Page 47 of Kronos’ Consort

She was about to deliver the letter that would send her mother’s life into disarray. Sure, she hoped there would be relief in her words, and comfort in knowing her daughter was alive, well and happier than she’d ever been, but Kris was no fool. She knew how much her mum would have been hurting, and she also accepted how never being able to see her daughter again was going to cut at the very fabric of her soul.

Blowing out a breath, she took one last glance at Kronos. His magic ensured they were both invisible to the human eye, even when they were apart, but he saw her, and meeting her gaze, he offered a determined nod.

Buoyed by his gesture, she swallowed back her conflicted feelings and closed the short distance between her and the green front door. Lifting the letter toward the letterbox, she pressed her other palm against the fading paintwork. She remembered the day she’d helped her mother to paint the door, and how they’d laughed as they worked together.

Kris hoped that, one day, she’d get to hear the sound of her mum’s laughter again.

Pressing open the letterbox, she pushed the white envelope past the threshold, holding her breath as the paper fell to the doormat on the other side.

There. Her eyes fluttered closed. It’s done.

Her mother wouldn’t be at home until gone six o’clock, but Kris’ envelope would be there on the mat when she returned, and in the sanctuary of that certainty, she recalled the words she’d scrawled inside.

Dear Mum,

It’s me, Kristina.

I’m alive, Mum. Everything’s okay.

I know you’ll have been wondering where I’ve been. It’s difficult to explain.

Someone took me that night on Franklin Street. He stepped in to save me from being assaulted, and then he took me for himself, but I want to let you know, he hasn’t hurt me, Mum. He’s looked after me, cared for me, and well, we’ve fallen in love with each other.

She cringed as she recalled writing the words, hoping her mother would understand, yet knowing comprehension of the things Kris had lived through was almost impossible.

I know that sounds crazy, the letter went on. But it’s true.

I do love him, and he loves me.

We’re together in a place far from here, but I need you to know I’m well.

Actually, I’m thriving!

I’m learning lots, and I finally have a man who’s worthy of me.

I wish that you could meet him, wish you could get to know him and understand.

But until then, please know I’m safe, and I’m happy.

I don’t know when you’ll hear from me again, but please know that I love you, Mum.

I love you, and I always will, and while we’re not together, I’ll think about you every day.

Kris

xxx

In the end, it had hurt too damn much to write the word ‘goodbye’, but she reckoned the content conveyed the feeling anyway.

Until she could reach out again, those final words would have to do the job of reassurance for her.

“You did it.” Kronos’ hand squeezed her shoulder, and she spun to find him right there with her at the door.

“Yes, Master.” She blinked away the fresh tears in her eyes, unaware that she was still crying until that moment. The ache in her head still lingered, but as she glanced down the road she’d grown up on, she realized it was less intense than before.

“I’m proud of you.” Tugging her toward him, he wrapped her up in his arms. “I know that wasn’t easy.”

“No.” She craned her neck to meet his soulful eyes. “But I hope my words will give her comfort.”