CHAPTER 38

C HAPTER 38

T amsyn emerged from the depths of darkness to a soft light and her own familiar bed. Disoriented, she opened her eyes and whispered, “Mama?”

The mattress dipped as Gwyn moved to sit next to her. She was beautiful and blond and Tamsyn would look very much like her in future years. Except that Gwyn was taller. Everyone was taller than Tam.

Her mother rested a warm hand on Tam’s forehead. “You’re all right now, aren’t you, my dearest girl? How do you feel?”

“Beyond . . . exhausted.” With sudden horror, she tried to sit up but sagged weakly back onto the bed. “ Cade! Is he all right?” She thought she could sense him, but that might have been hope rather than truth.

“He’s in the room next to this one, somewhat battered but less drained than you, I think.” Gwyn brushed back Tam’s damp hair. “When Cade was well enough to be moved, that nice young Mr. Jameson organized transportation to bring you home. He rode with you the whole way.”

Tamsyn exhaled with relief. “Andre is wonderful. We’ve decided that he’s a Tremayne cousin. Can we keep him?”

Gwyn laughed. “He’s already created a place for himself!”

Thinking back to that dizzying river of power she’d created to save Cade, Tam asked, “Did I drain everyone in the family? It was extremely rude to pull all that power without asking first, but I couldn’t think of anything else that might work,”

“The power was freely given, and there’s no one as exhausted as you.” Gwyn’s hand came down to hold Tamsyn’s. “You’ve explored new territory, my love. Rhys and I have never seen such a blending of energies. It was amazing.” Her voice caught. “Cade would have died if not for you. I would have lost my oldest son.”

Tam closed her eyes, shaking at the memory of how close it had been. “I wouldn’t have been able to bear that,” she said in a raw whisper, knowing it was time for the confession. “Cade and I had decided that as soon as we reached Tremayne House, we would tell you that we’re in love and want to be together always. We’ve hoped you won’t exile us from the family, but we realize that there is much potential for grave damage. We’re prepared to move away so we won’t cause more trouble.”

“It was quite a shock to recognize how you felt about each other,” Gwyn said wryly. “I was perhaps . . . not as shocked as everyone else. I knew that you and Cade had a special bond, but I didn’t realize that you would fall in love like this.”

Tam opened her eyes. “We’re not blood kin, but we were raised as brother and sister and we feared that we’d be exiled. Have we horrified some of the younger Tremaynes? Neither of us want to hurt anyone.”

“We would never have exiled you!” Her mother squeezed her hand. “But I agree that if you two had just showed up and announced that you were in love, it would have been much more difficult. You and Cade are so important to everyone in the family that it would have been a devastating shock for some of the younger children to learn that your relationship had changed so drastically. Most have come from difficult backgrounds, and they need to feel that they are safe. That their new world is firm beneath their feet.”

“That’s just what we feared,” Tam said hesitantly. “But from the way you’re talking, it sounds as if that hasn’t happened?”

“No, because your call for help was propelled by the intensity of your great love for each other,” Gwyn said softly. “Every Tremayne felt that love right down to their marrow. They loved you already as individuals and now they love the two of you together. You changed everyone’s mind about what is acceptable.”

“Really?” Tam breathed. “It seems . . . too good to be true.”

“Really.” Gwyn smiled. “It was a drastic way to announce that you two want to marry, but very effective.”

Tam closed her eyes against tears. “It was agonizing to think I might have to choose between the family and Cade,” she whispered. “I would have chosen Cade, but it would have hurt forever if we’d lost everyone else.” She thought of young Emily, who had arrived at Tremayne House terrified and weeping. She hadn’t slept until she fell asleep in Tamsyn’s arms.

“Luckily, you won’t have to lose anyone,” Gwyn said. “Cade’s near-death experience turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”

The door to Tam’s bedroom opened and Cade limped in with his arm slung over Rhys’s shoulders. Tam was surprised to notice that Cade was a little taller. His left arm was bandaged and he looked thoroughly bruised and abraded, but he was definitely alive.

“As soon as he could struggle out of his bed, he insisted on coming in here to see Tamsyn,” Rhys said with amusement. “The lad has become much heavier over the years. When he first arrived at Tremayne House, he didn’t weigh much more than a plucked goose.”

“A shortcoming I overcame quickly by eating half my weight daily,” Cade said affectionately.

He broke free of Rhys’s support and lurched over to the bed on the other side from where Gwyn was sitting. There he more or less collapsed on the mattress beside Tam, wrapping his good arm around her to pull her close. “Tamkin . . .” he murmured, his deep blue eyes intense. “You almost killed yourself to save me. Don’t you dare ever do that again!”

“Only if you promise to stop playing hero!” She gave a small laugh. “Though I don’t suppose you can. You were born to protect. To be a hero.”

Gwyn rose from her perch on the bed and said indulgently, “Rhys, I think it’s time we let the children get some rest.”

Rhys laughed as he held the door for his wife. “I’m sure they’ll have much to discuss first, starting with their marriage. They need to set a good example for the younger members of the family.”

As the door closed, Cade said, “I think we should get married as soon as possible.”

Thinking scandalous thoughts about his powerful body and rugged good looks, she said, “The sooner the better! But let’s wait until we’re both strong enough to walk down the aisle on our own.”

“You are so beautifully sensible,” he murmured before kissing her temple. “And so impossibly beautiful. I most certainly want to marry you before you can change your mind, Lady Tamsyn.”

“You know I won’t, love.” She caught his gaze, her eyes serious. “No one else would ever do for either of us, Cade. I was sure that I was destined to be the helpful maiden aunt because no man had ever caught my interest, while you kept your love a secret because you thought it was impossible.” She brushed a kiss on his mouth. “I’m so very glad we were wrong!”

“So am I.” He laughed. “Shall we see just how tired we really are? I’m feeling remarkably recovered.”

“What an interesting coincidence.” She pulled his head down for a serious kiss. “So am I!”

And the world turned golden....