Page 59

M cColl

The open field stretches endlessly around us, wild grass swaying in the gentle breeze. Behind me, Maya and Orion stand with their magnificent dragons.

“We’ll take good care of him,” Lydia says, her voice warm.

She looks different now, carrying herself with the authority of her new position among The Seven.

They decided it was time for a change. Time to allow a young representative to take a seat at the table.

I have to say that Lydia was a great choice.

“This should be a quick meeting, McColl. Word of how you and Kian took on Lilith and won has been making the rounds. How you two are together now. A witch and a fae.” She smiles.

“You’re heroes among our kind, both of you. ”

“I shouldn’t get any recognition for that,” Kian says.

“Of course you should.” I shoulder-bump him.

“Well,” Lydia goes on, “you especially, McColl, are a hero in the eyes of the covens…most of them, anyway. We’re working on the one or two who are reluctant to change.”

I nod, though my throat feels tight. Heroes. The word still feels foreign when applied to me.

Kian steps forward, his hands framing my face with familiar tenderness.

“I’ll be back before you know it, love,” he murmurs, then captures my lips in a kiss that is quick but scorching, leaving me breathless and wanting more. When he pulls away, his eyes hold enough love to make my heart race.

“I’m sure you won’t have to wait too long for your reunion.” Seraphina gives me a knowing smile.

“I hope so. Go on,” I urge them. “I’ll be fine.”

My stomach goes back to churning.

I watch as Kian, Lydia, and Seraphina, flanked by Blackthorn protectors, walk toward the distant buildings. Seraphina has grown into her role as High Mystic with grace. She deserves her new role.

Kian turns back once, throwing me that devastating smile that first made me fall for him. My heart skips not one but several beats, and I press a hand to my chest, feeling foolish for my reaction, even now.

“Don’t worry,” Maya says from somewhere behind me. “All will be well.” She winces, clutching her breasts with both hands for a few seconds. “I hope they hurry it up. I’m filling up with milk by the second. It’s almost time for Maxwell’s feed. I need to get back soon.”

“He’s just fine with Kyrie. Raila will fly fast when the time comes,” Orion tells her.

“I know. I hate being away from our boy, he’s only three moon cycles old. Far too young to be separated from his mother.”

The mention of her baby makes me smile despite my nerves. Maya has taken to motherhood like she was born for it.

“Thank you for bringing us. I owe you guys. They won’t be long. They know you can’t stay long.”

I hear the sound of talking and turn. In the distance, I spot more protectors approaching, and my heart nearly stops when I recognize the three figures they escort. Without thinking, I break into a run across the field.

“McColl!” my oldest brother yells when he spots me.

His voice is deeper than I remember, and when I crash into his arms, I am shocked to realize he is much taller than I am, with the wide jaw of a man. At seventeen, he is no longer the boy I left behind. He has broad shoulders and the shadow of facial hair.

“Moons,” I breathe, pulling back to look at him. “You have grown, Elijah!”

My middle brother, Oliver, fifteen now, has shot up as well, his face leaner but still holding that mischievous spark I remember. Then there’s Conner; my baby brother, at fourteen, is almost as tall as I am, his smile just as bright as ever.

“You look exactly the same,” Elijah says.

Tears stream down my face as I pull all three of them into another fierce hug, breathing in their familiar scents, feeling their solid warmth against me.

“I can’t believe how much you’ve grown,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “You’re all so…so tall.” I laugh through my tears, reaching up to ruffle Conner’s hair like I used to. “And you,” I tell Oliver, “You’ve got that same troublemaker look in your eyes.”

He grins. “Some things never change.”

After we’ve clung to each other long enough to make up for some of the lost time, Oliver’s expression grows serious.

“McColl, we heard…we…um…heard you escaped from one of the fae Courts. And that you’re married to one of them now?

Is that true?” His eyes hold concern. I see the same look in the other two’s eyes as well.

My heart swells with love for them. “It’s true, Olly.

His name is Kian, and he’s…” I pause, trying to find words that can capture what he means to me.

“He’s wonderful. Kind and brave, and honorable.

He saved me in more ways than one. I can’t wait for you to meet him.

I know that he is dying to meet the three of you.

He can’t wait to take you hunting and fishing. ”

“Fishing.” Conner’s eyes spark with excitement.

“Oh, yes. He’ll be back soon; he has a meeting with the Blackthorn Circle.”

Elijah studies my face carefully. “You love him, don’t you?”

“I do. More than I ever thought possible. It would make me very happy if you could try to accept him. If, at the very least, you could get to know him before you pass judgment.”

“Of course we will,” Conner says.

Elijah nods slowly, then his expression grows even more serious. “Is it true about Mother?”

The question I’ve been dreading. Three sets of big eyes look at me…

waiting. I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of what I have to tell them.

“It is true. She operated outside of The Circle as a vigilante. She wanted to align with Queen Snow, who is a terrible ruler…a terrible person. She hurt Kian. She went on trial for her crimes and received a life sentence. Normally, a witch would be banished, but they couldn’t risk it with our mother because she was too powerful to be set free, too dangerous.

We were sure she’d cause trouble for us.

She was sentenced to life, locked up, and unable to use her magic.

” I pause, my voice dropping. “She killed herself the next day. It was a terrible, cowardly thing to do. I know she was our mother and I’m so sorry. ”

I brace myself for their reaction, expecting tears, anger, maybe denial. Instead, they exchange glances and shrug.

“Okay,” Conner says simply. “She wasn’t very nice.” From the mouths of babes.

“Thank you for telling us,” Oliver tells me.

Their acceptance shouldn’t surprise me. Our mother had been emotionally absent for their whole life. I raised these boys more than she ever did. We were a team once and will be again.

Conner’s eyes suddenly light up with excitement. “McColl, are you really here to fetch us? To take us with you?”

“I am,” I say, my heart lifting at his enthusiasm.

“Are those actual dragons?” Oliver’s eyes are fixed on the beasts.

“They’re big,” Conner pushes out. “Enormous. Can I touch one?”

“No, you cannot,” Elijah tells him. “They’re dangerous.”

“Actually, they will be just fine as long as we treat them with respect. I want you to meet my new friends. Once Kian is done, I’m taking you to spend some time with me. Who wants to ride a dragon?”

The excitement that erupts from all three of them is infectious. Even my oldest brother, trying to maintain his newfound maturity, can’t hide his grin.

“Come on,” I say. “There are some people I want you to meet.”

Conner immediately takes my hand, his grip warm and trusting. Olly takes my other hand, and Elijah falls into step beside us. He grins at me.

“I’m so happy to see you again,” Elijah says quietly. “We missed you so much, McColl.”

“I missed you too…all three of you,” I whisper back, my throat tight with emotion.

As we walk toward the dragons, Maya and Orion, I glance back at the buildings where Kian is having his meeting. Soon, my past and my present will truly come together. My heart feels so full it might burst.

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