by Billi Jean
“Father. Mother,” Faolan said, sounding different, older perhaps, but still the child who enchanted so many of the immortals present.
Jorge blinked past his own shimmering tears and grinned. The boy went to him and they hugged for a brief moment. Her brother gazed down at Faolan with wonder on his face. He brushed the boy’s hair from his eyes. “You have done well. So strong and big, so brave you have been.”
Tessa crouched in front of Faolan and took his hands in hers. Her blue eyes overflowed with unchecked tears. “My son.” She shook his hands and gave him a fierce smile. “I knew you would not leave this earth. I knew you would survive. I willed it with all my hope.”
“I felt it, Mother. I tried to do well.”
“You have done well,” Tessa said, hugging him hard before setting him in front of her again as if she couldn’t lose a moment of seeing him.
“And you are happy, son. That is all we wanted for you.” Jorge helped Tessa to her feet and, arm around his bonded, he took Faolan’s hand.
“I am happy.” Faolan nodded eagerly. “I have a family now, see?”
“Yes, yes, and we thank you, all of you,” Tessa said, nodding to the group of immortals witnessing their private moment.
“My king, you would have been a king I would have followed anywhere,” Jorge said and took to his knee, arm crossed over his chest.
“Rise, Jorge, it is I who have wronged you and yours. I will see that your son is treated much better, as is your sister.” Aidan shook his head. “I will do all I can to ensure Faolan has all he needs, if ever he is in want. Jamie and Elsa are strong and will guide him right.”
Tessa smiled warmly at Elsa and Jamie, hugging Faolan again and whispering to him. But Isobel could see that their time was short.
‘Can they not stay?’
‘You know they cannot. If they could, they would.’ Bryson fortified her with his love and strength, something that helped ease the panic at the thought of missing Jorge and Tessa all over again. ‘You will always have them, here, in your heart.’
‘And you.’
‘And me. You saved me, Isobel. You gave me a heart.’
‘I love you.’
‘As I love you.’
Jorge rose to his feet and gave Aidan a grin she’d not seen for far too long. “Thank you, Aidan. We can go in peace now, knowing our son is well cared for. Faolan.” Jorge drew his shoulders back. Faolan copied him. “A good name, a solid name, thank you,” Jorge said to Jamie, then to Bryson he said, “Love her well for you will never have long enough.”
Isobel’s panic rose. He was leaving now.
“Sister. Our love for you is without end. Because of you, we have this,” Jorge said, growing dimmer as he spoke. “Do not think of me being gone from this world and no longer me. Think instead of me going ahead to another plane, so that when you do decide to leave this one, I have paved the way for you.”
The old tease was there, in his voice, the cajoling bigger brother who could get her out of bed or push her to make her mark in this world.
“Or else I will come and carve my own path, with my bonded, beside me.”
His grin returned and he bowed his head slightly. “It will be so, then. Until we share the same path again, sister, we both have much to do.”
Tessa smiled up at Jorge then to her. “Sister, you always had much to do and you always did it well. I have tried to be with you this long time. Through the centuries I was able to come and go but never for long. But when I did, I hope my love was felt and aided you in your darkness.”
“It was.” And it had been. Only Isobel hadn’t understood until now what had led her on dreams of better times. Now she recognized the presence of Tessa, the light, sunshine and happiness that was so much a part of the woman. The dreams. The times I had drifted in the sun, that was Tessa, aiding me when I was at my most desperate.
‘Then I have much to be thankful to her for.’
Tessa seemed to grow brighter and Jorge hugged her tightly with both arms. “We must go now. Faolan shall do great things, Rowan, wait and see.”
“Jorge. Tessa, my blessings,” Rowan whispered, sounding as choked up as she was.
Too soon, their shadows were gone and in their place only the scent of the sea, the one place her brother had found happiness with Tessa, and for a short while, with her, remained.
No one spoke after, but through their link, Bryson filled her with warmth and shared with her his love until she felt ready to burst with it.
