The next day Gray was staring out the window. “Dad, when are we going to see Aqua and Cade?”
“Soon, they’re both settling into their new homes.”
“Everyone has a new home.” Gray sat down in one of the chairs. Everything must have been changing
so quickly through Gray’s eyes. We’ve never had to adjust so much before.
I was getting another call from King Peter. They didn’t want to accept their lost. I ran everything at the
castle, I’m sure me quitting has affected everyone who works there. They haven’t put a warrant out for
my arrest, and it was probably because they wanted me back. I didn’t feel guilt, I knew they’d get a new
adviser soon. I can’t get my childhood back and neither can Cade. We grew up aiding princes and
being prepared to advise them. I don’t know who I am outside of that.
Lynn wasn’t the first woman I’ve ever wanted to marry. The first was a woman who worked at the
castle. It was hard to meet woman who didn’t work at the castle. We dated when we were young and
when I got serious about her Peter didn’t approve. My wife had to be approved. I was only sixteen
when I dated her, but I knew we’d last, and I’d want to marry her. Peter wanted to stop the relationship
before it got to the point of marriage years later.
I was interested in a few different women but none of them seemed like someone Peter would trust.
When I met Lynn while flying around I knew Peter would trust someone like her. She wasn’t my first or
second or third choice, but I knew I’d end up loving her. I catered to Peter in every aspect of my life.
The only time I really made a choice by myself for myself was with Mae. If I had met her again before
Lynn I wouldn’t have cared about Peter’s disapproval. Or maybe I’m afraid to admit I would. Loyalty to
King Peter was all I had known.
I stepped outside the room and finally answered my phone. “I’m not coming back so leave me and my
family alone. I’m not taking orders from you anymore.”
“Fine… I just wanted to say, I appreciated all the work you’ve done for me. I won’t forgive you for
leaving or breaking our families apart. It’s a big mistake and our kingdom will suffer for it. The guilt is on
your head, but I appreciate your years of service. You’re still my best friend.” He hadn’t spoken to me
like that in a decade.
“Bye Peter.”
A week later while Gray was at Lynn’s I let Mae come with me when I took Polly and Kaya to the park.
“You’re adopting them?” Mae asked.
I watched the kids run around. “I don’t know yet. It’s not like I have to work so I’d have time for them.” I
made so much money working for the royal family that I was practically set for life.
My phone started to ring so I answered it. “Father.”
I was dreading getting this call from him. “I heard what happened Konain. How could you abandon our
work and let your children break the cycle of holders working for castle? I went to visit like I said I would
a few weeks ago and that’s when I learned you were all gone.” It was just like him to wait so long to
call.
I didn’t want to have to explain things to my father who already gave so much of his life to the royal
family. “It was time for our families to part ways. That’s what the moon goddess told Aqua in a holder
dream. There’s time for a new kind of holder.” I couldn’t tell him about the lies and manipulation, not
yet.
It was hard for him to understand but he didn’t continue to give me a hard time. It was obvious he
doubted Aqua’s dream and our new path. My father was disappointed.
“Is everything okay now?” Mae asked.
I shrugged. “Not for now but I wouldn’t worry too much about it. My father wants to meet us for dinner in
a few days.”
“Us? As in me and you?”
I shook my head. “Us as in me, Aqua, Cade and you. I’ll drop Polly and Kaya off at the daycare.”
Mae wrapped herself around my arm, it was adorable. “That’s a little better but I haven’t seen your
father in thirty years. What if he doesn’t like me, what if he blames everything on me?”
I stared down at her. “Yeah thirty years.” I looked away. “I hope this isn’t rude but… human’s age faster
compared to us. But you still look about as old as I do…” She didn’t look like a forty-year-old human
woman.
Mae laughed. “Witches can age slower. Not all that much slower but I was able to add maybe thirty
more years to my lifespan.” It was pleasant surprise. I’d get around thirty more years than I thought I
would with the woman I loved. “I also use potions to appear even younger…” She blushed. “I was
afraid you wouldn’t look at me the same if my age showed…” She was so beautiful; age couldn’t
change that.
I kissed her forehead. “That would be stupid Mae, I don’t care if you look older than me. But to answer
your question I don’t know what my father will think of you. It’s hard to tell with him but I don’t see why
anyone wouldn’t like you.”
Mae smiled. “Then Gray should like me right?”
I chuckled nervously. “That’s different… don’t worry about that either.” I didn’t plan on introducing her to
Gray for a long time if I could help it. My secret life with Mae has been colliding with other aspects of
my life for the past three months. I wasn’t sure what the future held for us, but I was excited to finally be
with the woman I loved most. Mae was finally a part of my family.
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