The Past

EJ is Sixteen Years Old

EJ was nervous. Alexander, Cassie, and I were finally sitting down with our mom to discuss her past. Alexander and I had overheard things more than once when we were together in Faerie. Cassie came back from the time she lived there very concerned about what we were going to hear.

Alexander had been in a mood since Melanie was a no show at our birthday again this year. Jason said she got in a fight. Elise told me she’d beaten up Charline again. I had no doubt that was because Charline said something about Alexander.

Charline just refused to admit, even after two years of being ignored by my brother, that she meant nothing to him. He only spoke to her when he had to. She seemed to think they had some great love affair after the dance. They definitely did not, and I knew my brother had absolutely no interest in her.

I also knew that Melanie still carried her toy wolf around because I’d asked Elise. I hadn’t seen her since I sought her out that one time though. I popped into Alexander’s room. He looked up at me clearly startled. I raised an eyebrow when I saw the book he had.

He was reading a Thoroughbred Series book. I raised an eyebrow and asked, “Have you gotten into a new series, brother?”

He was reading a book called Melanie’s Treasure and judging by the wear and tear on the book he’d read it more than once. It was also not the first book in the series. Which I knew because I’d helped Elise find some of them as gifts for Melanie.

Alexander was flustered. The bond told me he was somewhat embarrassed. He quickly conjured the book away. He stood asking, “Can you just not say anything about that?”

That would be hard, considering I knew exactly why he was reading it. Brutus chime in, “Melanie. Clearly.”

I sighed, “If that’s what you want, little brother.”

Alexander nodded, “It really is.”

I rolled my eyes, “Fine. Let’s get going.” Alexander nodded. I started to leave but he grabbed my arm. “Thank you.” I’d told him I’d give him space and I was. Other than occasionally moodiness about Melanie, and not having met her yet, he’d been fine. I just wished he’d tell me.

We popped downstairs where we found my mom wringing her hands. My dad took her hands in his and kissed them softly. He pulled her into his lap. Cassie was already waiting for us, and she sent me her nervousness. We all knew that we were going to hear things we didn’t want to.

My mom stood and started pacing. I said, “Mom.”

She popped back to dad then smiled shakily. “Sorry, I’m just so fucking nervous.”

Alexander leaned forward and squeezed her hand. He told her, “We feel that, but you don’t need to be nervous. We love you.” She smiled, “I know that.” My dad squeezed her leg, “Whenever you’re ready, Angel.” My mom closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She began, “I know you guys have heard rumors, and I’m sorry for that. I should’ve….”

Alexander interrupted, “You are telling us now that you feel you yourself, and the three of us, are ready to hear it. You don’t need to apologize for that.”

My mom smiled at him.

She admitted, “Fuck, this is harder than I thought it would be.”

She took a deep breath “Ok, I wasn’t always the kick ass, collect names, partial Hackura Fairy I am today,”

I bit my lip. My mom was not good with this realm’s sayings. She was unique.

She kept talking while we all smiled at each other, “using my Fairy powers mom you all know. My life in Faerie was difficult. The Sky and Earth Fairies didn’t like me. Actually, until I met your dad, I thought they hated me because I was the only Partial Fae. After meeting him, I found out there were a lot more running around.”

All our jaws dropped. How did she not know that?

My mom sighed, “Oh boy, if your jaws drop now this just…”

She trailed off then cursed, “Fuck.”

My dad squeezed her leg, “They will not think less of you, Angel. They will see you how I do. As the strong woman you are.” I frowned.

Alexander linked me, “What the fuck?!”

I replied, “I don’t know.”

Mom sighed, “You’ve heard of Fabian.” Alexander nodded while Cassie shuddered. No one had a kind word to say about him. My mom cringed, “He’s your great uncle.” Cassie stood shouting, “NO! He can’t be! He was sick and twisted!”

Alexander and I weren’t surprised though. We did some digging and found Fabian was Alania’s brother. Our family had buried it pretty deep, but we’d found it. My dad’s eyes narrowed on us both. My mom took my sister's hands, “Cass, it’s ok. Our family does not define us. Fabian definitely has nothing to do with who we are as a family. I am who I am in spite of him.”

Cassie was shaking which had me moving.

I put my arms around her, but she jumped up and away crying. I went to her again and she pushed me back. Cassie cried, “You don’t understand, EJ! You don’t understand what that means!”

