Page 23 of This Blood That Breaks Us

“Is that why you sound so . . . normal, then?” Zach said.

“Yes. Our body has had many years to adjust to a new way of speaking.”

Together, the three of us were in a different place. A blissful trance. It was hard to remember the past or the pain. It was simple to think of Her. To fall into Her rhythm and care for Her. Something shifted within me, and I wondered if every cobblestone step was leading me on the path of The Divine. I didn’t know what I wanted, but I didn’t mind walking in the garden if She was next to me.

Thick flakes of snow fell onto my eyelashes. The sky had turned from a milky blue to a soft yellow. We’d walked around the entire garden that spanned the left side of the castle. Beyond it, a set of cliffs and a raging sea beckoned. Time had passed without my recollection.

“Should we stay out?” I said, with the wet from the snow seeping into my clothes.

“No, let’s go inside.”

We walked Her through the garden and through a stone corridor. Sirius met us halfway. He bowed to Her, then peered up at Zach through his long lashes. A small smile caught in the corner of his mouth.

Zach was still holding Her dress.

“I’m requesting Zach’s presence. Will you grant him leave?”

“He’s free to do what he wishes.”

“You could keep holding Her dress if you’d like. Or we could start training. I’ll want to see you too, Luke. But it can wait.”

“Oh, fuck yeah.” Zach’s eyes lit up, then his face quickly fell. “I don’t know if I should.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said, knowing his fear was about me.

Zach wasn’t afraid of anything unless I was involved. I hated being the one weakness of my otherwise impenetrable brother. I didn’t hate that he cared. Just that it made him do wild things and prevented him from doing things he wanted to do.

He cocked his head, not saying a word, but I could almost hear his question.Are you sure?

I nodded. I vowed not to let him be alone with Her again—not that he didn’t sneak off and do it anyway. She’d always been harsher with him than me, and I didn’t know why.

Will left with them, and I escorted Her back to Her room while Thane stayed a few paces behind. Once alone in Her bedroom, I escorted Her to the vanity chair.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked.

“Anything, Love.”

“Do you ever miss your family? Your parents, I mean. It’s probably been so long for you.”

She studied me for a minute. “Yes. My dad, in particular. A great man. He took care of me.”

Kilian had run me through what he knew about Her history. The human had been married, then died three short years after. She was the daughter of a chieftain over five hundred years ago and had taken over her father’s reign. Her name, Cecily Dooley. I had questions but none which seemed right to ask Her in the moment.

“He sounds like a great man. What do you miss the most?”

“My father possessed a hearty laugh. He had me and then my little brother. He was quite proud to have an eldest daughter to take his place. Not many men felt that way about their daughters then.” She smiled down at Her hands, then up at me. “You must miss your brothers.”

“Yes.”

“I knew you’d be unhappy like this. But I respect your decision.”

There was something about Her. The way She moved made me soften to Her and let down my walls.

“It will get better.” She was angelically beautiful. Her face was smooth like porcelain.

She leaned into my shoulder, and Her scent and presence filled up the cool air and thickened in my lungs. “I’ve learned pain doesn’t last forever.”

“What about the prophecy?”