CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Tara fiddles with her nails, an old habit she's always done when she's nervous.

I step away from Bash, inching closer to her. When Tara sees what I'm doing, she flinches but I take her hand.

"Are you okay?"

She lets out a shaky laugh.

"I'm not sure how to answer this. Yes, no, both."

"What…what did you see when Bash, um, touched you with his shadows?"

Her eyes unfocus, and it takes her a second to find her voice.

"I saw myself die alone because I drove everyone away. And then I saw—no, felt—all your pain from my actions."

Tara chokes on a sob, and her words cut through me.

Her fears mirrors my own, ones of isolation, of being unlovable.

The memories of my own dark, twisting path claw at me—a place where phantoms of my past whispered cruelties in my ear.

"I know the pain of feeling alone, of thinking you're unlovable—no one wants to end up like that—but it's not true. You don't have to live alone and you can be loved. We all have shadows we fight, fears that drive us, but they don't define us. But most importantly, you don't have to fight alone."

"Who's going to fight with me?"

"I will."

Tara's mouth drops open.

"Why? Why would you do that?"

"Because there's a light inside of you—inside all of us—and it grows brighter when someone helps it shine. I believe you can shine, you just need someone to show you how to find your light."

Her tears fall fast as she launches herself into my arms.

Even in heels, she's many inches shorter than me, and I hug her tightly.

"Wyn?"

"Yes?"

"I have another confession…I'm super jealous of your hair."

The sheer silliness of this after everything takes me off guard, and I burst into laughter.

"Don't be. I'll show you the hair products I use."

Some of the tension eases in the room, and I turn to até.

Once he was the most commanding figure I ever knew, but now, he seems a shell of himself.

"Tell me what you saw," I whisper as I walk over to him.

He shudders, shaking his head, but I won't back down.

"Tell me!"

"I saw everything vanish—our people, our history, our languages—everything gone, and then I saw you gone, along with Jake, because of my malice. It was all my fault, and like Tara, I died alone with your nihú?'s soul damning me to an eternity alone, too."

His breath hitches, shame and grief warring across his face.

He stares at me with pain etched in his dark gaze, and I want to ease his suffering.

"Até, you've never failed our tribe, but you did fail. By not supporting me unconditionally, I've been left to navigate this world on my own—alone. What you and Tara fear was my reality. Bash and Jake are the only ones who accept me. They are the sunshine to my darkness."

My vision blurs with tears, and my father's shoulders shake.

Before I can react, he pulls me fiercely into his arms, his proud form wracked with gut-wrenching sobs.

"Forgive me, please forgive me, ?hu?k?í."

?hu?k?í—my daughter.

After a long moment, we separate while até wipes his cheeks.

"I forgive you."

"You're just like nihú?, as beautiful, too. You have her smile."

"So does Jake."

"He's pretty spectacular. Perhaps I can prove myself to you—that I can be the father you need—and in time, I can be Jake's t?u?ká?itku."

My gaze travels across the room to my son, and my heart squeezes at his sweet courage.

"?hi?k?í, this is t?u?ká?itku —your grandpa."

"Is he the one who told you about Iktomi?"

"Sure is."

"Oh wow, can he stay for dinner and then tuck me in to tell me more stories?!"

Até stares, his eyes round in shock at the innocent invitation.

It occurs to me that my father is far from our home on the reservation.

"Do you have a place to stay?"

"I'll get a hotel. Don't you worry about me. You need your space, but maybe…maybe I can come for dinner tomorrow night? I want to learn more about you and Jake."

"Ooo, can we get a cake—please?!"

Laughter bubbles up inside of me, and I reach over to give him a quick hug.

"Why do we need a cake?"

"To celebrate our family! I got a grandpa and a daddy now! Oh, and your lady friend?"

Tara bites her lip.

"I'm just an old acquaintance of your mom's. I'm not sure she wants me to come to dinner."

Her gaze drinks in Jake, and I realize she's internalizing that this is her son.

"Cake for dinner sounds perfect. Will you two join us?"

My ex gives até a hesitant look.

"Erm, if everyone is ok with me being here…after everything."

"I think it's fair to say we've cleared the slate."

"Let me order some real food—" Bash starts.

"Cake's real food!" Jake protests.

"It is, but maybe some pizza to go with it?"

My little man whoops in victory at getting two of his favorite things in one night.

A small consolation considering the nightmare he walked into.

"Thank you," I whisper to Bash, scooping Jake into my arms.

He nuzzles against me while my brave Boggart places an order.

When everything arrives, até helps me get out the plates while Tara talks with Jake.

