The Alpha King’s Ultimate Sacrifice
Part 2
Brian led me through the glass forest.
My boots crushed the blue-violet grass beneath us.
“How exactly do you plan to challenge Heather?”
He glanced at me over his shoulder.
“I will demand his release.”
Brian chuckled.
A harsh sigh escaped his lips.
“Contracts are sacred here.”
He stopped dead in his tracks.
“She has a hold on him because he broke his end of the bargain.”
My jaw tightened.
“He was drugged.”
I closed the distance between us.
“My sister gave him an amplifier instead of a suppressant.”
Brian’s eyes widened.
He clapped his hands together with delight.
“A loophole.”
A wicked grin stretched across his face.
“A contract obtained through coercion or compromised consent is contestable.”
My chest tightened with sudden hope.
“She has to let him go?”
Brian resumed his confident stride through the forest.
“You have grounds to challenge it before the court.”
We finally broke through a thicket of crystalline vines.
A massive palace rose from the ground.
Frozen starlight carved out towering spires.
Ethereal fae courtiers in shifting silks glided through the gardens.
The courtiers scurried out of Brian’s path.
My breathing grew shallow on the grand staircase.
The heavy crystal doors swung open.
The sprawling throne room swallowed us whole.
Heather sat at the far end.
Her upper lip curled in disgust.
Then her gaze snapped to me.
She stood up from her throne.
“You dare bring her here?”
I refused to answer her taunt.
My eyes darted across the vast space.
My heart stopped when I saw him near a pillar.
Craig.
He looked thinner.
His silver eyes held a dull, empty stare.
He remained perfectly still.
My hands shook against my dress.
I forced myself to step forward.
“I challenge the validity of your contract.”
The entire court gasped.
Heather descended the steps with agonizing slowness.
She halted barely three feet away.
“You claim your marriage was real.”
She crossed her arms in defiance.
“I say fate forced him into it.”
She smiled.
It was a cold, terrifying expression.
“Prove your love is genuine.”
A raised hand silenced the murmurs immediately.
“Three trials.”
Her icy gaze locked with mine.
“Fail, and he stays here forever.”
“How do I prove a love he does not even remember?”
Part 3
The crystal throne room fell into a suffocating silence.
Heather stood tall on the polished floor.
Her silver-white hair cascaded over her shoulders like a frozen waterfall.
Brenda kept her fists clenched at her sides.
She refused to break eye contact with the fae Queen.
The courtiers shifted in their shimmering silks.
They murmured among themselves.
Their voices sounded like wind chimes clashing in a storm.
Leaning against a towering pillar of starlight, Brian observed quietly.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he adopted a defensive posture.
A smirk played on his lips.
Heather paced in a slow circle around Brenda.
Her footsteps made no sound on the glass floor.
“The first trial is simple,” Heather announced.
When she spoke, her voice echoed off the soaring ceilings.
She swept her hand toward the far side of the room.
Craig stood there.
His posture remained rigid.
His silver eyes stared straight ahead.
“You claim your bond is real,” Heather said.
Coming to a halt, she assessed the situation.
She turned to face Brenda.
“Prove it.”
She aimed a long, pale finger at Craig.
“Convince him to leave with you willingly.”
Swallowing hard, Brenda tried to maintain her composure.
With her heart hammering against her ribs, she fought down panic.
She glanced at the massive windows.
The twilight sky swirled with purple and gold.
“What is the time limit?”
Brenda demanded an answer.
Heather followed her gaze.
“Sunset.”
She smiled.
“Which comes when I say it does.”
She examined her immaculate fingernails.
“You have an hour.”
Brenda took a deep breath.
She released the tension in her shoulders.
An hour felt like an eternity.
She turned toward her husband.
She took a cautious step forward.
Her boots squeaked slightly on the crystal floor.
Craig did not move.
He watched her approach.
His face remained an unreadable mask.
Brenda studied his features.
His cheekbones looked sharper.
