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Would that ever happen again, or would he merely use her to keep his magic charged and eschew anything more emotional? Or would he go back to surrogates and keep her at arms length. If that happened, shed do whatever necessary to stay with him, fight to make him see how very much she loved him and no longer wanted to live without him.
But she was painfully aware that she couldnt force him to truly be with her simply because she now wished it. That hadnt worked with her parents or with Deirdre.
But this time if she lost, shed have no one to blame but herself. As she stepped through the slightly soggy grass in jagged little rows, Felicia fought back tears.
After long minutes, she stopped at Deirdres headstone and knelt to place the yellow daisies she been clutching.
"Hi, D. I brought your favorites, daises. I miss you. " She sighed. She did miss her sister--every single day. "Im sorry I . . . stayed away for so many years. When you left me, I-I didnt know what to do. I wish youd have let me help you. But I know now that you didnt want to feel the pain anymore. " She choked back a nearly overwhelming surge of tears. "Ill be coming to visit more often. Hope thats okay. I love you. "
"She had a different path to take," said a familiar voice behind her.
Felicia whirled to Mason. "How did you find me?"
He shrugged. "Bram put a GPS chip in your car, hoping youd drive it at some point. Hes been looking for you for days. "
She rolled her eyes. Why didnt that surprise her? Sure, Bram was smart and brave, a born leader. But he could be a manipulative bastard.
"Is Simon all right?"
A sad shadow darkened Masons eyes before he looked down, nodded. "Fine. "
But he didnt want to see her. If he did, hed be here. And really, she didnt blame him.
Soon, she hoped to talk to him, try to make him see exactly how much she loved him. She refused to give up without a fight, but . . . when she looked over the past few days, she saw so many moments when shed evaded and hesitated. God, how she regretted them now.
"Where have you been since Friday?" Mason asked.
"My flat. " She shrugged. "I figured Simon would call if he healed and he . . . "
Needed me to share his bed. Would he ever want her for more again? Could she convince him?
Hed loved her once; she knew that. But would he ever trust her to be his mate in every way? The question had haunted her for the last three sleepless nights.
She took Masons hands in hers. "I couldnt have carried Simon out of the tomb, and he would have died without you. Thank you for saving him. Im sorry you were dragged into all that. "
He gaped at her as if she was mad. "As you were. The two of you saved me. I could never have saved myself from Mathias. "
"Im sorry about . . . " Betraying you, not loving you, falling for your brother.
"Everything. "
He nodded, his conservative dark hair moving with the breeze. "You love Simon?"
"Yes. I wont even ask if youre angry and hurt. " She reached into her pocket and withdrew the engagement ring shed taken off what seemed like a lifetime ago. "You really deserve someone whos marrying you because shes madly in love with you. Not because you make her feel safe. "
Mason clasped the ring in his fist. "Youre right. I wanted you so much and . . . I behaved badly when I didnt get my way. I hope you can forgive me. "
A smile played at her mouth. "Having Simon arrested was low. "
He winced. "Not one of my finest moments. "
"Its not for me to forgive you. Thats between you and Simon. "
She hoped someday they would work out their differences, and that she wouldnt be a constant reminder of the reason for their strife.
"Did you two talk?"
"We did. " Mason shrugged. "I never knew. A wizard. It boggles the mind, really. "
He smiled wryly. "No dull family tree here. I dont think Mum knows. She always said her first husband was extraordinary, but had a very secretive side. I suppose I now know why. "
Indeed. "I dont want to come between you and Simon. I love him, and that will never change. Im not certain his feelings for me are the same, but thats neither here nor there. Youre brothers and--"
"Simon explained that youre his lifelong mate and what that entails. I understand now that he never took you away simply to hurt me. After meeting Mathias, I certainly comprehend the danger he spoke of at our wedding. In fact, I understand everything, perhaps more than Id like, at least where youre concerned. " Mason sighed. "Neither of us would ever hurt you. Im sorry I let my jealousy get the better of me. As for Simons feelings, youll have to discuss those with him. "
Yes, and that terrified her. But for him, she would. If he chose not to live with her as his mate and broke her heart, shed earned it. And shed live with it. It would hurt like hell for the rest of her years, but she would survive.
Felicia pasted on a smile and nodded. "I will later. At the moment, Id like to return to work and--"
"Lets talk about our future now. "
That voice sent a shiver down her spine.
Simon.
She whirled around to find him standing a few meters away in an impeccable charcoal coat, black trousers, and a black shirt. He looked exhausted . . . but perfect.
Her heart froze, got stuck in her throat.
"You do love him," Mason murmured in her ear.
She turned to Mason with a question in her eyes. What did she say? Do?
He just smiled. "Be happy. Ill be around if he grates on your nerves, as he sometimes can, or to talk. Ill be your friend. Always. "
As he gathered her up for a hug, she embraced him in return, desperately aware of Simons gaze on her. After a long moment, Mason pulled back, kissed her forehead, and walked away. He paused to clap Simon on the shoulder before exiting the cemetery.
Leaving them alone.
"Are you saying good-bye to Deirdre?" Duke asked Felicia as he approached her in slow, measured steps.
She looked exhausted and as nervous as a cat in a room full of rockers.
