Fates Altered: Epilogue

“She looks like you,” Theda said, lying on the floor and smiling at their daughter.

The baby sat on her round bottom and waved a colorful ball with tiny holes for her fingers back and forth. For the moment, Elena was stationary, but the minute her attention wandered she’d be up and walking around like a drunken sailor.

Theda was exhausted from chasing their daughter around all day, but happier than she’d ever been in her life.

Alex quickly toed off his boots and dumped his coat beneath the front door, not even bothering to hang it. He rushed into the kitchen to wash his hands, then plopped down on the floor beside them. “She’s way too pretty to look like me. Her hair is darker than yours, but see”—he held up a strand of the baby’s hair—“my hair is black and our daughter’s is this reddish brown. She gets that from you. And her eyes… She has the most beautiful eyes.”

Theda couldn’t argue. Elena had inherited both of their traits. She might be biased, but she thought they’d created the most beautiful child inside and out. At one year old tomorrow, Elena was sweet, with such a gentle soul. And with a lot of energy.

When Theda discovered she was pregnant, she was shocked. How could she conceive so quickly? It was extremely rare among her kind, and she and Alex had only been intimate the one time without precautions to prevent pregnancy. But when Leti had suggested Theda take a pregnancy test, she did as her sister-in-law said. Apparently, Theda’s sudden craving for meat in large quantities had tipped off her friend, who was more experienced in these things. Alex and Theda soon discovered the truth.

A daughter. He’d given her a baby girl.

He sniffed. “I think she needs a diaper change.”

Theda raised her eyebrow.

“Right.” He hid his smile. “My turn.”

Whenever Alex came home, he went straight to Theda and their child. He wasn’t afraid to change the baby’s diapers, and he still cooked for them—mostly because Theda never quite mastered it and burnt more meals than she cared to admit. Fortunately, her daughter mostly ate baby food, and they’d only just started her on regular milk.

Theda leaned over Elena so that the baby could play with her amethyst necklace while Alex made quick work of changing the diaper. As soon as he finished and cleaned up, he grabbed a notepad and leaned against the couch, a lock of black hair falling over his forehead as he studied his daughter with an artist’s eye.

He had begun sketching again. She’d noted the sketches in his house when she’d first arrived, but she’d not once seen him create anything. Until she became pregnant with their child. And then her husband sketched nonstop. Landscapes, images of the family—images of Theda, though those had always concerned her.

She’d never stopped worrying that her father would find her, or that another tracker would return. Most of the time, she hid the sketches Alex created of her or destroyed them entirely, though it pained her to do so. She loved everything he created and framed as many of them as she could. But she feared images of her were too dangerous to have around. And whenever a friend or family member wanted to take a picture of her, she always made sure to look down at the baby or turn her head away at the last second.

But the sketches Alex made of Elena—Theda had an entire baby book full of them. One day, she would show them to her daughter.

She shook a plastic rattle Mateo had outgrown above Elena, and the baby climbed to her feet to reach for it.

“Would you like me to make something for dinner?” she asked.

Alex looked up, his eyes telling her everything he was thinking.

She smacked his arm. “Wretched man. I already made something. In the slow cooker. And it’s Leti’s recipe, so it’s safe.”

He grinned mischievously. “I don’t know. Slow cookers. A lot can go wrong when you throw things in a slow cooker.”

He was making fun of her. And she loved it. So much so that she tossed his notepad to the side and lunged across his lap, kissing his neck. She’d never tire of her husband’s scent—like the outdoors and everything comfortable mixed in one.

Alex chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. “At least our daughter will grow up knowing how much her parents love each other, since you can’t keep your hands off me.”

She pinched his waist and he laughed some more. “I believe it’s the other way around.” She gave him a knowing look.

“Last night was definitely all me. It’s your fault for wearing that naughty lingerie Leti gave you at the wedding shower.”

“It was getting dusty in my dresser drawer. I thought it needed to be aired out.”

“Oh, it was aired out, all right—taken off and thrown right into the air the second you slipped it on.”

She laughed and kissed his lips. “Everything’s set for tomorrow?”

“Pretty sure Old Bob’s entire workforce will be there.” He kissed her neck and slid his palms up her top. “How will I keep my hands off you until they’re gone?”

“By being good, you naughty man.”

The next day, the house filled with family and friends to help celebrate Elena’s first birthday. Theda never could have imagined such happiness if she hadn’t been living it.

“Hand her over, sis. Let me get a snuggle from my little niece.” Tony leaned down and cooed in Elena’s upturned, smiling face, and Theda handed her daughter to him.

She smiled, watching Elena squeeze Tony’s nose. He made a loud honking sound and the baby erupted in giggles.

There was nothing more beautiful than her child’s laughter—

A knock sounded at the door.