Shadows gathered beneath his eyes.
His jaw held a tight, rigid line.
She stopped two feet in front of him, planting her boots firmly on the glass.
Reaching out her hand, her hands moved before her mind could catch up.
Her fingers trembled in the cool air.
“Craig.”
His name caught in her throat.
“I came to take you home.”
Closing the distance between them, she held her ground.
“Tyler is waiting.”
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.
“He is eight years old now.”
Dropping her hand to her side, she remained resolute.
“He misses you.”
She searched his silver eyes.
“He asks about you every day.”
She leaned in.
“Please come home with us.”
Craig frowned.
He tilted his head to the side.
He examined her face.
His brow furrowed in confusion.
“I apologize.”
When he spoke, his voice sounded hollow.
“Who are you?”
The throne room erupted.
High-pitched laughter washed over Brenda.
The sound pierced her ears like shattered glass.
Cruel fae nobles pointed at her.
They covered their mouths with elegant hands.
Brenda stumbled backward.
Her knees buckled.
She caught herself before hitting the floor.
Keeping her gaze fixed on Craig, she remained silent.
Offering no recognition, he tried to ease the tension.
He only looked confused.
Heather stepped forward.
She clapped her hands slowly.
“I forgot to mention.”
Letting out a short, cold laugh, she released a heavy sigh.
“He missed you quite a bit.”
Waving her hand in a dismissive gesture, she dismissed the thought.
“I soothed his suffering.”
Brenda whipped her head around.
She glared at the Queen.
“You took his memories.”
Heather shrugged.
“For his own good.”
She smoothed the front of her gown.
“The trial stands.”
She pointed her chin toward the massive windows.
“The clock is ticking.”
Brenda turned back to Craig.
Her hands shook.
She pressed them flat against her thighs.
She forced herself to breathe.
She studied him again.
She remembered the seven years they lived in the same castle.
She remembered watching him from afar.
She took a hesitant step toward him.
“I know you.”
When she spoke, her voice came out as a whisper.
She cleared her throat.
“Even if you do not remember me.”
Stepping into his personal space, she held her ground.
“I know you.”
Craig shifted his weight.
His eyes widened slightly.
“I watched you for seven years.”
She maintained unbroken eye contact.
“We lived in the same castle.”
Reaching out and pointed at his chest, her hands moved before her mind could catch up.
“We ruled the same kingdom.”
Letting her hand drop, she released a heavy sigh.
“We existed in the same space.”
She began to walk around him in a slow circle.
“We maintained careful distance.”
She paused behind him, her breathing shallow.
“You are exhausted.”
She moved to stand in front of him again.
“You are tired down to your bones.”
She waved a hand toward his face.
“Your jaw is tight.”
Touching her own cheek, her touch carried the desperate weight of the truth.
“You are grinding your teeth.”
Letting her hand fall, she released a heavy sigh.
“You did that during council meetings.”
She recalled the long hours in the war room.
“You did it when you were frustrated.”
Taking another step, she refused to back down.
“You could not show it then.”
Craig stepped back.
His chest rose and fell in quick breaths.
“You are not happy here.”
Brenda kept her voice low.
“I see it in your posture.”
She pointed at his rigid shoulders.
“You are going through the motions.”
She shook her head.
“You exist, but you are not living.”
She met his gaze again.
“I recognize this.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“I saw it during our marriage.”
She recalled the lonely nights in her chambers.
“You suffered in silence.”
She pressed a hand to her own chest.
“You protected our future.”
Craig shook his head.
Rubbing his temples, he tried to ease his headache.
“This makes no sense to me.”
When he spoke, his voice wavered.
Squeezing his eyes shut, he did not hesitate.
Brenda moved closer.
“I ignored your suffering once.”
Dropping her gaze to the floor, she remained resolute.
“I focused on my own pain.”
Looking back up at him, she tried to process the moment.
“I did not see what stood right in front of me.”
