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Her hand reached out to rest on his arm. “I believe you were my first love.”
He smiled. “And you mine though I knew I would not be your last.”
“Or I yours.”
“You are patient when you rather wish to know if I can remove the curse,” he said.
“Can you?” she asked, squeezing his arm.
“It has already been removed.”
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“You had a dream.”
“Last night,” she gasped. “Someone told me that love had freed me.” She gasped again. “It was you?”
“Let me explain,” he said, and Tara fell silent. “The woman you know as my mother is my aunt. My mother died when I was young. She was a powerful seer, and I inherited her skills. My aunt was good to me and treated me as her son. But she was a woman who found it hard to forgive. As I lay beaten and thought I would die, I sensed that my aunt would curse you. I wanted so badly to help you and then my mother’s voice came to me and I repeated the words I heard in my head.
“My gift to you comes from the heart. It will allow you a fresh new start. No matter what words follow mine. There will come a time. When love refuses to let go. In a dream you will know that you are forever free. And that this special love is meant to be.”
“You protected me,” she said tearfully.
“The only way I could.”
Tara stared at the fire for a moment. “Rory and Luag, the curse killed them.”
“No one can say for sure, Tara, if it was the curse or simply time for that person to die. Some will believe it was the curse that struck, and others will insist it was death who laid claim. I have learned and seen for myself that fear and love are potent powers. It depends on how they are used. My aunt chose fear for revenge; I chose to combat it with love.”
“Reeve was right. He told me to trust our love, and the curse would have no power.”
“He’s a wise man.”
Tara smiled. “He’s always right.”
Chapter 35
The day finished with a joyful feast, the brothers having started it in Trey’s bedchamber, letting him know all that had happened. They taunted and laughed with each other and regaled the women with stories of their younger days, Mara often correcting their memories.
When Trey had grown tired, his eyes closing, Willow chased them out and offered to sit with him so the family could continue feasting.
It wasn’t until late that everyone retired, happy and content. Reeve and Tara, while eager as always to make love, found themselves talking first.
In bed, wrapped in each other’s arms, Reeve said, “So now you finally realize that I’m always right.”
Tara laughed. “I’ll concede to that.”
Tara had hurried to tell Reeve everything Stone had told her. His family had heard as well, and Mara had declared it was time to rejoice. Tara was free of the curse and Trey was healing nicely and Mercy was feeling good and even Willow was finding peace here. All was well, and a celebration was called for.
“Please tell me there is no impending mission,” Tara said, “that we will have time together before you must go off to serve the true king.”
“There are no missions presently planned,” Reeve assured her. “I’m all yours. You may grow tired ofme.”
She shook her head. “Never will I grow tired of you.”
He kissed her, a soft, lingering kiss.
She ended it, easing away, her brow scrunched. “I’ve been thinking about something.”
