After searching her gaze, Nora stated, “I rarely left my brother Leo’s house for several decades. I was terrified to do so.”
She blinked. “What?”
“It’s true. I won’t tell you what my father made me do, but it was bad enough that nearly every vampire labeled me a dirty whore. So, I stayed inside where it was safe and predictable, and thought I always would. Until River.”
Meadow burned to ask more questions, but didn’t want to upset someone she’d only met the day before. So she merely said, “I’m glad my brother could help. River is a wonderful guy, no matter how tough he acts or looks on the outside. He used to read bedtime stories to me when we were little, especially right after our mother died.” She smiled. “He’ll make a good dad, I just know it.”
“I think so, too. But you won’t distract me that easily, Meadow. Back to me staying inside for so long, and well, I was probably even more of a recluse than you ever were. And even though I’d given up hope for a different life, I still found love when I least expected it, all because of my fated lord. I want to believe Laurie and Joseph will do the same for you.”
Before she could stop herself, she blurted, “Were they together before?”
“I think so. Although back when their hearts were still beating, I wasn’t as close to Laurie as I am now, so I don’t know the details. However, before you think you’ll be intruding, the only relationship that ever truly made my brother happy was with Joseph and another female.” She paused, and then asked, “Would you be able to give both Laurie and Joseph a chance? Is that something you’d even want?”
Nora was probably only asking because she didn’t want her brother going insane, if Meadow didn’t agree to the claiming.
However, she wasn’t going to get anyone’s hopes up. Because maybe Nora had conquered her problems and was now living her best life. However, Meadow’s worries involved magic. And unless she learned how to contain and control it, she would never truly overcome her fears.
But it wasn’t as if fae witches could just turn off their powers. Some magically infused objects could dampen it for a while, but never releasing magic had its own problems. Probably similar to a vampire never claiming their fated one or not drinking blood.
She sighed and rubbed her face with her hands. She’d made a tolerable life before, working to stir desire for married couples or at swinger parties, and then going home to her books and crochet and plants. But she had a feeling that her siblings wouldn’t leave her alone in this time period.
What was she going to do?
Nora’s voice brought her back to the present. “Does your magic work on animals, too?”
Lowering her hands, Meadow frowned at the non sequitur. “Um, no. Just humans and paranormals.”
She smiled. “Good. Because an outdoor cat I rescued recently just had kittens and maybe you should have a pair. That way, no matter what you decide, you can have something to cuddle and hold close. It’s something I wish I would’ve thought of during all those years of self-isolation.”
“Kittens? I’m surprised River doesn’t want to keep them all. He loved rescuing animals as a kid.”
Nora murmured, “My son did as well.” Before Meadow could ask what she meant, Nora stood and continued, “I’ll gather the clothes we’ve altered for you whilst you take a bath, and then we’ll go shopping. And don’t worry about the costs—it’s our gift to you.”
Meadow hated to be further indebted to her siblings and their spouses, but everything she owned was back in the 21stcentury. “Thank you.”
Nora waved a hand in dismissal. “We’re family now, and we take care of each other. Although we’ll have to take one of Leo’s guards with us, who has been posing as a footman, just in case. Unfortunately, my family has some enemies, and we have to be careful.”
“I’ve spent the last six years living in hiding, so I know how to be careful.”
Nora looked as if she wanted to reach out and hug Meadow, but hung back. For some reason, she wished her sister-in-law wouldn’t.
And yet, it was probably for the best, just in case Meadow’s powers got out of control after she had her baby.
“I’m sorry, Meadow. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for you, especially during the three years of silence from your siblings.”
Not wanting to cry—which she probably would do if she talked about it—she replied quickly, “Well, my motto has become to take things as they come. So, now I need to focus on learning about this time period. Although I’m surprised River isn’t here, demanding to take us with twenty guards or something.”
“Oh, he probably would try, except for two reasons. One, he has a very special patient that he has to attend to today, and two, you’re under Dark Lord Khan’s protection until he meets with you this afternoon and decides your fate. Few want to betray him, given his powers and connections.”
“So I’ll meet with him today, then? Should I be worried?”
“Yes, he’s coming here to meet you. Whilst he’s a little intimidating, I’ve seen how he takes care of his people and treats them fairly. I don’t think you have anything to worry about, but I can answer more of your questions whilst out shopping. We really need to leave soon if we’re to go out at all, so let me get things ready and I’ll be back in half an hour.”
After Meadow nodded, Nora left. She leaned her head back against the pillow, took a deep breath, and worked on her breathing exercises. Because if she was going to be out among people, she needed to calm down as much as possible and be ready to flee if either she lost her bracelet or someone stole it.
Maybe she shouldn’t go.
And yet, she hadn’t been able to see much of anything in the dark last night. And as much as she trusted her siblings, it was almost as if she needed to walk around and prove to herself this was 1890.
