Page 16 of Bianca and the Monsters

“I will never deny you, Lady Bianca. I know we are new to you, but you are so familiar to us that we have no doubt that you are the source of all we hope to have fulfilled in our lives. You are the anxiously anticipated final member of our family. We’ve imagined this moment so many times and wondered whether we should gently ease you into what you mean to us, but now that we have reached this moment, that seems ridiculous. You can choose not to join our family, or you can choose to become forever part of us. But not for one second do we want you to think we’ve brought you here on a whim. You are our constant, not a fleeting moment.”

Tears bloom again. How is it possible to be unseen for so long and then to step through a portal and feel alive and visible more profoundly than ever?

Pennie looks at me like Nico does—like I’m wondrous. I could belch like a drunken sailor, never shave my legs again, or give up showering for a year, and they would still look at me exactly like this.

I’m perfect in their eyes.

I’m their constant.

“Thank you,” I mutter and brush away the rogue tears on my cheeks. “If you’ve been watching my life, then you know how much that meant.”

“I won’t ever lie to you,” Pennie declares. “Those…menwho did—you have no idea what a challenge it was to allow them to continue breathing. But I’ve lived a very long life and know better than to potentially kill a bloodline for the sins of one man. The great grandchildren of tyrants could be the ones who save the world. It’s wrong to ever play recklessly in lineages when the unintended consequences can never be known.”

“Yes, I can see that. One woman’s monsters might be another woman’s dream, right?” I’m grinning. Those one-syllable twerps have no idea how close they came to an untimely end, just for being crappy lovers. But, honestly, I’m so grateful for their failings that the weight of my grudge is lightening by the second.

My father asked whether I wanted the life those men would have provided and only a step into this miraculous place, I already know that nothing about the life I would have lived with any of them would ever have been enough for me.

“I want to meet Taran,” I blurt, feeling a pull toward this stranger that I can barely understand. “And Lord Clumberton.”

Pennie gestures toward the path that winds between the trees and Nico claims my hand as we walk toward what might be my future, but at the very least, is a worthy adventure.

I’m just relieved I didn’t get allMcNastyright in the woods. Look at my restraint… we’ll just see how long it lasts.

Chapter13

Taran

I’m standing with Archie on the drawbridge as the clouds build and then clear, allowing the sun’s best rays to shine down on us in an epic way.

“Oh my…” Archie’s tone is reverent at seeing Lady Bianca—I can’t think of her as just Bianca anymore—Pennie, and Nico walking toward us.

Lady Bianca holds Nico’s hand and my heart flutters in time with my feathers. She looks perfect with him, so comfortable and happy as she smiles at us.

Nico escorts her toward us and they pause just a few feet away. I’m only feet from Lady Bianca. And Nico is home safe. Hope’s wings beat strongly within me.

“Lady Bianca, this is Lord Archibald Maximillian Clumberton, of the most ancient royal blood. His people were kings and queens when your world was inhabited by dinosaurs.”

Lady Bianca grins up at Archie, whose hue is darkening by the second, and it appears he’s lost his ability to speak.

So I nudge him.

“Right, yes—Lady Bianca, welcome to our home. Please stay forever.”

I elbow him in the ribs, while Lady Bianca’s smile widens.

“Your castle is amazing. Thank you for inviting me for a visit.”

Archie mumbles, “Yes, of course, but you really should visitforever.”

Pennie steps toward me and turns back to Lady Bianca. “And this is Taran, a beloved member of our family.”

Lady Bianca’s gaze travels from the mighty height and width of Archie down to me, eye level for her. Then she gapes at me, her expression filled with shock in a way that rattles my nerves.

Without thinking, I extend my feathered hand to her and she quickly steps away from Nico to take my hand in hers.

Before I know what’s happening, I’m on my knees before her, my origin feather singing within me, a song I’ve never heard. The origin song—a faint memory tickles me of this mythical event only experienced by the few Tarans who live free long enough to find their true mistress or master.

I can’t raise my eyes to meet hers, afraid to reveal myself to her, to see her confusion, shock, or displeasure. But then she’s on her knees before me, forcing my face up with her free hand, while not releasing our joined hands.

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