I frowned. Alexander questioned, “Cass?”

Cassie looked at our mom, “He hurt you, didn’t he?”

My mom stood and gave Cassie a hug. When she calmed back down, we all took our seats again. My mom continued, “I was a part of the Ring’s that we work to shut down.”

Alexander gripped the couch. I looked at my dad.

Brutus howled in my head. I was in denial thinking not my mom. Not light itself. My mom kept talking, “It was hidden from everyone outside of Faerie. Not even everyone inside Faerie knew what was happening to me. Fabian was into experiments. He inadvertently blocked my connection to your uncles and Grandpa Titus by concealing my sorrow from other Fairies. He didn’t want Aiden and Arion to know I was depressed and sad. It started out as just beatings.”

Brutus was raging, “She did not just say ‘just’ beatings.”

I ground out, “She did.”

He replied, “The Ring’s will rue the day we take over this pack. I will TEAR THEM TO PIECES!” Brutus loved my mom as much as I did. I agreed, “Yes, we will.” All our siblings would join us.

My mom closed her eyes, “He raped me for the first time when I was six. Never vaginally because I had to be pure for whoever he bartered me off to. Plus, he didn’t want me to get pregnant with a Fairy child.”

Cassie shot sunlight at a vase. My mom stopped, giving us a second.

Cassie quietly encouraged, “Keep going mom.”

My mom nodded, “There were horrible things done to me. I was deprived of sleep and woken up by being shocked awake. I was beaten regularly for being a partial Fairy without powers. I was operated on while I was awake. They poured lemonade down my throat and cut some organs away with iron knives.”

That didn’t make sense. She was never powerless.

She answered my unspoken question, “I hid what I was from them and what I could do with my powers. I knew if Fabian found out, I’d never be free. I started being systematically raped by men in the Ring. Men who wanted Alania but couldn’t have her. I was who they acted their sick fantasies out on.”

Our silence was deafening. “I took it all. I knew that my dad was coming for me when I was sixteen. I was just hanging on until then.”

She winced, “I didn’t make it to my goal. When I was thirteen, Fabian and my cousins Masium and Hexxus beat me.”

She took a deep breath. I could feel she didn’t want to say whatever she was about to say.

She closed her eyes, “Aiden and Arion watched as they beat me.”

I linked Alexander, “WHAT THE MOTHERFUCKING FUCK?!”

Alexander was stunned into silence. My mom continued, “Then Fabian told everyone to leave, so they did. He raped me for the last time then I fled. I will continue my story, but I want you to know neither of your Fairy uncles knew I was being abused so badly. They knew I was beaten, but that was it. They knew nothing of the experiments or the sexual abuse. Alania evaded with them and said that they’d see me raped in the streets and killed if they stopped it.”

Alexander asked, “Why?”

My mom asked, “Why what, sweetie?”

Alexander clarified, “Why would you be killed and raped if they stopped it?” My mom sighed, “Because that’s how families rise and fall in Faerie. When a takeover happens, the ruling family is killed. Everyone is raped and killed. From what Aiden and Arion knew I could not fight back with powers. Which is obviously not true, but they didn’t know that.”

She waved, “Anyway, I fled Faerie. When I did, I took that bracelet off. Your Grandpa Titus and your uncles felt me. Marcus came to me since he was posing as a doctor nearby. He got me out of the hospital, and he took me home to the Hackura realm. It killed them how broken I was.”

She wiped a tear away.

“They put me back together and let me take my time opening up. For a while I only spoke to Marcus. They were determined though and wanted to know me. In all honesty, they saved me and brought me out of my shell.”

She glanced at dad, and he kissed the side of her head.

She told us, “When I turned seventeen, war broke out between the Fairies and Werewolves. When I was nineteen, they all came to the table. Your Fairy uncles agreed to my marriage with your dad for peace.”

I snarled, “They had no right! No right after what they did to give you away!”

My mom smiled and kissed my dad, “No they didn’t, but your dad wanted me, and he gets what he wants.”

Cassie cried, “Are you guys not fated mates? You’re chosen mates?”

I didn’t think that was true, but it would rock her if it was. She believed in fated mates so much, but if chosen ones could look our parents then there was a solid argument for them.

My dad answered, “Your mom is my fated mate, Princess.”

My mom smiled, “I was in the area going to school when Aiden and Arion tracked me down.”

