Page 46 of Kronos’ Consort

“No, thank you.” She gripped the paper tighter between the fingers of her left hand, conscious of the wind brushing past the length of the long gown he’d gifted her for the occasion. “That’s my job, Master.”

“I’m sorry that all of this is necessary.” He sighed. “Sorry that I’ve brought you to the point where it’s required.”

Turning slowly in his arms, she ignored the oscillating air and focused on the honesty in his hazel eyes.

“I know you didn’t mean for any of this when you took me.” She managed a smile. “You just wanted to replace Shelley, Master.”

“I didn’t expect to fall in love,” he agreed, raising one hand to cradle her head. “But I have, and in doing so, I changed the rules, little one.”

“Because I can’t return home…” She finished the logical line of thinking for him.

“That’s right.”

“But the truth is, I don’t want to, Master.” She pressed herself against his tunic-covered chest, frantic for him to know her true feelings. “Yes, I miss some things about my life, and of course, I miss some of the people, but you have given me so much more.”

The smile painting her lips then was more genuine. “You’ve given me love and purpose and a sense of self-worth, and Master, you’ve shown me a whole new world that I didn’t even know existed until you. I’m not sorry that I met you or that I love you.”

His lips tugged at her fervor, but still, his expression looked sorrowful. “I just loathe what I’m making you give up.” He scowled. “You deserve to have as much love in your life as possible.”

“Yes, well…” She rested her head against him, conscious of the way his earthy scent goaded. “At least I get to say goodbye.”

That thought swelled in her head, growing larger until the idea pounded like a migraine, because honestly, it was preposterous. There was no saying goodbye to her mum. The woman who’d sacrificed so that Kris could have a better life merited more than the handwritten farewell crushed between their bodies.

“I just hope Mum’s okay, Master.”

Her eyes fell closed then, and just like that, the levy inside her broke. One huge tear became countless, and there, encased in the invisible shroud of his magic, she sobbed as though her life depended upon that hot, salty water.

“It’s okay.” He stroked the back of her hair as he held her, allowing the tears to flow. “And she’ll be okay, too, little one. She’ll know that you’re alive and that you’re safe.”

Perhaps he knew the barrage had to come, that release was really the best remedy, and clinging to his brawn, she didn’t argue. No doubt there would be more emotion to come in the days and months ahead, but she sensed none of it would feel starker than the hollow feeling slicing at her as she twisted to look at the tiny terrace house.

“She’ll never stop looking for me.” There was a dull inevitability to the words as they came to her, and wiping her eyes with her free hand, she knew they were true.

She hoped her letter would placate her mum and offer some consolation, but she knew the woman well enough to realize she’d never give up on her only child.

“She coped all those years after my dad left, but this might finally push her over the edge, Master.”

The possibility stabbed at her heart like a blade.

“We can watch over her.” His voice was soothing. “Make sure that she’s okay…”

“We can?” She glanced back at him, certain he’d never mentioned the option before.

“Yes,” he assured her.

“And could I write her another letter, Master?”

The idea assuaged the guilt tightening in her gut a little. Ongoing correspondence with her mother, however limited, would be better than the prospect of her never hearing from Kris again.

“I don’t see why not.” He kissed the top of her hair. “But not all the time, little one. Your master has other plans for you.”

A reflexive smile twisted at her lips as she imagined all the filthy and sumptuous things he had in mind, and for a second, her sorrow lifted.

“Come on, then.” He edged them closer, crossing the small road with his arms still cocooning hers. “You should deliver the letter now.”

Once they’d reached the safety of the path outside her mum’s house, he withdrew, taking a step back and creating the distance she required to get the job done.

She walked forward, forcing her legs to cooperate, but it wasn’t until the shoes he’d encased her feet in for the purpose reached the head of the garden path that she acknowledged what was truly happening.