4
ONE YEAR LATER
“What do you think?”
Caleb smiled at the pride on Ophelos’s face. Refusing any help from anyone, the old man had spent month after month building this addition onto their cottage.
A private room for Caleb and Lil, along with a special alcove for a crib even though Lil had yet to conceive.
Her father had thought of everything.
“I think it’s perfect.” Caleb looked at Lil who had tears in her eyes.
“Thank you, Papa. I love it!”
Smiling, her father left them alone to inspect their new accommodations.
“There’s only one thing missing.”
She arched a brow at him. “What?”
Caleb manifested his sword.
She gasped. “I didn’t know you still had that.”
“I can’t let it go. If it fell into the hands of an enemy, they could use it to enslave me.”
“Can you not destroy it?”
He shook his head. “Forged by gods for gods. It’s even more immortal than I am. All I can do is hide it away.”
Making sure it was wrapped in his enchanted cloak that kept it hidden from anyone who might try to track him with it, he used his powers to carefully conceal his sword in the wall, over their bed.
Lil leaned against him. “I pray that you never again reach for this sword, Lord Husband. But should the day ever come when you must return to war, then it should be to protect what you love. Never again for hatred or fear. And never should you battle for vengeance.”
Love, gratitude, and hope mixed inside him. He loved the way she viewed the world. Most of all, he loved her heart.
“I willnevertouch it again. You’re my home, Lil. For all eternity. And here I’ll remain until the world ends.”
She smiled up at him. “And hopefully we’ll fill this cottage with beautiful children.”
That was their hope. And yet Caleb couldn’t shake the feeling that this couldn’t last. His past was too brutal. Too harsh.
He still couldn’t believe none of his soldiers had come calling for him. Surely, they’d been looking. He hoped that Xev had helped to deflect them from their search. But he had no way of knowing for sure. He hadn’t seen or heard from his brother since their wedding a year ago.
“You know what tonight is?”
Caleb hid his smile and feigned confusion. “Middle of the week.”
“Well… yes. But…” She paused expectantly.
“I forgot a chore?”
“You really don’t remember?”
Caleb screwed his face up. “We need to herd the sheep?”
“Are you serious?”
