“Who?”
“Bardulf.”
I blurt laughter that has a crazed edge. Looking back to the charred patch of earth where he stood a mere hour ago has me laughing more. I laugh until I rasp, “Bastard.”
“A fitting title for him.”
“So much for feeling guilt over his death.” I turn back to Evander and leave the remnants of any worry over killing a man behind me on the burnt grasses.
“I’m glad you were the one to do it.”
“Now I am, too.” Thoughts of my mother fill my mind. “Why would he hurt her? She wouldn’t have attacked him.”
“Conri sees witches like spirits—as tools that can be used. But if they’re not with him and his mission…”
“Then they’re against him,” I say softly.
“Bardulf escaped through the Fade before my father could kill him, obviously.”
“And, in the process, he told Conri of you and your father. That someone from the pack survived.” I try to keep my focus on him and not on the revelation of my mother. I’m reeling. But nothing changes. Mother is still dead. Grief has long been settled in my heart. Any vengeance I could’ve wanted has been claimed. Save for maybe Conri, the man behind it all…
“Conri didn’t believe him at first. Especially when he sent another knight through the Fade and found no evidence of lykin or witches.”
“Why not?”
“Your grandmother gave us protection.” A warm smile crosses his lips.
I remember that day…the day I met Liam—Evander. It was after the hunter had come to our hut to deliver word of Mother’s death. Fate had brought us together, and from one of the worst days of my life, something beautiful would grow.
After our mourning and putting Mother to rest, Grandma said we were going to the hunter’s cottage. That they needed our gratitude for their attempts to save Mother and for bringing us word of her death. The best way to give them that was our blessings.
I give words to my realization. “Grandma knew what you were.”
“She was clever.” He nods. “Father told me she knew the moment he came to break the horrible news.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t realize.” If I had, I might have been able to save us both so much heartache.
“Faelyn…you were a young witch, had no reason to suspect, and didn’t know what to look for.” He hooks my chin and guides it back to look at him. “I had no idea, either. If I had, I would’ve told you.”
“When did you know?” We spent years together following the death of my mother. Endless afternoons in the fields. Late evenings on the thatched roof of my hut, staring at the stars. “Accidentally” running into one another in the woods when I was out collecting herbs. The early mornings and long nights and any excuse to see each other until it became so obvious that we could drop all pretense.
“It wasn’t until much, much later,” he says, affirming my suspicion as he drops his hand from my face. Evander leans back and stands. He walks over to the ridge, looking down at the forest. “My father brought me back to Midscape to reclaim my birthright.”
“The night you left.” Even saying it puts my heart in a vise.
“Not quite.” He glances back at me with an apologetic look. Mention of that night seems to hurt us both in no small measure. Knowing the pain is shared makes it somewhat easier to bear. “I performed the rites just before. You and I were to meet on the new moon, but to perform the rites, Father and I had to go when the moon was full.”
“You came to Midscape to make your oath to the great wolf spirit.”
He nods and then turns, crossing the gap between us in a few hasty steps. Evander scoops up both my hands in his and holdsthem fiercely, looking into my eyes with equal intensity. “If I had known what was going to happen—what misfortunes were about to befall us both—I would’ve never. Faelyn, if I could go back, I would have never crossed the Fade and made my oath.”
“But you…”
“I would’ve rather lived a lifetime, ignorant as a human man, and have forsaken the magic of my forefathers—I would’ve forsaken all the magic in the world to be with you… rather than where we find ourselves now.”
My grip on him tightens, as if I am trying to hold on to both our magic. The idea of someone giving theirs up is gutting to me and I am helpless to do anything but stare for a long moment.
“You can’t forsake your destiny, because…you are the last of your pack,” I say softly.
