Fragile Eternity
Page 75

You have.
I see.
Do you really? Sorcha paused, bringing their walk to a stop again. Shell feel your absence much longer than youll feel like youre away.
I get that. Seth tugged his lip ring, pondering for a moment. Another surge of fear rose up inside him. Would she think hed left her for good? Would she worry? Would she be angry?Have I lost her? He wasnt going to give up now, not when he had come so close to having everything.
Sorcha darted a doubtful glance his way. You could stay here. I can keep you safe. Youre happy here.
I could stay on thechance that things there are wrong? He smiled at her. I didnt get this far with her or with you by giving up on what I want. Fortune favors the bold, right?
Keenan knows you are here. Niall told you that.
Seth wasnt as calm as hed like; there was a dark pleasure in the fact that Keenans deceit would be revealed. It didnt entirely assuage the pain at the idea that Aislinn couldve fallen in love with Keenan. Hell need to answer for that when Ash finds out. Wont he?
The idea of her with Keenan sickened him.But wehave forever. He had his one and only chance.
If she is gone from you, you could come home. You will always have a home with me. Sorcha didnt press the subject, but he knew her well enough to understand that what she was offering wasnt a minor thing for her. It wasnt something hed ever thought hed have, and right then, it was a great comfort. The only other person hed thought he could count on was probably drifting further away. Risking Aislinns love was not a price hed have willingly chosen, but he hadnt thought hed gain so much either. Faerie was nothing if not unexpected.
Ill miss you, he said. He wasnt particularly inclined to hide his emotions, not from her. Even if I dont come running back to you, Ill miss you.
With the same casual gestures she used in most of her movements, Sorcha let go of his arm and pretended to examine a blossom-laden vine. Thats to be expected.
And, you, my Queen, will miss me.
The blossoms held her attention, and she lifted a shoulder in a dismissive shrug. I may need to see how you adjust to that world as a faery.
It would probably be wise. He wanted to bring her gifts, find perfect words, something to let her know that he valued her affection, that his missing her was no small thing. He moved closer. Sorcha? My Queen? I would stay with you if not for loving herbut I wouldnt be here except for loving her.
I know. She brushed his hair from his face.
Sorcha felt it when Devlin entered the garden. Her brother wasnt near, but she could feel his steps on her soil. This wasnt just any garden in Faerie: it was her private home, warded well. Few faeries could enter it at all; only one could do so at will.
I should go back, she murmured.
Fine. He stepped away from her, seeming hurt for reasons she didnt understand.
Are you angry with me? Strange that it mattered, this mortal childs opinion. It did, though.
No. He gave her a curious look then, as calm as one of her own faeries. Can I ask you a question?
For exchange?
He grinned. No. I just want an answer that only you can give me.
Ask. She glanced up the path to assure that her brother was not approaching. She suddenly didnt want him to hear this conversation with Seth.
This kindness you show meWhat is it?
She paused. It was a fair question. The answer was one he could ponder while he was away in the mortal realm. Perhaps it would even convince him to come back sooner. Are you sure thats the question you want answered? There are other things you
Im sure, he murmured.
I am the High Queen. I am without consortshe held up a hand as he opened his mouth to say something, and then she continuedor child.
Child?
Children are a rare gift in Faerie. We live too long to have many young. To have one Sorcha shook her head. Beira was a fool. She had a son, but she let her fear that hed be like his father rule her. She kept her own affection bound away from him but for strange bursts of kindness he didnt see. Had she done otherwise, Keenan wouldnt have been a Summer King but
Her heir.
Sorcha nodded. He was born of sun and of ice. Beiras fears made him not hers.
And you?
I have no heir, no consort, no parent. If I had a child, though, Id visit him if he wanted mymeddling. She hadnt spoken this to anyone. It was irrational, this desire to have a real family. She had Devlin. She had her court.
And one very disturbed sister.
It wasnt enough. She wanted a family. Eternity with no true connections made sense; it helped her keep her focus. The Unchanging Queen had no business wanting changebut she did. I want a son.
Imhonored. Seth didnt look aghast at her words. He paused, and he lowered his voice to say, I have one mother who gave birth to me as a mortal, so shes been stuck with me because of that, and since you gave me a second birth, I guess that kind of means youre stuck with me too.
She felt warmth in her eyes, maudlin tenderness that made her leak tears. To be remade means someone giving you of themselves. To be remade strong enough to withstand the dangers of that world and of my affection meant having a strong faery make that gift. I wanted you to be strong.
Admitting what shed done wasnt her intention eitherat least that was what shed told herself when shed made the choice.
He was following her implications, though. Did a faery lose immortality for this?
No.
What was the cost? The exchange?