“All retired at least two hours ago, the fortress rests.” He walked over to the fireplace and after a few moments he returned with a tray. “I have kept this goose pie hot for you.”
Mary licked her lips and rubbed her hands together.
He placed the silver tray on her lap and placed a cloth upon her chest.
“Tell me why you would suffer more if you did not love me.”
Mary took several spoonfuls before offering an explanation. “To have never known such a wonderful love existed would have caused more suffering in my life. I would have forever wondered about love and why I could never find it.”
“You would have found another love.”
She shook her head. “You are my destiny.” The seer was right. Decimus was her destiny and she planned on seeing to his demise, so that Michael could live.
“Destiny makes the choice for us then.”
“Destiny presents us with choices; it is up to us. Destiny presented us to each other; it is our decision what we do with our love.”
“We have no choice in this matter,” he insisted.
“But we do.”
“You know I cannot walk away from those who need my help,” he said, frustrated by his own reasoning.
“Everything changes yet remains the same.”
He shook his head. “You said that before falling asleep and I wondered what you meant.”
“You fight for the innocent who suffer, but the innocent continue to suffer. No matter how many people you free, there will always be more people who need freeing. Thus, things change, yet remain the same. Only until man opens his mind and heart together, will ample change take place. You should be aware of this since you spoke with my father and know of his teachings.”
“Some teachings are easier to learn and practice than others. But tell me, could you have allowed Jenna and William to suffer?”
“Not when I had it in my power to see them free.”
“Then how do I walk away knowing countless people will suffer because I was not there to save them?” he asked.
“There will always be countless people you cannot save, perhaps it is time to change your fighting tactics.” She hurried her hand to her mouth to cover the huge yawn that attacked her.
“You need more rest,” he said and reached for the tray, most of the goose pie gone.
She snuggled down under the blanket. “You will join me?”
He placed the tray on the table and returned to the bed to kiss her cheek. “I will join you shortly.”
One tired eye widened. “I had forgotten. We have visitors.”
“Someone in particular who is determined to see you well and gone from this fortress.”
“Reena.” Mary smiled. “I look forward to speaking with her. And Brigid, she is well?”
“She sat with you while you slept.”
“It is so good to have caring friends.” She yawned again.
“Sleep,” he urged her. “You will visit with them tomorrow.”
Her eyes were already drifting shut and her words a mere mumble. “I love you.”
He sat watching her sleep, thinking of his love for her and the tiny babe that nestled safely in her stomach. He would protect them both with his life never letting any harm come to either of them. That was the very reason he was sending her away, to keep his family safe. He had been unable to protect his family once; he would not see it happen again even if it meant he could not be with them.
But her words had made sense. How long could he continue leading this double life before someone discovered his secret? How many could he save and how much of a difference did it make?
Was there a way for them to be together?
Did he dare hope that they had a chance?
He shook his head and walked to the window, leaning against the wall and looking out on total darkness. He had lived in the shadows for over twenty years and was barely thirty and four years. How much longer could he exist in darkness?
Had not his path been defined for him after losing his family? Had he not made a pledge to avenge their deaths? Had he not kept it?
He had placed his family in danger once before because he listened to others’ opinions. He could not be persuaded again to make a foolish choice. He had to know his wife and child would be safe, and they could only be safe far away from him.
As much as it hurt him to let Mary go, he had no choice. He would make plans and see that Roarke took her to safety, and he would say his last goodbye to her and his unborn child.Mary woke to a delicious scent and found Reena and Brigid sitting at the table in her bedchamber whispering and eating.
“Save some for me, I am starved,” she said and threw the blanket back to hurry out of bed.