If Eamon was as close to death as his brother had said, then Sorcha didn’t have long. And with as calculating as Eamon’s wife was, Cathal didn’t put anything past her.
It took a moment for Sorcha to realize why none of the guards along the estate had stopped her and Aisling. When she looked at the Dark and noticed that Aisling still had a hold of her, she then understood that she was veiled, just as Aisling was. As if sensing that she was about to speak, Aisling looked her way and put her finger to her lips.
Sorcha had heard her uncle speak of the wealth of the family, but she hadn’t comprehended just what that might mean to a Fae. As she eyed the immaculate gardens, the perfectly trimmed hedges, and the beautiful and imposing stone manor that sat on what had to be at least fifty acres of land, she began to understand.
When they reached the gravel drive, Aisling dropped her hand and came to a stop. Sorcha halted beside her. Within seconds, shouts rose up from the guards, who then teleported to circle around them.
“Now is the time you talk,” Aisling told her.
Sorcha swallowed and opened her mouth. Just as she was about to speak, a voice from the doorway ordered the guards to let them through. When the Fae moved back, Sorcha spotted her uncle. He motioned her forward hurriedly.
She ran to the door with Aisling at her heels. Sorcha didn’t take the time to look at anything as her uncle teleported her and Aisling from the ground floor to a room somewhere in the manor. Then her gaze landed on the large four-poster bed and the man who lay there, propped up by several pillows.
He smiled, his silver eyes filled with happiness. “I never thought I’d be able to see you.”
His voice was rough with pain, but it didn’t diminish his obvious joy. She walked to the bed and looked down at the man who was her father. His black hair was kept on the long side. He wore navy silk pajamas that seemed to make his silver eyes even brighter. She couldn’t see a wound, but she heard his labored breathing.
“Hello, Sorcha. I’m Eamon, your father. I wish I could’ve been there for you through the years. I wish you, your mum, and Molly could’ve lived here with me. It’s what I wanted more than anything.”
Tears filled her eyes, and she hastily blinked them back. Then she covered the hand on top of the blanket with hers. He turned his palm up and linked their fingers. There was still strength there.
Sorcha smiled and nodded. “That would’ve been nice. You were the love of Mum’s life. I didn’t find out about you until yesterday.”
“You’re here now. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of.” Then his smile died. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect your mum better.”
She shook her head and squeezed his hand. “That wasn’t your fault. None of this is your fault.”
“You have the kindness of your mother. It’s what drew me to her. She was an amazing woman who deserved so much more.”
“She gave Molly and me a good life.”
He smiled, but his face creased with pain. It took him a moment before he could speak again. “I’ve left everything to you. Eddie knows this,” he said, indicating his brother.
“I’d rather have you,” Sorcha said.
“Ah, my darling. If I could give you that, I would. But if I can’t give you that, the least I can do is make sure that you don’t get involved in this war of mine. Delma will never be satisfied no matter how many people she has killed or makes suffer. Upon my death, a decree will go out, announcing you as my heir and under the protection of our family.”
Sorcha frowned. “I don’t understand how that’s going to help. Weren’t you under the protection of your family? She still got to you.”
“Actually, I wasn’t. When your mother was killed, I pulled my family into my war. The consequences were…severe. I wasn’t banished from the family because I was the eldest son, but I wasn’t included in it either. That ended the moment Delma had me attacked. The entirety of my family—which is considerable—will ensure that Delma, nor anyone else, will ever come after you.”
“What of the price on her head?” Aisling asked.
Eamon glanced at the Dark before his gaze returned to Sorcha. “Should anyone ignore the protection that covers Sorcha, they will be hunted.”
“I want to go after Delma for what she’s done to you and my family,” Sorcha said.
Her father shook his head. “She’s not worth it. Live. That’s what you can do to thwart her. By living, you give a gift to your mother and me. If you go after her, you’ll give her exactly what she wants.”
“You can’t really expect me to do nothing about her,” Sorcha said with a frown.
Eamon smiled softly. “Ignoring her will upset her more than going after her. Living as if you don’t care about her will hurt much more than any type of magic used on her. I learned this too late. I’m telling you now so you don’t make my same mistakes. I know you’ve not done magic in ten years. There will come a time when you’ll want to use it. Don’t use your magic to take a life. It’ll twist you in ways you can’t begin to comprehend. You’ll know when it’s time to use your power again.”
Sorcha had to admit that his words made sense. “All right. I’ll do as you’ve asked. It won’t be easy, however.”
“Nothing worthwhile ever is.”
That made her think of Cathal. She wished he had come with her. Sorcha licked her lips and glanced at Aisling to see her standing by the door. “You didn’t ask why I came with a Dark.”
“What you do with your life is your business.” He shrugged. “I know you’re a good person. You couldn’t have been raised by your mother and not be. If you are friendly with some Dark, then I trust that you know what you’re doing.”
Sorcha shrugged. “I’m not sure I do. I learned I was a Halfling shortly before I learned about you. Aisling and Cathal have helped to protect me. Without them, I wouldn’t be standing here now.”
“Then I owe them my thanks,” he said as he smiled at Aisling. Then he lowered his voice to Sorcha. “A Dark doesn’t usually help unless they want something.”
“They’re different.”
“Just be careful,” he cautioned. “I might not have a right to tell you that because I wasn’t there for you all these years, but as your father, I’m asking it of you.”
Sorcha glanced out the large window to the rolling green hills. “When did you know you loved my mum?”
“The second I looked at her. Then she smiled at me.” His face took on a faraway look filled with such love and happiness that it almost seemed wrong to watch him. Then he blinked and came back to himself. “Why do you ask?”
“Because I’ve fallen in love.”
Her father’s silver eyes were sharp and perceptive when he asked, “Cathal?”
She nodded, unable to hide her smile. “I wish you could meet him. He’s amazing. He was once a Light, but he was betrayed by his stepmom and killed. He’s—”
“He died?” her father asked.
Something in his tone made her hesitate. Then she looked at Aisling to find her shaking her head, her head lowered. Sorcha swung her gaze back at her father. “What?”