A Thief of Nightshade(86)

“Yeah, I know exactly what that’s like.” While Aubrey’s heart ached for the family she’d come to take for granted, she had Jullian back. And she could think of nothing more in Avalar, nor any other world, that she would want more. “So, we really can’t go home?”

“No, I’m sorry ... not fully.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll have to show you. Remember that thing I kept telling you about emotions and how they carry over?”

Aubrey nodded.

“Even though I didn’t know who I was, my heart still knew and I think my subconscious reached out to you while I slept. I didn’t remember the dreams when I woke up, but now that I’m in full charge of my mind, I recall everything. I—”

“Yes! I heard you call my name once.

So, I’ll be able to let them know I’m okay.”

“Yes. And since you’ll be aware of what you’re doing, you’ll be able to say more than I could. But, there’s a catch.”

“Isn’t there always?”

“You’ll probably have to go through the kids.”

“They have to believe in magic, don’t they?”

“I’m afraid so. But you never know ... grief makes you do and believe strange things.”

She snuggled closer. “That makes me feel a little better.”

“They will be all right, sweetheart. I promise.”

“By the way,” Aubrey said, “I could do without ever even hearing the name Koldavere again.”

Jullian kissed her on the top of her head, a grin on his lips. “Oh, I doubt you will. I hear Cedrick has his hands full these days. I don’t think we’ll be hearing from him any time soon, what with the latest statue in his collection. Besides, I’ve made a monumental mistake that will take tremendous time and concerted effort to make up for.”

Aubrey looked at him sideways.

“I believe, being a Prince and all, that I was supposed to wake you with a kiss. I guess we’ll just have to do everything over again so I can get it right.”

“Sure, that’s sounds like a plan. I’ll just be on my way back to the ocean and wade in a few yards, so...”

Jullian shushed her with a finger on her lips. “No, no.” He stood up with her in his arms, laid her back down on the bed and covered her with the quilts. “Let’s just

start with the part where you’re supposed to be asleep and go from there.”

Aubrey gave him a wicked grin, before closing her eyes and reveling in the warmth of his kiss.

Given looked so beautiful it hurt. She stood on the balcony with her back to Aislinn, her long strawberry blond hair moving with the wind. Then again, everything of Aislinn’s hurt at that moment.

“You still sore?” she asked without turning around.

“That obvious, huh?”

She laughed. “Has he stopped teasing you yet?”

The amount of grief and weight they’d all felt since that day in the Winter Court had seemed immeasurable, but as soon as the threat of losing Aubrey had lifted, Jullian had latched onto the story Lipsey told him about Aislinn having existed for the last ten years as a bear. As any older sibling would have, he’d teased Aislinn mercilessly.

“No, and I doubt he ever will. That’s okay, though, it’s worth it. I’ve missed him.”

She turned and smiled. “I know you did. Your sister will be here soon with the children.”

He felt elated at the thought of seeing them again, but he was also scared. What would he say to them? It had been so long.

“Tell them that you love them, that you’ve missed them.” She rested her back on the railing and tilted her head. “You don’t have anything to fear.”

“What if they don’t like me?”

“Everybody likes you. You’re kind of like a mean old dog that’s been around so long you get used to it.”

Aislinn chuckled. “I’m a dog now? I guess I do deserve a hard time after what I put you through.”

“Yes,” she laughed. “Yes, you do.”

He moved close enough to rest a hand on the banister on either side of her.

“Speaking of the past, do you remember that conversation in which we discussed your future?”

“Uh huh, the one where, despite barely knowing me, you asserted some knowledge of what that future contained?”

“Sometimes that’s all it takes.”

“And what exactly does this future of mine hold?” She blushed and he couldn’t help but to touch her face.

“Seeing as how you’re Queen of Agincourt. And I’m the newly appointed King of the animal realm, though I still don’t think that’s fair...”

Given giggled. She’d found the appointment more than a little amusing, as had Lipsey. But it did make sense considering that Aislinn now had dealings with the realm of Man and Fae. And he’d spent a little under a third of his life as one of their own. Who better to act on their behalf?

“If you’ll stop laughing, I’ll tell you the rest of it.”

She mimed locking her lips with a key.

“I think, with those things in mind, that a marriage of kingdoms is in order.”

“And just how do you suggest we go about that?”