I cut him a killing glare. “Don’t flatter me. I’m a woman who lost her entire family barely twelve hours ago. I’m aware that as his encinta I have no claim on him, and he may very well be with another woman. I understand your reluctance to admit that to me, but?—“
“He’s not. Nothing of the sort. Raiden would kill me for telling you this.” He sighs. “But he’s searching for clues, trying to find the secret tree your father mentioned, as well as arranging your family’s burial details. He didn’t want to trouble you.”
I freeze. Does he think me weak or incapable? “They are my responsibility. I’ll care for them.”
“We both feel that taxing yourself after such tragic loss might be too much for you and the youngling.” He sends me a probing stare. “And Raiden suspected you would balk.”
So he did whatever the bloody hell he wanted anyway.
He’s worried about the coming child, and he pities me. All I’ve ever wanted was for that wizard to love me. But I fear I’m asking for too much. “I’m pregnant, not hysterical.”
Ronan’s expression wobbles, as if he’s swallowing a smile. “He will come to you for decisions regarding clothing, location, time, and such. He merely wanted to spare you the preparation of the bodies.”
A physically arduous, emotionally trying task—one usually reserved for family. Perhaps I should be grateful Raiden is trying to protect me. Instead, I only feel more guilt. My father couldn’t save my mother, my brothers, or himself. But he saved me to safeguard something I can’t find, and I’m not even useful enough to help bury them properly.
I swallow back useless tears, feeling defeated and hollow—a far cry from the witch who once laughed and sang and had optimism flowing through her veins.
But such foolish hopes landed me alone and pregnant. I have to stop wishing for a ridiculous fairy-tale ending and face reality.
“Why is your brother so secretive? So closed off?”
Ronan peers at me with amused disbelief. “I’d sooner wrestle a pit of angry cobras without my wand than answer that.”
Brilliant. “I should have known you’d take his side.”
He shrugs. “Any good brother keeps his twin’s secrets. Though if he’s half as much like me as I believe, there will come a point—likely soon—he won’t be able to keep anything from you.”
That doesn’t sound like Raiden at all. “What point would that be, when I’m threatening his life or his manhood?”
Ronan chokes back laughter, then shakes his head and cups my shoulder gently. “When he stops denying what’s in his heart.”
Chapter
Five
Raiden
* * *
I enter my house with a curse on my lips. I found nothing—not a single goddamn clue that will help me protect Tabby or figure out whatever this secret tree might be. Now what the devil should I do?
Moments later, I stride into the library. Ronan sits in the room’s cozy armchair, studying Tabitha like an intriguing puzzle. I would be jealous if I didn’t know how crazy my twin is about his mate. And since Ronan is ridiculously happy with Kari and believes every wizard should follow in his footsteps, I’m convinced Ronan is plotting my downfall into an equally harmonious state.
Unfortunately, that’s not possible. Ronan somehow overcame the family curse. I never will. I don’t deserve Tabby anyway.
“Did you find anything useful? Or shall I take over preparing my family for burial?” she asks as I step farther into the room.
I send a glare my brother’s way. “So much for secrecy.”
“They’re her family. She has a right to be involved.” Ronan’s gentle chiding chafes.
I hate when my slightly older brother is right. “You may go.”
“I’m quite happy to. It’s painful to sit here and watch you make an ass of yourself.”
“Bugger off,” I say with mock cheer.
Ronan salutes and teleports away.
