Page 68 of Hers to Keep

“I…I don’t know what to say.I feel awful.”

“You should not.We had a long and glorious life together.She made a choice not unlike the Old One made, to move on after many, many eons.The shard I kept of her was for selfish reasons, but the act of caring for it was what I needed at the time.”He smiled.“I’m glad she found such a worthy home.It is fitting that it was you who rescued me.”

“Okay.”She rested her forehead against his scaly skin.“Thank you.For safeguarding our future.”

Luis huffed with satisfaction.“You are most welcome.”

Epilogue

Marianafussedwiththealignment of the tablecloth for what might have been the tenth time or the fiftieth, she couldn’t even count anymore.

Tilly watched her silently for several seconds and then reached out to cover her hand.“It’s just as straight as it has been the whole time.”

The table in the sitting room was set for high tea for four.She’d moved every cup and saucer and spoon around a dozen times already.Willow sat in one chair reading the book in their lap.

When Tilly spoke, the sphinx looked up.“Perhaps we should call Pris after all?She would be a much better choice for this particular task.”

Mari shook her head.“Absolutely not.It’s her day off.She deserves to enjoy her time with Emil without being bothered by my insecurities.”

“And the last time we called for something while she was there, he gave us an earful of exactly how much she enjoys that time.”Tilly ruffled her blue feathers.“Not in a hurry to hear that again.Made me regret my life choices.Why can’t I find a mermaid who will make me squeal like that?”

Mari cleared her throat.“What she means is that you’re a fine choice.All that’s really needed here is someone to carry the conversation if it seems like I’m flailing.”

“Do we need a safe word?”Willow asked without any hint of a smile.They wore an elegant shift dress in green with a gold ankh necklace encrusted with emeralds.

“I don’t think that will be necessary.I’m more concerned that I won’t be able to come up with anything to talk about that isn’t accusations of abandoning me when I needed her most.”While Mari understood that there was more to the situation than she’d known, that pain was still there, waiting to detonate inside her at the slightest provocation.

“Ahh,” Willow murmured.“I’m familiar with the difficulties of maternal relationships, though of course I have no mother in the traditional sense.”

“Can I ask more about that, or is it considered rude?”

“Not rude.A new sphinx can only be born when one of us dies.Each newborn is given into the care of a seraphim to raise.Phoenixes are much the same, only sometimes they come right back.”

Willow was so calm when they offered the information that it took Mari a few moments to understand what they weren’t saying.“Vincent.”

The sphinx nodded with mouth pinched tight.“He was my parent, if I can be said to have had one.”

Mari’s heart broke.She understood exactly what it meant to have been raised by a man like that.“Oh, Willow.I’m so sorry.”

The revelation also brought a whole new world of hatred for the angel she’d killed, knowing that he had been entrusted with Willow’s life—and he’d offered no comfort and only torment.

Willow shook their head, pausing to wipe at one eye.“I only wish I could have done more to impede his agenda.”

“It wasn’t your responsibility to stop him.I’ve had to come to terms with the same thing.”She straightened her back and offered what she hoped was a supportive smile.“All you can do now is try to help the people he hurt find a way to navigate the fallout.”

“You’re right.The regret doesn’t serve anyone, least of all those he hurt.”

“Which includes you.”

Willow stared at her, dumbstruck, as tears gathered in their dark eyes.They bowed their head, quiet for a long moment before they continued, “It’s easy to forget that, isn’t it?”

“All too easy.”Mari sighed.“But you’re one of his victims too, so the grace and aid you would offer them extends to you too.”

“Can I hug you?”Willow said after a pause.

Mari smiled.“Always.”She waited for the sphinx to make the first move with her arms open and clutched her friend tight once they closed the distance.

Tilly sniffled loudly.“Listen, we can’t all be crying our eyes out when she gets here.What’s she going to think?”

---