His words opened a flood of emotion in me, and I realized the truth. Lucienhadalways been there for me, even if I couldn’t see him.
When I was a child, he’d been here in Malovia, putting himself in danger and fighting off cultists so they’d never discover where I was. He’d helped me learn my magic during my first semester at Arcanea University, when I could barely hover a snowball. He’d instructed me during the King’s Contest, helped me in my classes, been there to listen when I’d had no idea where to turn. He’d given me information on my destiny as the Worldweaver, and had comforted me when I thought I’d lost Ethan to the demon inside of him.
It didn’t end there. Even before I’d gotten to Malovia, he’d helped Ethan by training him, teaching him to walk again and maneuver without the use of his leg. He’d been looking out for my mate before Ethan and I had ever spoken.
Lucien had done so much for me, and I realized it was because… he loved me.
The tears welled over my eyes now, and I said, “I’ve always loved you. Even when I couldn’t see you there.”
A tear dropped down Lucien’s cheek, and he stepped forward. I fell into his arms willingly, because there was nowhere else in my mind that I wanted to go. I wanted my father, andfinally, here he was. After all this time, it felt like I had restored the missing piece of me that I had lost.
It felt like I wasn’t alone.
After parting with Lord Lucien,I’d spoken with my mother before returning to my quarters to be with Ethan. He’d clearly been pacing, as he spun around the moment I entered the room.
“Are you all right?” Ethan rushed to me, and took my arms tenderly in his grasp. “I thought you were crushed when you ran out. I worried it was too much for you to handle.”
“It was… in a good way,” I said. Ethan cocked his head to the side.
I sighed. “I’m still upset that I didn’t know, and that I missed out on knowing him as a kid. But my dad ishere, Ethan, right now. I want to take advantage of that, because honestly, we don’t know who else we’re going to lose in this war. We don’t have any time to waste on arguing. He’s my father, and I want to spend time getting to know him as my dad.”
I didn’t dare speak out loud that I knew my time on this Earth was winding down. If the gods had gifted me my father at the end of my life, I wasn’t going to waste that gift. I had two winters left before my prophecy came to its conclusion, which meant I had a little less than two years to enjoy my family before my destiny came true. I wouldn’t squander that time being angry about the past, no matter how much it hurt.
“That’s good to hear. It’s very clear he cares about you, Emma. It was obvious even before we knew,” Ethan said.
“I know,” I said. “He took care of me since I arrived in Malovia, and even before that. I just have to think of him as my dad now, instead of my teacher.”
“It’ll be an adjustment.” Ethan’s eyes shone with sadness. “I… only wish we all had such miracles. I’d give anything to see my father again.”
“You will someday,” I insisted, squeezing his arms. “He’ll be waiting for you in the Great Hunting Grounds.”
“Perhaps.” Ethan gave me a sorrowful smile. “I think we can all assume that won’t be anytime soon. At least, I hope not.”
Ethan’s lonesomeness over losing his own father made me sure of my own decision. Pushing Lucien out of my life would’ve been the wrong move. I wanted to be close with him again, even if we had a lot of time to make up for.
The next morning, I received a message from a servant, informing me that Lord Lucien wished to see my brother and I in the library after breakfast, if we so desired to meet. I wasn’t sure how my brother was taking all of this, so I wanted to see him first. Vara attempted to dress me quickly, but she had a bad bout of morning sickness, so I told her to take some time to herself as I threw on a dress and brushed my hair back into a braid.
I usually had breakfast in my quarters, but my friends were all curious about the news that had broken last night. They had a lot of questions. About a dozen people were speaking when I entered the dining hall, asking a million things at once.
“You have adad?” Odette sang. “Oh my goodness, tell us everything!”
“I can’t believe it’s Lord Lucien,” Alexei said, aghast. “Or maybe I can? He’s very brave, like you.”
“So, like, are he and your mom hooking up again?” Stefan asked. “I snuck by the infirmary last night, but I couldn’t hear anything, so—”
“Stefan,” Kiara scolded.
“What! I’m just asking!” he shouted.
Ethan sat back in a chair, looking amused. Clearly, he hadn’t spoken a word. I held up my hands to quiet everyone, then said, “Yeah, Lord Lucien’s my dad. He faked his death and hid his real identity for years under a persona. It definitely wasn’t the kind of news I was expecting.”
“Are you reinstating him back on the Circle?” Alexei asked.
“Not yet,” I said, almost regrettably. “He wants some time to get readjusted to things. He’s been apart from my mother for so long. I think it’s right to give them some space to be happy, instead of shoving war duties at him now that he’s back.”
“This is so juicy,” Odette said. “It’s like a soap opera!”
“Emma’s lifehasalways been interesting,” Theo added with a nod.
