Never in my life would I have believed this twist of Fate. Never would I have predicted I would have not just one, but three families.
Father saved me and thwarted those who would have chosen a different Fate for me. He brought me to a mother who loved me and molded me and gave me a sister who showed me pure joy.
Now I am blessed to be reunited with my original family. And then there’s Hector…and our babies.
If I had never come to Bloodstone land, I would never have discovered my magic and my roots or found my true love. I would have always felt lost, constantly searching, and forever incomplete.
Now, I’m whole. Really whole.
The high gods hadn’t abandoned me. They brought me here, and they gave me a purpose beyond being a wife and a mother.
The Bloodstone people need me, and I will do my best to serve them.
ChapterForty-One
“Sol.” Hector runs his fingertips down my jaw, waking me later that evening. I had waited up for him, but when he failed to appear, exhaustion finally overcame me.
I open my eyes, taking in the sight of him sitting on the edge of the mattress, looking so handsome. “Hello, husband.”
Tenderly, he runs his fingertips against my jaw again. “I love you.”
I grab his fingers, holding on to them. “Are you saying that because I called you my love earlier?”
“Maybe.” The lines near his eyes deepen as he smiles at me.
“Do you?” I ask, needing him to feel the same way I do.
“Of course.”
“Say it again.” I need to hear those words. Those wonderful words I never thought I would hear. Especially, when we first met. Not that I would have wanted him to say them then.
“Say what?” He tucks my bedcovers around me, playing his role of protector to perfection.
I grab his hand, stopping him. “Tell me you love me, Hector.”
His silver-blue eyes meet mine, holding, locking, saying everything before he speaks. “I love you, Sol.”
“And I love you. I have for a long time.”
Using his knuckles, he skims them against my arm, caressing my skin, loving me with his touch. “I have loved you for so long, I don’t even remember when it started. Probably after you threw a knife at me.”
“Hector!”
Merriment glints in his eyes. “I’m jesting with you.”
“When did it really start?”
“Probably when you glared at Luc and called him out after he threw a goblet.”
“That long ago?” I ask, awed that Hector had started loving me even when he was angry with me.
He nods. “I like your fierceness. I always have.”
I grab his hand and bring it to my stomach. “Do you think they will be like you or me?”
“Definitely like you.” He presses in slightly, getting a kick in return. “See.”
“I want them to have your strength.” Humor echoes in my tone as I continue. “But not your stubbornness. You’re far too stubborn.”