Dad teased, “You were unknowingly driving Thor crazy. He’d never met his fated mate, so he didn’t understand why sometimes we were drawn to an area or why a faint scent was driving us crazy.” She stuck her tongue out at him, and he chuckled.

She continued, “They told me what they’d agreed to. We all knew I had no choice if I wanted them to live despite what they said. While I didn’t know him personally at the time, I knew of your father. Your Uncle Bjourn and Grandpa Titus had me memorize everything about the Conners in case I needed to get help and couldn’t pop or portal home. I knew that if I didn't agree to marry your dad Aiden and Arion would’ve died.”

My dad took her hand, continuing the story, “I knew where she was because I’d had Aiden and Arion followed. She drove here that night, and Thor was on full alert not understanding our mate was closer than she was at school. Caleb came in and told me she was sitting on top of her car near one of our borders overlooking the castle. I went out to meet her, and it was as if I was struck by lightning. After over a decade, my mate was sitting there before me.”

My mom kissed him, “Your dad had no intention of letting me go. I was a little confused because I’d always been told I would not get a mate by Faries. Or that if I did, he wouldn’t want me. I really didn’t think it would be an option for me despite my Hackura family saying otherwise. I couldn’t stand to be touched, but your dad changed all that for me. I do a lot better now.”

I asked, “What does that mean?”

My mom sighed, “I used to be physically ill if men not related to me touched me. That never happened with your dad though. It was different from the beginning in ways I never expected. I experienced what others must.”

Alexander asked, “Huh?”

She explained, “I have never considered a man my quote ‘type’ as my friends and family say. I was never attracted to anyone and felt broken. I was attracted to your dad the moment I saw him. I wanted nothing more than his lips on mine which was quite the damn foreign thought for me.”

She assured us, “Everything between us has been consensual and your father asked me what I wanted, and he listened. Always. That’s what I expect from each of you in any relationships you pursue.”

I was only going to pursue Elise, but Cassie nor Alexander had met their mate yet.

Alexander asked, “How did Uncle Arion die? No one ever says.”

My mom looked down, “After your dad and I got married I went into my concupiscence, and we conceived you guys. The Moon and the Fairy Goddess visited me. The Fairy Goddess gave me protections I didn’t understand. I didn’t know about you three yet.”

Cassie questioned, “How is that possible?”

She explained, “I was just accepting my Fairy side at the time. I could see my own glow, but I didn’t use my Fairy senses to sense how many lights were inside me. I found out about you guys after your dad left for the Summit.”

Cassie interjected, “Without you? He never goes without you!”

My dad sighed, “I made a bad call. It was the tactical response, but it was wrong. The Vampire King at the time had been promised your mom as a pet by Fabian.”

Alexander, Cassie, and I snarled.

My dad snorted, “I felt the same way. He was slated to come to the Summit, and I didn’t want him near her. I thought she would be safer here. I also thought her guard was here. Our people and your grandpa’s were lied to. Her guard wasn’t here, and we were attacked. Communication to us was cut off.”

My mom jumped in, “I fought hard and got the pack to safety. In doing so, I was hit multiple times with iron.”

I winced. My mom kept going, “I almost made it to safety when Arion said my name. I thought he was here to help me. I turned my back on him,”

She teared up, “and I got hit with iron again.”

I was staggered by that admission. Uncle Arion betrayed mom? Alexander surmised, “So you two never bonded. He fractured his very soul, and you didn’t fix him. Good for you, mom.”

My mom winced, “I would’ve. We didn’t know we were the promised siblings at the time.”

Something that obviously hurt her.

She continued, “I was taken and snacked on by four vampires. I was put through SIMS by Fabian.”

Tears escaped my eyes as horror filled me. I knew you didn’t put a pregnant Fairy in SIMS. Uncle Aiden had declared it treason about sixteen years ago which made sense now.

“Arion realized I was twice light bound to your dad and started trying to work with your uncle Aiden to get me back to your dad.”

I asked, “So he betrayed you and Uncle Aiden?”

Mom nodded, “He did. Alania was whispering in his ear.”

I asked, “How do you know that?”

My mom said, “Fabian still pulls me to the Beyond on occasion after a flashback or panic attack where my defenses are lowered. Arion protects me from him now. We’ve talked.”

I looked at my dad.

I knew he hated Uncle Arion and now I couldn’t say I blamed him. My dad said, “Your mom saved herself by killing the Vampire King and brought an enclosure down so we could get to her. Fabian shot your Uncle Arion with iron.”

