AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nodori, my sweet childhood friend and first bride. A gentle flame burned out too soon.
Nimue, my precious daughter, her life smothered mere moments after her birth.
I felt my heart constrict at the thought. Rarely did I allow myself to dwell on them at all. But it seemed fitting to consider the three women I considered my truest family together.
Now Morgan.
My throat felt constricted as the image of my wife appeared in my mind.
Her long, silver hair cascading like a silken waterfall. Her skin, a shimmering canvas of gold that defied the boundaries of beauty, mortal and immortal alike. Tall and statuesque, she moved with the regal poise of a queen, her figure a perfect blend of strength and grace.
I had watched her wield a sword with the precision of a master. I had watched her spin naked flames from the palms of her hands.
But it hadn’t been her beauty alone that had ensnared my heart in the first place.
Her wit cut through the thickest of shadows. Her strength was indomitable. Her determination made her a force to be reckoned with.
And the fire that burned within her... She was a brilliant enigma born of starlight and fire. Within her, I saw the potential for greatness beyond measure.
She was fated to cast her brilliance across the universe.
Without her, I was a void once more. Missing her with an ache that gnawed at the very core of my being.
She haunted my soul. She was my constant reverie. The vision of all I longed for.
She was the constellation that guided my destiny.
I had stood so close to her fire, I had thought I might ignite as well.
I wouldn’t have minded if I had.
I raised my fist a third time, hoping this would be the instance that drew blood.
Instead, a slow clapping sound made me pivot towards the door.
Odessa stood there, her arms crossed. I recognized the look on her face. It was one of patient restraint. Not something the warrior ordinarily excelled at.
Not that I could claim to be much better.
“I knew you wanted to bring down the establishment, but I didn’t think you meant it so literally.”
She looked past me to the cracked pillar. “You could come to Steelhaven if this is what you’re looking for.”
“For?”
“To bleed,” she clarified.
I averted my head. “Don’t be ridiculous. Besides, Steelhaven is for women.”
“We’d make an exception. For you. We wouldn’t go easy on you either. No one would feel sorry for you.”
“I wouldn’t expect them to,” I snapped.
Odessa didn’t rise to the bait. Her dark eyes were sharp as a raven’s as she watched me. “Or perhaps you could spar with Gawain. I know he’s missed—”
“No,” I cut her off.
She deserved better from me. They all did.
