Page 89 of Silverproof Damsel

“Father,” I whispered through the emotion narrowing in my throat. “I thought I lost you.”

His palm lifted, curling over my cheek with familiarity, welcoming warmth. “My fire was extinguished so that yours would burn brighter. To unleash your flame, another had to burn out. I’m the only one who could make the sacrifice for you, little bird.”

“That’s not fair,” I stated as red, glowing tears trailed down my cheeks in the reflection in his eyes.

“This world can only hold one of our kind. If another appears, wildfires begin to burn. This world isn’t ours, nor can we flourish to our fullest capabilities here. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become, Remington. Do not grieve for me. I fulfilled my promise to Verity Silversmith. I vowed to ensure her line would survive at all costs. Inside of you, her granddaughter will be born of both breeds, ensuring peace. You’ve done what I created you to do perfectly. Now, keep the peace between the houses as I did before you. Humans are not part of this war, nor can you allow them to suffer for the sins of the immortals. You are now their protector and peacekeeper of the immortal houses.”

Geoffrey placed a chaste kiss on my forehead, then turned toward Rhys. “I gave my vow to your mother, Van Helsing. I give you this vow now. Should you harm my daughter, I’ll return to destroy the very fabric of this world. She’ll survive the flames, aswill your daughter. You and those around you? Will burn with those you govern over. Remington is not her mother. Roslyn was a poison that burned everything she touched. Remington’s a salve meant to soothes the damages her mother caused. Mistreat her, and I’ll ensure you feel every loss before you succumb to the flames yourself.”

“I understand you, Phoenix King.” Rhys’ words caused my eyes to widen, turning to find Geoffrey smiling at me. “She’s a part of my soul. I cannot hurt her without hurting myself. I ensured it to be so when I claimed her.”

“Live and love, daughter. Know that I may not be with you, but I will always be a part of you.” Geoffrey vanished before I could say goodbye, causing tears to burn in my eyes.

“I love you, Father,” I whispered into the wind, hearing his reply carried back upon it.

“You are my heart, Remington. Live well and always remember who you are and where you’ve come from.”

Chapter Forty-Two

Anentireweekpassedin eerie silence. All around me, a pregnant silence encompassed the air in town. Time moved by slowly, as if it too held its breath. I was having a hard time trusting the peace that settled over the Silversmith household.

We’d buried Smith and Weston beside Colt, at least what we were able to recover from the compound. My flames had left the place a charred, ruined mess. Nyota had shown up with their corpses; they both had silver threaded throughout their bones. It was how we knew it was them.

I asked Nyota about Rhys, but she shrugged and told me he needed time to handle something unfolding in town. According to her, the Hunters Guild was dealing with issues after the loss of Xavier Anderson.

Downtown, I’d witnessed his daughter, Xariana, fighting off an attack. It wasn’t something I’d thought to walk upon, but it had given me a chance to see Rhys, who was overly protective of Xariana, briefly.

Forged Desires was coming together quickly ever since Rhys had released Nyx’s funds. She’d hired a few nymphs, much to thevexation of the demon twins. Enzo and Ezekiel had been vocal in their disagreement about our establishment being on prime real estate, while also employing all nymphs.

Nyx had also begun telling everyone that if they worked for us, they could become part of our house. I hadn’t been granted the right to create my house, but I hadn’t corrected her, either. If it was garnering some interest in joining her to bring in revenue, then far be it from me to argue otherwise.

I was willing to do whatever it took to gain stability for my child. If it were only me depending on this business being successful, that was one thing. It wasn’t, though. Nyx had sunk her remaining savings she had into the bottom half of Forged Desires. Bullet was about to need necessities to survive.

I couldn’t even begin to purchase what was needed for the forge or my half of the business. Rhys hadn’t released the hold he’d placed on my funds. He’d left them locked, which forced me to depend on the charity of others.

Winchester assured me she’d provide whatever I needed. I didn’t want to depend on anyone but myself. I’d been self-sufficient since I’d left home before my eighteenth birthday. To fail now, as an adult, would derail my confidence. I was barely keeping my shit together.

“You’re sulking again,” Winnie claimed, frowning as she plopped down beside me. “If you continue, you’ll end up with wrinkles before you hit immortality.”

“If I hit immortality. At this point, I’m not sure I will make it, Winnie.”

Her face fell, tears swam in her ice-blue eyes as her head slowly shook. “Don’t ever say that to me again. I raised you better than that, Remington Alaina. Whatever pity party you’re throwing for yourself? It ends now. I’ve allowed you an entire week to sulk about the chateau. It ends now.” Her tone stiffened, eyes thinning on me. “If he cannot see what a gift you are,then he doesn’t deserve you. I know I’m biased, but you truly are worthy of being loved. You have a line of men who’d love to be with you. The fact that you’re having another man’s child hasn’t altered their desire for you.” Rising, she moved toward the fireplace, kneeling before it. Grabbing a log, she tossed it on the glowing embers.

The scent of burning tamarack soothed the storm of emotions churning through me. Turning to face me, she smiled tightly.

“You don’t even know if you’d want to spend your life with him. The two of you’ve barely spent time together. Normally, you’d have started dating before moving into his house. That’s a huge part of getting to know one another. You didn’t get that, Remi.”

Snorting, I felt my forehead creasing as I considered what she’d said. “It wasn’t a crush or a passing fancy. I don’t want anyone else. I know who Rhys is. He’s the man I fell in love with before our mother returned, destroying everything we’d created together. When I see my future, he’s the one I see myself with. I want him to help me raise our child together. I don’t care who wants or desires me. I want and desire him.”

“Is that so, Love?” Rhys’ whiskey-smooth, deep timbre sounded from behind me, forcing me to turn, staring up into sparkling azure eyes.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, then swung a suspicious glare toward Winchester, who smiled impishly.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she muttered as she rose, dusting her palms off on her jeans. “I called him and told him if he didn’t want you, he needed to let you go. He can either fix what he broke, or we can go to war. As the person who raised you, I’d prefer he choose the first choice.” Smiling impishly at me, she shrugged. “You’ll not be disturbed. I’ve instructed the others to avoid this room. I suggest you both figure it out together.”

“You set me up?” I accused, even as my heartbeat thundered against my ribcage. Winchester smirked, but rounded the couch, standing toe-to-toe with Rhys.

“That girl is too damn good for you. For some crazy reason, she’s chosen you and refuses to listen to reason,” she muttered, then glanced toward me. “Remington is everything good in this world. She’s bright, beautiful, and innocent of any wrongdoing to you or your family.” With that, she exited the room, leaving me alone with Rhys.

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