My mom pursed her lips, “I had no intention of letting Arion die, even before that moment. No matter what he was, Arion was my brother. I tried to use my healing light, but I was so messed up I couldn’t do it. I ordered Masium to take him home and save him. They made it to the healing waters in time.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

Brutus linked, “Our sister needs us.”

I shook myself out of my own grief and hugged Cassie. She was still crying. My mom sighed, “I got back to your dad that day. When I brought the enclosure down, he was ready with the armies, Wolf and Werewolf. Your dad asked Uncle Aiden to stay out of it due to the Vampires, but he wanted to be there.”

My dad snorted, “He was there.”

Mom jolted and stared at him. She whispered, “He was?”

He nodded, “I thought he told you that. He made it rain so I wasn’t covered in blood by the time I reached you.” I’d bet Uncle Aiden did more than that.

She smiled, “I’ll have to talk to him about it. Anyway, your dad brought me home and it was quite the time, but we got to share in the joy of knowing you three were coming.”

She took a deep breath, “After you guys were born, Arion was convinced by Alania and Masium to bring me to Faerie with you three. The day your uncle died, your dad got word that Lucas was under attack and left to go help him. Your Uncle Arion could enchant people to sleep, and the pack went down.”

She winced, “I was also betrayed by some Hackura men who sent all our guards outside. They were attacked and fought their way into us. EJ…”

My mom started crying. I popped beside her, “I’m fine, mom. I’m right here.”

My dad and I rubbed her back.

My mom gathered herself, “EJ had to use his shield to protect you guys. All of you used your powers that day. You boys took Masium down but didn’t kill him. You did kill some of them with your pushing power. Cassie was shooting Fairies with her sunlight. I had to fight Arion.”

Her sorrow was so great I wanted to cry. Brutus was whining in my head.

She wiped her tears, “EJ started crying from the strain of keeping up his shield.”

She locked eyes with me whispering, “You were just a baby. Arion looked away from our fight and I….”

My mom buried her head in her hands and cried her heart out. My dad wrapped her in his arms. I popped to my siblings, and we all hugged each other.

After several moments, my mom said, “God, I’m sorry.”

Alexander consoled her, “It’s fine, mom. You have nothing to apologize for.”

My mom whispered, “I killed him. I killed my big brother. I just couldn’t let him take us from your dad, from our lives. I couldn’t let you all live the life there I did.”

Cassie cried, “Why did you let me go there like nothing happened to you?”

My mom smiled, “It’s a beautiful place. I do better there now, and it’s a part of all of you three. You wanted to go, and I know that heart of yours. You’re so like me, and that streak of Alpha in you is something I deeply admire. You had to go because you felt it was your journey, and I respect that. Your instincts took you there and I wasn’t going to take that away. None of us were.”

I’d bet mom hid a lot of her anxiety in the bond about it though. She had to of.

She added, “Your dad, Uncle Aiden, Grandpa Titus, and I made sure you would be safe. I don’t want you three, or any of your siblings, to have my ghosts there. Things are different now. My problems are mine, not yours. They shouldn’t overshadow your lives.”

Cassie shook her head, “I wouldn’t have gone.”

My mom took her hands, “I wanted you to go. You felt you should go. I always want you to follow your instincts. Your Uncle Aiden and Aunt Lucinda loved having you there. I know you had fun too.”

Cassie shook her head, “I shouldn’t have. Not in a place that brought you such pain.”

My mom hugged her, “That’s just not true. Faerie is not the same place it was when I was there, or you wouldn’t have gone. Your Uncle Aiden has changed so many things. He has loved all of you from the moment he met you. He named you Duke’s and Duchess. My past does not change how much fun you had there. I have my own good memories before I left and since I was able to go back. When I visited and saw how happy Cassie was when she stayed there it felt like getting a piece of my heart back.”

Cassie sank into mom, crying.

Alexander had been quiet. I glanced at him sensing in the bond he was formulating something to say. Finally, he said, “You did what you had to do. From your childhood to the day Uncle Arion died and beyond. You protected us. You need to let it go.”

She admitted, “Sometimes I think I have, then I talk about it. I hate that I killed Arion.”

I reasoned, “If you hadn’t, he’d have been tortured for a long time before he was killed. Dad wouldn’t have let that stand. Maybe you should've let dad do what should’ve been done.”

