“Some mistakes are bigger than others,” Peri said. “They have more serious consequences. Therefore, the punishment is more severe.”
“What if someone says they’re sorry?” Torion asked. “And what if they really mean it? My mom says when I apologize, I must actually be sorry and not just because I got caught. What about then?”
Skender kept his eyes on the ground, unable to meet the high fae’s gaze. He knew what Peri would say. Sometimes sorry just wasn’t good enough, no matter how sincere.
“Do you think Skender is sorry because of what he did or because he got caught?” Peri asked Torion. It wasn’t what he expected her to say.
“I think he’s sorry because he never wanted to hurt anyone, and then he did. And somehow that’s even more painful than doing something bad that you actuallywantedto do.”
Skender heard Peri let out a low whistle. “What are they feeding you kids these days? I swear each one is smarter than the last.” She cleared her throat and then added. “I think you’re right, kid. And I never thought I’d say this. In fact, I’m pretty sure at some point I believed hell would freeze over before I would ever extend an olive branch to Skender. But here we are.”
Skender looked up and saw that she held her hands out, palms up, as if to punctuate their current circumstance.
“I’ve killed hundreds, possibly thousands, because I let my anger control me. Am I any better than Skender?” She met his eyes. “The self-righteous bitch in me wants to say yes, just so you know.”
Skender’s lips kicked up slightly, but not into a full-blown smile. There was too much pain, like nerves being exposed all over his body.
“The reality is none of us are good. We all have the capacity to do horrendous things. And we all have the capacity to feel genuine remorse. After all that I have done, I know I have no room to judge you, Skender. I also know that we don’t get to pick and choose who deserves grace and mercy. If you and I don’t, then who does?”
Skender felt a warm palm on his face, and his eyes dropped to meet green eyes staring back at him. “Soarele meu,” he whispered as he leaned closer to Tenia and pressed his hand over hers, tight against his flesh.
“The answer to your question, Peri,” the fae said, her voice thin and weak from lack of use, “is none of us. But because the Great Luna loves us, she offers it freely. And we have the choice to offer it as well.”
Skender shook his head. “I wouldn’t expect that of you,” he said. “You don’t know all that I’ve—”
“I heard you, Skender,” she cut him off. “I heard everything.”
Skender felt nausea build in his stomach at her words. “It doesn’t change anything, Tenia. I don’t deserve you.”
She shook her head at him. “That’s not your choice. It’s mine. And I’m choosing you. I’m choosing us.” Then she turned and her face lit up when she saw her son. “Torion,” she gasped, reaching for him with her free hand.
The boy didn’t hesitate. He threw himself at her, wrapping his small arms around her and burying his face against her neck. Skender heard the boy’s sobs and watched as Torion’s body shook with the emotions that he’d seemed to have kept hidden.
“I’ve got you,” Tenia whispered. “You’re okay.”
Skender couldn’t help himself. The wolf had to touch his mate. He ran a hand across her hair, over and over, knowing that her scent would be on him and his on her. He waited while mother and son reunited and felt his heart swell with love for both of them. They were both alive, unharmed, and for the moment, safe.
Several minutes passed before Torion pulled back and sat on his heels. “You heard us?” he asked her.
She nodded. “Every word. It’s what kept me here.” She looked at Skender. “Can you help me sit up? I’ve got a few questions for that fae who tried to barbeque us.”
Skender smirked. He slid an arm under her lower back and lifted until she was in a sitting position. To his surprise, Tenia shifted her body so that she leaned against his side and then took his hand in hers and entwined their fingers. Tenia motioned for Torion to come to her. He scuttled over and smiled as he pressed against her other side. The joy on his face was contagious, regardless of any ugliness Skender had just confessed. Torion’s exhilaration at his mother’s waking was enough to push the darkness aside, for now.
When she was settled, Tenia’s gaze landed on the high fae across from them. Skender looked at Peri as well. She didn’t appear the least bit unsettled. She simply watched them.
“How the hell are we still alive?” Tenia said, her voice a sharp slap, which actually caused Peri to flinch. Before the high fae could answer, Tenia barreled on. “Why on earth did you think it was a good idea to use cold fire on the Order compound? Have you lost your ever-loving mind? Did you consider there might be a different way to take down that scum? Did anyone else know you were going to jump off the ledge of sanity and into the abyss of madness? And if so, did they try to talk you out of it?” Skender felt her quick breaths against his body when she finished her questions.
“I see where he gets it from.” Peri’s voice was cool, almost bored.
“What?” Tenia bit out. “What does that mean?”
“I see where your son gets his inability to wait for a response after asking a question,” Peri explained. “It’s taxing.”
“She doesn’t like it when I do that,” Torion said, sounding as if he enjoyed the revelation a little too much.
Tenia pointed to her face. “Do I look like I care if you’re taxed?”
Peri tilted her head slightly and pursed her lips. “No. You look a little, well, crazy. Just being honest.”