Faolan sighed, breaking the spell. “They are gone. But I think they are happy. I never remembered how tall my father was, Jamie. Or how much my mother looks like you, Elsa. Beautiful.”
“Oh, Faolan.” Elsa hugged him tightly, but over his head she met Isobel’s gaze and she smiled. There were tears in her eyes, but most of the immortals were silent, the couples closer she noted, at the witness of such a connection.
Even Circerran seemed touched. She ruffled the boy’s hair and said, “You are such a sweet talker, pup. How about something to eat? Bryson probably has chocolate, or Aubrey probably has some candy…”
The tension dissipated at her words, and with it, the sadness. But the love Bryson held for her remained, a steady warm glow that filled her where once there had been only emptiness and sorrow.
‘You’ve saved my heart.’
‘No, I did not save your heart, Bryson. You gave me yours.’
‘And you will keep it safe, I know.’
‘Forever.’
Epilogue
“I am unsure what this ceremony means, Bryson.” Rowan picked up a long stick that Bryson had put different sizes of meats and vegetables on. “My need to eat food has much diminished.”
“It is not a ceremony. It is a barbecue. It’s something to do when we have company over on this day. Isobel likes it,” he added with a glance at his happy bonded. She sent him a quick smile and a burst of love through their link.
“And this is your wedding celebration?” Rowan set down the stick and regarded the yard, where Faolan, Jamie and Elsa were setting out a picnic table and chairs for their company.
“Yes. We wanted something simple.”
Today Aidan would come and with him Allie. They’d had word from Allie’s sister, Bridget, and had cause to relax in their worry for the couple. Bridget had not killed Rhys yet, at least, but they had not come any closer to freeing her of her curse.
“Bryson? Where should we put this?” Jamie held the banquet-style table over one shoulder.
“Isobel?” Bryson turned and she was there, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Ah, there you are.”
“I am always here. Now, I think that table should go over there, under those willow trees. Elsa said it would look pretty.”
“Then I’ll put it there. She’s gone to get a tablecloth and I’m sure anything else she can find to make it look pretty.” Jamie grinned and headed off to situate the table.
“Rowan, this will be good for you. You are spending too much time alone again. Even Faolan is tired of always visiting you in your aerie.”
“Aerie? There was once a school named thus—”
“It is not because of the school but because your place is so high up, like an aerie.” Faolan handed Rowan a piece of cheese and stuffed two into his mouth.
Rowan regarded the aged Cheddar as if it might bite him. Faolan assisted by lifting it to the man’s lips. “You eat it. Like this.” Faolan swallowed quickly and took another bite of his cheese, chewing with exaggeration. Bryson almost laughed aloud.
‘Do not! He is nervous around us now.’
‘I will not, but Isobel, admit it, Rowan needs to learn more about this century.’
‘Perhaps.’
“See?” Faolan prompted. “It’s good.”
“Ah, I do realize how to masticate food, young sir.” Rowan took a bite, slowly, and with a studied expression of patience, chewed. After a moment he lifted his dark eyebrows and hummed. Regarding the Cheddar again, he turned
it this way and that. “Not bad. I suppose with wine this would be enjoyable.”
“Jamie says wine makes everything more enjoyable, especially with Elsa.”
“Boy!”
Faolan jumped at Jamie’s shout and raced off before Jamie could catch him. Bryson busted up, wiping at his eyes when Jamie nearly slipped on the wet grass trying to reach Faolan. It was funnier when Elsa arrived and Faolan ducked under her protection. Jamie stopped short and towering over her, nose to nose, though he must have gotten a lecture because he grimaced.
“He is adorable,” Isobel said at his elbow.
“The boy? Of course.”
“No, Jamie. He loves the boy but enjoys teasing him, as he does Elsa.” At her words, Jamie scooped both up in his arms and threatened to throw them into the small fountain. Both of his victims broke into giggles.
“You should not think another man cute,” he teased.
Isobel blinked up at him, all innocence. ‘Why is this? You are not cute. You are handsome and strong.’
‘I am not cute?’
