Dacia chewed her lip as she massaged Preston’s shoulders. He sat in a hard plastic chair beside Priscilla’s bed. His elbows on his knees, head in his hands. Tension knotted his shoulders and no matter how hard she worked, she didn’t seem to be easing it.
One thing kept spinning through her mind. It would either bring him back to her, or shut him down. He showed her she was first for him. Now she hoped to do the same. Even if the timing blew chunks.
“Ember, I was thinking you might move in with me. You really haven’t settled in to your apartment, and you’ve been at my place every night. I’m not sure I can handle not waking up with your arms around me.”
Preston stood and spun toward her. His crystal blue eyes delved into hers. “You want me there, always?”
“Yeah. I really do.”
“You’ve got me.” He leaned in to taste her lips. “I meant what I said about never letting you go, Minx.”
His phone buzzed and she pulled back. “Go get Toryn. I’ll stay with your mom.”
He dipped his head. “Be right back.”
She nodded. He walked out of the room and she sank into the seat, taking Priscilla’s hand. “I don’t know if you can hear me, but thank you. You had reason to hate my father, and I wouldn’t have blamed you if you judged me by his many crimes.” A tear ran down her face and she wiped it away.
“Come back to us. For Preston. And so I can thank you. You could have let me die, but you saved me.” Dacia wished with her whole heart that Priscilla could hear and find her way back.
“Anyway, I’m Dacia. I’m in love with your son. Took me a while to let him in. I was so scared, but he’s mended my scarred heart. No matter what happens, I’ll be there for him. And I’ll do everything in my power to make him as happy as he makes me.”
A gust swirled through the small room, ruffling the chart, and bedding. Sniffling, Dacia wiped her eyes, and squeezed Priscilla’s hand.
She squeezed back. “That’s all any mother could ask for,” she answered softly.
Dacia’s eyes blinked open to find pale blue eyes staring back at her. Priscilla sat up slowly, a smile pulling at her lips.
“Were you faking it?” Dacia asked.
Priscilla shook her head. “No. During the fight, Remus cast a spell, intended for you. I was able to intercept the magic, keeping you safe.”
Wiping at her eyes, she took a slow breath.
“You brought a side out of my son I’d never seen. He was ready to go to battle for you. I didn’t want him to lose the woman who captured his heart.”
Dacia nodded, blinking back more tears.
“Don’t cry. You brought me back. There were other ways, but it might have taken weeks. You broke your father’s spell.”
“Not sure how.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re the one who brought everyone through this ordeal. I saw what you did to save my son, to save Robert. Your heart is pure.”
* * * *
Preston came through the doors the same time Toryn and Isa strolled up. “Thank you for coming. Sorry to bother you.”
Toryn put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Not to worry. If we can help, we want to.”
Isa nodded. “When we’re done here, I want to see what I can do about that contract.”
“With Remus dead, isn’t it null and void?”
“Should be, but better safe than sorry,” Toryn answered.
“If you can’t do anything for my mother, I’ll understand. I appreciate you trying.”
“Never hesitate to ask. I’ll do what I can.”
“So will I,” Isa promised.
He led them into the building and back to his mother’s room. As he stepped through the door, he froze.
Mom sat up and touched Dacia’s scarred cheek with a smile. “Don’t cry. You brought me back. There were other ways, but it might have taken weeks. You broke your father’s spell.”
Dacia wiped the back of her hand over her face with a sniffle. “Not sure how.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re the one who brought everyone through this ordeal. I saw what you did to save my son, to save Robert. Your heart is pure.”
Preston’s heart thundered in his chest, a smile pulling at his lips as he crossed the room. “I keep telling Dacia she’s an amazing woman.”
They both looked up. Mom smiled at him. “I can see that.”
“You’re awake.”
“Dacia broke Remus’ curse.”
Preston hugged his mom and kissed her head before pulling Dacia to her feet to crush her in his embrace. “Thank you. I don’t have the words, but thank you.”
“Not even sure what I did.” She squeezed him back. “I only wished she would come back to you.”
“Toryn?” Priscilla said.
Preston looked over to find Toryn and Isa standing by the door. Both looked amused. “Hey, Pris. Good to see you awake.”
Priscilla laughed softly. “Hi, Toryn. No doubt you’re here to help if you can.”
He nodded. “I owe you. It was the least I could do.”
“Sorry for keeping my secret.”
“I understand why. Now I can make up for not knowing.”
A smile graced her lips and Priscilla nodded.
“This is Isadora. Isadora, Priscilla Emrys. A strong woman and great ally.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” Isa smiled. “We’ll be right outside. Preston, when you’re ready, I might be able to help with a certain piece of paper.”
He nodded. “We’ll be right there.”
Toryn and Isa stepped outside.
“Mom, you okay?”
“Yeah, but bring back the healer to check me out. Then I want to know what paper a fae princess needs to help with.”
Dacia cringed. “Contract promising me to a dragon.”
Preston squeezed his mother’s hand. “I’ll call Emily. She’s the one watching over you.”
Preston and Dacia stepped into the hall. Emily looked up from another chart. “She’s really awake?”
“Yeah. Wants you to check her out.”
“I’ll be right back.” Emily slipped past him, into the room.
Dacia turned to Toryn and Isa. “The contract is still at Preston’s. Maybe you two would like to come to dinner at our place in a few hours? He can bring the contract there.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Isa agreed.