"Why cannot I see my daughter?" Eve demanded.

Thane looked away from the expanse of green grass and flowerbeds among the trees and benches. His eyes rested on a blond-haired boy tossing a ball around with a dog chasing it, then moved on.

Was he ever that carefree and happy? No. His father was not a man for frivolous things, and Thane's childhood memories were of studying, learning, and preparing for his "bright future." Allowing him no real childhood.

"Because she broke the law, nearly killing seven people."

What was the point of him meeting her if he already knew what this was all about? Did he just want to see her? Spend some time in her company, even knowing there was no way to make peace with this woman he had so deeply harmed. How can you be so passionate about someone and still cause them so much harm?

"Human prisons allow family members to come and see the inmates."

The vulnerable set of her lips, the way she kept opening and closing her hands, and the tightness of her shoulders spoke of worry and fear.

"We're not human, and until the council reaches a verdict, she may not have visitors."

"Why? What will it change if I just make sure she's unhurt?"

"Why would she be injured?" he asked, and she frowned thunderously.

"Your track record with your loved ones isn't exactly great," she said, rubbing her temple.

The familiarity of that movement reminded him of a much younger and less jaded version of her. The memory tore his heart because he was responsible for so much of her pain.

"Kay is safe."

"Forgive me for not taking your word for it."

He shoved his hands in the pockets of his dark trousers and turned from her, watching the humans enjoy this sunny spring day with their families. There were no such days in his past, and he envied them.

"Kay may be a princess, but she is not above the law," he reminded.

"Your law Thane. The rules you crafted for the fae outside of human law. Who governs you? Who holds you responsible?"

He stiffened, fighting his instinctive reaction to what was essentially a fair question. In the past, he justified his choices as "doing the right thing for his people." Kay made him see that all decisions had consequences.

Were seedlings, not his people? Did they not have fae DNA even if the strain was dormant? These creations of theirs were not completely human and not Titans. The man Kay had met did not see seedlings as people. Except for Eve—until she declined the invitation to become fae and turned her back on him, as he thought everyone else had. But poor Akira stayed loyal to a man who treated her like she was always one step away from rejecting him as the others did.

"You are right. I have much to answer for," he bit out.

The ache in his soul was greater than when he thought himself betrayed. Guilt hollowed him out, and yet how could he make this up to any of them? "Would it please you if I were in jail and not her? If I suffered as much torture as those my stupidity had condemned?"

"What would be the point? Would your suffering ease any of theirs? Can you give them back the years you and Azera stole from them? Is there a way to undo what was done?"

Thane had forgotten this uncanny insight she possessed.

"I wish it would, and I could," he admitted, more aware of her than ever, even though she looked so different.

The years had turned this woman somber, more contained, and unapproachable than on that final day when he foolishly threatened the child. "That day, I didn't mean what I said about Kay."

"Yet it came to pass."

"There was no other way, and neither of our worlds would be the same if I had not."

It sounded like an excuse to his ears.

"How I hate that word, Kay. Whore. Daniella deserved none of this," she said.

Eve's anger only deepened his turmoil.

"But Daniella doesn't exist anymore either," he reminded, turning to face her, even though he disliked seeing her so tormented.

"Do you know how much it hurts to hear what people say about her? Especially humans?"

Those bright eyes met his, and he couldn't look away.

"This is all my fault, that is true, but I am trying to change things."

Did it sound as weak to her as it did to him?

"Kay told me."

The way she said their daughter's name spoke of acceptance.

"What will happen to her?" she asked, infinitely tired.

"If all goes well, the council will gift her to Akira, but she will not be light fae anymore."

"Then she cannot marry Marcus."

Her insight into the world at the periphery of which she spent her entire life didn't surprise him.

"Yes, but he'd rather be separated from his love than have her rot in jail."

"It isn't fair, but with you, nothing ever is."

Turning away from him, she stared at a group of students laughing and talking on the grass.

Did Eve remember Daniella at that age?

"Time will provide a solution," he said.

"No, Thane. It is within your power to free our daughter and let her have the man she loves without making sacrifices."

Eve turned back to face him, and her resolution reminded him of Kay.

"Never have I asked you for anything, but I ask this. Kay is not a threat to anyone. Do this for me if you ever really loved me."

In his mind, she was both the young and the older version of herself at that moment. The intensely alive and curious student and the well-groomed, sophisticated businesswoman.

"I loved you more than any other woman. No, that isn't right. Despite everything, I still love you. More now than then. Kay ripped the defenses down around this crusty old heart, and the others crowded in there until my vulnerable core lay exposed," he lifted a hand when fire danced in those entrancing eyes.

