Chapter Thirty-Two

 

 

Dylan

The Scren was empty, and I didn’t know where Shade had gone. Even her entourage was missing. It felt cold without the usual company there. I wondered if it was just me, but even the servants felt the absence of their queen, and I was a poor substitute for her.

I’d told Sylphi that I couldn’t stay any longer. She’d given me a strange look for a moment, like she was about to burst into tears, but the moment passed and instead, to my surprise, her face blossomed into a wide, beaming smile.

“I knew you would leave. You never were the one to stay with me, were you? I can’t have you, I get it. I knew it from the moment you bound yourself to Shade for your brother’s treacheries. No matter, I have many suitors here far more capable of staying by my side forever. I don’t plan to marry any of them. You were part of my plan, but sometimes, plans must be adjusted for the better. Go back to Shade. You got me the crown, and I’ll be forever in your debt, Dylan. I won’t forget what you’ve done for me.”

I bet she wouldn’t. I’d shown her too much in the memory transfer, and as I’d bowed to her and kissed her hand, she’d shooed me away, fixing her dress to attend the coronation. Sylphi was the Teleen queen now. Gretel had just passed away and withered. The world was askew, but somehow, it was the way it was supposed to be.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Sylphi,” I’d said. “You take care.”

She’d given me a nod and turned away, her eyes shining with a sheen of tears as I turned, walked out the door and closed it behind me. I hoped she wouldn’t cause a scene but deep inside, I’d hoped she had. This girl was no longer the young, maddening, selfish woman I’d known in my wilder years, but now a full-fledged queen.

Something told me I hadn’t seen the last of Sylphi.

Back at The Scren, sitting in the royal bedroom, I stared out across the horizon through the window while trying to get comfortable. I placed my hands on my knees and closed my eyes. Exhaling slowly, I reached out across the world, moving along the string of energy that kept the connection between me and Shade alive through our marriage vows and our bond. I reached out, opening my mind for the first time in weeks in the hopes of finding my beloved on the other side.

Shade, where are you? My self-imposed banishment is over. I need to speak with you.

I waited as my magic finally slid into a connection with her, grasping onto it like a fine thread. Relaxing, I could feel her pondering my words. She was nowhere near The Scren. In fact, she was far away at The Glass Castle to visit Ursad. Alas, I could feel from her that he wasn’t there, and the absence of him seeped from her somber mood. Somehow, the faery had a special spot in her heart, but I shoved any shred of jealousy down. There were far more pressing matters; they were organizing things to finally head to The Heart of Fire and Ice. She relayed this through her thoughts without saying any words, and I nodded more for myself than anything else.

Dylan, there’s something important I must talk to you about, but it can wait till you get here. We’ll stay at The Glass Castle for one more day as we prepare to journey toward north. I hope you join us before we leave. I can send Camulus if you need.

I inhaled slowly again, my body stilled like death to communicate.

Send Camulus. I’ve just arrived at The Scren. Everything is fine here, but I do need to join you as quickly as possible and listen to what you have to say. I promise I will not leave your side unless you want me to.

I could feel Shade acknowledge me as she sent a warm hug through the pulse of energy. I relished it for a moment but then inadvertently snapped shut our connection as my chest seized from the longing I felt for my wife. It hadn’t been too long that I’d been away from her, and yet it felt like a century. A century of nothing but misery.

I lay back on our bed and stared up at the glass ceiling. There was a blue sky above, free of clouds, on this warm summer day. I’d never wanted to be there without her and had never thought it would ever be like this. I knew what the others had told me was correct; I couldn’t live without her even if I wanted to. Accepting this as truth was bittersweet, but I had to accept it. It would not be much different than before, right?

I squeezed my eyes shut, flinching at the thought of her and Soap in bed together. It would be a challenge. The only answer was to make a schedule of days she’d be with him and days she would be with me. It was the only way to keep it sane between the three of us, no matter how much it made me seethe. I had to deal with it if I was to remain at Shade’s side.

The reality of it all made me feel like a cheap concubine, except I was a man and not some subservient wife. This shouldn’t have been happening. If only I had done what Sylphi had said and made Shade vow to love only me and marry only me, but I had failed to do so, never thinking anything like this could ever happen outside of Teleen.

