My throat closes. “Yes, love. It’s me.”
He sits up, clutching my sleeve, tears spilling fast. “I knew it! I—I told Ivy once, but thenitwas gone. Why did you leave?”
“I never left,” I whisper fiercely, pulling him close. “Izel made you forget. But I am your mother.”
His small body trembles. “She said you weren’t safe.”
“She lies. Listen—” I tug the folded cloth from beneath my cloak. “This will help. Keep it close to you. When things feel wrong, smell for me. You’ll know. Okay, sweetheart?”
I slip it deep into the seam of his pillow. His eyes follow, wide and wet.
The amber dims. Sixty seconds almost spent.
“Don’t go,” he pleads, voice cracking.
“I won’t. Not truly. Remember me, Finn.”
And then it slams back. Blood and almonds. His gaze clouds, the haze returning. His hands drop. He jerks from my touch. “You’re not safe!” he cries, scrambling back on the bed. “Mama Izel says—”
The door creaks.
Jax’s hand flies to his blade. “Someone’s coming.”
I freeze.
Izel.
I recognise her scent now, and quickly hide behind a folding screen in the dark corner.
“Beta Jax, what are you doing here?”
Jax’s voice is clear. “I’m here by command to protect the Alpha’s heir.”
“Kade worries too much,” I hear her comment.
She sweeps in, wearing her pale silver dress that trails the floor behind. Her gaze cuts across the room. She strides to Finn’s bed and strokes his blonde hair—a shade he got from me. “Darling, did you wake?”
He blinks at her, dazed. “Mama?”
“Yes.” Her smile curves sweet for him, then her eyes flick over the nursery. She lingers on the dark corners. I don’t breathe.
At last, she seems satisfied. She turns back to Finn, her sweetness dissolving.
“You’re restless again.” Her tone hardens. “I’ve told you not to call for shadows in the night. You’ll make me cross. Kids truly become more annoying as they grow up!”
Finn flinches. “I—I wasn’t—”
She grips his chin, tilting his face to hers. “If you make me angry, you’ll be sorry. Do you understand?”
He nods quickly, eyes wide.
Her smile returns, sugar laced with venom. “Good boy.” She pats his cheek, then tucks him down hard beneath the quilt. “Now sleep. No more nonsense.”
At last, she glides out, leaving the door ajar.
I wait until Finn is breathing softly again. Reaching over to him, I run my hand over his hair.My sweet boy. How dare she threaten him?
My blood is boiling with anger, but there’s nothing I can do right now. I’m helpless, and I hate it.
