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“I know.” And while I am grateful for their loyalty, at the same time, I desire space and peace.

More guards open the entrance doors, bowing their heads in greeting and respect. My mate and I make our way through the winding corridors of the palace that feel the different somehow, after such an extended time away. Staff members stare as we pass. I don’t acknowledge any of them and should no doubt offer my apologies for such, but the effort is too great at the moment. My whole focus is on finding my mother, while avoiding him.

When we reach my mother’s rooms, I pause outside the door to steady my heart beat. Devon squeezes my hand. Her presence gives me the strength to knock. A guard answers, and his eyes widen in surprise before he quickly steps back opening the door fully.

“Your Highness! It’s a pleasure to see you doing well. We were all so worried.”

“Tha—” I clear my throat. “Thank you. We’re here to see the queen.”

“She will be ecstatic to see you. Beck is with her in the parlor.” He sweeps his hand out, gesturing us to proceed.

“I’m right here,” Devon whispers.

We walk across the foyer and down a wide walkway. The door stands open, and already I can smell my mother’s floral scent. I close my eyes and picture her face. When I open them again, I take the final steps forward and walk with my mate across the threshold.

My mother sits on a sofa sipping from a small cup. Gods’ blood, she is beautiful, although she appears to have aged during my illness. Beck notices us first. His ears perk up, and he emits a tiny growl. His nose twitches, and his head lifts from the floor at my mother’s feet. He spots me and with a tiny yip, bounds forward and jumps into my arms.

The disturbance alerts the queen, who twists her head our direction. Our eyes meet. She lets out a sharp cry and the cup falls from her hand, shattering in pieces when it hits the floor.

I set Beck down, and in two heartbeats, my mother is in my arms.

“Oh, Alik. My son. My sweet, beautiful son,” she cries out. Her whole body shakes within my embrace. “Thank the gods you’re here.”

“I’ll never leave again, Mother.”

Chapter 18

Devon

Tears spill down my cheeks. I stay back and let mother and son have their moment. Beck sniffs Alik’s legs and bounces happily around the two Bohnari with his tail wagging. He’s grown since the last time I saw him, which wasn’t that long ago. Considering Mak stands chest high to me, I can only imagine how tall Beck will be when he’s full-grown.

Finally, the queen and Alik part, but she doesn’t release him completely, nor does he release her. Their arms stay wrapped around each other’s waist. Queen Veroneek’s eyes light up when they meet mine.

“Devon. My newest daughter.” Her smile is wide and genuine.

“Queen Veroneek.” I bow my head in deep respect for her as not only a kind person, but as my mother-in-law. Holy shit, what a wild thought.

Alik takes my hand in his.

“Why don’t we all sit? I’ll call for something to eat,” he says.

The queen finally loosens her hold on him, but only until we’re all seated, then she’s holding his hands again. I take the chair closest to them, but this is time they need to spend near to each other for his mother’s sake. She needs the reassurance of him being real and here with her right now.

“I can’t believe it,” the queen says. “Every day I’ve prayed to our gods that you’d heal and return to me.”

“I’m well, Mother.”

“Everyone told me no Bohnari has ever recovered from the madness once it’s taken hold, but I refused to give up on you. You are far too strong.”

Horek and the queen were the only two people who truly believed Alik would come back to them. I saw the pity in people’s eyes when they looked at them, knowing how far into denial they were about what needed to be done. For not only their benefit, but Alik’s. Never before in my life have I been as grateful for anything as I am for their faith. If not for his family, I’d never have found my mate.

Soon the food arrives. We eat while Alik and Queen Veroneek continue talking. I add to the conversation when the occasion calls for it, but otherwise I let them have their time. Eventually, though, Alik grows tired.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I wish I could spend longer with you.”

She pats his hand. “Now that you’re back, we have all the time in the world. Go and rest. I will see you later. I love you, son.”

“I love you, too.”