Page 41 of King of Ashes (Kingdom of Sinners #4)

“No trick, sweetheart,” I say, smoothing my hand over her hair.

"I've been cruel since I came back. I've been angry and hurtful to people who didn't deserve it." His eyes meet mine briefly before returning to Brigit. "I was so focused on punishing those who hurt me that I became someone I never wanted to be."

“I didn’t hurt you,” Brigit states.

“No. You didn’t.” Phoenix runs a hand through his hair. "What you saw downstairs today… that's not who I want to be anymore. That's not the kind of man I want to be for this family."

The word 'family' hangs in the air between us.

“You told me I should choose to be happy, and that’s what I’m going to do.” He looks at Fiona. "I know you've protected Brigit all these years. I'm grateful for that, more than you know."

Fiona's stern expression softens slightly, though she remains watchful.

Phoenix turns back to Brigit. "I know you don't trust me yet. I haven't given you any reason to. But I promise you, I'm going to try to be better. To be someone worthy of your trust."

Brigit looks at him skeptically, then turns to me, her eyes questioning. "Is he telling the truth?”

I smile at her, letting all my hope and cautious optimism show. "I believe him, sweetheart."

Brigit studies my face, searching for reassurance. Whatever she sees there must satisfy her because she gives a small nod and some of the tension leaves her shoulders.

I take a deep breath, gathering my courage. This moment has lived in my imagination for years. Telling my daughter the truth about who she is, who we are to her. I never imagined Phoenix would be by my side when it happened.

"Brigit, sweetheart. There's something important we need to tell you.”

Phoenix moves closer, sitting carefully on the other side of the bed. Brigit's eyes dart between us, wary but curious.

"Are you sending me away?" she asks in a small voice. "Is that why you were trying to make me leave with Nanny?"

My heart breaks at her misunderstanding. "No, darling. That's not it at all."

"We won’t ever send you away," Phoenix adds softly. "In fact, what we want to tell you is about keeping you close. About being a family."

Brigit's forehead wrinkles in confusion. "But we're not a family. You're marrying Keira, and I'm just their god-daughter."

I reach for her hands, holding them in mine. "That's what we've always told everyone, but it's not the truth." I meet her eyes, my own filling with tears. "The truth is, I'm not your god-sister, Brigit. I'm your mother. Your real mother."

My breath holds, afraid of her reaction. Will she hate me for keeping the truth from her?

Her eyes blink in surprise.

"And Phoenix," I continue, glancing at him, "is your father."

Brigit stares at us, blinking rapidly. "But… but how? You said my parents died."

"That was a story we told to protect you," I explain gently. "When you were born, things were complicated. My parents, your godparents, they made me keep it a secret."

“Why?”

How do I explain? “It’s complicated. But I was young, not as strong as I am now. I did what I had to do to keep you with me. Especially since Phoenix was gone. I thought he’d died.”

Brigit glances at Phoenix then back to me like she’s wondering what he has to do with any of this.

“You see, sweetheart, Phoenix is your father.”

Brigit’s gaze snaps to his again. "You're really my dad?"

Phoenix nods, emotion making his voice rough. "I am. And I'm so sorry I didn't know about you until today."

A slow smile spreads across Brigit's face, transforming her expression from confusion to joy. "I have real parents? And they're you?"

I nod, relief filling me. "Yes. We're your real parents."

"And now we can be together?" Brigit asks, hope brightening her voice. "Like a real family?"

"Yes," I promise, gathering her into my arms. "We can be a family now. No more secrets. No more pretending."

Brigit throws her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly before reaching one arm out toward Phoenix, inviting him into our embrace.

I hold Brigit close, still unable to believe that our secret is finally out in the open. When we finally break apart, Phoenix clears his throat, clearly emotional but trying to maintain composure.

"Brigit," he says softly, "Keira and I are supposed to be getting married today. There are a lot of people waiting downstairs."

Brigit's face falls slightly. "Do you have to go now?"

Phoenix shakes his head, surprising me. "Actually, I was thinking that our wedding plans need to change.

" He looks at me, then back to Brigit. "This isn't just about Keira and me anymore.

It's about all three of us becoming a family.

That means you need to be a part of the ceremony.

Would you like that, Brigit? To be part of our wedding? "

Brigit's eyes widen with excitement. "Really? I could be in the wedding?"

“Absolutely.”

Brigit practically bounces on the bed. "Can I wear a special dress? Can I stand next to you? Can I do the flowers?”

Phoenix laughs, a genuine laugh that reminds me so much of the boy I fell in love with. "Yes to all of that. In fact, I think you should help us plan how this is going to work."

He turns to Nanny Fiona, who's been watching the scene unfold with tears in her eyes. "Fiona, could you help Brigit get ready? I need to go downstairs and make some arrangements."

Fiona nods, seeming to see Phoenix in a new light as well. "Of course, sir."

Phoenix stands, suddenly transformed into the leader he was born to be, but gentler now, with purpose rather than vengeance guiding his actions. "I'll handle everything downstairs. The ceremony, the guests, my brothers—all of it."

He looks at me, determination in his eyes. "Take your time with Brigit. I'll make sure everything is ready when you are."

As he leaves, I feel a sense of normalcy returning. Not the false normalcy I've lived with, but something real and hopeful. For the first time since Phoenix returned, I feel like we might actually have a chance at happiness.