Page 72 of Awakened Light

“It did,” Aiden answered. “But I survived. And now I have Emilia. It doesn’t feel like it, but you are going to be okay again.”

“It doesn’t feel like it right now.”

“It never does.”

I took another sip of my blood. “Would it be wrong to say that it would be easier if she died?”

Aiden’s eyebrows stretched to his perfect hairline. “Whoa.”

I shook my head. “I’m not saying I want her dead. God, no. I’m just saying it would be easier if she’d been taken from me like you lost Isobel and not that she left me by choice. Easier if I didn’t have to walk through this world knowing she’s still out there, but I just can’t see her... and to picture her in the arms of that fucking werewolf.”

That last mental image made me want to shove my hand inside my head and rip out my brain, so I didn’t need to picture him having his way with her.

“I’m still shocked that werewolves are out there, and more shocked that she’s marrying one. I can’t even imagine what that feels like.”

He placed a hand on my back as I slowly shook my head. “Like having my heart ripped out and left to burn in the sun for all eternity.”

“Are you sure you can’t convince her to come back?” He propped his hand on his chin.

“I’m sure.” I scoffed. “I literally got on my knees and begged. Me. Begged, Aiden. Not my proudest moment.”

“Being in love isn’t about being proud. It’s about being willing to do anything, anything, for the woman you love. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Emilia. Nothing.”

“I would do anything for her. Hell, that’s why I shut the hell up and let her get on that boat and leave me. It’s what she wanted. Trust me, I thought about influencing her to stay with me, or trapping her in Hawaii and saying the jet was broken. Forever. Especially when I found out she’s supposed to get married... tomorrow.” I growled. “It took everything I had to put her back on that plane. She’s never gotten to make her own choices though, so for once in her life, I wanted her to be in control. And she chose to go back... to marry him.”

“But did she?” Annella said as she reappeared at my side. “Sorry, I was eavesdropping.”

“It’s fine. I tell you everything anyway.”

“She didn’t choose it, Thorne. She did what she’s been trained to do since birth. She followed the only path she’s ever known. That’s not a choice. I saw the way she looked at you. Her choice would have been you.”

“Concur,” Aiden added with a knowing nod. “That girl is head over heels in love with you.”

I glanced back and forth between the two of them. “So, what are you saying? I did the wrong thing?”

Annella snorted, and Aiden just shrugged and took a sip of his whiskey.

“Seriously? I did the wrong thing letting her go?” I looked back and forth between them.

Aiden set down his drink and looked me in the eyes. “All I’m saying is that if you love a woman, you will do anything for her happiness. If you think she’s happier where she is, then you stay the hell out of her way. But if you think she’s happier out here with you...” He arched a brow. “Then you do whatever the hell you have to do to get her that happiness. Have you done everything in your power to be together?”

“I thought so.” I shrugged. “What’s left? Kidnap her?”

“Men.” Annella slapped me on the back of my head. “What is the one thing standing in your way?”

“Her mother,” I grumbled.

“And have you talked to her mother?” Aiden asked.

The minute he said the words, I realized I hadn’t done everything in my power. I’d begged Catrain, but I hadn’t begged her mother... the one making all the decisions.

“Fuck. I just assumed she’d shut it down.”

“And she very well might,” Aiden said. “But you won’t know until you try, will you? If it were Emilia, I would fight for her until the ring was on her finger... and probably even long after that.”

“So, you’re saying I should go to the island and beg her mother?” I asked them both.

They nodded in unison.