Page 84 of The Alpha's Fallen Spell
Leanna settles into her seat gracefully, her keen eyes assessing me in that penetrating way of hers. “You look well, Erik. Better than this morning.” A small smile plays on her lips. “Like you’ve found your purpose.”
I shrug, uncomfortable with her scrutiny. “I’ve been busy.”
“Mm-hmm.” She doesn’t press, turning her attention instead to the menu. After we order, she leans forward slightly. “Finn has been asking about you. He says you promised to teach him some advanced sword techniques the next time we visited.”
The mention of Leanna’s oldest child—a boy I’ve watched grow from an infant to a confident young man—brings a genuine smile to my face. “He has good form. Better than most of my soldiers, if I’m honest.”
“He idolizes you,” Leanna says with a wink. “Always has.” There’s a moment of comfortable silence before she says, “Tell me about her. About Fiona.”
I hesitate, unsure where to begin. How do I describe someone who defies simple categorization? Who has survived the unimaginable and emerged stronger, more vibrant?
“She’s...” I pause, searching for the right words. “Remarkable. Resilient in ways that shouldn’t be possible. She was held captive for twenty years, experimented on, tortured. And yet, she’s built this life for herself—this café that has become a gathering place, a community. She employs people who might not be able to find work elsewhere. Takes care of them.”
Leanna listens intently, nodding.
“She has this smile,” I continue, warmth unfurling in my chest as I speak. “Not the polite one she uses with customers,but a real one that lights up her entire face. It’s rare, but when it happens...” I trail off, suddenly self-conscious. “And her eyes,” I add before I can stop myself. “They’re this stormy gray that changes with her mood. When she’s excited about something, they practically glow. She loves thrilling experiences—skydiving, rock climbing. Anything that gives her a rush of adrenaline.” I shake my head, remembering the flying lesson. “She’s learning to pilot a plane. You should see her face when she takes the controls; it’s like she has discovered the secret to happiness.”
I look up to find Leanna watching me with a knowing smile.
“What?” I ask.
“You sound like a man in love,” she says simply. “Completely, utterly in love.”
I don’t deny it. What would be the point?
Leanna’s expression turns serious. “If you love her this much, why did you reject her? I want the truth, Erik. Not the politically convenient version.”
Our food arrives, giving me a moment to collect my thoughts. When the server leaves, I meet Leanna’s gaze directly.
“I thought I might have to lay down my life for the kingdom. It’s always been a possibility—one I accepted.” Absently, I push the food around on my plate with my fork. “I didn’t want her bound to me if that happened. She has already suffered enough loss, enough pain.” I take a breath, forcing myself to continue. “I wanted her to be free to find someone ordinary. Someone who could make her happy without the complications that come with my position. Someone whose duty wouldn’t always come first.”
Leanna watches me steadily.
“I did choose the kingdom,” I admit. “But I also chose what I thought was her happiness. She deserved better than a mate who might not come home one day.”
“You haven’t changed at all,” Leanna says quietly. “Still willing to sacrifice yourself for everyone else. Still convinced youknow what’s best for those you love.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand gently. “Has it occurred to you that maybe, just maybe, what Fiona needs most is the choice you took away from her? The chance to decide for herself what risks are worth taking?”
The question strikes uncomfortably close to home. Before I can respond, a familiar scent catches my attention—citrus and coffee and something uniquely Fiona. I turn sharply, scanning the restaurant, but see nothing.
“What is it?” Leanna asks, noticing my distraction.
“I thought I smelled—” I shake my head. “It’s nothing. Just my imagination.”
Leanna studies me for a moment longer before returning to her meal. “I’d like to meet her one day,” she says casually. “This woman who has finally captured your heart so completely. She must be quite special.”
“She is,” I agree. “And yes, I’ll introduce you. Eventually.”
Leanna grins, a knowing look in her eyes. “So, do you have a plan to win her over? Or are you just going to brood intensely in her general direction and hope she notices?”
Despite myself, I laugh. “I’m trying everything. I stayed away from her the first time because I was scared of falling too deeply. But now, the more I get to know her, the deeper I fall.” I shake my head. “It’s not just about protecting her anymore. It’s about protecting the life she’s built, the independence she’s fought so hard for.” I hesitate, then voice the concern that has been growing since our conversation this morning. “The mating mark would keep her safe, but what would it mean for her life? The mate of a commander can’t run a small-town café. She’d be a target—for political adversaries, enemies of the kingdom.” I push my plate away, my appetite gone. “Sometimes I feel like I’m acting against her best interests, no matter what I do. That pursuing her at all is selfish, even if I am trying to save her life.”
“You need to be honest with her,” Leanna says firmly. “About all of it—the danger, the mark, your feelings. If you truly love her, you should be able to protect her happiness, not merely her physical safety.”
“Like you and Cedric?” I challenge gently. “You gave up your private investigator business to marry him and go live with him in the North.”
Leanna raises an eyebrow. “Did I? Last I checked, I’m still running my network of PI firms. We’ve expanded into all three kingdoms now.”
“That’s different,” I argue. “You work remotely. You have different priorities—your family, Cedric.”
