And hurt.
“Kiyo-Chan?—”
“You need to tell me why the last few times we’ve had sex, you’ve been … sad.” Pain blazed in his gaze.
Niamh hurried toward him, cupping his face in her palm. “It’s not what you think.”
“Then what is it?”
“I know it seems silly, but I guess we’ve just been so busy, I didn’t realize …”
Kiyo frowned. “Realize what?”
“Not until we visited Fionn and Rose.” She shrugged sadly. Fionn had always suspected Niamh was his descendant. Thus, he treated her like an older brother might and they’d become family for real. So, when they could, they visited Fionn and Rose in Ireland. When Saoirse was born, Niamh felt nothing but delight for Fionn and Rose, knowing his history. But their last visit to meet baby Ardal for the first time had brought something crashing home to Niamh. Then Thea and Conall to see little Brodie, Mhairi … and Nee.
“We’ll never have our own children.” She tried to hide her sadness and failing. It wasn’t in their destiny. As fae and werewolf, they were unable to procreate.
Kiyo’s expression tightened with understanding and his hands fell to her hips. He squeezed them, his voice hoarse. “I’m sorry,Komorebi.”
“We have a beautiful life,” she hurried to reassure him. “I know that. We have a meaningful, stunning life, and I never fail to feel lucky that you are mine and I am yours.”
“I know.” He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I know that.”
“I just didn’t realize … and I …”
“You’re allowed to grieve it, Niamh. We both are.”
“Do you?” She pulled back to study his face. “Do you grieve it?”
He nodded. “After I was turned, I didn’t imagine ever wanting children. But since you, yeah, I’ve imagined what itwould be like to have kids with you. And I hate that I can’t give you that.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s no one’s fault.” She smiled softly. “In a way, knowing you feel the same actually makes me feel better.”
“You know you can tell me anything.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Niamh kissed his beautiful mouth. “I love you.”
Kiyo held her close and whispered hoarsely, “Love isn’t a strong enough word.”
A few days later, as they prepared to leave their little paradise to follow a vision Niamh had of a werewolf female trapped in an abusive relationship with an Alpha in Alaska, Kiyo surprised Niamh as they got into the buggy that would take them out of the rainforest.
“When we’re ready, we could foster.”
Her breath caught. “What?”
Kiyo shrugged as if he hadn’t offered the most wonderful idea in the world. “I’m sure we can find supernatural kids who need a good home. When we’re ready, we could do that. Provide a safe haven to kids who are different and who’ve been left on their own. Like you and Ronan.” He referred to Niamh’s brother. For a long time, she and Ronan had lived on the run.
Tears of gratitude burned her eyes as she stared at this male whom she realized she grew to love more with each passing day. “You would do that with me?”
“Of course. We both know what it’s like to be alone in this. If we can save others from that, I’d like to.”
She reached for his hand and squeezed it. A tremendous weight lifted from her shoulders. “When we’re ready.”
“When we’re ready.” He nodded.
They traveled in silence for a little while and then Niamh repeated words Kiyo had said to her many years ago, “Now that I love you, Kiyo-Chan, forever will never be enough.”
He cut her a blazing, impassioned look of adoration. “Forever will never be enough,” he agreed gruffly.
