was more than my bodyguard.”
His father’s expression registered momentary shock, but he recovered quickly, rubbing his neck as he looked away. “I see.”
“And I kept her hidden, like some dirty little secret. She left me. I don’t blame her. I deserved it, but now that she’s gone, I realize how much she means to me. I don’t want to lose her, but I already have.”
His father rested a hand on his son’s shoulder, offering silent support as Blake struggled to find a way to win her back.
“If I went to the Ghost camp, if I found her, do you think she would listen to me?” asked Blake.
“I only know that if you don’t go, she will never know that you are sorry.” His father squeezed the muscles of Blake’s shoulder. “Do you love this woman?”
“She is the bravest, most wonderful woman in the world.”
His father gave a laugh. “No, son. That would be your mother.”
Blake smiled, suddenly grasping what his parents shared and wanting that for himself.
“I love her, Dad. I just want her to forgive me.”
Something flashed before them. Sebastian roared and pressed a hand to his chest, calling the change. An instant later his father took animal form. But Blake did not follow him, for he recognized the flash of greenish light and waited. It was a Ghostling, changing form.
A moment later Aldara appeared naked in her human shape and threw herself into Blake’s arms. His father reared up and then huffed.
“Dad, this is Aldara.”
His father blew out a breath and then lumbered off.
“You heard?” Blake asked, hugging her, willing her to never leave him again.
“Yes, yes, everything. What you said at council and what you said to your father. Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I didn’t know. I only...it only sunk into my thick skull when I saw you fighting. I was so scared I’d lose you. It made me realize that I couldn’t live without you and that you were right about everything.”
She drew back to stare at him, still clinging like a monkey, her legs locked about his waist and her hands laced behind his neck.
“You really love me?”
In answer, he lowered his head and kissed her. When they both came up for air, Aldara allowed him to set her gently on her feet. He removed his blazer, shook it and offered her a lovely lavender cape, made of wool, lined in satin and trimmed in soft wolf fur. She slipped it on, grinning, and slid her arms through the slits so she could grasp hold of his shirt with both fists.
“I don’t want you to lose all that you worked for, just for me,” said Aldara, her expression now earnest.
“I worked for a victory. It’s done. From now on I will do what I choose, and I choose to make you my wife, if you will be willing to marry a Seer who somehow could not see that the best thing in his life is you.”
Aldara started to cry. But she nodded her acceptance and managed to say, “Yes.”
Blake took her away from the Spirit Children and the Skinwalkers and the Ghostlings, traveling over the open plains to a spot on a hilltop with a view of the sunset and later of the whole wide universe. This time their joining held the sweetness of two who understand that such a union is made from the most intimate kind of worship. Afterward, when they lay upon the grass, their bodies still flushed and damp from their exertion, Aldara recalled something.
“How is Samantha?”
“She slept most of the day away. I checked on her at noon and she still slumbered. She is recovering, but very weak. Jessie Healy Chien is visiting her dreams, and my mother is with her. I’m sure she will feel stronger when she wakes.”
“Alon sent her away. He thinks he is not suitable for her.”
Blake said nothing to this.
Aldara scowled. “You agree with him?”
“Of course I agree. She’s my sister!”
“Because he is a Toe Tagger?” She was already on her feet, naked, fist clenched, ready to fight him again.
He sighed. “Because he is a man.”
Aldara’s face registered confusion and her hands relaxed. “What?”
“He’s a man and nobody is good enough for my baby sister.”
Aldara made a sound that human females make when presented with a kitten. She sank to her knees. “That’s so adorable. I could fall in love with you all over again.”
He held her, loving the way her soft breasts pressed against his chest.
Aldara drew back. “Blake, I think Samantha loves