“I named my firstborn after you,” Darius said. “Callum.”
Now I was about to cry again, for the third time in the span of just a few hours.
“And we told Mom the truth,” Tiberius said. “We kept our word to you while she was alive. But we told her here, and she believed us. She wishes things had been different, but she also believes that it wasn’t meant to be different.”
I gave a slight nod in agreement, thinking of Lily, the woman that destiny brought me. “I’m not sure if we’ll see each other again, so I wanted to say goodbye just in case.”
“Be happy, Dad,” Darius said. “There’s no man in this world who deserves it more.”
“Yeah,” Tiberius said. “It’s your turn to experience life. Enjoy your wife. Have children. Watch those children have their own children…and do so knowing we want that for you.”
A complete wreck of tears, I just stood while they granted me their blessing, absolved me of all the guilt I’d carried for so long.
“We love you, Dad.” Darius clapped me on the shoulder. “And we know that you love us too.”
“We’ve known it our whole lives,” Tiberius said as he clapped my other shoulder.
I stood there surrounded by both of my sons and realized I hadn’t experienced their lives the way that I wanted, but I’d still been there for them the best way I could. I’d still watched their childhood and adulthood. I made sure they knew how much I loved them, that I never wanted to leave their side. And while it wasn’t exactly what I’d wanted, it was enough.
When we returned to the Southern Isles, it was still late morning, the world exactly as I’d left it. I’d just taken the most emotional journey of life…but merely a moment had passed here in the mortal world.
Riviana turned her body to face me. “Did that bring you peace, Callum Riverside?”
Overcome with emotion, I nodded then quietly said, “Thank you.”
“I’m not the one who deserves your gratitude.” She turned to walk away, and then she suddenly disappeared in mid-step.
I continued to stare at the spot where she’d been, reflecting on everything that had happened in my life. I was saved from the underworld and married the woman I loved. And now, I’d made peace with my boys…rectifying my past and my integrity as a father.
I got everything I wanted.
All because of Talon Rothschild. Because he’d made a deal with Bahamut and never paid that debt. Because I’d mistaken Lily’s power for his when she’d come to that island…and I fell deeply, irrevocably in love with her on the spot.
I turned to the castle, and the guards opened the doors when I passed. I was about to head to the study to see if Talon was there, but then I realized it didn’t belong to him anymore. That everything in this castle now belonged to Lily.
I asked a guard to retrieve Talon and waited for him in the study, standing near the table that still had the map with the dragon pieces. They’d been scattered and knocked over since, maybe by the maid when she cleaned the room.
Talon entered the room a moment later, dressed casually because he wasn’t the king of the Southern Isles anymore. Wasn’t a general or a commander. Wasn’t sure what he was anymore. He must have seen the emotion in my eyes because he approached me slowly, his shoulders and arms stiff at his sides. He stopped several feet from me.
I didn’t know what to say or where to start. “I saw my boys, and I was able to fix the damage that I caused. I was able to finally tell them what had happened, explain why I wasn’t there for them…and I was able to hold them and tell them I love them. All thanks to you, Talon.” I felt the tears burn in my eyes, but I didn’t hide or fight them, not in front of Talon, because the bond that had been forged between us…was like father and son.
“My daughter is alive and happy and a living goddess, all thanks to you,” he said. “I also did it as a father…from one to another.”
I nodded in agreement.
“I’m glad it’s brought you peace.”
“More than peace…even joy.”
He stepped toward me then opened his arms to embrace me. Hugged me tight, his hand cupping the back of my head, and he hugged me the same way I hugged my sons, the same way he hugged his own children.
I reciprocated the embrace and held him tightly, hugging Talon Rothschild for the first time.
He held me for a long time before he gave me a gentle pat and let me go. “I’m honored to have you as a part of this family, Callum.”
29
LILY