She smiled and memories of their night before eased between them, each one so erotic he grew aroused within seconds. ‘You are this, not…cute.’
He hugged her tightly and growled into her ear. “You are more than I ever deserved, but I will love you forever.”
“All right, enough of that, didn’t you two have a full month to carry on like that?” Circerran called from the gate. The back yard to Bryson’s Seattle home was built with twenty foot shrubs around the entire property, except where he had cut out a gate. This far from town, hidden with spells and surrounded by his hounds, they were safe. Even from witches. He turned with Isobel under his arm and grinned.
“We will never have enough of that,” he stressed, earning a shocked gasp from Isobel.
“True, man, true.” Jack sauntered over, giving him a firm hands clasp. Circerran smiled and Bryson noticed the stress and exhaustion was missing from her gaze. “Rest has done you good.”
Bryson accepted the silver and white wrapped gift Jack held out, touched by their thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”
“We had a mini vacation, too.” Circerran let Jack drape his arm over her shoulder.
“We thought it best before more shit hits the fan,” Jack added darkly.
“And there will be?” Bryson asked.
Jack shrugged. “Never know, right?”
“Come, no talk of these things now,” Isobel insisted. “Circerran, would you like something to drink? We have some wine that Rowan supplied. I believe it is considered very old.”
“As old as Rowan? I’m in, if so.” Jaxon walked up to smack Rowan on the back like a long-lost friend. “Old man, how’s it hanging?”
“Jaxon,” Rowan said stiffly then warmed to bow politely to Joey. “Joey, you look as enchanting as ever.”
“Rowan, you are always so sweet. How do you tolerate Jaxon teasing you? I would advise you remind him how much stronger you are than he is,” Joey said in a loud whisper.
Jaxon grinned and raised his eyebrows.
“I would never shame your mate with a display of how easily I can make him kneel.”
Bryson sputtered on his sip of wine. Joey made an ‘oh’ and turned to mouth ‘easily’ to Jaxon then hugged him with a giggle.
“Dude, that was beyond excellent,” Jaxon said, not offended at all. “You’re getting the hang of this age. See, I told you, Bryson. He’d come along. Now, where’s the food?”
Isobel laughed lightly at his side, happiness radiating from her. ‘He is a good man.’
‘He has always been a good man, but Joey completes him, complements him, I would say.’
‘I agree. Rowan needs the same.’
‘We are not matchmakers, my heart.’
She hugged him tighter. “Perhaps not. Will Aubrey come? And Emerald?”
“Aubrey and Tabbie will be here. Aeros had some things to take care of first. Emerald, though…” Circerran grimaced. “She has been called in for charges placed on her coven. They are being disbanded, some of them imprisoned.”
“But not her.” Isobel’s worry grew when Circerran shrugged uneasily.
“I am not certain. I will go tomorrow, then I’ll know more.”
“But she aided us and helped Warren. We were told she even has been aiding him still.” Isobel stared from him to Circerran, who winced.
“I know. She’s a good healer, a good listener. But I’ll know more and when I do. Trust me, I’ll call you if she’s in a bind.”
“But for now, we need to relax and celebrate your wedding,” Jack said, raising his wine glass.
Jamie and Elsa joined them, along with the others until in a circle their guests raised their glasses, toasting to a happy union. Bryson felt his heart grow too big, as if his chest had no room for all the joy he felt. Isobel hugged her arm around him tighter and reached up to kiss his jaw. It was good. It was beyond good. It was more than he had ever dreamed.
Hours later, he still believed so, especially sitting with his bonded on his lap, her hand toying with the buttons of his shirt as they talked to their friends.
“You two are going to be happy,” Elsa said suddenly.
Everyone was gathered around, talking quietly or watching the fire dying down in the fire pit. They had all sampled Rowan’s excellent wine, except Faolan who had toasted them with his cup of soda. Most of the food had been eaten, then more had been brought out until everyone was content.
“Do you think so?” Isobel asked.
Bryson heard the contentment in her voice and kissed her hair. The night was perfect.
