Page 71 of Fate of the Fallen

I didn’t understand what he could have meant by this, so I said nothing.

His hand was warm when he settled it against my cheek, smiling as he held my gaze. “One day you will understand. It may be when you’re seated on the throne, overlooking your people, but … you’ll understand,” he promised.

For now, I’d just have to trust his word.

I was brought into a hug and more words were whispered into my ear. “No matter what, I’ll always watch over you.”

*

My father’s promise lingered in my thoughts as the dream faded and daylight seeped through the blinds in Liam’s bedroom. Seemed like all I’d done the past couple weeks was sleep, but according to Elise, that was to be expected as I neared the end, as the baby grew at an even more rapid rate than before.

At the thought, my eyes drifted down to where the white sheet covered the bulge beneath it, now three times the size it was when I escaped. Inside, my son or daughter wielded a powerful kick that made me smile when I placed my hand there.

Peace … we finally had peace.

Thankfully, Beth healed from the wounds that would have been fatal had they been sustained by a human. After a bit of medical attention from a nurse within the clan, a few days in bed was all she needed to be back on her feet. She’d been over to visit so often I worried she might slow the healing, but she wouldn’t hear of it. I shouldn’t have been surprised, though. She’d more than proven that the bounds of our friendship were limitless, and I would never take her loyalty for granted.

If there was one thing I took away from all this, it’s that, at the end of the day, friends and family were what made the world go round. One didn’t need celebrity status or millions in the bank. All I needed were a few good-hearted people who reciprocate the love you give.

That’s it.

Also adding to the extreme calm I felt since making it home was that Ivan was on the mend, too. When all the witches were rounded up and seized in Ridge Borough, they managed to single out the one responsible for the spell placed on the arrow that nearly killed him. She undid her magic and was then sentenced to death, while a few of her constituents received a lesser sentence.

Upon being interrogated by Hilda and a large, neighboring coven, it was decided that not all joined Sebastian’s ranks at freewill. Apparently, he’d forcefully seized a handful of young witches to do his dirty work, so instead of death, they were exiled to the Isle of Rayma. From my understanding, that was often considered a fateworsethan death. The entire island was hidden from the outside world by magic. It was also lawless and crawling with rogue criminals of the supernatural variety. In short, all our Sebastian-related problems had been eradicated and we were all better off that way.

With both Ivan and Beth back on their feet, our clan was almost complete.

Almost.

I still felt the loss of Nick as heavily as if it had just taken place. Losing him stung in ways I couldn’t even put to words. And it wasn’t lost on me that he played a huge part in me being here. Had it not been for that single selfless act, my family would have laid me to rest and I would have missed out on this beautiful life I’d been given.

Not an hour passed that I didn’t think of him, how he sacrificed himself so I could live, so my child could live. He’d taught me so much—about friendship, about loyalty. I’d never forget him for what he’d given me.

A chance to finally have the life I’d lost.

I glanced over at the rising sun outside my window and smiled at the beautiful gift of living to see another day.

“Thank you, Nick,” I whispered, knowing I’d never take waking up in the morning for granted ever again.

A soft knock at the door stole my attention, and then the knob turned. Liam stuck his head inside to see if I was up and I smiled.

“Thought you’d still be asleep,” he said, stepping in with one hand behind his back.

I tried to peek, but he hid whatever he carried well. He’d been keeping something from me. I could tell. There were whispered conversations between he and Elise, my brothers, Hilda. Several nights in a row, I’d awakened to find he’d gone missing. And now this morning, he’d been out and about already.

“Please tell me there’s a bagel, donut, orsomethingedible behind your back.”

That beautiful smile of his flashed and he came closer, revealing a long-stemmed rose instead of food. Just as good …

“I have a request,” he said quietly, easing onto the bed to place a kiss just beneath my ear. Right after, the sheet that covered my stomach was eased down and my shirt lifted. A second kiss was placed there as he pressed a hand to my side. He couldn’t get enough of feeling his son or daughter rolling around in there. Neither could I.

“Whatsortof request?” I finally replied.

“The kind that requires you to get dressed and join me downstairs.”

I groaned in response, sinking beneath the blanket again. “But I’m sooooo comfortable,” I whined with a laugh.

My hip was braced in his massive hand and I let him pull me closer. Being near him left me with the same feeling of love and protection fromhimthat I experienced during the memory of my father in the dream. I’d had one nearly every night now and I was almost certain I had the pregnancy to thank for that.