My mom shook her head, “I couldn’t bear that. He is and always will be my brother no matter his faults.”

Cassie said, “Mom, he betrayed you.”

My mom nodded, “He did. I’ve seen different versions of him though in the Ribbon. Versions where the three of us were as close as we were meant to be.”

She wiped tears away, “I knew he had that in him. Just as I know Alania stopped us from bonding and led him to the path he chose. I know this was a lot to absorb you guys. So, however you want to process this, your father and I support you. I will ask that you not share it with your younger siblings. I plan to sit all of you down when you are sixteen and explain. I will answer any questions you all have now or later as you think of them. So will your dad.”

Cassie asked, “Who’s Claudzilla? I thought she would be in the story. I’ve heard that name.”

My mom said, “She’s a fucking bitch who happens to be the head on your dad’s table.”

I snorted. We’d asked, of course, but they told us they’d tell us one day.

My dad explained, “Claudia had me charmed long before I met your mom. She came back into our lives after we met, and I was an asshole to your mom while I was charmed.”

Cassie gasped, “She what?! But…”

I winced knowing a lot of charms like that can seduce someone to their bed.

My dad quickly interjected, “I never cheated on your mom, that never happened. It didn’t even come close. It was as unfathomable to be with anyone else then as it is now. Your mom has been everything to me from the moment I saw her. That never changed, charmed or not. Your mother had just returned to us from King Damon’s when the Summit was back on. I needed her with me.”

My dad looked as if he was in pain. My mom whispered, “Eric, it wasn't your fault.”

My dad shook his head, “I fought with you and my wolf. I was an ass.”

He turned to us, “I yelled at your mom after I lost control of myself to the charm. I’m not proud of what I did. I could’ve lost her and you guys. I should've been on your mom's side, but I heard Claudia’s first. I believed her without asking your mom what happened.” He looked like he might throw up.

“We figured all that out when we got back. Later, your Grandma Cassandra convinced me your mom needed peace during the rest of her pregnancy. We were getting very specific threats against your mother. I ignored my instincts, something I never want you guys to do, and didn’t tell your mom about the threats.”

How did she manage that? Mom was used to threats, given who she was.

He continued, “I went to a meeting I knew was a trap. I was placed under a very dark spell with your uncles. Your mom showed up and used your guys’ powers. She saved us and so did you three. That’s just a very cursory overview of the situation. I’ll answer all your questions about it as well. My biggest regret in my life is how I hurt your mom then. Charmed or not, she’s my everything. You guys and your siblings are everything to me.” I nodded.

My mom rubbed his hands, “You were charmed. It’s not totally excusable, but you can’t fight the charm without getting angry. You were ready to kill Claudia before we got home from the Summit. You were fighting it for me, for us.”

My dad kissed her, “You are the most amazing woman.”

We all got up and hugged as a family. I was trying to absorb all this information. Cassie whispered, “You promise you’ve never had a problem with dad, right mom?”

My mom replied, “Your dad and I have had fights, but they have NEVER been physical. Your dad would never hurt me. We fight but we talk. I promise I’ve never thought of being with your dad as being with any of my rapists. That has never touched our lives there. Your dad has always been respectful. Does that answer your questions, Cass?”

She nodded.

Alexander questioned, “How did you forgive Uncle Aiden?”

My mom answered, “Quite easily. He didn’t know a lot of what was happening. Even before I knew Alania was the whispering voice, I forgave your uncle.”

I pressed, “How?”

My mom smiled, “I love all your uncle’s. There is nothing they can do apart from hurting you kids or your dad that I would not eventually forgive. I have loved your Uncle Aiden my entire life. I always craved his acceptance. He started to come around even before he knew I had powers. He’s changed and that is not an easy thing for anyone to do. He acted in the way he thought he could protect me because of bad advice he was given. He was emotionally abused and manipulated himself. We have discussed and moved past it.”

Alexander asked, “How bad was it, mom? The beatings, the”

He cut off, “rapes. How bad?”

My mom looked down. Alexander started to cry, “It’s why you’re short, right? It’s why you’re short, but none of us are. It’s why all the Ribbon versions are taller than you. Even just by a little bit. They beat you that badly? They broke your legs, didn’t they?”

My mom nodded, “Every bone in my body was broken multiple times.”

Cassie started sobbing. My mom stood so my dad could take Cassie in his arms. He rocked back and forth, holding her to him. Alexander and I hugged our mom. Tears were streaming down both our faces. Brutus was closed off in our link trying to process it all.

