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We walked into a forest that got increasingly thicker and darker as we continued. I sincerely hoped we weren’t going into a cave. I’d had a bad enough cave experience to last a life time. I was probably going to have nightmares about Tiffany and being chained against that cave wall for the rest of my life.

“I’m going to take Vera to meet Gareth right away. I’d prefer if you waited outside.” There was a note of finality in Taliana’s voice that let me know she didn’t just prefer it. She was going to insist on it, and I had no problem with it. There was no reason for me to get in the way of the family reunion.

“No, he’s coming with us.” Vera’s words were equally as strong as her mother’s.

I said nothing. This wasn’t my fight.

“Why?” Taliana tilted her head back. “You said yourself you are not involved with him.”

“So? I’m not going to leave him at risk.”

“At risk?” I asked.

“Are you really worried about Jared?” Taliana gave her daughter a knowing look. “I have great faith in our guards showing proper decorum, and Jared seems perfectly capable of looking out for himself.”

Vera grabbed my arm. “Not against an army of bears.”

“Why would you think an army would be after him?”

“You never know. Maybe Gareth wants to get revenge on someone tied to the Laurents.”

Taliana sighed. “Gareth is your father. He is not an evil man.”

“Then why did you run from him? If he’s so good, why didn’t you stay and face your fate?”

I winced. Taliana couldn’t have been happy hearing those words come from her daughter’s mouth.

“Because I was afraid and trying to protect my daughters. A mother will do desperate things to protect her children even if they don’t seem logical. You’ll understand that one day.”

Vera shook her head. “I’m never having kids.”

“You say that now, but you’re still young.”

“Never.” Vera held up her hands in front of her. “I’d be a horrible mother.”

“Why would you say that?” Taliana stopped and blocked Vera’s path. “How could you say that about yourself?”

“You said it yourself. I run from everything. Why would parenting be any different?”

“Because it’s different.”

“Whatever. I’m never having kids.” Vera stepped around her mom and followed the guards as they wove through the forest.

“She hates me.” Taliana fell in line next to me. “My own daughter hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you. She’s scared.”

“Vera doesn’t get scared.”

It was my turn to narrow my eyes. “It’s the fear that makes her run.”

“Not fear the way the rest of us feel.”

“It’s not so different.” I wasn’t sure why I felt like such of an expert on Vera, but I did. As infuriating as she was, I understood her more than I did most women.

“You’re wiser than most men your age.”

“Most people would say the opposite.” I’d been criticized for my rash actions on more than one occasion.

“Maybe at another time, but I doubt anyone would now.” She leaned in. “I know who you are, and I think I may be able to help you.”

My heartrate picked up. I couldn’t push for more yet. Clearly she was trying to keep it quiet. Instead I went back to the original conversation. “If you’d prefer I hang back I will, but it’s hard to say no to Vera.”

Taliana smiled. “I understand that. You clearly comfort her in some way.”

“I don’t know why.”

“Just stay close. Maybe that will be enough for her.”

“Is anything enough for Vera?” She definitely wasn’t easy to please.

Taliana laughed. “You really do know my daughter well.”

“I know both of your daughters, and they’re infuriating, yet intriguing in their own ways.”

“But it’s this daughter you’re really drawn to.” She patted my arm. If she only knew the truth about my relationship with Casey. Hopefully she’d never find out. I wasn’t proud of what had gone down with us.

After a few more miles of walking we reached a clearing, but even here we were still covered by a thick canopy of trees. Stone buildings were tucked into the trees in such a way that you couldn’t see them at first glance, it was very clever camouflage. “Impressive.”

“Glad you can see the beauty in what we have here.”

“How long have you been here? This isn’t new.”

“Our clan has been here for generations. Gareth’s family line has been ruling here since the beginning.”

“That’s a long time.”

“About as long as the Laurents have run The Society.”

“True.”

“But sometimes the most interesting history isn’t about the royal or ruling families. They’re about the others.” Taliana looked toward a large set of stone steps.

“Are you speaking of your family?”

“Partially, as well as yours.” She patted my back. She was so much more prone to touching than most people I knew. It didn’t bother me as much as I’d have thought it would. Maybe it was because she did it genuinely.

“Where to now?”

