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“You know one thing that bothered me all this time?” Vojalie asked.
Stone shrugged. “I can imagine there were a lot of things.”
“There were. But what troubled me the most was that you never got to know your half-brothers and sisters.”
“But you brought them round.” His gaze moved back to Davido. “That’s why you were always there, from the time I could remember.”
“Yes, my son. Exactly. But it was paramount that you never learn of my true
identity.” He paused, his lips turning down. “Or of yours.”
“You mean as the son of the last living elf-lord.”
But Davido’s eyes once more filled up. “No. As an elf-lord yourself. That’s what Vojalie saw in her vision. If we’d remained in the same house, you would have one day chosen to become an elf-lord and I would have been forced to slay you.”
Stone leaned forward and buried his face in his hands. He understood so much in this moment that he could barely contain all the overwhelming feelings. That he had such potential explained why he could easily receive and make use of the elf-lord power through Rosamunde.
Unfortunately, it also confirmed why Margetta was after him. Not only could he channel the elf-lord power, but he could become the real thing. What kind of mate would that make for an extremely powerful woman like the Ancient Fae?
Vojalie was suddenly on her feet, her hands clasped together. “Stone, please listen to me. I know this has been a lot to take in, but it’s imperative that you bond with Rosamunde as soon as possible.”
He looked up at her. He’d never seen the lovely fae so tense, almost overwrought. For that reason alone, he knew how serious she was. But it was all too much. “Just tell me why?”
She crimped her lips together the same way Rosamunde had earlier. “I can’t. It’s a fae thing, a knowing without being able to give you a why.”
“Did you have a vision?”
“That’s just it, no, I didn’t. If I had, I’d be able to give you my reasons. But if you could trust me a little in this, I think everything might be okay. Though I think it may have something to do with her blood rose abilities. They might serve to protect you from the seductive nature of the elf-lord power.”
He shook his head. “You’re not inspiring confidence, even as much as I value your counsel.”
Davido left his seat and took one of Vojalie’s hands. “My love, you can’t control this. I know you want to, but you can’t.”
Vojalie, to Stone’s great surprise burst into tears. Davido levitated and embraced her, holding her close.
He didn’t realize Rosamunde had shifted to sit right next to him, her hip and leg cemented against his, until she grabbed his hand and held on tight. Rosamunde was trembling.
He didn’t understand what was happening as he pathed to her. What’s going on here?
I’m not sure. In fact I have no idea, but I’m frightened.
Because Vojalie’s crying?
She squeezed his hand hard. No, that’s not it. I’m feeling it too, that if we don’t bond soon, something terrible, something uncontrollable will happen.
Stone slowly rose to his feet, lifting Rosamunde with him. “Vojalie, please look at me.”
She lifted her tear-stained face to him. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to lose it.”
“It’s okay. I’ll make this right, however I need to do it. From the beginning, I wanted to bond with Aralynn. I had no doubts about that. And yes, it was difficult when I learned that she was really Rosamunde,” he tucked her arm around his, “but I know now that I seriously misjudged this good woman who has sacrificed so much to keep the Nine Realms safe.
“I will be very open to the bond, but for now, let’s enjoy the gala which will give me some time to get used to all that Davido has told me. Afterward, Rosamunde and I can discuss the future privately. But it would help me a lot if you would dry your tears because in case you didn’t know, we men can hardly stand it since we never know what to do.”
Vojalie chuckled and wiped at her nose. Rosamunde tugged her arm away from Stone then moved quickly across the room to grab a box of tissues.
Vojalie plucked several from the opening then blew her nose. Afterward, she turned to kiss her husband. “We’ll have to go home for a moment so I can repair my make-up.”
“Of course, my love.” Davido glanced at Stone. “We’ll see you later, son. And in case you don’t know, it gives me the greatest pleasure to say that to you.”
