“Certainly.”
Then he turned, and disappeared into the shadows in that skin-crawling way they all had. I had to pray that he had truly gone because I wouldn’t know if he was standing at my back.
I turned my attention to Gall and watched him watching his son.
Then for one, quiet moment, I found myself utterly content.
“Sometimes I wonder if being smart would make things worse,” Gall blurted.
I blinked. “Make what worse?”
“The… you know.His eyes are yellow,Papa,” he whispered. Gall hardly ever called mePapawhen there were others present anymore—he insisted he had to set an example for any Neph, for the Shadekin who might not embrace me as their King, and for all our children. He also feared confusing Mael, though Mael couldn’t have cared less if Gall was his brother, or his uncle. Mael merely understood that he was family, and that wasenough. He was far more interested in wrestling with Gall, who never seemed to lose energy for play like the other adults.
“That boy has a heart as gold as his eyes—just like you,” I said, nudging Gall’s arm. “You have nothing to fear, son. When he’s old enough to understand, he’ll resist, and his eyes will change, just like yours did.”
“But I was—”
“You were a good, young man, deceived and influenced by animmortal,Gall. Weallwere. None of us truly understood. And once you did, you changed your position. Which is the right thing to do. The mark of a man isn’t whether he can be deceived or mistaken,” I insisted, as Gall’s gaze drifted back to the children with concern and longing. “The measure of a true man is in how he respondswhen he learns he was wrong.You did exactly the right thing. Don’t worry. We’re all here, and we all love Naran. He’ll learn the truth about the Fallen, as will Mael and Adiya.”
“Buttheireyes—”
“Gall, at some point every man that draws breath has to make the decision about which power he follows in the divine war. No matter what color his eyes are.” I met Gall’s worried gaze and held it. “Your son, just like mine, will choose right.Eventually,”I added, as Mael popped up behind Adiya and pulled the pretty ribbon from her braid, then ducked back into the bushes when she turned, caught sight of her unravelling braid, and shrieked.
It took a few short minutes to settle the children—Yilan had to be called over to rebraid Adiya’s hair, but eventually, the children were back to playing relatively peacefully, while Yilan, myself, and Gall stood watching in the shadows of the trees.
None of us spoke for some time, but it was Gall who broke the silence, his eyes never leaving the children. “Sometimes I’m afraid for him,” he said quietly.
I took a deep breath. “Tell me why?”
“Even if he’s smarter than me, he’s got… the bloodlines.”
“Gall, that boy is very muchyourson, not Lucifer’s.”
Gall nodded, his throat bobbing. “I know. But Lucifer ismyPappy,” he said uncomfortably, calling him the name Naran used for me—which turned my stomach, though I knew what he meant.
Still, I shook my head. “No, he’s not, because not one ounce of love lives in that heart—immortal or not. Family is a bond of love, not just blood.”
“Lucifer fooled me once… Naran is smarter than me, but it seems like Lucifer is even smarter than him,” Gall said with an unassuming shrug. “And he knows about Naran,” he added, his tone haunted.
“Thisfamily will always be here for you—and you can remain right here, Gall. Both of you. All of you, if Naran chooses to stay when he’s older. You can all stay here in Theynor, behind the Shadows of Shade, and away from any other mortals that might try to lead him astray. As long as Naran resists, it doesn’t matter where he lives, Lucifer can’t touch him.”
Gall nodded, but I saw the fear in his eyes.
I pressed on. “You’re teaching himright,Gall,” I whispered. “When the time comes, don’t hide from what’s happened. Tell him clearly. Share the parts of you that got it wrong. Let him know that if he’s ever deceived, or mistaken, you’ll still love him, too. That’s all he needs.”
Gall turned to look me in the eye. His welled with unshed tears, but his expression was brighter and he nodded. “That’s right,” he said hoarsely.
God, I wanted to weep. But then Istral arrived looking for the rest of us, and I watched my oldest’s eyes light up at the sight of his mate.
Yilan leaned closer to my other side, as the two embraced each other and Istral stood, her head resting on Gall’s chest,holding his waist, her eyes closed and sighed, as if just touching him were all she needed.
These two whom we lovedsodeeply, and who had been through so much, were so beautiful to watch. I felt Yilan’s emotion through the bond as she noticed them too.
“You know… we’re happy to stay with the kids if you two would like to take a walk. Gall, you could tell Istral the news Hever brought?”
Gall blinked, then nodded and looked down at Istral. Neither of them spoke, but she nodded and took his hand, following him happily through the trees towards the open garden, and the path on its other side.
I smiled, watching them go together. Gall dwarfed her, but I could also see how much strength he took from her presence. Already he was taller, and more sure in his steps because she was there.