“We’re heading up those stairs.”

“You’re coming Jared.” Vera looked me right in the eye. I was stuck in the middle, but I’d promised Vera I’d help her. If she was asking for my presence, I needed to give it.

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.” Her intense gaze was unwavering.

“Jared and I already reached a compromise.” Taliana stepped in. “He’ll wait right outside.”

“He’s not worthy of entering?” Vera’s face reddened in what I assumed was anger. “Is that what you’re saying?”

Taliana sighed. “That’s not it at all. You know that. I think you need to meet with your father alone first.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll introduce you and walk outside.”

Vera sighed and looked at me. “If you wait outside that doesn’t mean you can run off.”

“I’m glad you enjoy my company so much, babe. I promise I won’t run away.”

She glared at me. “You don’t want to get on my bad side. “

“I’m sure I don’t.”

I
took each step as slowly as possible. I wasn’t tired. I just wasn’t ready to face Gareth. It was bad enough that I wouldn’t have Jared as my distraction, now mom planned to ditch me. What if the guy hated me? I was already positive I wouldn’t meet his expectations, whatever those were.

“Are you injured?” Mom asked.

“No.”

“Then why are you walking so slowly?”

“I’m taking my time. There’s nothing wrong with that,” I snapped.

“You’ll feel better once you meet him. You’re going to like him. You two have more in common than you think.”

“I thought I got most of my traits from you.”

“Most.” She smiled. “But not all.”

“You better move it. My promise to wait like a good boy might not last forever.” Jared nudged me.

“Oh, it’s going to last.”

Mom laughed. “Are you sure you two aren’t involved?”

“No,” we both said at once.

That made her laugh harder. “Well then maybe you should be. The tension between you two… well let’s say I haven’t seen worse.”

“We’re just friends, if even that.” I didn’t want my mom jumping to any conclusions. “We’re helping each other out.”

“Mm hmm.” She glanced over her shoulder at us. “You look good together as friends anyway.”

“Isn’t having one daughter engaged this week enough?”

Mom smiled. “More than enough. I like Toby.”

“He loves her.” No one could deny that.

“And love’s more than a little bit important.”

“She’s a princess now. Crazy, huh?”

“You’re a princess too.” Mom gave me a knowing look.

“Not like that.”

“Not of an organization like The Society, but of this Clan.”

“But no one’s going to call me that.”

“After your display on the boat?” Mom laughed. “I wouldn’t think so.”

She knocked on a door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She smiled at Jared before the door slowly opened.

“Good luck.” He winked at me.

I frowned. “You better be here.”

“This attachment is actually quite amusing.”

“Of course you think so.” I blinked a few times, trying to prepare myself and followed my mom inside.

“Welcome home, Taliana.” A man I assumed by his clothing and polite address was another guard held open the door. “And who may I ask is this?”

“This is Vera. My daughter.” Mom grinned.

“Astrella?” He leaned in to me, and I stepped back. “I remember you.”

“Do you?” Mom looked between us. “She looks very different now.”

He grinned. “Very different. I can’t believe she’s back.”

“Uh, I don’t remember you.” I didn’t remember anything about Norco Island. I glanced around the stone walled and floored entryway. I could see straight through to what appeared to be a formal sitting room.

Mom and the guard laughed. She looked at me. “You were far too young to remember.”

“Great.”

“Does Gareth know she’s home?” The guard asked.

Mom shook her head. “Not yet.”

The guard nodded. “He’s going to be thrilled.”

“I know. Would you please call him in? Don’t tell him who I have with me.”

“Absolutely.” The guard walked off.

Mom put a hand on my back, and I let her lead me into the large sitting room. “You can have a seat anywhere.” She gestured to a couch and a love seat.

“I’ll stand.”

“If you’re sure.”

“Very sure.” I always felt more secure when I was standing. I didn’t like anyone looking down at me or getting the mistaken impression that I was weak.

“It’s going to be fine.”

“So you say. You have no clue how this is going to go. You’re ambushing the man.”

“He’s not the type to feel ambushed. I assure you it’s going to be fine.”

“Taliana?”

Mom and I both glanced as a tall, broad man walked into the room. His eyes first set on her before moving to me. I forced myself to remain calm.