Chapter 25

 

Later that night, Grant and I strolled to my room hand in hand. “I’d miss this place if it weren’t for Alastar.” I glanced around the castle with a sense of nostalgia.

“He does ruin things, doesn’t he?” Grant grinned. “I know what you mean. I’ve called this place home for a long time now. It’ll be weird never coming back, or seeing Liam.”

When we got to my room, we changed and climbed into bed. I lay with my back against his chest. “Grant, where are you parents?”

He’d never spoken of them and I’d never asked, figuring he’d mention them had he wanted to, but his comment about the castle being home aroused such curiosity I had to know.

“They both died a while back.”

I regretted asking. He should offer this information on his time, not be forced to by me. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind talking about it.”

I stayed quiet, wondering if he would say more but not wanting to ask.

“My mother got sick when I was younger. Healers helped, but they only extended her life. She eventually passed away. My father was distraught and started drinking. At first, I understood his grief. I felt it too, but it consumed him. Instead of coping with her loss, he decided to avoid it by never spending a moment of his life sober. He couldn’t work anymore, no longer guard material, but he couldn’t do even the simplest of tasks. It became impossible for him to hold any job. After a while, he stopped coming home, leaving me to fend for myself. Knowing I needed to work if I wanted to eat, I set out to find a way to earn money. I did some odd jobs for fae, which is when I earned my nickname. I never minded that they didn’t bother learning my real name. I didn’t want to be that person anymore, so I let everyone call me Grant, until soon everyone thought it was my name.”

“What’s your real name?”

He remained quiet for a moment then answered, “Aedan. Aedan Gallagher, after my father.”

I understood his desire to leave that name behind. His father had let him down, and he probably didn’t care to think about him every time someone spoke his name.

“I like Grant better.”

He ran his fingers up my arm, and he kissed my neck.

“Then what happened?” Not wanting to dwell on his namesake, I pushed the story forward.

“I met some castle guards who got me a job here. Because of my age, they assigned me to guard Liam. I was too young and scrawny back then to be of any use to Alastar. Liam and I became fast friends. We were the same age, had lost our moms and lived in such isolation we were happy to have a companion. After I’d been working here a while, I received news of my father’s death. No details, but I’m sure he drank himself to the grave or had a drunken accident. Who knows, but he accomplished what he set out to do. Join my mom.

“I met Conor not too long after. He was pretty lost himself back then. I felt bad for him. He had no parents, much like me, but was more angry, bitter. He chose not to lead the same lifestyle as most pukas, but the anger tore him up. Had we not met when we did, he would’ve been headed down a very different path. Getting him a job here was easy. They loved the idea of having a shapeshifter around, but Alastar didn’t have complete trust in him. Pukas have a bad reputation. So, they left Conor with me, assigned to Liam. The rest is history.” Grant brushed my hair back. “Did I put you to sleep yet?”

“No, of course not. I want to know everything about you. Thanks for sharing.” I found his hand and interlaced my fingers. “I’m sorry I came between you and Liam.”

“It’s not your fault. I didn’t tell you all this to make you feel guilty.”

“I know, but knowing how far back your friendship goes, well, I feel badly. I’m glad it seems you two can at least talk again.”

“Liam’s a good guy. He wouldn’t hold a grudge. Though if it were me, I wouldn’t be so happy if he ended up with you in the end,” he admitted but I heard the humor in his tone.

“Our paths crossed for a reason and Liam was a part of that. He wasn’t the person I was meant to be with. I think he’s going to be fine though. Did you notice him looking at Cara?”

“Was he? I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

I elbowed him. “Please, Cara looked gorgeous. I’m sure you noticed.”

“No comment.”

I laughed. “Well, had you been able to peel your ever-faithful eyes away from me, you might have noticed the two of them are getting pretty chummy. I think Liam likes her.”

“Everything happens for a reason. If it weren’t for you, those two never would’ve had the opportunity to get to know one another.”

“Yeah. I hope it works out. I have a feeling Alastar will have a conniption if Liam decides he wants to be with her, though.”

“Maybe, but if he loves her he’ll fight for her.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” I smiled, thinking about Grant’s promise to never stop fighting for us. “You know, Grant, things are good. We’re getting out of here and starting a life together. Liam has Cara, Conor has Lexie, everyone’s happy.”

“Ahh, happily-ever-after at last.”

I laughed. “Yep, I think it is. In less than forty-eight hours you and I will be starting our brand-new life.” I rolled to face Grant and snuggled into him with, for once, nothing but happy thoughts.

He brought his mouth to mine and right before he kissed me, whispered, “It can’t come soon enough.”

And he was right, it couldn’t.

* * * *

The next day, I left Grant sleeping and set out to find everyone. The time had come to let them know of our plans to leave. Lexie and Conor weren’t up yet and as far as I could tell neither was Liam. Not wanting to wake anyone, I headed back to the room, wondering if Grant had gotten out of bed yet.

“You’re up. Good, everyone else is still asleep.” I leaned over and gave Grant a peck on the cheek. Catching my hand, he stopped me and brought my mouth to his for a real kiss.

“Bed wasn’t as comfortable with you not in it.”

An annoyed clearing of the throat interrupted my Grant trance. I turned to find Ida sitting in a chair near the bed with a book. On the small table next to her lay fresh towels and sheets. She’d come to tidy the room.

“She got here while I was changing. In the bathroom,” he clarified, causing me to giggle. “I waited for you to get back before I left the room.”

“Hey, Ida.”

Even though our relationship wasn’t quite as strained as it had been, I was positive she couldn’t wait to be relieved of her duty to me. I passed by the breakfast tray and plucked off a piece of fruit. I plopped on my bed, and nudged her with my foot. Her gaze shifted from the book and I grinned at her. She tried to hide the smile dancing around her lips. As much as she’d never admit it, I’d grown on her. “We’re in your way, aren’t we?”

“No more than usual.” She replied with a little less snark than normal.

Though I couldn’t tell her the whole story without having told my friends yet, I could give her a little information. “I hear Cara’s getting out of kitchen duty and you’ll be relieved of me soon.”

She jerked her head up, but regained her composure and put on her usual annoyed expression. She mumbled, “Sooner rather than later, I hope.”

Grant bit back a smile. I brought the apple to my mouth to hide my amusement.

“Knock, knock.” Lexie strolled in.

“Whoopee. It’s a party,” Ida muttered.

I paused, with my hand mid-air. “Hey, I was just looking for you.”

“What’s up?” She walked by, plucked the apple from my fingers then flopped down next to me.

I stared at her.

“What? Were you going to eat it?” She grinned.

“No, I was admiring its beauty.”

Lexie offered a smile but not my breakfast back.

I rolled my eyes. “Anyway, I was telling Ida, Cara will be getting out of the kitchen soon.”

“Really? That’s great.” Lexie looked at Ida “How are you taking the news?” She tilted her head and put on her best sympathetic expression.

“Couldn’t be happier,” she grumbled.

Lexie laughed and, with a crisp crunch, bit into the apple.

I chuckled. “I’m sure Cara will feel the same way and I can’t wait to tell her. I’m sorry I missed her again.”

Ida stared at me.

“When she brought the food,” I clarified.

“She didn’t bring it. Some other girl did. New, I guess.” She shrugged. “Younger girl, short, cute, with pink hair.”

New girl?

Grant turned to Ida, his eyes widening. “Did you say pink hair?”

Pink?

My head whipped in Lexie’s direction but before I could swat the apple away it fell to the ground with a thunk. Followed by Lexie.