Humbled by the understanding sweeping over me, I walked to her side.
“Because that’s what he believes,” I explained, guiding her hand to my side where the evidence of my past spread over my bare skin. “This scar is a testament to what I’m fighting for. I embraced it as part of me because it signifies what my father sacrificed so I could make it back to my world, and help you free our people once and for all.”
Lifting her hand from my side, I placed a kiss on it, letting go of her.
“Kingston’s scars are not that. They haunt him, Evie. They remind him every day of the atrocities he was forced to commit. Each time he feels his own hands, when he looks at them, he is not the honorable man all of us look up to. He is back there. He’s the Warlock’s sentry again. A man who could never be good enough for Willow. Who could never deserveher. Someone who is not worthy of even holding her hand, no matter how desperately he wishes he could.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes as she looked at me, recognizing the truth as I had, but she took a deep breath, keeping the emotion at bay.
“I have to go see him,” she whispered, moving to walk past me, but I held her arm before she could.
“Let me.”
A troubled sigh left her, but she nodded, trusting me to help the man who had spent the second part of his life caring for her and making sure she was safe.
“Chief, are you awake?” I asked from the short maze-like entrance to his room.
We really needed doors.
“Come in,” he called back after a few seconds, turning away from the window to face me when I entered. “Is there something Evanna needs?” His first thought was always for her, bringing warmth to my heart.
“No. But I think it’s about time you and I had that talk,” I began, buying time to approach the subject of him and Willow.
“I’m listening,” he offered, giving me his full attention.
Now it was on, and guilt gripped my gut. “Chief, first and foremost, I just wanted to you know that my intention wasn’t to court Evanna behind your back. I never meant to hide my intentions from you and disrespect you in any way, or her. What we feel for each other just—”
“Took over you,” he finished for me, and I slowly nodded. “That is usually the case,” he admitted, longing engulfing his words. “When someone claims your heart as theirs, there is never any warning, nor the strength to walk away.”
“I understand that now,” I agreed, sensing he wasn’t just talking about Evanna and me. He was referring to his love for Willow. “Still. I wish I had been able to talk to you, ask for your permission—"
“I have no need for your words, Braxton,” he assured, stepping closer. “Your actions have shown me the man that you are, long before today. They have spoken louder than any shout or vow ever could. I know that there is no place in this realm where Evanna will be safer, or happier, than she is by your side. You have my blessing, Son.”
Son…
Emotion cut through me, burning my throat. “Thank you, Kingston.”
He offered me a slight head bow and turned back to the window, probably expecting me to leave.
Movement caught my eye, and I glanced down at his hands, his thumb dutifully rubbing the edges of his scar. The sight reminded me of why I was really here.
“When I first saw you do that after I arrived, I thought that was a tic,” I confessed.
“A tic?” Confusion wrinkled his brow when he glanced back at me, so I nodded towards his hands.
“An unconscious movement your body repeats over and over methodically. Some people aren’t even aware of it; others can’t control it even when they try, but it usually appears as a sign of distress.”
His jaw instantly tightened, and he stopped it, his thumbs curling over his fisted hands while the pressure increased along his disfigured skin. It turned white from the force. “What do you want?”
“Now I realize that, although it’s unconscious and brought on by distress, it is not out of your control… It’s time for you to let go of the past, Chief.”
“You have no notion of what you are talking about, Braxton,” he warned in that voice that made everyone want to hide under the bed, giving me his back. “I suggest you return to the princess’ side where you are needed.”
“Willow thinks you are repulsed by her because you don't want to touch her,” I pressed on, knowing this might very well end in my death. “She cried while telling Evie that the man she has loved for years doesn't want her… He won’t even hold her hand.”
“She what?” Kingston whirled around, shocked by the revelation.
“She loves you too, Kingston. Willow wants to be with you, to be happy and make you happy. And we all know you love her, so what are you waiting for?”