Reaching out and took his hand, her hands moved before her mind could catch up.
He flinched but did not pull away.
“I will not make that mistake again.”
The murmurs in the throne room ceased.
Total silence blanketed the space.
Brenda squeezed his hand.
“You do not remember me.”
Stepping within inches of him, she held her ground.
“I do not need you to remember.”
She maintained steady eye contact with him.
“Trust that I see you.”
She ran her thumb over his knuckles.
“I know you are miserable.”
She memorized every line on his face.
“I spent seven years learning every detail of you.”
Craig curled his free hand into a fist.
His jaw muscles ticked.
“How can I trust you?”
His voice wavered as he forced the words out.
“I do not know you.”
Brenda offered a small, sad smile.
“You do not have to trust me.”
Letting go of his hand, she released a heavy sigh.
“You do not have to know me.”
Stepping back, she held her ground.
“Trust that you do not belong here.”
She swept her arm to indicate the cold, crystal walls.
“This place is killing you.”
Craig stared at her hand.
Looking up at her face, he revealed his true feelings.
His expression broke open.
A flicker of recognition crossed his features.
He recognized the truth in her words.
He let out a ragged breath.
“Yes.”
The single syllable hung in the air.
He nodded slowly.
“I will go with you.”
Brenda let out a sob.
She covered her mouth with her hands.
Brian pushed off the pillar.
“First trial complete.”
When he spoke, his voice carried over the stunned silence.
“The king chose to leave willingly.”
He flashed a grin at Heather.
“The terms are met.”
Heather’s face contorted with rage.
She stomped her foot on the glass floor.
“Two more trials.”
She glared at Brenda.
“The next one will not be so easy.”
She raised her arms.
“The second trial will—”
Brian stepped into the center of the room.
“Hold on a minute, Heather.”
Every head turned toward him.
A fae courtier hissed.
“You cannot interrupt the trials.”
Another courtier sneered.
“Why do you favor this mortal?”
Brian ignored them.
He kept his eyes locked on Heather.
“This is not fair.”
Heather narrowed her eyes.
“What are you yammering about?”
She placed her hands on her hips.
Brian closed the distance between them.
“The trial is rigged.”
He gestured to Craig.
“How can she prove their love?”
He threw his hands in the air.
“You locked away his memories.”
Heather lifted her chin.
“The first trial did not require memory.”
She tapped her foot.
“The terms were met.”
Brian stepped closer.
“You claim you want proof of choice.”
He lowered his voice.
“How can they prove choice without memory?”
Heather’s jaw tightened.
She balled her hands into fists.
“Why do you care?”
She spat the words.
“This does not concern you.”
Brian’s ice-blue eyes flashed.
“You cling to this mortal.”
He pointed an accusing finger at her.
“He keeps you standing.”
He scoffed.
“It is getting tedious.”
Heather retreated a step.
“How dare you?”
When she spoke, her voice trembled.
“You mock me.”
Rolling his eyes, Brian let out a scoff.
“Half mortal.”
He mocked her tone.
“Not worthy of your time.”
He leaned forward.
“You made this court watch your pathetic display.”
He swept his arm across the room.
“For eight years.”
He met her glare.
“Give the trials a fair chance.”
Heather stomped her foot again.
“I do not follow your orders.”
She ground her teeth.
Brian lowered his voice to a whisper.
“Do it for yourself.”
He challenged her with a stare.
“Prove your claim has validity.”
He tilted his head.
“I dare you.”
Staring at him, Heather remained completely still.
Her pristine mask slipped.
Raw vulnerability flashed across her face.
She slammed her mask back into place.
“Fine.”
She turned her attention back to Craig.
“I will prove you wrong.”
She raised her right hand.
“The enchantment will lift.”
She leveled a finger at Brenda.
“He still has to pass the test.”
Brenda nodded quickly.
“Agreed.”
With a sharp snap of her fingers, the magic rippled.
A sharp crack echoed like breaking glass.
