Page 68 of Endlessly Raphael
“How do you know for sure? What if he didn’t die?”
Yves shakes his head. “No. He did. If he’d survived, he would have found me again. That, I’m sure of. There’s no way all these centuries later, he wouldn’t have found me. It must have been a lost memory looking for a home.”
I reach across his desk with my palm up in offering, and he takes my hand, smiling, but the heartbreak still pours off of him.
“What was his name?”
“Tadhg.” The word is reverent on his lips.
My heart hurts for my maker and brother. I pray fate will show kindness to the man who has given so much to me.
Yves pulls his hand free. “You came for a reason?”
“Yes. Haven’s parents are coming to stay for safety. It turns out one family member is potentially willing to harm him rather than let him take his rightful inheritance.”
Yves’s face hardens. “Do you have plans to eliminate the threat?”
“Yes, but Haven’s mother is at risk, and I can’t allow anything to happen to her.”
“What can we do to help?”
“Nothing yet. I just wanted to make you aware.”
“I’ll tell the others.”
“Thanks.” I glance around his office for a moment. “Haven is my fated mate, Yves.”
Yves nods as a slight smile pulls at his lips. “I know. I sensed his connection to you as soon as we met. I’m very happy for you, Raphael. It’s wonderful to feel your soul so calm and light.”
“Yet I’m racked with guilt.”
“Guilt. Over what?”
“It isn’t fair. Especially after what you shared. Why should we be given mates before you?”
“My dear brother, fate works on her own timeline. We mustn’t question or doubt it. Perhaps…” He pauses, nodding as if agreeing with his own thoughts. “Perhaps part of my gift is watching this beautiful family I created blossom and grow. Pride fills my chest. Joy that I had a part in yours. My situation doesn’t take away from yours. I trust in divine timing.”
I nod, but it still feels so wrong. “Maybe fate is saving the best for last.”
Yves chuckles. “I’m fairly certain Thorn hopes to be last, or skipped entirely.”
I laugh too. “He’s the resistant one.”
“Yes, which I imagine is rather tempting for fate.”
“I’ll be in the front row watching that man fall.”
“I’ll be right beside you.” Yves’s smile fades. “Be with your mate, Raphael. Give him your all, and don’t waste your energy worrying about me. I’ve made it this far. I’ll be fine.”
“I know you will.”
“And let us know if you need assistance.”
“Of course. I’m going out to work tonight.”
Yves nods, effectively ending the conversation. As I leave his office, I find Viv and Viper working at the desk near the entry. Viper is typing on the computer, pointing at something on the screen and talking, but Viv isn’t paying attention to that. Her eyes are trained on the pretty woman next to her, and if she were a cartoon character, she’d have hearts for eyes. I hope love is in the air for the two of them at some point.
I enter my apartment to find Haven in my living room, dancing around to music playing on his phone. He hasn’t noticed me yet, which gives me time to simply enjoy him. He shimmies in circles, swaying his hips with his head tilted back and his eyes closed, completely lost in the rhythm.