love. I’ve left him with Pierce, and you know what he’s like. If there’s anyone who can make Corwin’s transition a little easier, it’s you. He’ll be happy to see you, especially when he realizes who you are.”
The thought that Corwin would know her for who she really was—his betrothed—gave her a glimmer of hope. She was barely dressed and could only imagine what she looked like after the tears she’d shed. Yet it did not matter. She ran her hands through her long locks to try and smooth them. “I’d like to see him.”
Mason stood and grabbed her dressing robe from the end of the bed, holding it out for her to slip into. Though he did his best to keep his emotions from showing, Lilly could see the worry in his eyes. Here she thought he would be the one to break her heart. And now? She did not know what to think or how to feel. Mason could have tried to keep Corwin from her, for the world of reapers was vast. Yet here he was, bringing them back together.
She held his face in her hands, his stubble rough against her palms. “Thank you, Mason.” She then kissed him like they were the only two people in the world.
He pressed his forehead to hers, his hands on her hips. “I love you, Lilly.”
Her heart ached, her emotions a tumultuous mess. She wanted to tell him that she loved him but she could not find the words. “Mason… you know how I feel about you.”
“But this changes everything.” The resignation in his voice killed her.
“I wish it didn’t, love, but I can’t ignore what I once had with Corwin. I’m sorry.” She could not lie to him. Despite all their difficulties, her feelings for Mason were genuine, though she knew not how she felt about Corwin. “It’s been ten years though. My feelings for him may be nothing more than a romantic reminiscence for what once was.”
Mason gave her one last kiss. “Let’s find out then.”
She took Mason’s hand and he led her down the stairs and into the sitting room. Her heart nearly stopped for Corwin still looked like he always had, his transformation not yet complete. Mason let her go and she crossed to where Corwin stood, by his side once more.
“Miss Hancock? What are ye doing here?”
Confusion lined his face, as Lilly fought the urge to throw her arms around his neck and never let him go. His voice still held onto the slight Scottish lilt that always melted her heart. Though he was a highlander by birth, his education and travels had been varied, the Scots faint as a result.
She looked over her shoulder at Mason and Pierce. “Could we be alone, please?” Mason nodded and left the room. Pierce followed suit and closed the door behind them.
“I dinna understand.” He shook his head and looked to Lilly for answers. He then blushed as he took in her attire, before looking away.
She gathered her robe around her, suddenly feeling naked. “Did Mason and Pierce explain that you’re now a reaper?” When he nodded, she continued. “You’re appearance has yet to change, but it soon will. You’ll then be able to walk amongst the living and not be recognized as the man you once were.”
Lilly took his hand in hers and led him to the sofa. She had to tell him the truth, for she could wait no longer, the ten years apart, ten too many. “Corwin, it’s me… Lilly. My appearance changed after my death just as yours soon will.”
His eyes searched her face as if looking for the woman he once knew and loved. “It cannot be. We’d met just the once seven years back at a dinner and dance. Lilly—she’d already died.” He shook his head, looking confused.
“I couldn’t stay away. When I found out you were in London, I had to see you even though it was forbidden. I know I look different, but it is me.” She had to convince him she had once been his betrothed.
“You asked me to marry you in a field of heather.” She looked down at their linked hands. “We were to be wed once you returned from a year at sea—and I spent our last night together in your arms.”
“Is it really…?” There was now hope in his voice, in his green eyes. “Lilly, is it you?”
“It is.” She pulled back her sleeve to reveal the crescent shaped birthmark—the one she also carried in life.
He pulled her into a tight embrace, and then, just as she had played it in her mind a million times over, she kissed him and he kissed her back, stealing her very breath and setting her heart aflame.
Though his kiss finally slowed to a stop, he still held her close. “By the gods, I missed ye, Lilly.”
“And I you.” She held onto him, taking in his scent, memories flooding her head. As a sea merchant, he always carried the scent of the ocean on him.
He cupped her cheek, his skin hot against hers. “Ye ne’er left my thoughts or heart, mo chridhe. And though our night together wasna proper, unmarried as we were, I must admit the memory of it kept me going through the years.”
