Immortals After Dark 04 - Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night

She’d never irritated him like this before. But everything about her was different from the witch, so that meant everything about her was... wrong.
    “I see so many things differently now. I want to learn your ways, and give you the children you’ve always longed for.”
    “What changed?”
    “I was so selfish before and couldn’t be more sorry for it. Death brought my priorities into focus. I want to create life.” She smiled shyly up at him. “With you.”
    Here Mariah was, offered up to him as he’d begged the gods for decades. All the difficulties he’d had with her seemed erased. She wasn’t a witch of unspeakable power, but a gentle fey.
    She was everything he’d thought he could ever want.
    And he wasn’t even certain that the witch would take him back. They’d fought before the plane wreck and hadn’t overcome the difficulties between them.
    Yet none of this mattered.
    Whether the witch was his mate or not didn’t matter—because what he felt for her was stronger even than that pull. He’d already fallen for her.
    For the first time in Bowe’s endless, lonely existence... he loved.

50

    M ari was shamed to realize that although the fates of the earth and of a thousand tormented lives and those of her parents were dependent upon her defeating Häxa, she still couldn’t get Bowen out of her head.
    She did assiduously study and train in her new home—the imagined shelter on her plane had become a melding of the cottage where she’d grown up, her room at the Andoain manor, and the island house where she’d fallen in love with Bowen. Elianna and Carrow spent every day with her here at—as Carrow had dubbed it—the “Cottanorouse.”
    Yet in between the times when Mari had learned how to attack and deflect and how to bind others’ powers, she’d used the mirror to try to uncover more about how the princess was resurrected. Every time Mari consulted the glass about her, it grew blurred, giving up no information—which only convinced Mari further that Häxa was behind the resurrection...
    And sometimes, Mari found herself wanting to use her mirror simply to gaze at Bowen.
    Like right now.
    Mari furtively checked for her friends, peeking around the corner of her bedroom door. For some reason, she thought they might frown on her taking the time to stalk her ex-lover when the future of the world rested in her hands and all.
    The two were in the cozy den before a fire. The coast was clear.
    Apparently, Mari was not above spying on him—even though she knew she couldn’t watch if he kissed his princess, or worse. So far, she’d rarely seen them together. In fact, Bowen spent more time at Andoain, or searching for Nïx, than he did at the Lykae compound.
    Yet sooner or later, she knew she was going to see something that she wouldn’t be able to handle.
    Do I really want to do this... ?
    With a nod, she whispered, “Show me... Bowen.”
    The mirror image shifted until she saw him pacing the sitting room of his house, looking as if he hadn’t slept in days. He also appeared to be intent on voicing something, yet couldn’t seem to bring himself to do so. Mariah patiently sat on the sofa, hands folded in her lap. A perfect lady.
    “Mariah, I was true to you,” he finally began. “For so many years, I was.”
    “I know. You’re a fine male. I couldn’t be prouder.”
    “Damn it, I doona want to hurt you, but I have been with Mariketa, and I have feelings for her. Undeniable ones.”
    Mari’s eyes widened. He was telling her this?
    “Bowen, I understand how difficult all those years must have been for you. And I forgive you for your... indiscretion. But can’t you see that the witch has tricked you? Enthralled you?”
    “I canna believe that what I feel for her is no’ real.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Would you want me, knowing I will never love you?”
    The princess stood and crossed to him. “I can change how you feel about me. If you’ll take me to your bed, in nine months you’ll welcome our first child to the world.”
    If? So they haven’t slept together?
    “Think of it, we’ll start the family you’ve always wanted—the family that you can only have with me . Things will be wonderful. I’ll make you happy, and you’ll keep me safe. Just as providence intended.”
    Gods, she’s good.
    “I’m sorry, Mariah, truly sorry for all you’ve been through. And I will help you find another male, a good protector—one who would love you as you deserve.