Craig gasped.
He staggered backward.
He clutched his head with both hands.
His silver eyes widened in shock.
Pain etched across his features.
“Craig.”
Brenda started toward him.
Looking up, he revealed his true feelings.
His eyes locked onto hers.
His face transformed completely.
Disbelief shifted into desperate hope.
Agony and joy twisted his features.
Tears spilled over his lashes.
“Brenda.”
When he spoke, his voice cracked.
Dropping his hands to his sides, he did not hesitate.
“How are you here?”
Brenda rushed forward.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I came for you.”
She stopped inches from him, afraid to breathe.
“Did you think I would not?”
Craig reached out.
His fingers hovered over her face.
“Tyler?”
He asked in a frantic whisper.
“He is safe.”
Brenda grabbed his hands.
“He is home with Megan.”
Squeezing his hand, she offered a reassuring smile.
“He never stopped asking about you.”
Craig’s face crumpled.
A sob tore from his throat.
He covered his mouth with his hand.
“Eight years.”
Shaking his head, he let out a harsh sigh.
“I missed eight years of his life.”
Heather clapped her hands loudly.
“You have your memories.”
When she spoke, her voice dripped with ice.
“Let us see if they help.”
Waving her arms in a wide arc, she dismissed the thought.
The crystal room shifted.
The air shimmered and distorted.
The floor expanded outward.
Brenda blinked in confusion.
Looking around, she tried to process the moment.
One hundred copies of herself filled the room.
Identical faces stared back at her.
They wore the same travel-worn clothes.
They wore the same expression of shock.
They had the same golden hair.
They had the same green eyes.
“The second trial.”
Heather’s voice carried from a raised platform.
“One hundred perfect copies.”
She smiled in triumph.
“Same appearance.”
Walking along the edge of the crowd, she remained resolute.
“Same voice.”
She stopped pacing and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Same scent.”
She leaned against a crystal pillar.
“I replicated the mate bond.”
Brenda’s stomach plummeted.
Panic seized her chest.
“You get one choice.”
Heather pointed at Craig.
“Walk through them.”
She pointed lazily at the sea of clones.
“Take your time.”
She sneered.
“You only get one chance.”
She turned back to the assembled court.
“Begin.”
Craig stood at the edge of the crowd.
He did not hesitate.
He did not scan the faces.
Walking straight forward, he did not hesitate.
He passed twenty copies.
He passed forty copies.
He moved with absolute certainty.
He stopped in front of Brenda.
He reached out.
He cupped her face in his hands.
His thumbs brushed away her tears.
“This one.”
When he spoke, his voice held no doubt.
Pulling her against his chest, he did not hesitate.
“She is the only one.”
The clones dissolved into glittering dust.
The dust settled on the crystal floor.
Silence stretched across the throne room.
Brian let out a low whistle.
“Second trial passed.”
He turned to Heather.
“He identified his wife.”
Heather stood frozen on the platform.
Her face drained of color.
Her expression cracked.
A deep, raw vulnerability showed through.
Brian noticed.
His jaw muscles tightened.
Walking over to the platform, he did not hesitate.
“Did he ever know you like that?”
He asked in a low voice.
“Did Craig ever memorize you?”
Heather refused to look at him.
She stared stubbornly at the empty floor.
“Stop.”
She whispered the word.
Brian crossed his arms.
“You know the answer.”
Bitterness laced his tone.
“You have always known.”
Heather’s hands shook.
She clenched them at her sides.
“Two trials passed.”
When she spoke, her voice sounded brittle.
She lifted her head.
“One more remains.”
Her eyes glittered with fresh fury.
“I will not be generous.”
She marched to the center of the room.
“The final trial is simple.”
When she spoke, her voice rang out like a bell.
Brian conjured an ornate chair from thin air.
Dropping into the seat, he did not hesitate.
He leaned back and crossed his legs.
“This should be good.”
Heather glared at him.