“Did you not marry?” Surely he must have, for she’d died over ten years ago.
“Busy as I was at sea, I’m afraid I ne’er did find anyone. Not that any of them could compare to ye, my love.” He brushed her cheek and kissed her once more. “Did ye marry? Or is it not something a reaper does?”
“Things are different here, and though reapers do marry on occasion, it doesn’t often happen, given that we’ll live many a lifetime.” She wanted to tell him about their child, yet it would be too much all at once, and she knew not how he’d respond. They had nothing but time now, and it was best she not overwhelm him.
“I’m sorry if I disturbed yer rest.” He glanced at her robe and touched her loose hair, shaking his head. “It canna be proper that I’m here with ye in yer home, and unchaperoned no less. I dinna want to risk yer reputation, aye?”
Lilly blushed, for though she could let him think this was her home, he would find out before long. �
�Corwin… in this world we’re not bound by the same rules of society. This is not my home, love.” Lilly groaned at the thought of explaining her relations with Mason. “It belongs to Mason—the man who was with me.”
“Oh. And ye were sleeping here, unmarried and in a man’s home? Society’s rules may not apply, but what of decency and respect for your good name?” He shook his head as if trying to comprehend it all. “I’m sorry, Lilly. I dinna mean to criticize, but ‘tis a bit of a shock, aye?”
“Things are different here and it’s a lot to take in all at once.” Lilly thought back to her first days as a reaper. Mason had been so patient with her as he explained the new world she would live in. “I’m sorry to say there’s even more to come.”
As if on cue, Mason knocked once before letting himself in. “Perhaps it’s best if we let Mr. MacKenzie get some rest so he can finish his transformation.”
She looked over at Mason ready to plead her case. “I don’t want to leave him yet. We’ve had barely any time together.”
“Lilly, you’ll have an eternity now. He needs to finish crossing over completely.” Mason then turned his attention to Corwin. “Mr. MacKenzie, are you ready?”
Lilly held onto Corwin’s hand, not wanting to let him go. “Let me stay with him, Mason.”
There was a long silence as Mason debated and Lilly held her breath. “As you wish, my love.”
She could hear the pang in Mason’s voice, but also noted that he did not use her name. Instead, by using a term of affection, he made sure Corwin knew there was something between them.
Corwin stood and focused an angry gaze on Mason. “Have ye a claim on her, sir?”
Mason stepped forward, his jaw tight. “She’s her own person, and makes her own decisions. No one can claim her, and you’d be wise to remember it.” He then turned to Lilly. “Do as you wish, aye? You know your way back to my bed when you’re ready.” He gave her a peck on the cheek and then left, closing the door hard behind him.
Her cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment, though she told herself there was no reason for it. She fought the urge to apologize to Corwin, and instead held her head high. He may be confused by their actions, but she’d done nothing wrong. For all the faults she could find in this world, at least here she was treated no different than a man would be. And in a world where a woman was a man’s equal, there was no place for puritanical ideals.
“I dinna understand.” He searched her eyes, though what he expected to find she knew not. The girl she’d once been existed no more—not after living the last ten years as a reaper.
“It’s not like the world of the living, my love—and we do not abide by the same rules. I’ll do my best to explain it all to you, but I do think it’s best you get some rest first. You’ve been through a lot, and there’s more yet to come.”
“If you say so.” He let out a weary sigh, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion. “Is there some place I can bed down for the night?”
“Come.” Lilly took his hand and led him towards the door when he stopped her.
“Lilly…” He shook his head. “I ne’er got over ye. I’m sorry if I was difficult with ye just now. I dinna mean to judge.”
He closed the distance between them and with her face cupped in both his hands he kissed her, the years between them melting away. She closed her eyes and leaned against him, his strong arms holding her close.
“Lilly, I love ye. That’ll ne’er change, no matter what world we’re in.”
She felt her heart swell, relief flooding over her. For once, all seemed right with the world. “Come, love. It’s time you got some rest.”
***
Exhaustion quelled Corwin’s objections about Lilly keeping him company in his sleeping chambers. Sleep took him almost immediately, but while he slumbered, she stood vigil. This would be the last time she’d gaze upon the face she fell in love with.
