Page 24

"Are you sure you're ready?" Torin frowned at Gwyn as he leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed against his chest. "You don't need to do this."

Gwyn smiled, playing with Lucas's tiny toes and pumping his fat little legs back and forth. "He's so smart. Sometimes, I catch an expression or a look in his eyes—as if he's so much older than six months."

Torin moved over to the side of the crib. "I've seen it too. You need to be wary, though. He was a prisoner of the Dark Fae. Who knows what that evil bastard did to him."

"I pray every day Fer-Diorich didn't experiment on him. Look how his hair shines almost blue in the sun—like your brother's."

He tucked a wayward curl behind her ear and waited while she wrapped the soft blanket around their new ward. Picking him up, Gwyn held the sweet-natured boy against her shoulder, his tiny head resting against the curve of her neck. Her nostrils flared, and her chest rose as she breathed Lucas's sweet baby scent.

"Have you heard from Morgan?"

She nodded and followed him out of their small home, the lively husky pups dogging their every step. "She sent me an email yesterday to tell me she was taking the train to some small town in southern Germany."

"When is she coming back?"

Gwyn sighed. "I don't know. She's different somehow and I don’t like it. I can't quite figure out what it is. I need to see her, Torin. Did you ever ask Rafael what happened? I saw him during the fight, but he disappeared after, and Morgan won’t tell me anything. They’ve been gone for months.”

He shrugged, watching one of the pups try to stalk a squirrel. "He told Kilian he found her in the cave near the ruins. She'd killed several werewolves but suffered severe wounds herself. He knew what Fer-Diorich would do if he found the two of you alive. Fáelán can't tell us for certain if that evil bastard can still use you and Morgan to release him. The blood of twins is double the power. If he should get his hands on our babies..." His hand rested over Gwyn's distended stomach, her kidnapping still haunting him.

"I know." She sighed. "I just miss her so much. We've never been apart more than a few days before."

They left the cottage and walked a short way past the caves and through the wrought iron gate of the small cemetery. Torin stopped in front of the black granite-covered grave. Torin wrapped his arm around her, wishing for the power to travel back in time. He should have paid closer attention the night he and the other prisoners escaped.

How had he not seen Kellen when he searched the prison cells, ensuring everyone got out? The strength his brother must have had to protect his family against someone as powerful as the Dark Fae would amaze him for eternity.

"You can't dwell on the past. Kellen made his choices in life. In death, he is with his true mate and daughter. Be happy for him." She rested her head against Torin's chest, the cool breeze caressing her face. The forest's trees wore beautiful shades of reds and yellows, and a few had begun losing their leaves. After Christmas, Fall was his favorite time of year. She glanced up at his sad face. "Torin?"

"I know, mon ange, I know. It doesn't make it any easier. Had I known—?" He would forever wonder how she knew what he was thinking as if she were in his mind.

"Stop it. That's exactly what I meant. Kellen himself asked you to leave him and move on. What that Fae did to each of you was a travesty. Honor Kellen in death." She stepped away and weaved her fingers through his. "There's something else we need to do."

She pulled him over to the tiny grave beside Kellen’s. The cut of white marble at the head of the grave looked so lonely, but the exquisite pink angel on top was perfect. Gwyn smiled. "Where in the world did you find that shade of pink?"

One corner of his mouth rose. "It wasn't easy. Makari found it in a small quarry in Iran. The poor man he hired to sculpt the statue had to redo it three times."

"Why three?"

"The first two weren't perfect."

"Oh." Tears filled her eyes. Makari, for all his gruffness, was so tenderhearted when it came to children, especially babies—the most fragile and innocent of all creatures. Now, she knew it was because of what happened to his sons. If anyone deserved happiness, it was him.

After the funerals, Makari had gone off, disappearing for almost three months until Kilian found him somewhere in Siberia and brought him home.

Torin helped Gwyn sit on the mossy ground, and they both stared at the beautiful tombstone. Lucas bounced in Gwyn's arms, oblivious to the sadness and feelings of loss swirling inside them. Fáelán had etched Lia's name in the same style as he had the other markers.

Gwyn turned the baby around, gently holding him by his hands. Leaning forward, she kissed his soft black hair. "Lucas, we wanted to show you the special resting place the Immortals made for your sister. Lia's spirit will always be here when you need her."

Torin cleared his throat and placed a red-tipped white rose under the angel before brushing the back of his finger across Lucas's soft cheek. "Without her sacrifice, I wouldn't have my family, little one. We owe your sister and father so very much."

Lucas kicked with his legs and jerked one arm back, his small fist smacking Gwyn in the face. His tiny body straightened, and he held out his arm as if reaching for something in front of him.

Torin watched the boy's antics with a puzzled frown. "Does he have gas?" Before Gwyn could answer, he felt the whisper of small lips brush across his cheek and the faint tinkling of a child's laugh.

Lia is safe now, Torin. Take care of Gwyn, Lucas and my great-grandchildren. They still have an essential part to play in all our futures. Morrigan's lilting Irish brogue faded away on the breeze. A fiery pain burned in his chest, his fear immobilizing.

He met Lucas's trusting dark blue gaze, and that fear faded. Lucas laid his hand against Torin’s cheek, knowing he would do whatever he had to, to keep his family, including the Immortals, safe from Fer-Diorich and his Ironclaw army.

He took the baby and helped Gwyn to her feet, pulling her into his embrace with his free arm. She stared into his eyes and smiled. "I've spent most of my life dreading the future. You changed all of that for me. I don't remember ever feeling this happy." She glanced down at Lucas, her grip tightening around her mate's waist.

Torin smiled and feathered his lips over hers, his kiss holding the promise of sinful pleasures once they tucked Lucas into bed. He kissed his nephew's temple, but his gaze never left Gwyn's. "You realize our fight isn't over? Fer-Diorich will still come after us. Fáelán's already discussing what we need to get done before Samhain—and the birth of our babies. That's when the veil between worlds is the thinnest."

"I do, but I don't want to think about that now. This moment, I want to only think about your sinful mouth and your magical touch."

Love swelled inside his chest. Never in his long life had he ever dreamed of having someone like this extraordinary woman. She was his miracle. Tilting her face up to his, he kissed her. "I will never be able to tell you how much I love you, Gwyn O'Roark. Let's go home, mon ange , ” he whispered against her lips.

She cradled his cheek with her hand. "I see it in your eyes and feel it in your touch. Just never stop looking at me the way you are right now. I love you right back, my wolf man."

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I hope you enjoyed Torin’s Sacrifice!