She turned back to Craig and Brenda.
“One of you may leave.”
She paced in front of them.
“Return to your realm.”
She listed the options on her fingers.
“Return to your child.”
She stopped her pacing and offered a wicked smile.
“Free and unharmed.”
Brenda’s stomach twisted into knots.
“The other stays forever.”
Brian clapped his hands in mock applause.
“Brilliant.”
He conjured a glass of red wine.
“Self-preservation versus love.”
He took a slow sip.
“You saved the cruelest for last.”
Heather beamed at him.
“I knew you would like it.”
Craig and Brenda locked eyes.
They spoke in unison.
“I will stay.”
They stared at each other in horror.
“I will not leave her.”
Craig stepped in front of Brenda.
“I stayed away for seven years.”
He squared his shoulders.
“I protected her then.”
He glared at Heather.
“I will not abandon her now.”
Brenda grabbed his arm.
Pulling him back, she remained resolute.
“No.”
Moving forward, she made her stance clear.
“I searched for eight years.”
She shook her head.
“I will not abandon you.”
Looking at Craig, she tried to process the moment.
“You sacrificed everything.”
Touching his cheek, her touch carried the desperate weight of the truth.
“It is my turn.”
Brian groaned loudly from his chair.
“This will take forever.”
He snapped his fingers.
A full bottle of wine appeared.
“Anyone need refreshments?”
Heather covered her mouth.
She stifled a snort.
Craig caught Brenda’s hand.
“Please.”
He pressed her palm to his chest.
“I cannot lose you again.”
Emotion choked his words as he tried to speak.
“Eight years nearly destroyed me.”
Squeezing her fingers, he did not hesitate.
“I must stay.”
Brenda pulled her hand away.
“You gave up eight years.”
Crossing her arms, she adopted a defensive posture.
Craig grabbed her shoulders.
“Staying away was torture.”
He searched her eyes.
“Seeing you without touching you was agony.”
Pulling her close, he did not hesitate.
“It felt like dying slowly.”
He rested his forehead against hers.
“I had you for eight months.”
Closing his eyes, he did not hesitate.
“Losing that again will kill me.”
Brenda pushed him back slightly.
“You will survive.”
She motioned toward the portal location.
“Tyler needs you.”
She traced his jawline.
“You gave me everything.”
She offered a tearful smile.
“Let me give this back.”
She turned to face Heather.
“I do not want freedom without him.”
Standing tall, she remained resolute.
“I will not let him stay.”
Her mind raced with possibilities.
They reached a complete impasse.
Both refused to leave.
Both chose sacrifice.
Brenda looked at Heather.
“Neither of us will sacrifice the other.”
She raised her voice for the court to hear.
“We both chose to stay.”
Stepping forward, she held her ground.
“Is this not proof our love is real?”
She lifted her chin in defiance.
“Will you let him go?”
She challenged the Queen.
“Have I convinced you?”
Heather’s expression flickered.
She masked her hesitation quickly.
“No.”
She sounded petulant.
“Liar.”
Brian spoke around the rim of his glass.
Heather whirled on him.
“Shut up.”
She jabbed a finger in his direction.
“Drink yourself unconscious.”
Brian lowered his glass.
“Find a new toy.”
Hurt laced his mocking tone.
Brenda watched their exchange.
A sudden realization hit her.
She turned back to Craig.
“I should stay.”
She spoke loudly on purpose.
“I made a deal with Brian.”
She glanced at the half-fae lord.
“He could call in his favor anytime.”
Letting out a dramatic sigh, she rolled her eyes.
“He could trap me somewhere else.”
Craig’s eyes widened in horror.
“What?”
Heather exploded.
“What?”
When she spoke, her voice shook the palace walls.
Stunned fae courtiers stumbled backward.
The crystal floor vibrated.
Everyone stared at the fae Queen.
Brian calmly poured another glass of wine.
Heather stalked over to him.
“Is it true?”
