Page 49 of Secrets of Avalon

I stay quiet and she keeps going.

“My biological father died the second I drew breath, breaking my mother’s heart. She’d broken our rule. She’d fallen in love and let him get her pregnant with me.”

I don’t know how to combat this fear that has been ingrained in her, but I can’t bear to see her so broken. “I don't know what to say. But it can’t be true.”

“It is. It’s been the way forever. We have books detailing it. Couples who’ve tried to find ways around the curse. Nothing works. No matter how far they went, the man always died the moment the baby breathed its first breath.” Her voice is thick with sorrow, each word laden with the weight of generations of suffering.

I pull her closer, my heart aching for the pain she's endured, for the weight of this curse that's haunted her for so long. Her body trembles against mine, and I wish I could absorb her pain, take it all away. "Melinda, listen to me. We are not on Earth anymore. The rules, the laws of magick, they're different here in Avalon."

She shakes her head, her eyes clouded with a lifetime of fear and sorrow. "You can’t be sure."

I brush my lips against her forehead, a gentle, reassuring touch. "I have faith in us, in the bond growing between us. Your magick, my soul shard, they're connected in ways we're only beginning to understand."

"But what if it's not enough?" Her voice is a broken whisper, a plea for certainty in a world that's offered her none.

"Then we'll find another way," I vow, my voice fierce with conviction. "We have resources here, knowledge that's been lost on Earth for centuries."

She meets my gaze, uncertainty clouding her eyes. "You really believe we can find an answer hidden away in Avalon's ancient texts?"

"I do," I said, infusing the words with all the conviction thrumming through me. "I will tear the realm apart if I have to. I won't lose you to this. Or us." I brush a featherlight kiss across her trembling lips, sealing the vow.

She leans into my touch, a shaky sigh escaping her lips. "I want to believe there’s a way. I want to be with you. Nothing feels more right, but I won’t sacrifice another person I care for to my cursed magick."

I trace the delicate line of her jaw with my thumb, marveling at her strength and resilience. “We are meant to be, Melinda. Fate would not have sent you here to me after all these centuries only to snatch you away again.”

"I’m scared of hurting you."

"I’m not afraid," I tell her, sealing my words with a soft, lingering kiss. The contact is electric. "I need you to be brave, Melinda. I need you to believe I can fix this."

I will try.” Her voice is barely a whisper, but there’s a newfound determination in her eyes.

CHAPTER 21

I Am Not Alone

Melinda Mayweather

The warmth of Hawke's embrace lingers on my skin. We sit in silence, our hearts beating in sync. For a moment, the world outside this room ceases to exist, and I allow myself to believe that perhaps, just perhaps, we can find a way to break the curse that haunts me. He seems so sure that Avalon holds the secrets.

The illusion shatters as the bedroom door swings open, revealing Kellan's imposing figure. I jolt upright, startled by the sudden intrusion, and instinctively pull away from Hawke's embrace. Kellan’s grave expression and worried brows make my heart race. "Hawke, you need to leave. Now." His voice is low and urgent.

Hawke's arms tighten around me. He doesn’t want to let go. "What's happened?" he asks, his voice tense.

Kellan steps into the room, his gaze darting between us. He’s fighting to keep from saying anything about my scandalous position on Hawke’s lap. "My people have reported that Julius Darkwood has people following you. There will be questions and gossip about why you were in the Drakonii guest suites until nearly midnight. I shouldn’t have let you stay as long as I did.” He turns his gaze to me. “Domina, forgive me."

A chill runs down my spine at the mention of Darkwood. The memory of his cold, calculating eyes boring into me during the confrontation in the Hall of Realms sends a shiver through my body. I look up again into the warm eyes of my worried bodyguard. “You did what I asked, Kellan. There’s nothing to forgive.”

Hawke rises from the floor, holding me securely in his strong arms. With a gentle strength, he carefully lowers me onto the soft mattress, ensuring my head rests comfortably on the pillow. His touch is tender and protective. He tucks the blanket around me, his fingers brushing lightly against my skin. He leans down and presses a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead, his lips warm and comforting against my skin.

"Get some rest," he whispers, his breath tickling my ear. "Tomorrow is the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and I have a lot to prepare for. But I'll find a way back to you." His expression is tight and painful, his eyes filled with a fierce determination. "No matter what happens, remember I am yours. Trust me and don't believe anything you see or hear if it doesn't come from me."

“You mean about the other woman,” I ask, worry flooding back into my system. “Darkwood’s daughter, Vencia.”

At the mention of Vencia's name, Hawke's jaw clenches, and a flicker of unease passes through his eyes. He takes a deep breath, as if steeling himself against an unseen threat. "They're going to try everything they can, Melinda. I need you to trust me."

I nod. Despite the sudden tension in the room, I know in my heart that I do trust him.

With one last squeeze of my hand, Hawke exchanges a meaningful look with Kellan and strides out of the room, his shoulders squared and his head held high.