She ran to the bathroom, nausea overtaking her. She awoke later, her head resting on the toilet seat. She had no memory how she’d gotten to the bathroom.
11
“Hello, Mum.”
Anthea sat on her terrace overlooking the mountains. “Aidan, darling. It’s been so long.”
She was still beautiful, her hair now long and silver, like a luminescent mane around her wrinkled but still lovely face.
“He’s back.”
“Micah, yes. I felt him.”
“How long have you known he was coming?”
“Not long. I wish to see him. Where is he?”
“I didn’t bring him with me. He… He doesn’t want to see you.”
Her head fell to her hands. “I feared that. Even after all these years, he still holds a grudge.”
Though he felt for her, Aidan didn’t have time to indulge his mother’s regrets. “Mum, I’ve found my mate.”
Fear clouded his mother’s face. “You have? And that’s why he’s…”
“Yes. He sensed her also.” Aidan sat down and took his mother’s hand. It wouldn’t do to take a forceful stance with her. She wouldn’t respond. “It’s time for you to tell me the whole truth.”
Anthea didn’t bother to feign ignorance this time. “I suppose it is.” She sighed. “Sit.”
He sat.
“Micah’s father comes from an ancient line called the Highland dragons. My father’s clan was originally Welsh, so I wasn’t familiar with the code binding your father’s line until…well, until after he found out you weren’t his.”
“I see.”
“Your father and I met when I was a girl of sixteen. I fell for him quickly, and we married in haste. Though I adored him, I always felt like a part of me was missing. Then I met Josiah.”
“Da’s half brother.”
“Yes. Your father. He found me, and I knew at once that we belonged together. Yet you must understand, I also knew I belonged to your father. I can’t explain the feeling. It was so overwhelming, and I felt I was being pulled in two opposite directions.
“It happened because Declan’s father’s mother had been unfaithful. She had an affair, and the result was Josiah. Because of the ancient code, when a mate of a Highland dragon male is unfaithful to her husband and both unions result in a son, those sons are fated to be bound to the same mate.”
“I found out the basics when I did some of my own research. But I have to say that none of this makes any sense, Mum.”
“I know it doesn’t. And I don’t know the circumstances of Declan’s mother’s infidelity, but I can say that felt for your father, Josiah, as much as I felt for Declan. I was equally pulled toward both of them and I couldn’t choose between them. I was fated for them both.”
“And you damned Micah and me to the same fate as Declan and Josiah.”
“Unknowingly, yes.”
“But Mum, I’ve found her. I’ve found my mate. Her name is Kristen, and she’s beautiful. She’s fully human. No dragon blood.”
“Not surprising. There aren’t many of the old blood here in the states.”
“But how? How can I be fated for a human?”
“It happens, Aidan. My grandfather bonded with a human.”
“How can I share her with Micah? I’ve already fallen in love with her.”
And he had. With all his heart. He hadn’t realized that truth until this moment.”
“You’ll have to find a way around the code, Aidan.”
“But how?”
“I wish I knew. I’m so sorry to have put this upon you. But there must be a way. I will help you find it. I carry some magic in my line. Perhaps…”
“Even if there is a chance, what of Micah?”
“I had to choose between you long ago. It was forced on me. If I could have Micah back, I’d take him in an instant, but I fear his father has poisoned him against me. Not that I blame him, for what I did to you boys. If I had only known…”
“I know, Mum. I know.”
“We must save your Kristen from my fate. The guilt has eaten at me all these years. I’m no longer living. I’m just alive in death.”
“I’ll figure something out, Mum. I have to.”
“Either he will…or I will.” The serpentine slithering again.
Aidan turned to see Micah striding toward them on the terrace.
“How did you get in here?” Aidan demanded.
“I can still sense our mother.” He turned to her. “I’m sure you’ll forgive me for not visiting before now.”
Anthea’s sad eyes misted, and she nodded. “Yes, I do understand. You look good, Micah.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Mother.”
“I’m not flattering you. I’m just stating the truth. It’s so wonderful to see you.”
“You’ll excuse me if I can’t say the same.”
She nodded again, her eyes sunken. “How is your father?”
“You mean the good son here hasn’t told you?”
Aidan shook his head. “I couldn’t.”
“Let me clue you in, then. He’s dead, Mum. Dead of a broken heart. Same as dear Uncle Josiah. Neither could live without you. Something Da didn’t consider when he kicked you and Aidan out.”