“I’ve been looking to expand my honey operations.Your property has excellent potential for hives, and its isolation is perfect for what I need.I’d like to lease the land—enough to cover taxes and provide you with a small income.You’d keep ownership, and perhaps I could use your cottage when I visit.”Niall smiled, his enthusiasm shining through.
Hedrek’s jaw dropped.“You’d do that?”
“Good business for both of us.Your land gets maintained, my bees get new territory, and you have a safety net if New Zealand doesn’t work out.”
The silence that followed was heavy with possibility.Sienna watched her parents’ faces, seeing hope warring with caution in their expressions.
“This is overwhelming,” Hedrek said.“Good overwhelming, but…”
“You don’t need to decide today,” Saber said.“Discuss it as a family.Isabella and I can start the preliminary paperwork whenever you’re ready, but there’s no pressure.”
“How long would that take?”Sienna asked.
“About four weeks for documentation, then travel arrangements.My contacts are efficient, and they understand the urgency that sometimes comes with shifter relocations.Enough time for you to tie up loose ends and plan properly.”
Marcus leaned into the camera.“Ria wanted me to tell you she’s looking forward to meeting you all in person, if you decide to come.”
Ria nodded shyly, offering another small smile.Despite her reserve, the hope in her golden eyes was unmistakable.
Despite everything, Sienna smiled back.Leaving Cornwall had meant mere survival—now there was the chance of belonging.
“We’ll discuss this as a family,” Hedrek said, glancing around the table.“But thank you.All of you.This is more than we dared hope for.”
“You deserve a chance to flourish,” Saber said.“We’ll be here when you’re ready to decide.”
As the call ended and the screen went dark, the Teague family sat in contemplative silence.Finally, Jamie spoke up.
“It sounds too good to be true.”
“The best things usually do,” Tamsin murmured, reaching for her husband’s hand.“But sometimes, if we’re lucky, they turn out to be real.”
Sienna glanced at Liam, who had remained unusually quiet throughout the call, responding only when directly addressed.The careful distance he maintained—physical and emotional—was a stark reminder of the wall she’d built between them the night before.
Despite everything, she found herself drawn to the possibilities Saber had outlined—a place where her family wouldn’t have to hide, where Kitto could pursue his art, and where her parents and brothers might finally find peace.
If only she could believe she deserved it.
The video call had ended with promises to stay in touch, but as her family dispersed to explore the castle grounds, Sienna found herself alone with Liam.A tense quiet lingered, carrying unspoken words and the memory of their argument the previous night.
“That went well,” she said, breaking the silence.
“Your family seems excited about the possibilities.”Liam’s voice was level as he gathered papers from the table.
“It’s more than we ever hoped for.”She hesitated before adding, “Thank you for arranging this.For everything.”
He looked up at that, a flicker passing through his eyes—more blue today than green.“No need to thank me, Sienna.”
His voice, distant and formal, drove a sharp ache through her heart.She wanted to bridge the gap between them, to take back the words that had driven him away, but fear held her tongue.
“I want to go home,” Liam said, his words cutting through the silence, raw and urgent.
Sienna’s heart stopped.“Of course.You must miss it terribly.”
“I do.”He set down the papers and faced her fully.“But I don’t wish to go alone.”
Confusion swirled through her.“Suzie and Niall could visit—”
“That’s not what I mean.”His voice was quiet but firm.“I want you to come with me.You and your family.I want all of you to come to Middlemarch.”
