Len stepped off the stage then, before reaching out and sweeping me off as well. “We don’t know, Mother,” he said. “Our memories of the time we were together have been wiped. Faerie glamour is keeping us in the dark—all we have is Tabitha’s energy, which is part of us both. Sam doesn’t even remember being pregnant or giving birth.”
The queen didn’t visibly react. Her comment before about waiting thousands of years indicated that she was well versed at patience and hiding emotions. “Mystery or not, there’s no denying her legacy here,” she finally said. “And if we figure out who did this to you both, they will wish they never crossed the Silver Lands.”
She went back then to examining Tabby, the pair locking eyes for so long I wondered if it was a staring contest. Everyone knows that if staring reaches a certain amount of time, it turns into a contest. I didn’t make the rules.
“She’s perfection,” the queen said.
“Thank you,” I replied quietly. “And thank you for not hating on her differences… for just accepting her as the miracle she is.”
The queen let loose a low chuckle, filled with sadness and probably many other emotions, that I, a being thousands of years younger, could never understand. “If you live long enough, you learn that in the end the only thing that matters is love and loyalty. I don’t care that she’s half shifter. I don’t care if she’s only one millionth fae. All I care is that she’s in our lives to love. The rest is irrelevant and changes nothing about my level of joy in this moment.”
I shook my head. “I honestly never saw this event going as it has. I expected rejection and anger since that’s what I’m used to.” Len reached out and took my hand, shocking me with his touch and comfort. “I’m very grateful that Len is the father of my child.” I faced him fully. “You gave me the gift of family, and I honestly don’t think I can ever thank you.”
“We’re never going to be even,” he said, releasing my hand so he could caress my cheek, his thumb brushing down the curve of my jaw. “I will owe you for eternity for our daughter.”
No lie, I forgot everyone else in the room, even that his mother was standing two feet away with my daughter in her arms. All I could see was Len, and I was desperate for his kiss.
“Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma.”
Tabitha broke the moment, and I shook my head and took a step back. It had been so easy for me to forget that not ten minutes ago I’d seen him kissing someone.Maybe kissing someone. But the point was, we needed to clarify exactly what was happening here between us before I went any further. Not just for my sake, but for Tabitha’s.
I wasn’t in the position for a fun romp with a fae prince only to see dust on the pillow in the morning. My time for that was done. This shifter needed all or nothing.
Queen energy, as it were.
26
SAMANTHA
“Do you mind if I take Tabitha around and introduce her to a few fae?” the queen asked me. “I won’t remove her from your line of sight.”
Despite calling my name before, Tabby appeared content in her grandmother’s arms, and I wanted the two to bond. “No worries at all. Thanks for checking first.”
She nodded, before turning toward the closest group of fae, who let out a boisterous cheer when the child entered their midst. “You really do celebrate your young,” I said, smiling at the happiness in the air. This was a nice atmosphere for Tabby to be in, and this night couldn’t have gone any better if I’d written it myself in a story.
I mean, outside of Len’s possible love interest. Which I was going to bring up very soon.
“They’re the greatest gifts we have,” he said. “In Faerie, power is there for the taking, eternal life available to those who want it, and gems fill our coffers. But children are rare and precious.”
Nodding, I turned away from the queen, giving her son all my attention. “I didn’t understand the absolute truth of that until Tabitha came into my life.” I paused, deciding now was as good a time as ever for my other questions. “Alright, I have two questions.”
Len relaxed against the nearby pillar, smiling down at me. “Hit me.”
Depending on his answers, he might get his wish.
“What’s your mother’s name?”
Calling her “the queen” all the time was getting a little old.
“Glendriel,” he said, that smile remaining in place.
Queen Glendriel. Regal and befitting a queen of Faerie.
“Okay, great. And who were you kissing just before you stood on the platform?”
The smile wavered but it didn’t fall. “Are you jealous, little Storm?”
Fucking hell.
