“Gahh,” she groaned, knowing I wouldn’t let up. “Fine.”
Skylar turned to face me, and I could see the shimmer of grief threatening to break through her brave facade. I reached to cup her cheek, desperate to catch her falling tears and make them disappear.
“Skylar,” I said softly as she nuzzled her cheek into my hand, a stray tear dampening my palm. “What is it?” I asked, pulling her close to my chest.
The feel of Skylar in my arms centered my world in a way that still managed to take my breath away. She was my anchor to this life, the tether of sanity that kept my heart beating, my lungs breathing, and my soul from crumbling to pieces.
Whatever was ailing her, whoever hurt her, would feel the wrath of Valencia as I tore through the fabric of their world—because she was mine.
“It happened in Solace.”
I stopped breathing at the mention of her time parted from me. My mind jumped to thoughts of Gilen. Anjani’s sick and twisted visions of them together after she taunted me about not claiming her flashed in my mind’s eye all over again.
“What happened?” My voice rumbled with a caged fury as my blood began to boil. If that fucking male did anything to my mate, I would end his life without a second of remorse. “Did Gilen—”
“No,” Skylar said, pushing back to meet my stare. “No, it wasn’t Gilen. It—” My mate’s voice trailed off as grief swallowed her words. “It’s Julia. She’s gone. She died in battle against the humans.”
“Gone?” My chest ached as I felt my mate’s heart shatter from the grief of losing her surrogate mother.
“I’m sorry, love,” I whispered, wrapping my arms tightly around Skylar as she openly sobbed into my shirt. I stroked her hair softly, laying a gentle kiss against her brow. “I’m so sorry.”
I knew the pain of losing a parent, of someone who loved you unconditionally with all they had. These emotions were not something she could bury within herself and ignore. The blow inevitably softened over time, but you would never forget.
“Shhh,” I hushed, trying to calm her sobs. “Let’s go to our room.”
In my mind, I pictured where I wanted to go, and in a silver flash, there we were.
Cradling Skylar on our bed, I leaned against the headboard, content with holding her until she no longer had the energy or need to cry, lending her my strength in any way I could.
The night was well underway before she was able to calm herself. The cool breeze drifted through the open window, lifting the crimson curtain to allow the moonlight to flood the space.
“Skylar, look,” I said, gently encouraging her to lift her head to gaze upon the idol symbolizing our protective Father hanging in the night sky.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, her sobs thankfully halting.
“The Father and the Mother watch over the living and those who have passed. When one slumbers in this realm, the other guards over those at the great crossing. Speak to him,” I said. “Ask him to send a prayer to Julia. I know she’ll be listening.”
“Do you think it’ll help?” Skylar asked me with tear-soaked eyes, nearly breaking my heart.
“It helped me,” I said. “When my parents died, I prayed each morning and night for years. Telling them about anything and everything. I don’t know if they heard me, but regardless, it aided in lifting the weight of the loss.”
Skylar summoned her well of courage as she squared her shoulders and gazed upon the face of the moon peering through the window, allowing herself a moment to grieve. It pained me to witness the weight of the Meja Mountain carried on her shoulders. Her chest heaved, and her soaked eyes looked weathered with worry.
I sent my own prayer to the ever-watchful Father, asking him to help me shoulder what Skylar could not. And when the time came that she could no longer carry the weight of the world alone, I would be strong enough to help her.
To the Mother, I prayed for her guidance. To lead me to do what was right and to shine a light on the path that would lead us to a long, beautiful life together.
I watched as Skylar bent her head, mouthing a silent prayer to the Gods. Her shoulders slowly dropped as the tension in them subsided. When she finished, I watched as my mate bucked up her chin, the fire I loved rekindling and burning bright within her. She turned to me, and my soul felt whole. I reached out to grasp her hand as she folded against me.
“At least…” Skylar whispered. “At least I know I’ll see her again.”
“You will, but not for a very long time, Spitfire,” I answered as the gripping fear of losing her damn near stilled my beating heart.
I reached out my hand and guided her to our bed. As she curled into my chest, I held her close, willing sleep to come swiftly, to wash away the weight of the day and bring the promise of abrighter dawn.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Skylar Cathal