She consoled us, “Guys, it’s ok. I’m standing here with you today. We have our beautiful family and this was a long time ago. I still deal with the ghosts of my past, but that’s what it is. The past. It is ugly and brutal, but it brought me here to you guys. I’d do it all again to end up here with my family.”

I squeezed her tight, “I love you, mom.”

She stood on her tiptoes, and I leaned down. She kissed my cheek, then Alexander’s. She said, “I love all of you.”

I whispered, “You’re the strongest person I know mom.” Alexander agreed, “Me too.” Cassie cried, “Me three.”

My mom gently asked, “Are there any other questions you have for us now?”

We were silent. She assured us, “Again, you can process this at your pace. I’m here for your questions and so is your dad. Your uncles and grandparents are as well.”

I said, “I need to see Elise.”

My mom squeezed my shoulder encouraging, “Go to her then. It’s ok.”

I shook my head because I needed answers first. Brutus was still whimpering but he’d opened our link again. He was clearly not in a talkative mood just yet.

I asked my siblings, “Where are you guys going?”

Alexander shrugged, “To see Uncle Bjourn.”

His eyes were blazing. It took me a minute to realize mine were too. Cassie said, “I just want to lay in mom and dad’s bed. Can we do that together? Like we did when we were little?” She often popped into their room to snuggle. My mom kissed her forehead, “Of course.” They popped away.

I changed my mind because I knew there was someone I wanted to talk to. Alexander said, “You seemed conflicted.”

I explained, “I'm going to see Uncle Aiden first.”

Alexander considered my words. He announced, “I’m coming with you.”

We popped to Uncle Aiden, who appeared to be waiting for us. He pointed to two chairs. There were three out though. He urged, “Ask whatever you want boys.”

I asked, “How could you watch someone hurt mom? I would die before I saw Cassie or Angela beaten! Ever since I was little you always knew everything. How did you not know what was truly happening to mom?”

Uncle Aiden looked away, “I wish I had a better answer for you boys. My father dying was a defining moment for Arion and me. My dad was the strongest of us, and his murder went unsolved. Alania turned cold, or so we thought at the time. She had always shown us a false face. We didn’t know the version of her that came out after my dad died was actually her true self.”

He rubbed his temples, “We were taught partial Fairies didn’t have powers. That they were less than us. I was always so conflicted about the things I was told had to happen with Haley. Because from the moment she was born I loved your mother. She was such a beautiful baby and child.”

He admitted, “The first time I found out she’d been beaten I nearly killed the Fairy that did it. Fabian pulled me off him at the last moment then told me to go see my mother. To my shock, she admonished me. She told me to remember what could happen if we lost power.”

Uncle Aiden looked away, “Arion was devastated we had to allow this to happen or watch for enemies everywhere. Despite what you might think of me at this moment, you cannot hate me more than I hate myself for those years.”

I asked, “What happened to that Fairy?”

Uncle Aiden smirked, “I can tell you what I suspect happened to him, but officially it’s unsolved to this day. He recovered from the wounds I’d caused and never went near your mother again. Then, several years later he was beaten to death. His murderer was not caught, but I believe it was your Uncle Arion.”

Alexander asked, “Why do you think that?”

Uncle Aiden smiled, “I trained with my brother, meaning I know his style as you know yours. I would be stunned if he didn’t do it.”

I frowned, “Mom doesn’t know that.” Uncle Aiden shook his head, “No, she doesn’t even know I beat the first man who hurt her let alone that Arion killed him.”

I shot back, “Why not?”

Uncle Aiden sighed, “Because it’s not enough.”

Alexander argued, “I think it would mean a lot to her to know.” It would. I asked, “How did you not know the other things? The rapes.” My voice broke. It killed me that this had happened to my mom.

Uncle Aiden sighed, “I was blind. Maybe I wanted to be, but I swear to you boys I would not have allowed that. I traveled often when Haley lived here. My mother had me going places to settle unrest since I was my father’s son. Arion started to join me when he could not stand to see Haley suffer anymore.”

I studied my uncle closely.

I was about to speak when Alexander said, “You look haunted. You have seen ports of what happened to her.”

Uncle Aiden frowned, “I have. Before you ask the answer is no. The pain of viewing that is what gave me my wings. I will give you kids anything, but not that. No one needs to see that.”

I believed him.