She demanded answers.
Brian did not look up.
“Is what true?”
Heather snatched the glass from his hand.
She hurled it across the room.
The glass shattered against a pillar.
A courtier yelped and ducked.
“Did you make a bargain with her?”
Heather loomed over his chair.
Brian finally looked at her.
Offering a peaceful smile, he tried to ease the tension.
“What if I did?”
Heather threw her hands up.
“Why?”
She paced frantically in front of him.
“Why would you do that?”
She spun around.
“What is so special about this mortal?”
She threw her hands wildly toward Brenda.
“She is not prettier than me.”
Touching her own silver hair, her touch carried the desperate weight of the truth.
“She has no magic.”
She scoffed.
“She turns into a wolf.”
She puffed out her chest.
“I turn into anything.”
Her composure shattered completely.
“I do not understand.”
She glared at Brian.
“Why did you choose her over me?”
Craig cleared his throat.
Stepping forward, he did not hesitate.
“She is my mate.”
He kept his voice quiet.
“You know that.”
Heather stopped mid-rant.
She blinked in confusion.
Watching Craig intently, she waited for his reaction.
Her mouth opened and closed.
Looking completely embarrassed, she tried to process the moment.
She seemed to remember he was there.
Brenda pieced everything together.
Heather had not been talking to Craig.
“You care for him deeply.”
Brenda spoke the words softly.
She stared at the Queen in absolute wonder.
“You love Brian.”
Utter silence descended on the throne room.
Brian snapped his head up.
His ice-blue eyes fixed on Heather.
Intense desperation filled his gaze.
Heather flushed.
Deep color flooded her pale cheeks.
“What did you say?”
When she spoke, her voice strangled in her throat.
Brenda hesitated for a second.
She needed to secure their freedom.
She saw a clear path forward.
“You have feelings for him.”
She repeated the claim firmly.
Heather looked at the walls.
Looking at the ceiling, she tried to process the moment.
She refused to look at Brian.
“You are ridiculous.”
When she spoke, her voice shook.
Brian’s expression shuttered closed.
Looking away, he revealed his true feelings.
“Am I?”
Brenda pushed gently.
She shifted her focus to Brian.
“You offered me the bargain.”
She studied his reaction.
“You knew I wanted Craig.”
Stepping closer to the chair, she held her ground.
“You wanted him gone.”
Brian froze mid-pour.
He resumed filling his new glass.
“I want him gone.”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“Her obsession is depressing.”
Brenda tilted her head.
“Depressing for you.”
She kept her tone patient.
“Because you love her.”
The wine bottle shattered in Brian’s grip.
Red liquid spilled over his fingers.
He leaped to his feet.
He stared at the broken glass.
Looking utterly bewildered, he revealed his true feelings.
“Not at all.”
When he spoke, his voice rose in defense.
“I would not waste my time.”
Grabbing a cloth from a table, he did not hesitate.
“She calls me worthless.”
He wiped the wine from his hands.
“She reminds everyone I am half fae.”
He tossed the cloth aside.
“She treats me beneath her.”
Heather interrupted him.
“Good.”
When she spoke, her voice sounded sharp and wounded.
“It would be embarrassing.”
Craig stepped beside Brenda.
“You talked about him constantly.”
He addressed Heather directly.
Every head in the room turned.
Craig maintained a calm expression.
Offering a sympathetic smile, he tried to ease the tension.
“What?”
Heather whispered the word.
Craig met her eyes.
“During our entire relationship.”
Crossing his arms, he adopted a defensive posture.
“You compared everything to Brian.”
He nodded slowly.
“You praised me.”
He shrugged.
“You thought of him.”
Brenda looked back at Brian.
Standing completely still, he did not hesitate.
His eyes locked onto Heather.
Looking like he was in pain, he revealed his true feelings.
Staring at the crystal floor, Heather remained completely still.
She examined the patterns intently.
The courtiers held their collective breath.
