Broken Dove (Fantasyland #4)(141)

“That’s a big thing to work through,” she noted.

She was so totally right about that.

But I said nothing.

“Have you approached?” Finnie asked.

“I think I should follow his dad’s lead,” I answered. “And seeing as it’s me he has a problem with, I’m not certain that’s the way to go.”

She screwed up her mouth as her gaze slid to Chris and she murmured, “I suppose you’re right.”

I supposed I was right too.

But only supposed.

“I’m happy for him,” she said, her eyes still aimed in Christophe’s direction, so I was confused.

“Chris?” I asked.

She turned and my breath caught at the look in her eyes.

“Apollo,” she whispered.

“Oh,” I whispered back.

“I…he is…” She shook her head. “He went through a dark time with me. In his way, he helped me through it, actually.” Cautiously, eyeing me closely, she finished, “He understood.”

I nodded.

“You know?” she asked.

“That you thought you lost Frey and that he lost Ilsa?”

It was her turn to nod.

“Yes. I know about Ilsa and Apollo’s told me the stories of all the other women of our world and their men. Or, what he knows to tell.”

“Then you would understand how Apollo means a great deal to me.”

“I do,” I said quietly.

“So I’m happy. Watching you two. Seeing the way he looks at you. Watching him smile and laugh. Honestly, Maddie, I’ve known him now for over two years, and although I’d seen him smile, I don’t know if I’ve ever heard him laugh. It makes me happy he has that. It makes me happy to see he’s happy you give it to him.”

I loved that.

I absolutely loved it.

I just wished I could give him more.

Not just smiles and laughter.

Things like what he gave me. Big things. Important things. Precious things.

Everything.

“It’s not my place to thank you.” She grinned. “But I’m going to do it anyway.”

I grinned back, it was a tad forced, but it was mostly genuine. “Pleased to be of service, especially that kind.”

“I appreciate you giving my wee wife a rest, Maddie, but I’ll take him now.”

I jumped slightly when Frey’s rich deep voice sounded at my other side. I had just enough time to turn my head and look up to see him already bending to me. Without delay, he whisked his son out of my arms.

He curled the tot to his broad chest, Viktor’s legs dangling over his dad’s forearm, his head resting on his shoulder, bringing to life the vision of one of those pictures with a hot guy and a kid that I used to see on calendars and such. Taking it in, I wondered if it would be hotter if Frey held a kitten instead of a kid.

Probably not.

Though, seeing him cradle his son, I’d like to see him cuddle a kitty.

Frey’s eyes went to his wife.

“I’ll put him down, my love.”

“All right, honey,” Finnie replied.

I felt something hollow out in my insides as I watched this exchange but I made certain my lips were smiling when Frey’s eyes came to my face before he dipped his chin and took off with Viktor.

I watched him go and when I turned back to Finnie, I saw she was also watching her husband go with a look on her face that I understood.

I felt that look. I felt it for Apollo. Maybe not that strong. Maybe without years and adventures and a baby making it stronger.

But I felt it.

Finnie gave her husband smiles and laughter. She also shared his adventures since they were both just that. Adventurers. She challenged his mind with her wit. She’d done brave things for a country that wasn’t even hers (though, now it was), going so far as killing a man.

She had much to give.

That empty feeling inside me grew.

When Finnie finally caught my eyes, she blinked and I knew by her expression she’d read my thoughts on my face.

Quickly, so she wouldn’t ask about it, I declared, “Frey and Apollo are a lot alike.”

“Cousins,” Finnie said.

“They are?” I asked and she nodded.

“Yep. Frey’s grandmother Eugenie was an Ulfr.” Her lips were quirking when she remarked, “You’ve met the Drakkars.”

I fought back my shudder before I confirmed, “Yes.”

“Well then you know there had to be some good blood coming from somewhere to make Frey and his brothers.” She leaned into me and her lips were no longer quirking. She caught me fighting back the shudder so she was now smiling. “That was Eugenie.”

Well, that explained that.

“Ah,” I murmured.

“Mm-hmm,” she murmured back and after she did, she giggled.

And since she giggled, I giggled too.

We then giggled more.

We only stopped giggling when another rich deep voice came from my side.

This one I liked a whole lot better.

It was Apollo’s as he said, “I’m loathe to disturb your merriment, but the children will soon be heading up for their baths.”

I looked up at Apollo, knowing what this meant.

We were riding back much as we’d ridden to Brunskar. This was with brief pit stops to stretch our legs, eat lunch, feed and water the horses, and then pressing forward.