Page 128 of Wedlock

“You first,” he says quietly, sitting close and taking my hand in his.

I squeeze his fingers gently.

“You know I can’t be with you,” I swallow hard and rush on, “but it isn’t fair for me to deny you a relationship with your son. Especially not now you’ve met him, and he you.”

“Angie…”

“No, please, let me finish.”

He nods, and I take a deep breath and plough on.

“You have Tiger. You and he will have a father and son relationship, if that’s what you choose, and you’ll watch him grow. You won’t have that opportunity with Talon. But what I offer instead is that I make no secret that you’re his father. And when I’m dead, when Yin’s dead, you can step in then and ask him if he wants to join you and your family. By vampire standards, he’ll still be young.”

Falcon snorts and shakes his head.

“You’ll have centuries to get to know him after I’m gone, Falcon,” I whisper, “all I ask is to have him for one or two human lifetimes. If I live to double what I should, then I’m asking for probably one hundred and sixty years, give or take a few. I mean, I could get sick or have an accident before then. But even if I don’t, it’s not that long to an immortal like you, surely?”

“You’ve obviously thought this through,” he murmurs, nodding, his expression unreadable.

“I have.”

“Can I outlinemysolution before any decision is made?”

I nod.

“But, Falcon,” I interrupt him quickly, “I want a normal, human upbringing for our son. I can’t say it any plainer.”

“I know, I know what you want, Angie. If you won’t be Lady Dragonspur, if you don’t want any part of the castle, or the title, but you’ll have me, I’ll abdicate.”

I gasp as he rises from the seat and gets down on one knee before me.

“If it’s a human existence you want for the boys, then you and I will live as ordinary, well as far as ordinary as I can get, husband and wife. I saw how you were when you were surrounded by your family. If that’s how you want our children to be raised, as you were, then so be it. They won’t grow up under the shadow of The Families. I have wealth, I can protect us, you and the children will lack for nothing.”

“What?”

“You told me once before that I’d forced you to give up everything; your family, your friends, your freedom, your sanity, your child…I don’t want you to have to sacrifice anything for me in the future. All I ask is that you share that future with me.”

“And Revna?” I gasp as my mind whirls with possibilities and love for this impossible man, while at the same time knowing none of that matters.

“She won’t be able to marry a commoner. If I give up my title she’ll eventually have to look elsewhere for a husband. Her time is fast running out before she assumes the throne.”

“And the fact that one of your sons can fly?”

“I’ve visited the court and met with Attracta. She says a case could be built that your blood is not strong fae, given that only one son can fly. And since it’s rumoured you died giving birth and had to be revived, she can further spread that you were damaged inside and cannot have any more children.”

“And what does your mother think of your plan to give up your title?” I whisper.

“She doesn’t know, but Attracta said it’s a good solution. She said the Queen could be importuned for a dispensation for you. Naturally my title and lands will all go back to her, along with Spider’s. Her wealth will increase exponentially, as will the favours she’s owed when she bestows those titles upon others.”

“You’d really do that for me?” I groan. “You’d give up your title, the title you’ve fought so hard and so long for, just for me?”

“I don’t see it as giving up anything. I see it as gainingeverything.”

“Falcon, no, you can’t do this. We can’t…”

“Do you love me, Angie?”

‘Yes. Oh, God yes, but saying it out loud will only make it worse for him, and for me.’