"Let me finish? There's no need to believe me, but I would do anything to return to that day and, instead of bullying the woman I love, sweep her off her feet and give her all she deserves. Unfortunately, that man had nothing left to give. Saying that I am no longer him will change nothing, but I am not."

He expected Eve's anger, but instead, her expression became unreadable.

"You destroyed me, Thae."

Twice now, she had used that word, but it nearly gutted him this time.

"That day forced me to marry a friend to give our daughter a name. A father. I promised to love him when that ring settled on my finger, but we both knew it was a lie. Never, in all these years, did he say anything. I am fond of him, and he is my husband and the father of my child."

"He is an honorable man," Thane granted, hating the idea of another touching this woman as much as the day news of the marriage reached him. More, now that he allowed himself to experience the ache of losing her.

"What you did to me should be unforgivable, but I forgave you long ago for my sake and not yours. What you did to Kay, I cannot forgive as she did, nor can I forget. What mother could?"

He nodded.

"In your shoes, I would probably be less gracious."

The admission made her glance in his direction, and her fisted hands trembled.

"Will you release her?"

Thane glanced at his phone as the message came through.

"The council has released Kay into Akira's care. The council drew up the papers, and she signed the documents to allow Zeus freedom as well. Marcus wasn't allowed to speak to her but sent a message. Although not familiar with the contents, I can guess."

"How can such a selfless person come from someone so innately selfish?"

The words stung but were undeniable. How many millennia did he do what pleased him to further his agenda?

"This is not the end of the matter. Kay has sacrificed enough. In time, I can turn things around, but now things are too unsettled to favor a child above the good of my people."

"How long will you keep singing that same old song? You are Thane. They fear you because they know you. Most of them do not buy your sudden change of heart. If you set her free and let her make her own choices, they might grumble, but that is all. Ultimately, they know you won't let anyone undermine your authority. You are why they live, and even the dark fae respect your role in their creation. This victory Kay helped devise has set a precedent. You will eliminate those who threaten the peace just like you did with Azera."

Eve's words made him scowl, her unique perspective revealing the truth.

"Azera's disrespect of you all these years in her subtle and less-than-subtle ways made the others bold. But when Akira killed the queen and usurped her place, the others saw it as a move on your side. A takeover of the dark fae. They fear that if they anger you, you will bring them back into the fold or destroy them. You are the king of all fae, and they see Akira as your puppet. Still always in your shadow."

"Perhaps in a few years, when your unique DNA makes it obvious that you are not aging as you should, you will take your place in our world." He again lifted his hand to stop her from interrupting him, and her lips set in a thin line. "Not as my lover or wife but as my advisor."

He could tell she'd been aware of the lack of change in her outward appearance, and he was not the first to remark upon it.

"In time, you can ascend to the council if you allow the change. It should be less dangerous at your age, and it will also allow you to be closer to Kay. Even your other daughter will have questions when she looks older than you. Your husband's DNA weakened your line considerably in her, and she's practically human."

"So, again, you ask me to leave my family behind?" she asked, bitterness lacing her words.

"No, not all of them. You will have Kay forever."

"But I'd have to be in your presence every day."

"You can go to Akira if you wish, but you belong with us. Do it for Kay's sake if you will not do it for yourself—she needs you."

"No. Our daughter needs neither of us but would appreciate peace between her parents."

That he did not expect. "Then you will do it?"

She sighed, walking a few more steps as if she needed some physical distance from him.

"Do I really have a choice? I'd rather spend eternity with my daughter than eventually die alone somewhere."

Eve obviously gave this some thought.

"Two months from now, I will give Kay her freedom."

"If I leave my life behind?" she asked angrily.

"No. That you can do whenever you are ready."

That got her attention, but she took a few more steps before returning to him and sitting on the bench he hadn't even noticed.

"How much longer can I explain that I look in my early forties when I would be sixty-two in two months?" she said, leaning back and closing her eyes to enjoy the sun.

"A least another two or three years."

Eve scoffed.

"No. I would appreciate some help to stage my unfortunate demise after Kay's wedding. I assume the physical changes from transformation would alter me enough that not even my family will recognize me. If I live."

"Are you sure about this, Eve?" he asked, sitting beside her but maintaining his distance. His concern and consideration were not what she expected.

"Yes. But I don't want Kay to know about the transformation. If it isn't successful, I don't want her to blame you."

"Would that not be fair?"

"No, not to her. She can't lose both of us at once."

"Some would argue she is a grown woman and can cope with the loss."

"But it isn't necessary."

"I will do as you wish."

"Just know, what was between us, is over. There will be nothing between us. As long as my husband lives, I will be a married woman. When he dies, I shall be a widow for the rest of my days."

Thane wanted to say that eternity is a long time to be alone, but Eve wasn't ready to hear it.

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