Chapter 38

CHAPTER 38

They spent the night at the tavern. Anna was overwhelmed with all his brothers together in one place.

A few days later, they were in the carriage approaching a castle.

“Which brother lives here?”

“Christian. The White Castle is his.”

“It’s very beautiful.”

John wanted to swear. Blackmoor wasn’t fit for the pigs to sleep in, let alone his lady. He had much work to do.

The carriage came to a stop and he helped her out. They were in the courtyard when the jeweler rushed over. The dark clouds opened up and it started to rain. They all huddled in the stables.

“My apologies, my lord. The wrong locket was delivered to you.”

Anna reached in her cloak.

“It got broken.” She held out the pieces of the locket.

John clasped her hand around it.

“Never mind. I will pay for it.” He took the locket from the jeweler, holding it up. Even in the waning light, he could see how beautiful it was. The emerald a clear green to match her eyes .

The jeweler had taken the broken piece from Anna and was looking it over. He took the torn portrait out. John dropped the locket into his hand and watched as the jeweler fit the portrait into the locket.

The man handed it to Anna along with the broken piece.

“Sir, your carriage is ready.”

“I must return to London.”

John closed the door on the carriage and thumped it to tell the driver to go. He turned to Anna and saw her holding up both pieces. As she closed her hand around the broken piece, she winced.

He could see where the edge had cut her finger. As he watched, three drops of blood landed on the emerald of the locket.

She cried out as lightning filled the stables.

Everything happened in slow motion. In one moment, Anna was standing in the stables with John, staring at the locket. The real locket she had found in the future. Though this one had the emerald. And when she blinked, she was no longer in the stables.

She heard his voice calling to her from a great distance, but as she turned her head she found herself in a beautiful garden. Flowers everywhere. And a woman sitting on a bench.

Anna made her way to the woman and let out a cry.

“Mom.”

Her mother turned and opened her arms. Anna threw herself into them.

Her mother stroked her hair. “Don’t cry, my darling child.”

Anna sat back and looked up at her mother. She looked as she did before the cancer. “I don’t understand. Where are we? Am I dreaming?”

Her mom looked a little sad .

“I can’t stay long. But there’s someone else who wants to see you.”

Anna looked up to see her dad. He looked like a younger version of himself, before he had been struck down by the stroke and Alzheimer’s. He hugged her so tightly she squeaked.

Her mom wiped her eyes. “Thank you for taking care of him.”

“I like the short ’do.” Her dad kissed the top of her head. “I know I didn’t always know you, darling daughter. But don’t ever doubt I loved you.”

“We both love you. We always will. But it’s time to go.”

Anna didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay with her parents. Talk to them.

“Dad, I’ve been so worried about you. That I couldn’t be there to keep paying the fees on the facility. Are you…did you die?”

He stroked her hair. “Death is the next fork in the road. Don’t worry about me, honey. Live. Wring every second of joy out of life. Be happy.”

She turned to her mom, who said, “You fought for what you believed in. For the man you love. Now go back to him, honey. Don’t worry about your father. We’re together now.”

She didn’t want to go, but she knew she must. With tears streaming down her face, Anna hugged them both one last time, willing her hug to say everything she could not. As she turned around, she saw storm clouds in the distance.

“Walk through them, honey.” Her mom smiled. “He’s waiting for you.”

Anna opened her eyes to see beautiful brown eyes with flecks of gold looking down at her. She wrapped her arms around him. Anna was where she belonged. At peace.

“Don’t ever give me such a fright again,” John said. “You faded before my eyes. I could see through you, and yet you weren’t gone. ”

He couldn’t say everything he desired without breaking down and bawling like a babe.

“Did you go back to your future world?”

“Not exactly. I found myself in a beautiful garden. My mother and father were there.”

She looked at him, and he could see the love in her eyes. John thought she’d never looked more beautiful.

“They told me everything was all right.” A tear slid down her face. He reached out with a thumb to wipe it away. “I know my dad died. He wouldn’t have been there with my mom otherwise.”

She sniffled and didn’t protest when he carried her into Christian’s hall. John shook his head at the servants and carried her up the stairs. He found the first chamber and kicked the door shut behind him. He gently placed her on the bed, lying next to her.

“My parents told me they were fine. Not to worry and to live life.” She looked up at him, a glorious smile on her face. “They said to live life as if every day were our last. And I plan to do so.”

“Would you like to be married here? Christian’s home is in much better repair than Blackmoor.”

“No. Take me home to Blackmoor. I want to be married there. Surely by now the roof has been repaired.”

“As you wish, my Lady Blackmoor.”

“I’ve never had much money. I don’t care about money or titles. And I have nothing to offer you. You know I can’t cook or sew or anything else.”

“’Tis a good thing I’m rich again. We will have servants to do all those things. You, my lady, your only duty is to be by my side. Forever.”

“That I can do.”

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed Darkest Knight. Next up is, Forever Knight , where you’ll meet another Thornton Brother. I hope you love it.

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