My Maddie (Hades Hangmen #8) - Tillie Cole Page 0,95

was, or how truly miraculous they were.

“He removed you from an evil that he could not let you endure, and He placed you in His safety, and in the arms of your loving mama.” I sniffed back my tears. “But in doing so you, Isaiah, you never said goodbye to the big brother who always tried to keep you safe. Who held you, comforted you, and loved you, up until you breathed your last breath, passing from this cruel world into one of peace and light and love.” I paused, to recover my voice. “A big brother who believed he had hurt you in some way, a big brother who punished himself for it, every day. This, when all he did was try—try to love you for who you were and to pray you would never leave him.”

In my peripheral vision I saw Flame drop his head. As I looked up to him, his eyes were closed. But from the corners, tears fell. It was my undoing. Turning into Flame’s arm, I raised his hand, now clasped in mine, and kissed it. “Today we have come to say goodbye, Isaiah. To tell you that you were so loved, and you have been missed. You are missed every single day.” The sun began to set, rays flickering off the mirror-like surface of the river, casting a light that resembled the sparkle of diamonds. “I did not have the best start in life,” I admitted. Flame stilled. Looking up at my husband, I waited until he looked at me.

“Like you, Isaiah, Josiah saved me. He took me from a life of servitude and constant pain into a life so rich with happiness, I still barely believe it is real.” I made sure to hold Flame’s gaze. “He loves so purely, so deeply, and so true. And I know he loved you in the same way.” I squeezed Asher’s hand. “In the same way he loves all his brothers.” I smiled, though my lips were trembling. “Flame will cherish his child in the same way. He will never hurt her or him, just as he never hurt you.” I closed my eyes. “The purest souls may not be granted a long life.” I recalled scripture from my days in The Order. “The righteous perish, and yet no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”

The warm breeze wrapped itself around us like a mother’s embrace. “You were spared from evil, Isaiah. You were spared from a man who would seek to do you harm. In death, you received protection… you were granted peace. You left this world cradled in the arms of the person who loved you most.” My voice lost strength as I added, “I can think of no better way to pass.” Taking a deep breath, trying to hold on for just a few moments longer, I said, “Goodbye Isaiah Cade. We love you. You will always be in our hearts. Watch over us from Heaven. One day, when it is our time, we shall see you again.”

Bringing Asher and Flame’s hands to my eyes, I cried. I cried for the innocent baby who never lived. I cried for the brothers beside me who had yet to find peace. “We shall all see you again, we shall see your mama and Asher’s mama… and we shall all love in peace.”

Please… I found myself praying, hands still clasped in Asher’s and Flame’s. Help them both heal. Help Flame to be free from the burden that bleeds joy from his soul. Enable Asher to understand that he is wanted and loved. Please bestow peace on my Cade boys. Allow them to feel love… allow them to finally feel free.

Chapter Twelve

Flame

I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t fucking stand it! Maddie… my Maddie was crying. Asher was fucking crying. I felt water on my cheeks. Was I fuckin crying too? My chest felt like it was caving in, claws fucking pulling in my gut, trying to tear it apart. Maddie’s words started circling my head. You were spared from evil, Isaiah. You were spared from a man who would seek to do you harm. In death, you received protection… you were granted peace. You left this world cradled in the arms of the person who loved you most… You never said goodbye to