Page 41 of Murgul

My grip tightens on my Starshine, and my head snaps up to see my mam standing in front of me with an indulgent smile. “Well, that could have gone better, but she was warned about approaching you like that. Unfortunately, she is just as hard-headed as the rest of you.”

Whining in distress, I shrink into myself and drag Gwendolyn with me when I retreat a step or two away from her. All my reservations and doubts about meeting my mam surge to the forefront of my mind. I sense mam take a step closer, speaking as she approaches.

“Murgul, my son, be at peace. There is no need to be distressed. Your brothers have explained a great deal to me, and you must know I love you just as much as I love them—unconditionally, as a mam should. There is naught wrong with you.”

For the first time in years, frustration at my inability to speak eats at me, and my mental plea is full of frustrated pain.

“My mate …”

“You don’t have to ask, honey bunny. I’ve got you.” And with that confident statement, my bright Starshine bolstersmy shaking form, and I stand to meet my mam properly as Gwendolyn does the speaking.

“Hello! My name is Gwendolyn, but Murgul is the only one who insists on calling me that. You’re more than welcome to call me Gwen. I’m so glad to finally meet you. The guys all speak highly of you. Murgul is overwhelmed, but ecstatic to meet you.”

Mam sidles another step towards us, close enough to touch, but my brothers must have warned her about my issues with anyone but Gwendolyn touching me.

Her fists are tightly clenched together, as if to keep herself from reaching out. A firm squeeze of my hand tells me my mate will support whatever decision I make, so I take a deep breath and a small step towards my mam, tentatively laying my head on her shoulder, ensuring my horns will not hurt her. Releasing the tight hold I have on Gwendolyn’s hand, I slowly wrap my arms around my mam and embrace her for the first time in my life.

Pain licks at my ruined throat, but I force the words out for her.“Greetings… mam. I have… missed… you so much.”

Mam’s knees buckle and I catch her before she falls, her arms wrapping me in a loving embrace, her tears wetting my chest where they fall.

“Do not… cry… for… me.”My voice is little more than a whisper by the time I force the last word out, and mam jerks her face away from where it was buried against my chest, frowning up at me before barking out a motherly order.

“Murgul, stop talking. I know it causes you pain, and I also know that your lovely Starshine can be your voice. Let her speak for you.”

I can see the heavy scarring across her throat where the Aynar filth tried to end her life out of a twisted, jealous desire to possess what did not belong to him.

Sighing in resignation at having two females boss me around, I smile down at her warmly and nod my agreement. Mamreleases me and turns towards the entrance behind her, and to my surprise, all my brothers are watching us with smiles on their faces—even Bikar. He lingers further away from the others, though, since he remains unforgiven for his transgressions.

Reaching my hand out towards her, I smile with sheer joy when my precious bright Starshine slips her diminutive hand in mine, and we follow mam towards the rest of our family. Just as we reach the group, Atasha pops out from behind Kallen, kicks me in the shin, and disappears before mam can reprimand her.

Her tinkling laugh echoes off the rocks as she makes her escape. “You can’t be that bad if mam loves you, so I guess that means I have to love you too! Even if you are a bit scary,” she shouts playfully. “Tag, you are it, Murgul!”

Inconspicuously, I taste the air. The sheer volume of love and happiness surrounding us is almost overwhelming. So, this is what it means to have a real family. Mam ushers everyone else inside before looking back at me with a patient smile. “Take your time, my son. We will be down the main corridor in our dining hall. You cannot miss it, and you will be welcomed byall.”

Beaming a smile at her, I nod my understanding and watch as everyone disappears down the passageway. Picking up my mate, I whirl her around, basking in the sound of her happy laughter.

Stopping, I set her down, staring at her upturned face with rapt attention.

“All the days of my life have been a journey; I just did not know I was traveling towards you. I will choose you every rising until they blend into orbital rotations. I love you as if the cosmos itself shaped me to be the male you needed. I will never be a perfect male, but I do believe Iam your perfect fit. You are mine, and my love for you will never be half-hearted, my precious, bright Starshine.

Laying it on a bit thick, are you not Murgul?

Quit frackin’ up my moment, Vrog!

Tears well and spill, streaming down her cheeks in salty trails, letting out a watery laugh at Vrog’s ill-timed interjection. Standing on her tiptoes, she reaches up and cups my face between her wee hands.

“Hush, both of you. Murgul, I will love you in this time, and every other time we are granted after our journey on this plane ends. Know that in any life, I will always choose you—no matter your form—because I love you for more than your physical form. I love you for your effervescent soul, and nothing will ever change that. Not even Vrog. I love every part of you, which includes your nefarious alter ego. Now, let’s go have supper with your family while your little sister tries to maim you.”

Did you hear that? She loves me too, fool.

By the way, when were you going to tell her that we got her pregnant?

The End.

Or is it?

Epilogue