Ashes to Ashes by M. J. Padgett

Author:M. J. Padgett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Grimm, fairy tale, fairytale, love, romance, family, witches, werewolves, shifters, friendship, black forest, germany, urban fantasy, fantasy, fantasy novels, fantasy books
Publisher: MJ Padgett Books
Published: 2019-10-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

I took Ely’s hand as he guided me through the gargantuan castle. I’d never remember where anything was, though I tried to make a note of the important things as we passed—kitchen, central courtyard, bathroom—all twenty-two of them. We finally came to a stop at yet another solid oak door, but this one had an ornate HS carved on the front of it. I heard giggling from inside the room, Elizabeth’s laughter as Hans and Wil played music for her on their wood flutes.

Ely pushed the door open and peered in. Elizabeth was laughing heartily as another woman danced around the room to the tune. She looked a lot like Elizabeth and Ely, but I was more focused on Hans. During my moment of secret observation, I could see features in him that were like mine. His smile, the way he sheepishly ducked his head when he was the center of attention, even his laugh—all me.

“Oh, brother, I didn’t hear you come in,” Elizabeth said.

Ely pushed the door open all the way to reveal me standing beside him.

“Elizabeth, Seline, this is Hans’ mother, Sierra,” he said.

“Sierra? You’re silly, Papa. Mama’s name is Saskia,” Hans said, then ran to me again. “Have you come to play with us? It’s great fun!”

“I’d love to! Will you dance with me?” I asked him, then he released my arm and bowed, before offering me his hand again.

“Oh my, what good manners you have.”

“You taught me, Mama, don’t you remember?” He looked afraid, of what I couldn’t be sure, but I felt it was probably the idea of being forgotten by his own mother. I didn’t want to lie to my child, but I quickly discovered a mother’s job is to do just that to spare her child a broken heart.

“Of course, but I might be a bit rusty with the dancing. Can you teach me again?” I asked as the others watched. Little Wil played his flute, and I danced with my son, a million emotions flooding me with each step. I couldn’t place his face in the database of my mind, but I knew him. I could feel him in me, like my own soul.

We danced, and we danced until I’d nearly forgotten that we were in a mythical land in Germany. Hans laughed when I stepped on his feet, then reminded me of the proper foot placement. When we passed Ely, he grabbed me around the waist and spun me around. Hans giggled and picked up his little drum. Between Hans and Wil, they had the most adorable little band I’d ever seen.

Elizabeth and Seline twirled each other around as Ely did the same to me. I stumbled over a small toy in the middle of the floor, but he caught me and righted me just in time. His deep mahogany eyes caught my gaze, and for the first time since the day I met him, I saw true, unhindered happiness. I wanted, more than I had ever wanted anything in

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.