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Shaking my head, I hugged her again. “I miss you.”
“Me too.”
Then a new thought invaded my mind. “Wait, you can’t see Evie and I when we are… you know.”
Her hand crashed against my arm, smacking it hard. “You listen to me, Braxton Skystorm. You stop sneaking around with the princess, you understand?!”
I sighed. “It’s not that simple, Mom.”
“Don’t you ‘Mom’ me. Yes, it is that simple. You marry that girl, properly, as soon as you get the chance. Preferably, before she becomes queen.”
“You don’t understand. I’m a stranger here. I can’t just up and marry the princess out of the blue. Not to mention that I need to win Kingston over first, so he doesn’t kill me in my sleep after he finally discovers Evie and I are together.”
That made her laugh but she also snorted. “If he wanted to kill you, you would be dead already. He doesn’t need to wait until you are asleep.” She gave me a pointed look.
“Still, Evanna is the freaking princess. I’m working hard, practicing with the warriors, training with the Dragons. Doing everything the chief asks of me. I want to win everyone's respect before I court her, ask for her hand, or whatever it is they do here.” I rubbed my hands over my face, letting out a heavy sigh. “I’m trying to make something of myself, Mom.”
“Oh, honey.” Her hand returned to my chest. “You are already more than you can even imagine. Far more than your father and I ever dreamed of, or deserved.”
I hugged her again, feeling the love my parents had always shown me radiate from her words.
Pulling away, she wiped a tear that escaped her. “Besides, Kiki might be a fierce warrior, but he is nothing more than a giant teddy bear.”
My eyes widened. “Oh shit. What the hell did you just call Kingston??”
Mom grinned. “Kiki. That was my nickname for him.”
I was about to laugh my head off, when the monarch butterflies appeared in the distance, flying toward her. Anguish stabbed me in the gut. “Don’t go, Mom. Not now.”
Glistening, her eyes settled on me. “You haven’t read my letter yet.” It wasn’t a question, she knew I hadn’t. “I’m sorry, I left. I’m sorry you are hurting, but we need you to let go of the pain, Braxton. It’s time for you to let go.”
My chest constricted with her words, throat burning. All I had done since I was a boy was let go. I didn’t want to do it with her too. I couldn’t let her go. “Mom…”
“It’s time.” She cradled my cheeks and pulled me down to her, placing a longing kiss on my forehead. The next second, the butterflies reached her, flying around her body.
I was forced to step back.
“Learn your truth so you and Evie can do what is needed,” she continued. “It is the only way to save our world.”
The haziness once more engulfed my head, pulling me away from there, while her form disintegrated between golden fluttering wings.
“We love you, son…”