Brenda remained frozen in place.
“Fine.”
Heather shouted the word.
“You have proven your devotion.”
Waving her hand at Brenda and Craig, she dismissed the thought.
“You may go.”
She turned her back to Brian.
“Get out of my palace.”
Brenda considered running immediately.
She caught herself before taking another step.
They needed a permanent solution.
Heather and Brian needed to resolve this.
Brenda did not want Heather coming back.
“See?”
Brenda spoke quietly.
“You are embarrassed.”
Stepping toward Heather, she held her ground.
“You are willing to let us go.”
Snapping her head up, Heather lost her temper.
Panic widened her eyes.
Brenda turned to Brian.
“She cares what you think.”
She tilted her head toward the Queen.
“More than she cares about Craig.”
Deafening silence filled the room.
Brian swallowed hard.
His throat bobbed.
“Is it true?”
When he spoke, his voice sounded rough.
He stared at the wall behind the throne.
His body went rigid.
Staring at the opposite wall, Heather remained completely still.
Her chest heaved with rapid breaths.
“What?”
She asked the empty room.
Everyone knew who she meant.
Brian clenched his jaw.
He threw his hands up in sheer exasperation.
“Do you care?”
When he spoke, his voice broke.
He cleared his throat.
“More than you care about him?”
He pointed at Craig.
“What does it matter?”
Snapping back, Heather lost her temper.
“You never cared how I feel.”
Brian flinched.
Looking like he had been struck, he revealed his true feelings.
“I want to know.”
He sounded like a petulant child.
Heather finally looked at him.
She stared straight into his eyes without flinching.
“You want to know?”
When she spoke, her voice dropped to a whisper.
“I stole a man from his family.”
She jerked her chin toward Craig.
“I acted out of desperation.”
She took a threatening step toward Brian.
“Because I could not have you.”
Brian jerked his head away.
His whole body tensed.
The muscle in his jaw jumped.
“I do.”
He managed to choke out the words.
Staring at him in silence, Heather remained completely still.
Surprise flashed across her face.
Confusion followed closely behind.
Dawning understanding settled on her features.
The throne room waited in absolute stillness.
“Yes.”
Heather admitted the truth.
Resentment colored her tone.
Brian snapped his head back toward her.
Their eyes finally met.
“Of course I care about you more.”
She sounded annoyed.
“I cannot believe you have to ask.”
Brian stood stunned.
Pure joy broke across his face.
A massive smile stretched his lips.
Heather noticed his reaction.
“Why?”
She smirked at him.
“Were you jealous?”
“No.”
Brian answered too quickly.
His lie sounded entirely transparent.
Heather’s lips twitched upward.
“How convenient.”
Stepping closer to him, she held her ground.
“You are half mortal.”
When she spoke, her voice softened with fondness.
“You can lie when you wish.”
She paused.
Her smile grew genuine.
“You are terrible at it.”
Brenda cleared her throat.
She spoke softly.
“You have each other now.”
Reaching for Craig’s hand, her hands moved before her mind could catch up.
“Can we go?”
Squeezing his fingers, she remained resolute.
“We proved our love.”
Brian turned to Heather.
He stuck out his lower lip.
“I want your pet gone.”
He sounded imperious.
“If you are amenable.”
Heather examined her nails.
She feigned disinterest.
“How will I stay busy?”
She sighed dramatically.
“Nothing happens around here.”
Brian stepped into her personal space.
“I could entertain you.”
Offering a casual shrug, he tried to ease the tension.
“You are never around.”
Heather pouted.
Brian rolled his eyes.
“I was not going to watch you mope.”
He gestured at Craig again.
“It was depressing.”
Heather smiled fully.
“Depressing for you?”
She arched an eyebrow.
“Terribly.”
Brian nodded slowly.
Heather rolled her eyes.
She showed no real annoyance.
“Fine.”
She turned to dismiss Brenda and Craig.
She put her imperious mask back on.
