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“So, what of Amárach, what of our realm?” Enosabe sat up taller, her silver eyes full of concern.
Boraleashe waited until the servants placed several steaming dishes on the table and filled his mug with cool water and his goblet with winterberry wine. Everything smelled wonderful, and it didn’t escape his notice that his daughters had the meisters prepare his favorites. Boraleashe swallowed a hard lump of air, his stomach turning at the realization this was probably their last intimate meal.
Boraleashe prayed they’d be okay when he was gone. He had two heiresses to leave behind to help heal their world. One was all work and no play. A fighter, a warrior through and through with the fiercest titaness spirit. And his empathetic Kallos would provide Amárach with the love and kindness that she deserved.
“Everything looks really good, Kallos.” Boraleashe exaggerated to put a smile on his youngest daughter’s face. “Was it you that asked the cooks to prepare wild boar?”
She smiled with watery eyes. “I hope you like it. It’s been slow roasting for two days.” She pointed eagerly at the fog peas. “Look! Fresh vegetables all the way from Icebound Valley. And there’s frozen custard for dessert.”
“Girls, speaking of desserts,” Boraleashe winked at Kallos before he motioned to one of the attendants to bring in the treats he’d managed to smuggle back from his trip to the Autumn Lands. “Wait until you try these.”
Kallos almost squealed with joy, and even Enosabe appeared intrigued when the server placed a silver tray of love lychee fruit in the center of the table. Boraleashe didn’t smile or laugh, but it was nice to see both girls dig in with gusto.
“They taste amazing, Father. How can we get more?” Kallos chuckled with three in her mouth at a time, chewing and slurping loudly.
“Better yet. How can we grow our own?” Enosabe asked instead.
Boraleashe sighed. “I’m afraid you’ll have to simply enjoy these because I don’t think they’re capable of growing in winter climates. So, eat slower.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything so sweet.” Kallos extended one of the pieces in his direction. “Are you not going to eat some?”
Boraleashe lowered his eyes. “No, dear heart. I’m fine. You two enjoy.”
Enosabe wiped her mouth, then set her stern gaze on him. Fun time was over.
“Explain what happened in Fhomhair, Father. Why is Lord Theodor not here? We know he loves you—”
Boraleashe shook his head.
He tried to first distract them with some pleasant details from the tour he took of Fhomhair, telling them how beautiful it was. He watched their expressions while he described the rolling hills of lush green grass and miles of forest with colossal, archaic trees that housed small critters and bright red, orange, and blue singing birds, all under a golden, nurturing sun.
Enosabe’s brows lowered, her mouth drawn tight. “That all sounds lovely. Now, please tell us what we’re waiting for. I know you’re stalling.”
“You both knew that my going there was a long shot,” Boraleashe reasoned. “I only went because I care about you both more than my own life.”
He would tell them just enough of what happened in Fhomhair, leaving out the devastating parts and the few intimate ones.
“I promise you, I tried,” he admitted. “But Theodor wanted something that the curse wouldn’t allow.”
“What, Father? Love? But Theodor already knows about—”
“No, my dearest. Not love. Blind faith… trust. I tried to fight it… I did. But the new Autumn King is beloved by all. There are countless contenders vying to be his consort. I saw him with…” Boraleashe grimaced at the discomfort of wishing he had more. “You have to understand that I’ll never be enough for such a man.”
“King Theodor gave you his heart, no other. He chose you with your frozen heart, regardless of this wretched curse. You were always enough for him. He loved you indiscriminately and with his core.” She blinked at the tears blazing in her eyes. “And all you had to do was put your faith in him. And you… you chose…”
Boraleashe took a long breath, “Girls. I want you to understand—”
“We’re no longer girls, Father,” Enosabe grated. “Just tell us the truth.”
“Be!” her sister snapped at her. “Don’t be disrespectful. Where is your empathy for our father? Do you think this is easy for him? To lose the man that loves him?”
“That’s my point!” Enosabe banged her fists against the oak surface, breaking off a sizable chunk. Her countless sterling and diamond bangles lining both forearms made the act loud and offensive in the small room. “Why does this have to be so damn hard?”
Kallos held her arms out, trying to calm the tension. “Father, maybe Enosabe and I can go to Fhomhair and make the plea to the king on your behalf.”
That sounded mortifying and horrific. Each word from their lips felt like a thorn digging into his sternum. It’d taken years for his girls to convince him to agree to go to Theodor’s home, and he’d done it for their sakes. But he’d die before he let his daughters—two fearless titanesses—go and grovel at another man’s feet… for any reason, even life or death.