I bite my lip, nervous, but Bash comes over to sweep me into a hug.

"Don't worry, deoring, I'm keeping an eye on her."

"It's like she's a completely different person…"

She and my dad both.

"Boggart nightmares do that if they don't strip you of your sanity first."

"Are you ok?"

"No, but watching you be strong makes me feel better. You're the most courageous person I know, and I'm in awe of you."

I blush as até sends me a wink.

"He's a good man," he whispers, patting me on the shoulder.

Bash calls everyone over, and we sit down at my weathered dining room table.

Tara gives Jake the biggest slice of pepperoni pizza, and later, até does the same with his slice of cake.

"Are you two going to spoil him rotten, too?"

"You know, I had an aunt who I was crazy about…do you think Jake needs a crazy aunt?"

My ex is smiling, but her hands twist around one another as she waits for my answer.

Without saying it, she's asking permission to be close to Jake without ever disclosing that she's his mother.

"I think everyone needs a crazy aunt in their life."

Tara beams, and até chuckles.

"Goodness knows Wyn had plenty of them growing up."

"It's been a long time since I've seen inálapi—my aunts—or even my family."

"Maybe…maybe you can bring Jake and visit the reservation?"

Jake bounces in his seat at the prospect. What started off as the worst thing ever ended with him gaining a whole family.

"This is the best day ever!" he shouts, and Bash rubs at his chest.

Warmth spreads through me that has nothing to do with us all crowded into my small kitchen.

It's the glow of love.

After our dinner and dessert, Tara helps me do the dishes while Jake asks my father one question after another.

"He's just like—insatiable for knowledge!" até crows, clearly in his element as grandpa.

When I join them in the living room, Jake's fighting back a yawn and his eyelids droop with exhaustion.

"I think it's time for bed, ?hi?k?í."

"But I'm not tired!" he whines while rubbing his eyes.

"Hey, maybe I can tell you a quick story?" my father offers.

I nod, and he goes off to help Jake get ready for bed. Tara comes out of the kitchen.

"That's probably my cue to go. Can we meet tomorrow and talk some more, please, Wyn?"

"Sure thing."

"But not too early," Bash chimes in. "I plan on wearing her out tonight."

My ex winks. "Lucky."

With this, she slips out the door that's somehow magically whole after Bash destroyed it.

"Um, are you going to tell me how you fixed my door?"

Bash rolls his eyes.

"I told you—a Boggart never reveals his tricks."

I blow a raspberry at him before going to Jake's room.

My Boggart and I listen as até tells Jake a story even I don't remember.

In no time, my son is fast asleep, and my dad creeps out of his room.

"You've got a great kid in him."

"Trust me, I know. He's my whole world."

"Raising him on your own couldn't have been easy—especially if your ex was extorting you for money."

"I won't lie, it wasn't, but I never wavered. I couldn't, not with Jake needing me."

Até looks at Bash.

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm the CEO and owner of Boggleworks, a company that helps clients patent and sell their inventions."

"So you've got money?"

I gasp and glare at my father, but Bash just laughs.

"More than I know what to do with."

"Then take care of my daughter and grandson."

"I did just make Wyn partner."

"Partner? It's a start."

I roll my eyes at their antics. "Are you heading out?"

"Yes. I know Tara is coming tomorrow, but I would like to come and visit, too."

"Of course. Let me get you my number."

He adds it to his phone before pulling me for a hug.

When he turns to leave, Bash stops him.

"Mr. Archer—"

"Actually, my name is Akecheta Oká?a. Oká?a means warrior hunter, or archer. Even in her hurt, Wyn honored me. Her first name was her maternal grandmother's name."

"It's beautiful—just like her. Sir, you mentioned the reservation needed money?"

Até pauses, staring at Bash.

"I did," he finally concedes.

"If it's acceptable, I would like to help fund projects in your community, especially anything for the children."

"That's exceptionally generous and kind of you. I won't lie, our children do need help if they are to have a brighter future."

"Then Boggleworks would be delighted in aiding in this."

My father's eyes swim with tears. He nods and then leaves.

Bash walks back with me to Jake's room so I can kiss him goodnight.

In his sleep, he looks so small and defenseless, tucked into his bed.

When I brush my lips over his forehead, Jake's eyes blink open heavily as he snuggles under the covers.

"Love you, Mom."

"Love you, too. Sleep well."

A part of me worries he might dream of what happened, but Bash smooths a hand down my back as Jake drifts back off into sleep.

"Don't worry—only sweet dreams for our son."

Hearing him call Jake this unravels me, and I throw myself into his arms.