“You fulfilled your contract.”
Waving them away, she dismissed the thought.
“You proved your love.”
She brushed her hands together.
“I am bored with you both.”
She nodded to the court.
“As is everyone here.”
The fae court murmured in agreement.
Many courtiers sighed in relief.
The dramatic display had ended.
“You may leave.”
Heather clicked her fingers with a sharp snap.
The world turned upside down.
Colors screamed into the void.
Silence rushed into Brenda’s ears.
Craig tightened his grip on her hand.
Offering the only solid anchor, he tried to ease the tension.
Brenda held on with all her strength.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she remained resolute.
Her boots hit solid ground.
The scent of pine filled her nose.
They stood in the castle courtyard.
The familiar stone walls surrounded them.
The evening air felt cool and real.
Craig was still there.
Standing solid and free, he did not hesitate.
He yanked her into his arms.
They both staggered backward.
Brenda wrapped her arms around his neck.
She ran her hands over his face.
She mapped his jawline with her fingers.
She felt the breadth of his shoulders.
“Eight years.”
Craig buried his face in her hair.
When he spoke, his voice sounded completely wrecked.
“Eight years.”
Brenda cried openly.
Tears soaked into his tunic.
“I know.”
She felt him tremble against her.
Her own body shook with violent relief.
“We are here now.”
Kissing his cheek, she remained resolute.
“Finally together.”
They held each other in the fading light.
The sun set over their kingdom.
They had fought across realms.
They had conquered impossible obstacles.
They were home.
They were safe.
They were completely in love.
The castle remained quiet in the pre-dawn light.
Tyler’s bedroom door stood open.
Brenda leaned against the doorframe.
Craig stood beside her.
They watched Tyler sleep.
The soft light illuminated the boy’s face.
Looking older than before, he revealed his true feelings.
Only two days had passed.
It felt like a lifetime.
“He has your hair.”
Craig whispered into the quiet room.
Emotion choked his voice.
“He has your eyes.”
He wiped a tear from his cheek.
“He is perfect.”
Brenda placed her hand on his back.
“He waited for you.”
She spoke softly.
“Every single day.”
Craig gripped the doorframe.
His knuckles turned white.
Tyler stirred in his bed.
His eyes fluttered open.
He blinked in confusion.
His gaze shifted to the doorway.
He saw Craig.
His entire face lit up.
“Papa?”
He whispered the word.
He sounded uncertain and hopeful.
Craig dropped to his knees.
He knelt beside the small bed.
Looking suddenly terrified, he revealed his true feelings.
“Yes.”
He reached out a trembling hand.
“It is me.”
He smoothed Tyler’s blanket.
“I am home.”
He choked back a sob.
“I am so sorry.”
Tyler threw off his blankets.
He launched himself off the mattress.
He crashed into Craig’s arms.
He began to sob uncontrollably.
Craig caught him.
Pulling his son against his chest, he did not hesitate.
He buried his face in Tyler’s hair.
Craig broke apart completely.
Eight years of grief poured out of him.
Desperate love fueled his tears.
He held the child tightly.
He had sacrificed everything for this moment.
“You came back.”
Tyler cried into his shoulder.
“You came back.”
Craig rubbed circles on Tyler’s back.
“I will never leave again.”
When he spoke, his voice sounded raw.
“Never.”
Kissing the top of Tyler’s head, he did not hesitate.
“I swear it.”
Brenda walked into the room.
She sank to the floor beside them.
Wrapping her arms around both of them, she remained resolute.
Pulling them into a tight embrace, she remained resolute.
Her family sat together.
They were finally whole.
Eight years of searching had ended.
Their faith had paid off.
Their refusal to surrender brought them here.
They were home.
They were whole.
They were at peace.
THE END
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Disclaimer
This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered. Any resemblance is coincidental. The author and publisher disclaim accuracy, liability, and responsibility for interpretations or reliance. If you would like to share your story, please send it to [email protected].