Theda heard it because of her heightened senses, but it was too loud in the room for anyone else to note. Even Alex, who was gobbling up a slice of cake as he discussed plans for the new irrigation system with his father, hadn’t heard the sound.

He looked at her directly, as if he’d sensed her staring, and his mouth broke out into a wide smile. He winked.

Theda’s face heated. This man… She’d never known a man could be so kind—and, well, appealing. If they were not playing with their daughter, they were kissing. She wasn’t pregnant yet, but at this rate, they’d have another child soon.

Imagine what her father would think if he knew she’d conceived so quickly. If only Fae understood the happiness a union with a human could bring. But Fae believed power and magic were all that mattered.

If her father knew she’d borne a half-human child… A stinging shiver racked her body. He could never know. He’d take Elena and wait to see if she possessed powers. They came from a strong noble line and there was a good chance Elena would grow up to possess a magical ability. And if her daughter did…Theda couldn’t think of it. She’d have to prepare Elena once she was older.

Whatever circumstances lay ahead, Theda would protect her daughter at any cost.

The door…

She wiggled past friends and neighbors crowding the small living room, but a sinking feeling settled in her belly. It had been over two years since she’d run from Tirnan, but the fear of being found never quite left her. She’d married, had borne a child, and no one had found her after the tracker. There was no reason to believe someone would today of all days.

She took a deep breath and opened the front door with a smile on her face, expecting another group of friends to have arrived.

But the person at the front door wasn’t a friend.

No. NO. Her body turned hot, then ice cold with fear.

Adelmar Lucent stood on the porch in all his arrogant glory. “Hello, Theodora. I’ve come to take you home.”

She’d softened since leaving Tirnan—grown more human, allowing her emotions to show. But she couldn’t afford to reveal what she felt right now. “I won’t go.”

He peered over her head into the room. “You will, or everyone in this dwelling perishes. Is that what you wish?” He snarled down at her. Gone was the handsome courtier who’d at least pretended to admire her once upon a time. “To see your little human friends die in front of you?”

Adelmar could set things on fire—with deadly precision. If he wanted, he could burn each person in the room and not touch a single piece of furniture.

Instinctively, Theda reached for the satchel at her waist, but it wasn’t there. Neither was her dagger. She’d stopped wearing them a year ago after the birth of her child. She hadn’t wanted the baby to accidentally touch them when she was holding her. “Why?” she asked, unable to stifle the desperation in her voice.

He leaned forward, his long, light brown hair sliding over his handsome forehead. “Because you made me look like a fool,” he growled.

“Is that what you want? To marry me? Because—”

“That opportunity has passed,” he said sharply. “There will be no marriage for you. Not anytime soon. And not with me. I seek a woman of quality. Not this”—he sniffed, his face twisted in disgust—“disgrace of a female.”

“Then why must I return?”

“Because the king, your father, wishes it. Don’t make me wait, and don’t make me angry, Theda. I just might kill all of these people for the pleasure of it.” His pale blue gaze wandered lustfully over the crowd.

Theda swallowed and took a deep breath. She didn’t dare look at her husband and child for fear Adelmar would target them. “I will—go with you,” she managed to get out. “Will that make you happy?”

He looked down, emotionless. “No. But it will do for now.”

“On one condition.”

He chuckled darkly. “You truly believe you are in a position to make demands?”

“They”—she turned her head slightly, indicating the crowd behind her—“must not know where I’ve gone. I don’t want them to try to find me.”

“Of course not.” He huffed. “Humans must never know of our presence. But have you kept it a secret? Are you certain no one knows who you are?”

Theda’s mind flashed to her daughter and the potential powers she might possess one day. Even if Theda’s ability was considered weak, her daughter’s could be powerful. Everyone in the Rainer family line had a powerful ability except for Theda.

Adelmar hadn’t mentioned the child. Not once. Which meant he didn’t know about her. Or, at least, she prayed he didn’t. No one would suspect she’d had a child in such a short amount of time.

“They don’t know of Fae,” she said, her voice strong and clear.

Her past was the one secret Theda had kept from Alex. And now she must leave him, and he would never understand.

Her throat turned thick with emotion. She had to do this. It was the only way to keep them safe.

“Good.” Adelmar tipped his head to the side. “Go to the back bedroom. My men have created a portal on the outside wall. I’ll meet you there.”

Theda nodded but held the door partway open, blocking the view of her guests. “How did you find me?”

He smirked. “I made friends with an Oldlander in the Earth realm. She was very accommodating. She helped me find all Fae within a five-hundred-mile radius, which was how I learned of the tracker who’d passed through here. We found his body, by the way.” He shook his head. “A shallow grave? So disrespectful. It didn’t take long to find you after that.” He glanced down at her bracelet. “I’m assuming you thought the magical jewelry would keep you safe? Even your muted energy level couldn’t hide you once we were close enough.”