He carries me to my room, dropping us onto my bed where we curl into one another.

The quiet that follows wraps around us, a respite after the night's chaos.

The adrenaline crash leaves me more vulnerable than I'd like to admit.

Vulnerable enough that I need comfort only Bash can give me.

I swallow hard as Bash reaches out slowly, like he's afraid I might disappear.

He trails two fingers down my cheek before cupping my jaw gently.

Then Bash pulls me in for the sweetest kiss of my existence.

The way this man touches me—like I'm the most precious object in the world.

His tongue lightly brushes against my lower lip, and I open my mouth wider.

Moaning into the kiss, Bash wraps one arm around my waist while the other slides up under my shirt, tracing patterns on my bare skin with his claws.

Every touch sends delicious shivers down my spine.

After a moment, his lips leave mine to nip at my neck, and I arch into him, wanting more.

Bash's nimble fingers unbutton my blouse before removing it to reveal the silk underneath.

My heart hammers in my chest as he leans in closer, breathing me in.

"You smell so good," he purrs.

He trails kisses and soft bites down my chest, and my nipples harden, aching for his touch.

Teasing me, he removes my bra, rolling me over to unhook it with his teeth.

"Show off!"

Bash just laughs. He finishes undressing me, staring at my naked body.

There's such a raw hunger in his gaze that it steals my breath.

"You. Are. Beautiful."

The declaration, spoken so ardently, sends liquid heat pooling between my legs.

My Boggart inhales, smelling my arousal, and then snarls against the valley of my breasts.

He takes one nipple into his mouth, laving the tip before moving to the other.

The entirety of my body shudders with pleasure as he suckles at my chest, his hot breath fanning across my skin and sending tingles down to my toes.

After an eternity of teasing me, Bash moves back to take off his clothes.

"Let me help you," I offer.

With trembling hands, I remove his shirt, revealing his chiseled, dark blue chest.

His skin is hot to the touch, and I can't resist running my fingers over his muscles.

I revel in them when his stomach flexes under my fingers, knowing that he wants me as much as I want him.

When I unbutton his pants, I reach inside his underwear to stroke his cock.

The thick length of his erection strains between us, and I marvel at all grooves and ridges.

Bash spreads me open on the bed, sucking my clit into his mouth until I'm a squirming mess of need.

He continues his torture until I beg for him to fuck my ass.

Only then does he stop. Bash comes up to lay over my body so that we're chest-to-chest.

A new position for us.

My Boggart cups my face in his hands and pulls me closer for another deep kiss.

Then he reaches down to tease my ass. I moan into his mouth, wanting nothing more than to feel him filling me.

Without breaking away from our kiss, Bash lifts my hips and positions himself at my entrance.

Pushing in slowly, there's a brief pinch and sting as he bottoms out.

I inhale and then exhale out his name, my voice a strangled whisper.

Bash rests inside of me for a moment, allowing me to adjust.

Then he begins to piston in and out, splitting my ass wider and wider with each stroke.

I match his rhythm, pumping my hips up to meet his.

His thrusts grow more insistent, the heat and friction building between us and driving me to the edge.

When he touches me with his tail, encircling my clit, I know that I'm a goner.

My legs lock around his waist, pulling him deeper inside me as the familiar tension coils deep in my pussies.

Just as I'm about to tumble over the edge, Bash slows down.

I keen at the loss of friction, but Bash simply stares down at me.

It's intoxicating how my entire being lights up under his hot, bright gaze.

And I adore how sexy he makes me feel—so womanly and me.

As if reading my mind, Bash groans, his fingers digging into my hips.

"P-please, Mr. Ettin."

The use of his last name gets him moving, and he snarls into my ear.

Under the weight of his hips, I'm pinned, and each thrust reminds me of the power dynamics at play.

My boss.

His employee.

Now partners, but forever two halves of the same whole meeting to make one.

Bash's movements grow erratic, our bodies slick with sweat and desire.

"Fuck!" I hiss, unable to give him any other notice as shockwaves snap through me like fireworks.

My entire body goes haywire with pleasure, every muscle convulsing in an overwhelming fit of ecstasy that leaves me breathless and spent.

My sweet Boggart groans into my neck, finding his own release deep within me, and I shake in bliss at the sensation of him coating me in his cum.

Afterward, we hold each other, trying to catch our breath.

A smile curls my lips, unbidden, as warmth unfurls in my chest at his touch.

Bash's presence wraps around me like a comforting cocoon, and I drift off to sleep knowing that I am loved.

I am cherished.

I am whole.