My Blood Is Yours (The Summoning #1)

31. Evandriel

EVANDRIEL

K elestra’s home—unlike her fancy clothing—is anything but. It’s a tiny place. Paintings cover the walls—some of which are remarkably beautiful, while others are a smear of paint. Like something a toddler might do. She’s folded us directly into her kitchen, and as I take in the eclectic decor with surprised eyes, a rotund woman with fuzzy, moth-like wings and antennae comes bustling in, jolting at the sight of us.

Again, whispering in Ourinessian.

“Akash- almighty. You scared me. Who are your friends, Kelestra?”

Kelestra’s voice lowers to meet hers. “Some family friends.”

The moth-woman eyes us a little warily, but ultimately gives us a smile. “Well, it’s good you’re back. Halyra’s been awfully fussy today. She’s sound asleep now, but I imagine she’ll demand you once she wakes up.”

My lips part in realization as my eyes take in the other obvious clues. Particularly the toys I now notice peppering the counters and floors. Kelestra reaches into her pocket and counts out a few silver coins—the same coins she stole from the teenagers in the park. My heart basically shatters and I have the sudden urge to flay myself to make penance.

Kelestra gives her a slight bow as she puts the coins into her hand. “Thank you for watching her.”

The moth-woman absently nods, studying our group as slips the coins into her purse. Her eyes seem particularly concerned with Sariel’s presence. Kelestra repeats herself, an obvious dismissal. “Thank you, Brynhila.”

“Oh, yes. Of course. Same time tomorrow?”

Kelestra’s eyes slide to mine, an obvious question—and even more obvious vulnerability—in her eyes.

The shattered remains of my heart are now pulverized to dust.

Does she actually think I would turn her away because she has a child?

My eyes sting at the thought and I’m suddenly feeling the weight of the day—and perhaps the last 150 years—press upon me.

Jaw clenching to quell my emotion, I dip my head in affirmation. Kelestra’s eyes linger questioningly on me before she finally returns her gaze to the nanny. “Not tomorrow, no. I’ll give you a call if I need you, thank you.”

My ears ring, and I feel a wave of dizziness wash over me as reality settles in.

Ffion is… well and truly gone.

I’ve met my soulbound.

And now, I’m going to be—for all intents and purposes—a father.

The fact that I was not an active participant in helping to conceive Halyra is of little consequence. I know what it means to have an absent parent. The fact I haven’t even laid my eyes on this child does little to stifle the overwhelming sense of protectiveness swelling in my chest.

I’m only distantly aware of the door shutting behind Brynhilla, and it isn’t until Kelestra takes up the space directly in front of me that my mind returns to the room. “You okay?”

My throat works. “Yes.”

She gives me a knowing smirk. “You look like you’ve seen a phantom.”

I shake my head. “No… I just… It’s been a surprising day.”

She nods, sadness and vulnerability lining every feature—so polar opposite to the formidable front she’d presented earlier. The obliterated remains of my heart knit back together purely by the will to liberate her of anything that isn’t happiness, safety, and security. This too is a startling sensation.

Her eyes search mine, hesitating for a moment. “Would you like to meet her?”

“I would…”

She hesitates for a moment, brows pinching as though she’s now doubting the decision to come with us. No matter how desperate she is.

“Very much so,” I add to reassure her as I press my hand to the small of her back. Tingling electricity seems to course through between us at the point of contact. And something about it seems so very right.

The action seems to convince her. Kelestra turns to face Sariel and Elowen. “Would you mind waiting here or in the living room for just a few minutes? Feel free to make yourselves at home. I’m just going to pack a few things and collect Halyra.”

Elowen gives her a smile—all sweetness and warmth—looking so very similar to her mother, Ffion. “Of course, darling. Take all the time you need.”

So very clearly, I can see Ffion, in my mind’s eye, with her knowing, impish grin. For some reason, I feel like she’s there—even if only in my mind—telling me to let go of her.

And as Kelestra leads me out of the kitchen, down the hall, and into a small but bright nursery to stare down into the crib of a chubby, sleeping infant—with curly dark blue locks and pointed ears—I find myself suddenly surrendering to the intuitive urge that fate is shoving me toward.

I don’t know this child or her mother, hardly, but it’s in that moment that some sense of knowingness fills me with such an overwhelming sense of peace and rightness. As if every moment in my life has led me to this moment, and brings tears to my eyes.

It may not have at all been how I’d imagined it, but Akash is gifting me everything I’ve ever wanted. My soulbound , a child—a family—and the shining in Kelestra’s eyes, as she watches the emotion and adoration shining in my own eyes at the sight of her daughter—is anything to go by, maybe even one day, love.