As light broke over the horizon, Lilly watched his features magically shift and change. Moments later she was laying by a different man—different yet the same. He was still handsome—all reapers were, for it made their job easier—but some things had changed, some had not. His jaw was stronger, his cheeks more defined. She could still see the man he once was, but… that man was gone. A tear escaped while her fingers gently ran over his cheek and lips.
Her mind then wandered to Mason, and it made her heart ache. Her feelings for him had always been complicated by outside forces, and now was no different. She did love him, but seeing Corwin again only reminded her of the love she had tried her best to forget—tried and failed miserably.
Perhaps it was all for the best. She never did anything but annoy Mason and cause him problems. Yet she could not stop thinking of the times they’d spent together, and wondered what he must now think of her. Guilt nagged at her, for he’d been nothing but understanding about Corwin, even when it was clear he was none too happy about the situation.
It was early and Corwin would not be up for some time. The transition would leave his body exhausted and he’d need sleep to recover. Slipping out from under the covers, Lilly made her way to Mason’s room, though she hadn’t a clue what she wanted with him. What she did know was that everything felt off kilter and she needed to see Mason to try and sort out her feelings.
Not wanting to disturb his sleep, she let herself in. She wasn’t sure if he’d been awake or if she woke him, but by the time she got to his bedside, he was already shifting over to make room for her.
“I’ve gotten used to having you in my bed, love, and find it difficult to sleep without you.” He held the covers out of the way so she could crawl in beside him.
Snuggling up against him, he wrapped her in a tight embrace, relief and guilt both washing over her. Though their relationship was tumultuous, it was also familiar, whereas with Corwin, it felt like she’d gone back to her past, a past that no longer quite fit who she’d become.
“How are you holding up?” Mason kissed the top of her head and held her tight.
“I don’t know. It’s great to have him back, but… everything’s so different.” She looked up at him. “I’m so different, and frankly, I don’t know that I can go back to being that other person. Still… I’ve spent so little time with him. And he’s still adjusting to this world.”
“I know you haven’t found this life easy, but you certainly have come a long way from the frightened girl that came over from the living. This life offers you freedoms you’d not have otherwise, especially as a woman.” He brushed a stray curl away from her face. “You’ve changed, my love. You’re a reaper. Not some innocent and naïve girl. If you still want him, he’ll need to accept that or you’ll be nothing but miserable.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t know what I want.” She looked up at him, his eyes black in the shadows of dawn, his thoughts hidden in the darkness. Her emotions were a mess and it felt as if she would drown in them.
Trying to make of light of the matter, she teased, “I knew it was a bad idea to fall in love with you.”
“How could you resist my charms?”
The humor in his voice had her laughing as she choked back tears, her emotions still running high. She’d never been one for tears, yet it seemed the last day or two had left her overwhelmed.
Mason continued, his tone now serious. “Whatever you decide, you’ll need to give it time. He died only hours ago, and this reunion’s been a shock to you both. In the mean time, we still have Jack to find, Stefan to worry about, and Nelson to murder. The way I see it, we’ve got a busy schedule to keep. Frankly, having Corwin around might be a good way to ensure your safety.”
“Perhaps you’ve not noticed, but the people around you aren’t fairing too well. Pierce has barely recovered from his stab wound, and your driver’s still not up to all his duties. This better not be a ploy to get Corwin killed before he’s had a chance to build up his defenses.”
“Lilly, my love, it’s no more than a ploy to keep you safe—something you seem dead set
against.” Mason grumbled while shaking his head. “I swear, you’ll be the death of me. And given that I cannot die, that’s saying a lot.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The one change Lilly hadn’t been able to see in the dark of night was the color of Corwin’s hair. It had always gleamed with a touch of red when caught in the sunlight, but it was now a deep reddish brown, copper and gold threading through rich mahogany locks. His green eyes, however, stayed the same—the striking green of fresh spring moss.
“Would you like to accompany me on my reaps? It might be easiest to see what we do first hand.” Lilly took another bite of her eggs, chancing a glance at Mason. She knew not how he would feel about taking Corwin out so soon after crossing over.
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