Page 99 of Wedlock (Vampire Bachelor Games #3)

“Yes,” I mutter to Yin where I stand by the window, the phone pressed to my ear, my eyes on the lake below where his chopper has just landed. “I think I gave him a lot to think about. It’s been five days since his last visit.”

“And you think he’s coming tonight to capitulate, to tell you he understands?”

“I guess so.”

“And if not you’ll offer him the olive branch we discussed?”

I nod and chew my lip.

‘What choice do we have? What choice do my babies have? This is the only way. Especially after what Phil revealed.’

“Yes.”

Yin sighs her relief, and I couldn’t agree more.

Today had been full of revelations, all unwelcome, and we’d had to brainstorm a solution fast now that we know about Eleanor.

Yin and I had thought long and hard about why she could possibly want flying children, and our only guess was that she was going to try and use them somehow for her own gain.

But neither of us imagined just how diabolical she truly was.

When Yin phoned, I almost couldn’t believe what she was telling me.

Phil had revealed that Eleanor was the one who poisoned Tiger.

She’d done it because she knew he was a bastard, and she wanted me to be returned, with Talon. She was also confident Talon was going to fly because she knew without a doubt that my blood was part fae.

She’s known all along.

What she planned to do after my return is still a mystery.

It’s possible she’s also in league with The Free Men for even darker objectives, but Phil died before he could articulate anything else.

We can only guess what she’s up to now. But as Yin reminded me, there was always a price with The Free Men.

I suspect my daughter was that price.

“Yin, he’s almost here. I have to go. Once again, I’m so sorry about Phil.”

“Shoganai.”

“Yes, I murmur, “it can’t be helped.”

‘But can I?’

She hangs up just as my vampire knocks on the door.

Sighing, I open it, my heart hammering at the thought of seeing him again, yet breaking for the same reason.

If I’m right, this is truly goodbye.

He smiles as I open the door and steps forward to kiss me on the cheek.

“If you’ve come to say goodbye,” I murmur, not moving from the doorway, “then let’s get it over and done with, Falcon. We’ve had plenty of practice.”

“On the contrary,” he shakes his head, “I’ve come up with a solution to our quandary.”

‘Of course he wouldn’t give up that easily.’

“I think I might have too,” I sigh, walking through to the living room to sit, my heart racing at what Yin and I have decided to offer him.

“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 outline my solution 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 gaining everything .”

“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.’

“It won’t make a difference,” I groan.

“I need to know.”

“Yes,” I shake my head, tears now running unchecked as I reach forward and place my hands on either side of his earnest face. “I do love you, Falcon. But I can never, never , be your wife again.”

“You still fear me,” he groans, “after all I’ve said and done, you still fear I’ll bite you and put you under a thrall. You fear I’ll be a bad influence on our boys, that I’ll become my father.”

“It’s not that,” I whisper.

He rises to his feet and stares down at me, his eyes full of sorrow.

“And perhaps you’re right to fear. Perhaps I am he, title or no. I still have his blood coursing through my veins.”

“No,” I shake my head, sniffing back more tears, and rising to stand before him, taking both his hands in mine, lending strength to both of us. “You’ll never be that, Falcon.”

“Then what? If you don’t fear me, if you accept I love you. Why?”

I whisper the words, my heart breaking as he crushes me to his chest, where I wish I could stay forever.

“I fear your mother.”