Jamie had manned the grill, with Elsa beside him, helping him keep the meat and vegetables from falling between the bars. The couple had laughed and carried on with Jaxon and Joey for most of the night. Bryson thought Joey and Elsa would soon become close friends, along with Isobel. They had already planned a shopping trip with Star, a fashion diva if ever there was one. She had been invited, but Ranger and Star were aiding Alrick with something he wasn’t sure he wanted to know about. The wolf pack was in trouble. Jamie had shared some of it with him, but Jamie was a lone wolf and the pack was far removed from where he and Elsa lived in France.
Jack and Circerran had been pleasant company, and when Aeros the Spartan and Circerran’s niece Tabithia had arrived, Isobel had immediately been pulled into a discussion with the witches on the heritage of Tessa, Jorge’s wife. It seemed she might have been a Jade witch. Bryson had watched more than joined in the talks, not even getting involved in the discussion Jack, Aidan, Rowan and Aeros had on matters concerning the changelings.
“Oh, yes, you two will be very happy together.” Elsa laughed, calling him back to the discussion.
“I think we will be, but why do you say this?” Isobel asked softly, sounding tired.
It had been a long night, and before their guests had arrived, they had not slept, but prepared food and satisfied other more heated hungers. He found himself unable to go more than a few hours without her, and thankfully, she was as needy. Just that waking he’d risen to her mouth sliding hot and wet down his raging erection. She was in all ways a fast learner.
‘I am, aren’t I?’
He shifted her so she could feel the effects of how well she learned. She boldly caressed him, knowing exactly how to keep him on edge now for hours.
“Oh,” Elsa sighed, unaware of their byplay.
‘Behave, soon enough I want you to do that thing you do with your tongue.’
‘My tongue?’ He sent her an image of her licking a line down the underside of his cock. ‘What of your tongue?’
‘Bryson!’
“It’s in your eyes. You match. Like Jamie and I. I knew way before he did, but now, everyone sees it. I think Bryson saw it,” Joey said dreamily, resting back on Jamie who looked as content as she appeared.
Bryson had a sudden suspicion the two had snuck off.
Through their bond, Isobel giggled.
“Didn’t y
ou?” Elsa asked.
Bryson nodded but sent Isobel a warning to behave. This time she listened, content to merely lean into him. “I saw it. Jamie was a little slower, but there is no harm in taking time to earn what will make your life complete.”
“Yes,” Faolan agreed, surprising him into hiding a laugh with a cough. “Even if Jamie made a few mistakes along the way, now he knows Elsa is his, just like Bryson. He made mistakes but now he is yours forever. The real forever.” Faolan sipped his Coke and smiled when everyone simply stared. “What? It is not what Gideon wanted, his forever was forced. Forever is when you love someone and know, no matter how long you are given, it will never be enough time to love them. My father said this, remember?”
Bryson curled his arm around Isobel to hold her closer.
“Faolan is correct,” Rowan said. “My brother did not understand love. When his bonded took her life, he thought that he could bind her to him with his…actions.”
“This was the reason for the token with forever scrolled upon it.” Circerran sat up from where she had been quietly regarding the dying embers of their fire. “I could never make that connection. I mean I got it, forever,” she stressed. “But why forever when he killed every victim? Then when you told us this murderer was Gideon… I started to look back to records Sorcha had kept and before her other witches. Gideon first popped up in ancient times. His signature was always this, a token, cursed to trap a spirit. A witch spelled each, not only to call him in when it was placed on the chosen victim’s neck, but to bind his bonded to him through their evil. But such things cannot force someone to you if they do not love you.”
“Does this mean that somewhere, out there, his…bonded is bound to him? Trapped?” Elsa asked.
Bryson frowned over at Rowan, who shook his head. “No, she has passed on,” he said sadly. “She has long since been out of Gideon’s reach. These charms, the spells, were meant to bring her back. But he couldn’t force her, Circerran is correct. She would not come, and so he kept on, refusing to give up and, when he did, he grew more and more mad, perhaps. Certainly more and more evil.”