"Good-bye . . . hello. " Her gaze never left him. "It was time I both accepted her death and voluntarily paid my respects. "
"Where have you been?"
"My flat, mostly. I thought it best if I left for a bit, especially since Bram didnt seem pleased with what happened in the tomb. "
Duke didnt remember anything after the ceiling began to cave in. According to Bram, hed been making his way out when Felicia emerged from the tomb into an open cavern theyd never seen. Mason had carried him out, running at a mad pace. Bram joined in and helped. Shortly after they emerged into daylight, the doorway theyd exited from had disappeared.
After escaping to the little nearby pub, the next day was a blur of fever, dark visions . . . and Felicias sweet touch. Then healing sleep.
Hed awakened to Brams rantings. A long meeting ensued. Duke had finally found a few moments to see to some unfinished business and grease a few palms. Once hed returned, Felicia had been gone. He ached to know why.
Softening his expression, he shook his head. "You couldnt have known that Mathias may not die in the tomb and that hes likely working hard to resurrect Morganna as we speak--if he hasnt already done so. "
"I pieced that together from Brams rantings, but I dont understand how its possible. I know Mathias had the ingredients, but . . . " She looked confused and terrified at once. "I shot him. "
"The moment you left, he could magically heal his own wounds. "
She hung her head. "Im sorry. Id feared that, but Id hoped he was already dead.
The ceiling fell on his head. Between the bullet and the rocks . . . "
"Mathias can heal from most anything a human would consider fatal, with the possible exceptions of pulling out entrails, burning, and beheading. But even that may not be true. He was exiled once, and we thought he died. If so, he came back to life. Who knows what will be necessary to kill him now?"
"Oh. But . . . Mathia
s said he didnt think he could leave the tomb without an Untouchable. So wouldnt he be trapped forever?"
"Hard to say. If he could revive Morganna, theyd be able to leave quite easily.
She was a very powerful witch, and certainly knew many ways to thwart Merlins magic.
If not, we may catch him yet. "
She swallowed, looking sick to her stomach. "And you think hes escaped now . . .
with her?"
He shot her a grim stare. "Perhaps. Bram wants you and me to travel to the tomb again tomorrow so well know for certain what were dealing with. So forgive him for being less than pleasant. And me for being tied up in discussions . . . and other necessary business. "
"I . . . of course. " She looked as if she wanted to say more, but didnt. "What is the Doomsday Brethrens next move?"
Duke shrugged. Their options were limited. "We must try something totally different. If Mathias has, in fact, resurrected Morganna . . . "
There would be nothing but hell--and lots of it.
"Y-youre very busy. I understand. "
He frowned, his internal alarms sounding. His insides jumped with anxiety. Hed loved Felicia for scarcely a week, and yet it felt like forever since hed held her. "Why did you leave on Saturday?"
"I figured Id give you some space to heal and . . . " Her breath caught on a sob, and she turned away.
"And what?" He approached silently and cupped her shoulders.
Felicia loved him, and he knew that. But damn it, would it always be hard for her to admit? Hed pursue her to the ends of the earth if necessary, but just once, hed like the assurance of knowing that she came to him because she desired his company, trusted his counsel, wanted his nearness.
"Ive been terrified that I waited too long to tell you that I love you and now . . . "
She sobbed.
It hurt like hell to see her in pain.
Suddenly, Felicia flung herself into his arms. "I know you mated with me because you were compelled and you didnt really know me and . . . " She hugged him tighter. "I love you. Let me prove that. "
"And you thought I was angry with you? That I no longer loved you?" He stared down into her miserable blue eyes and felt his heart catch.
"Yes. " Her sadness crested, then she shook her head. "You once loved me. I didnt know if you still could. I felt it when you used your magic. Youve been open almost from the start about your feelings. I didnt know how to be. I . . . dont deserve you. "
He guided her away from the cemetery, toward the little park across the street.
When they reached a quaint wrought iron bench, he sat Felicia down and glanced at her with reproach. "I hope you really dont think that, or were doomed to a miserable life together. "
"I want to be with you. Ill be here for you always. Give me a chance. Please. Ill endeavor to deserve you. "
"You can do that . . . "--he pulled the small object from his suit coat and knelt at her feet--"by marrying me. The human way, in front of friends and family. "
Felicia gasped, staring at the ring. Hed purchased it during their stay at the Dorchester, hoping hed have the opportunity to propose to her after the charity ball. Then she looked at his face, so full of hope and tenderness. The tears started again.
"Ive arranged for a small ceremony on the beach in Barbados, if you say yes. But Sunshine, I want you to have the choice this time. Stay with me not because youre compelled by magic or guilt. Stay because you love me. "
She blinked, fat tears spiking her dark lashes. Her eyes looked so achingly blue and happy. "Truly?"
"Always. "
A smile broke out across her face, with the beauty and promise of a new dawn.
"Yes. Yes! A thousand times yes. "
He slid the ring on her finger, then lifted her chin until she met his gaze. "Why?"
"Because I love you, more than I ever thought I could ever love anyone, Simon. Forever. "
He dropped a perfect, sweet kiss on her lips, ripe with the promise of years of happiness to come. "Ill hold you to that. Because I love you forever, too. "
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