I was furious with myself, and now I had to pay the price. Regardless, I was willing to do this just to have her at my side again. Maybe things would work out; I just didn’t know. Maybe, eventually, the three of us could tolerate each other’s presence without resentment and without remorse. One day, we’d think nothing of it, right? God, I hoped so. Everything hung on the possibility that it could work out.

I heard a swift knock on my door, and the low, humble voice of Camulus announced his arrival. I sat up in the bed and peered around the room, my heart pounding with anticipation. I had just arrived and was still in my traveling clothes, but if Shade had sent Camulus so quickly, it meant she needed me. There was no time to change.

I grabbed my bag and jumped to my feet to answer the door. Closing it behind me, I wordlessly took Camulus’s hands so he could teleport me back to my love. Soon, I’d lay eyes upon her beautiful face and greet her with arms wide open, ready for anything.

 

***

 

As I entered the room, Shade lifted her eyes from the map she was studying. They shifted from me to Camulus and back as I dropped my traveling bag and waited for a signal from her that it was okay to come any closer. I didn’t want to be presumptuous. I swallowed my fear down into the knot of my stomach. From the corners of my eyes, I saw Soap standing there in surprise, it suddenly dawning on him that I was back and probably for good.

I almost smiled wickedly that she had failed to notify her second husband-to-be that I was returning. Or maybe she’d felt I might not come. The second thought stung a bit, but I was ready to withstand any awkwardness to be with her. There was nothing that would tear me away again. She rushed through the room and fell into my arms, tears streaming down her face as she trembled.

“Dylan, you’re really back. I—I missed you so much. There were so many times there that I thought you’d never return.”

I pressed her to my chest, laying my cheek against her head. Inhaling her familiar scent made my insides quiver, bursting with need. I held back as I kissed the top of her hair and let her squeeze me even tighter. I wanted to stay like that forever; it was the only place I wanted to be.

“I will always come back to you.”

Moments passed as she silently sobbed into my clothes, soaking my shirt with tiny blotches of tears. I relished each one, for each was full of sorrow for me. Now I knew she did love me and couldn’t bear to be without me. Even Soap’s presence would never sever our bond.

“I love you.” She pulled away slightly and stared hard into my eyes, her eyelashes damp with the salty tears. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“I love you too,” I exhale softly, “and you haven’t lost me. I’m here.” My thoughts turned to our conversation through the link. “What is it that you needed to tell me?”

She stepped back and dropped her arms. Wiping her face, she blew out a breath full of nerves. My stomach dropped. Whatever it was, it was major, and I wasn’t sure I could take any more heartache. I held my breath for her to continue.

“I’m pregnant. With twins. You’re the father of one of them.”

My mouth dropped open as I stared at her, the words swimming in my head. I was drowning suddenly, and I couldn’t truly focus. “What did you say?” I asked, not sure I was hearing her correctly.

“You’re going to be a father. So is Soap. Both of you are fathers now.”

I nodded, afraid to move. I might stumble and smash my mouth into the hard, wooden floor. The air was stifling, but I suddenly heard Soap in my head.

Wake up, dude. You should say something. Don’t mess this up.

“I—I… wow. Shade. I’m going to be a father? That’s great! Wow!” I’d caught my bearings just in time, as Shade had paled before me. Stepping forward, I took her back into my arms and squeezed her. “I never expected such wonderful news. That’s… the best news.”

Shade laughed as I nuzzled her neck and giggled from the tickling sensation of it. She had to move back for a breath and beamed at me. “So you’re not angry? This… is a shared life. We three, we must move on together. And it’s not just us three now. There are two new lives connected to us. Can you forgive me for hurting you? I can’t live without either of you.”

I studied her for a moment then glanced at Soap, who tilted his head in a slight bow as a token of respect. Flicking my eyes back to Shade, I smiled.

“Yes. I can do anything for you, Shade. I wish I had realized it sooner. I’ve made so many mistakes, but I plan to make it up to you for as long as I live.”

Her face brightened to the point that the sun would be jealous of her smile. Soap let us have our moment as we hugged and kissed again, and I took note of it. We could work this out. I knew in my heart that if there was anyone who I’d want to have my back in life, it would be Shade and Soap. And I, resolutely, would always be in theirs.