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Finn shrugs and looks back out the window. “I don’t know. He seems kind of lonely.”

His words take me by surprise, and despite my reluctance, I walk over to the window and peek out. Cedric is leaning against a tree across the street. That seems to be his preferred spot. His eyes are pinned on the house.

I thought for sure he would try to talk to me, to get me to listen or to convince me to change my mind. But he just watches the house like a silent protector. It doesn’t sit well with me. It would be easier to remain angry if he at least tried to invade my personal space. I need to take out this anger on somebody, preferably him, but Cedric doesn’t want to play along.

He does look a little lonely.

As soon as the thought strikes me, I shake it off. No. I’m not going to feel sorry for him.

“Come on, Mom. Let me take a plate to him. He hasn’t had anything in forever. I never see him eat.” Finn nags me with a persistence only a boy his age could have. When he was born, I altered his birth certificate date with Erik’s help, just a minor precaution. In the eyes of the world, he’s still seven. Not that it matters now.

“No.” My refusal is weaker this time around.

“But why?”

I give him a stern look. “I have my reasons. Now go clean your room and wash up. Dinner will be ready in half an hour.”

Sulking, he heads toward the hall, but not before muttering, “You’re so unfair.”

He’s stubborn to a fault. I wonder where he gets that from.

I shoot a dark look Cedric’s way.

I don’t know how to explain to my son why I’m being this way. I can’t tell him how terrified I am, given how Cedric’s actions seem genuinely protective to everybody else. But I can’t believe that. Before I left, I believed the same thing, that maybe he did care.

And where did that leave me?

I’m too scared to even consider believing that Cedric had nothing to do with what happened eight years ago. What if I trust him now, and it’s all just lie? The consequences would be long lasting. But no one seems to understand that. Probably because nobody else, aside from me, has anything to lose.

I hear a knock, and before I can even turn around, Finn’s bouncing footsteps reach my ears and he’s opening the front door.

“Finn!” I call out in exasperation. He’s not supposed to open the door to anyone.

I’m already heading over when I hear him shout out, “Mom, there’s a lady here!”

A lady? She must be a saleswoman. Odd time to show up, though.

Wiping my hands on the dish towel, I walk toward the door. “We’re not interested in anything you’re sell—”

The words get stuck in my throat when I lay eyes on the woman standing on the front stoop.

Shock has me staggering backward. Eight years has aged the woman who once looked after me, the one I still miss. Fine lines, graying hair. But those kind eyes are the same as always.

“Harriet,” I breathe.

Chapter 17

Leanna Avery

Harriet smiles at me. “It’s been a long time, Leanna.”

My eyes fill with tears. “Oh, yes. It has been.”

She steps forward, and I cover the distance between us, throwing my arms around her with a broken sob. I never realized how desperately I missed her. Though our time spent together was brief, she left her mark on me, a piece of herself in me. She was my safest harbor, the one who fought for me from the very beginning.

Her arms wrap me in a warm hug. “I’m so glad you’re doing well, Leanna.”

I take in her scent. It’s comforting. When I pull away, I study her, sniffling. “Come in.” As I close the door after her, I ask, “Why do you look so old, Harriet?”

She chuckles lightly. “Probably the stress. I’ve been at the border with Cedric ever since you disappeared.”

“The border?” I ask, horrified. “Why were you there? Aren’t you the head maid anymore?”

“Somebody had to look after Cedric once you were gone. He wouldn’t eat. He was just throwing himself into the battles like a madman. He was—” A sheen of tears covers her eyes. “It was tough on him. He wasn’t himself. And with Vivian at the castle and the elders trying to control the situation, Cedric couldn’t bear to be there. There were too many betrayals. He was falling apart. He needed somebody to hold him together, so I went with him to the border.”

The strain in her voice makes it hard for me to know what to say.

“He’s fighting there nonstop now. He rarely returns to the castle anymore. And when he does, it’s only for a couple of months, to deal with administrative work.”

I guide her to the living room, Finn hovering at a safe distance. I’m trying to process Harriet’s words, my chest tightening. “I don’t understand. He got Vivian. He got what he wanted.”

Harriet sits down in the armchair, and I take the seat on the couch that is closest to her.

She sighs. “He can’t stand the woman. Never could. He’s never once stopped torturing himself for what we all assumed was your death. He blamed Bella, and he blamed Vivian. He tried to get the two of them executed. He was dead set on going against the elders. But the kingdom would have fallen apart.”

Her words have the hard knot in my chest softening. He tried to get them executed? Was I wrong about him? The defeated look in Harriet’s eyes makes me wonder what else happened.

“So, he accepted his fate and left the castle. He invited me to go with him as his attendant, and I did.”

If anybody else said all these things to me, I wouldn’t believe them. But this is coming from Harriet. Even back when she didn’t know me all that well, she never lied to me. Harriet is not someone who lies. There were times when she told me the truth even when I didn’t want to hear it. But this truth is different. It’s harder to process.

“But he mated Vivian, didn’t he?” I demand, unable to keep my voice level. I see my son looking at us curiously, so I add, “Finn, go to your room.”

He makes a face. “But I want to hear!”

Harriet turns her attention to him, and her lips bloom into a smile. “He looks just like him.”

“Like who?” Finn asks.

Harriet glances at me, and I shake my head discreetly. When she realizes that I haven’t told Finn about Cedric, I see disappointment in her eyes. It stings, but she doesn’t understand my reasoning.

“She means your father,” I say reluctantly.

“My father?” Finn’s eyes light up with interest. “Do you know my dad?”

Harriet nods.

“Where is he?”

For a moment, I expect her to tell him that he’s sitting outside, but she doesn’t. “He’s not here right now. But do you know that I raised your father?”

“So, you’re my grandmother?” Finn asks slowly before looking at me. “Mom, is she my grandmother?”

“Yeah, I guess she is.” It’s not entirely true, but I like the idea of Harriet having a relationship with my son. Cedric already knows about him, so it’s not as if letting Harriet in is going to cause any more problems.

Harriet’s eyes fill with tears as she gazes at me. “Oh, this is a wonderful gift, Leanna.”

I can’t help but smile at her.

“How old are you, Finn?” she asks.

“Seven. I’ll be eight soon. What’s my dad like?”

“Well…” Harriet looks at me for permission before turning back to him. “He’s a warrior. He’s strong and brave, and very smart.”

“Oh!” Excitement fills my son’s eyes. “How big is he?”

“Very big.”

“Like that man outside?”

“Finn!”

He ignores me, watching Harriet intently. “Is my dad as big as him?”