A Midwinter Fantasy - Leanna Renee Hieber [75]
Falon appeared at the doorway of the inn, pushing his way through the crowd and staring down at his sister and nephew. Everyone was outside now, holding their mugs and staring at them. Falon had made very good trade on his sister’s misfortune. “You’re back.”
“Yes,” Sally said, regarding him.
He sighed, looking disgruntled, annoyed, and relieved all at once. “You better get in here, then.” He eyed Travish. “I’ll decide what to do about him later.”
“No,” Mace announced, his voice loud enough to carry over the crowd. “They’re not staying.”
Falon gaped. “But it’s the Winter Festival. They’re supposed to be with family.”
“That’s why they’re coming with me,” Mace told him. “I know more about family than you do.”
“You’re a battle sylph!” the man protested. “This is their home!”
Mace raised a hand, palm facing outward. Falon gaped at him, going pale. “Move,” Mace told him, and the human bolted.
All of them moved, running out into the street and snow. Mace was very controlled about his blast, and the explosion that consumed the inn went straight up, taking the roof and everything inside the structure along with it. Sally gasped, her delighted emotions showing what she really thought about what he’d done, while Jayden stared in amazement and Travish started laughing.
Falon gaped at the destruction of his inn, his face white.
Mace lowered his hand. Neither the queen nor Lily had forbidden this, though he suspected he’d hear about it soon enough. It was worth it.
“This was never a home,” he told the man. “Perhaps the next one you build will be.”
Chapter Thirteen
Lily was missing Mace more than she’d thought she would. She’d taken him as her own almost on a whim, and certainly to prevent him from going after the girls in her charge, but she’d grown very fond of him. His needs never faltered, though, and sometimes it had been hard to love him. She’d tried to give him what he needed, just as she took care of the orphans in her charge, but she knew she wasn’t as loving as he deserved. He’d never complained, which was one of the things she loved about him the most.
This was the longest time he’d ever been away from her, though, and she sat alone in her kitchen by the fire, waiting. The orphans she’d raised were all with their own families now, for the biggest celebration night of the festival, and the two adult girls who still lived here were at the main hall, helping with the town feast. Lily had insisted they go, not wanting anyone with her so long as Mace and Jayden were gone. They’d promised to return later, and she had no doubt the girls would. Both had a strong dedication to duty, instilled in them, she hoped, by both herself and Mace.
She sensed Mace before he arrived, tired and in pain, and heard his voice speak into her mind. I have Jayden, he said. He’s all right.
Lily sagged with relief for a moment before she pulled herself upright in her chair again.
There’s more, Mace continued a second later, his mental voice suddenly seeming almost nervous. You said to find a new master if I could . . . I have, if you’ll accept her. She’s a woman I knew before I met you. I’ve brought her and our son. Even if you don’t accept her, I want them to live here in the Valley. I . . . Lily, I love her.
Lily blinked, absorbing that. She’d had no doubt that Mace would find someone new, simple creature that he was, but she hadn’t quite expected this. For him to say this? That he loved this woman? He’d never told Lily that he loved her, and she’d never thought anything of it. Their bond had always been good enough for her.
She pushed that thought away for more practical matters and the other thing he’d said. Our son? she thought toward him, not used to mental speech even after all these years.
We were lovers for one night, he told her. She gave birth. She says she’s been with no one else