“Yes, bug. Just the same.”
“And we’re happy to meet our granddaughter,” Owaine said.
“I’m happy to meet you too.” Artemis nudged Emma under her arm. “Did you meet Artemis? He’s my best friend. We do everything together, don’t we, Artemis?”
The wolf nuzzled her hand and licked her palm.
“Every young girl should have a best friend she can count on,” Noah said.
Emma beamed as she hugged her wolf.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you and Artemis go and sit by the fire and rest a bit more?”
“Yes, Papa.” Emma scurried away and Artemis followed, plopping down on the wool rug near the hearth.
“She’s beautiful,” Owaine said.
Myrddin smiled. “She most certainly is.”
“How old was she when you took her in?”
“A year, mayhap. Her mother was dead. Father unknown. The wolf was only a pup. We believe he may have been abandoned or lost when he’d found Emma and he just stuck by her.”
“He looks small. Likely the runt.”
A moment of silence fell over them, broken only by the crackling of the fire and Emma’s whispers to Artemis.
Trystan’s gaze wandered between Myrddin, his fathers, and Emma. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt so content before.
“All right,” Noah said. “You both have five years of explaining to do, so let’s hear it.”
Trystan looked at Myrddin, not knowing where to start. He recalled bits and pieces. Broken memories and emotions. Guilt. Betrayal. Heartache. Until… until when?
“There’s not much,” Myrddin answered. “After Trystan left, I went in search for him. Found him. Tried to convince him to come home and when he wouldn’t—”
“He kissed me… and told me he loved me.”
Myrddin held Trystan’s gaze. “I did, and I refused to leave his side.”
More memories returned as Trystan stared at him. “I remember wishing you’d told me sooner, but then I may never have left.”
“And we might never have ventured to the north and west until we neared the town where I’d spent many of my childhood years,” Myrddin added.
“And we wouldn’t have Emma, or Artemis.”
Myrddin squeezed Trystan’s hand. “All things happen for a reason, angel.”
“That they do,” Noah said. “That they do.”
The hour grew late as the men talked on about all that had passed over five years. Emma had fallen asleep on the rug, her head resting against Artemis. The wolf snored. Trystan let out a deep yawn and rubbed at his watery eyes.
“I think we ought to get some sleep. ‘Tis been a long day,” Myrddin suggested. He rose from his chair and offered Trystan his hand. Trystan took it, and Myrddin pulled him up to stand. Owaine and Noah pushed to their feet.
“What of Emma?” Trystan asked.
“She’ll be fine where she is.”
Trystan nodded. “Goodnight,” he bid his fathers.
“Goodnight, Owaine, Noah.”
“Sleep well,” Noah said, pushing his chair under the table.
Owaine did the same. “Good night to you both. And Trystan? It’s good to have you home, son.”
A small smile formed on Trystan’s lips as he nodded, sheer contentment burrowing deep into his soul. Here in this very room, Trystan had everything he’d ever wanted.
Everything was perfect.
He couldn’t imagine ever letting go.
