Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 70779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
I felt grateful that she knew I would need privacy to talk to Kael—if he showed up.
“Normally I’d do anything to get a slice of one of your cakes,” I told her. She really was an excellent baker. “But I think for tonight, I just need to get home.”
“Of course. Then I’ll wrap up a slice you can take with you for later,” she said, rising.
A moment later she was seeing me off in the deepening twilight with a container holding a huge slice of chocolate cake. Before I left, she gave me a quick hug.
“I’m so glad you came to settle in Hidden Hollow,” she told me. “And I hope you get your Heartmate back.”
“I hope so too,” I told her.
Then I turned my face towards home, hoping that maybe I might have a chance to see the man I loved one last time.
38
WILLOW
But after waiting around the Flower Bower for two long, silent hours it didn’t seem like Kael was going to make an appearance. I had fed Miss Sassy her nightly dinner of wet food and taken a shower. Then I put on a silky red robe the cottage had provided for me and paced around the house for an hour. Finally I parked myself on the couch and I had been sitting by the fire waiting, but I was feeling more and more sure he wasn’t going to show.
Maybe he’s not allowed to leave Heaven, I thought sadly, as I looked into the crackling flames. I thought about calling Pop-pop again, but I didn’t like to bother him twice in one night. I knew he would do his best for me. If he couldn’t get Kael to contact me, then it wasn’t for lack of trying.
Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be…
Then suddenly the golden glow of the fire was eclipsed by a much brighter light. I gasped and threw up a hand to shield my eyes—what was happening?
The brilliant white pillar of light shimmered in front of me for a moment…and then someone came out of it. After a moment of blinking I realized who it was.
“Kael!” I started to jump up to greet him, but he had already gone to his knees before me.
“Willow,” he murmured and his deep voice was filled with pain.
The brilliant column of light that had brought him had disappeared by now, so I was able to see his face without being blinded. My heart nearly stopped in my chest when I saw how unhappy he was. His silvery eyes were filled with sadness and regret and his mouth was set in lines of sorrow.
“Oh no—I shouldn’t have sent my Pop-pop after you, should I?” I blurted, feeling terrible. “You want to stay in Heaven—of course you do. Why would anyone want to come back to a place where they endured years of punishment? Kael, I’m so, so sorry!”
“Willow, please!” Leaning forward, he captured my hands in his. “I am the one who should be saying these things—I am the one who is sorry,” he said, looking at me earnestly.
“Sorry for what?” I asked blankly. “For leaving me? Because you couldn’t help that—I turned the key in the lock and set you free. But I only did it to keep you from getting sucked back through the portal to Hell,” I added quickly.
Kael shook his head.
“Do you really not understand? I am sorry for taking you against your will—for forcing you when I was in my demonic form.”
“But you didn’t do it on purpose,” I pointed out.
“That doesn’t matter. I hurt you.” His eyes were full of regret. “Even now, I can feel your pain. Here…” He laid one big hand flat in my lap, indicating my thighs. “I burned you with my demon seed. For that there can be no forgiveness.”
“Yes, there can!” I exclaimed. “Because I forgive you—Kael, I’ve missed you so much!”
“I have missed you too, Mistress and you’re very kind. But I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” he murmured, shaking his head.
I could see that he was really beating himself up and filled with guilt. If I couldn’t find a way around that—a way to help him forgive himself—I would stand no chance of ever getting him to stay with me. If he even could stay, since he technically now belonged in Heaven. Still, I had to try.
“I have an idea,” I said slowly. “What if you healed me—you know, like you did before? Could you forgive yourself then?”
He looked up at me uncertainly.
“You would allow me to heal you? To put my mouth on the places where I hurt you so badly?”
I felt like my heart might burst.
“Yes, Kael,” I said reaching out to stroke my fingers through his hair. “I would—with all my heart, I would.”
“Willow…Mistress…” He leaned forward and I parted my legs so I could wrap myself around him.