It had kept her safe—long enough for her to know true happiness.

“We’ll find whoever helped you murder the tracker and kill them, you can depend on it.”

Her mind raced to Alex. “How could a human kill one of us? I am to blame.”

He scanned her briefly, a glint of admiration in his eyes. “I didn’t think you had it in you. If so, his death will be one more item you must atone for. Go back now, and don’t hesitate; the portal will not last forever. You know what will happen if you make me angry.” He glanced suggestively over her shoulder at her family and friends.

She nodded and closed the door, slowly turning to the crowd. Alex was staring at her, a frown on his face as he made his way over.

He slipped his arms around her waist. “Who was that? You look upset.”

It was a testament to how she’d changed since arriving in the Earth realm, and how well Alex knew her, that he could tell her feelings so clearly.

She smiled. “I’m fine.” And she would be once she knew her family was safe. “It was only a man wishing to show me his magic tricks.”

“Magic tricks? Like a traveling carnie? Here?”

“Something like that. I sent him away.”

A sharp pain speared her chest, her stomach roiling. The notion of leaving her husband and daughter was nearly unbearable. But if Adelmar knew of them…he’d have them killed in front of her.

If she could save Alex and Elena, living without them would be worth it.

She leaned up and kissed her husband with all her love, all her passion for him.

His arms tightened on her waist. “After we put the baby to bed—” His brow quirked suggestively.

She smiled in spite of the tears welling behind her eyes. She blinked and shook them off. How could she leave him? “Later,” she whispered.

And in her mind, she intended to keep that promise. She would stop at nothing to make sure her family was safe and to return to them.

Theda glanced past Alex. She hadn’t much time. “Where’s the baby?”

“Charming Tony.”

She squeezed Alex’s hand and stepped toward their beautiful child, with the dark curls and light eyes that were a mix of her and Alex.

She pulled Elena from the arms of her uncle, who appeared put out that she’d taken the baby while they were having their fun.

They would protect Elena. Alex, yes, but his family too. Even little Mateo cared for the baby and made funny faces to make her laugh. If Theda had to leave, at least she’d be leaving Elena where she was loved. Protected.

To have been given this beautiful family was more than Theda had ever wished for. That she had them for such a short time…

Her hands shook and her body grew even colder. No, she’d return. They would be together again—she had to believe that.

Theda nuzzled Elena close, breathing in her baby scent. “I love you,” she whispered. “More than you will ever know.”

She quickly wiped a tear that had escaped before she handed the baby back to Tony, who had Mateo in one arm and was waiting for Elena to fill the other. Alex had been stopped by Leti, and they were talking animatedly about whether Old Bob would begin paying Alex’s father’s pension. Legal documents had been drawn up and it sounded like it would happen in the coming year, and then her family’s financial future would be safe too.

Theda swallowed and allowed herself one last look at each of them: Tony, Leti, Mateo, and her precious Elena. Her husband she saved for last.

He glanced up, his face still holding signs of concern. But Theda smiled away the worry and walked toward the back bedroom, knowing Alex would soon follow—that he’d seen through her fake smile.

She closed and locked the door behind her.

He couldn’t come inside. Not until she’d gone.

She glanced at the exterior wall. A shimmer was present, a sign that the portal had been created—and would not likely last long, since it was only temporary.

Her hands shook, her heart nearly tearing from her chest. She had to do it. Had to. She couldn’t remain and keep her family safe. But stepping forward drained every ounce of essence she possessed. To leave Alex and Elena might kill her. But this wasn’t about her. This was about saving them.

She unclasped her amethyst necklace, the one her mother had given her. The only sentimental piece of her past she’d taken on her way from Tirnan. She set it gently on the nightstand for Elena until she could return. For that was the only thing moving her feet forward—the belief she’d be back.

Grabbing a piece of paper and pencil from the nightstand drawer, she wrote a quick message to her husband.

She kissed the note, her throat tightening, and set it on Alex’s pillow before crossing the room to her sock drawer, where she grabbed her pouch of allon powder. She hadn’t dared use it after she’d signaled the tracker last time, but she would use it now.

Taking out a pinch, she whispered a command to Lucho and blew the magical powder into the air. A second later, she heard the dog—so well behaved since she’d arrived—howling in the living room.

A commotion arose outside her bedroom door, and then the telltale sound of the back door closing as Tony or Alex took the dog into the backyard.

“Goodbye, Lucho,” she whispered to the sweet dog who’d become her friend, and who’d provided a lifesaving distraction.

Just as the portal began to fade, Theda grabbed one of Alex’s sketches of their infant daughter.

The sound of pounding came from the bedroom door, the knob rattling. “Theda!” Alex called.

She squeezed her eyes tight against the urge to go to him, hid the sketch beneath her clothing, and leapt through the portal.