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The further I sank, the calmer I felt, until the scent of myrrh tickled my nose, mixed with musk and cinnamon.
When my eyes opened, the sky of darkness with tinkling orbs greeted me, until a set of tender silver eyes made my heart flip as tears immediately pooled with no chance in stopping their flow down my cheeks.
“My son has finally found the courage to return, hmm?”
The feminine voice held not a single hint of judgement as her happiness spilled over her face as it did her aura that lacked color and yet danced and grew with every second that passed.
I couldn’t find the words, my mouth opening to say something — anything — to excuse my absence. An apology? An explanation? What could be said that was worth not seeing the woman who brought me into this world?
Her chilled hands pressed against my cheeks, those eyes of silver growing glassy as she leaned down to kiss my forehead.
“I do not blame you, my son. Nor do I hate you for not coming back to us. You needed time, and we gladly waited for you to have the confidence to return home again. We’ve missed you.” She stroked my wet cheeks as the first droplets of her own tears fell upon my flesh. “Your father will be even happier to see you.”
“But…” I choked and tried not to cry further, but it was impossible. “I failed you.”
“Failed me?” She smiled and lowered her head to press her forehead against mine as she quietly whispered, “You did no such thing, my son. All you’ve done is make me prouder with each day you exist. Your flame burns with purpose, and you help so many on the other side where the world wishes to dim any light that isn’t worthy of effort in the eyes of power-hungry men. They worked so hard to taint you, and yet here you are. My son who’s stayed loyal to the morals we taught you.”
She pulled back and one look left me sobbing as I lifted my head enough to place it upon her lap.
“Oh, Asher. How much pride you’ve delivered. You’ve grown even stronger and loyal to those you cherish and become a man I can proudly say is my son.” She wrapped her arms around my neck, cradling me as I cried like a damn baby.
I couldn’t stop the emotions from flowing. They needed an outlet. To be seen and heard by the woman I missed dearly. I’d never imagined never seeing my parents again, and yet when it happened, it hit me like a bus and I never allowed myself to recover.
I didn’t think I was worthy of such redemption.
“Now, who has made my son’s heart so heavy that he cries as though we’ve died again?” The deep, rumbling voice only made me cry harder as I knew exactly who it was.
A hand pressed onto my shoulder before large arms wrapped around the two of us, shielding me in a sense as I opened my eyes enough to confirm it was him.
“Father…” I choked on the word and sobbed.
His red eyes merely softened as he looked at me with immense pride.
“When you left last time, I told your mother we’d probably never see you again,” he admitted. “I could see the guilt eating you away, but you know what your mother told me?”
I shook my head the best I could as I sobbed.
“He’ll come back when he’s ready, and this time, he’ll have someone at his side who will give him enough push to return to his roots.”
That made me realize they knew.
“You know…of…”
“Your mate is beautiful, my son,” Mother praised. “The heir of Midnight Frost. Who would have thought?”
“Wait…did you see her?”
“We did,” they said in unison before Father spoke. “Briefly. We figured it would be best she meet her father before you delve into this world and point her to the right direction, but she couldn’t help but state something that made us even more proud of you.”
Selene said something?
“‘Thank you for giving birth to such a powerful man that I have the privilege of calling my mate,’” Mother announced and encouraged me to sit up enough so I could peer into their loving eyes. “‘Your son saw the glimmer of strength in me at the peak of death. He gave me chances that no one else dared to offer me who looked undeserving. He’s protected me from attacks, shielded me from others who were intimidated by my presence, and continued to help me build on myself when so many wish to see my fall.’”
She paused as she closed her eyes and further grinned.
“‘He’s proven to me that love truly exists and that I’m deserving of such emotions. To be cherished. To be worshipped. To not change for anyone but myself. He’s an Alpha I can always rely on to be there to guide me on the right path, but more importantly, he is my other half who makes me feel so whole…that there are not enough words that exist to emphasize just how excited I am to remain by his side for as long as we live.’”
Father chuckled and bobbed his head.
