“Blood? How?” I questioned. “Once the new blade touched my skin, it tasted my blood and took on my symbol, only revealing it to those it chooses.”
I looked at the markings on its shaft, and traced it with my finger. “Wow,” I said under my breath.
“Emma, this is why the dagger came to your aid. It is also connected to you.”
Our eyes locked, and then he stepped forward and gently laid his hand on my shoulder.
“I’ve been watching over you from the second you took your first breath, seeing to it that you have had everything you needed to survive.” He paused briefly and his smile widened. “I am the one who commissioned Kade to guard over you, and gave Dominic the dagger. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, the note in your closet was from me as well.”
My eyes stung with tears, already feeling a realization of truth, anticipating it to be spoken.
“Why?” I breathed, wanting to hear it from him.
He stepped closer, eliminating the space between us.
“Because I wanted my granddaughter to be safe.”
I burst into tears, never expecting this day to come. I never thought I would get the chance to meet the one who created me and Alaine. It was like a dream, and he was standing in front of me.
“Grandfather?”
I broke down, then stood and stepped into his arms. Hot tears stung and spilled uncontrollably from my eyes.
“My sweet, Emma. You were never alone. And you will never be.”
I was overwhelmed and felt so secure, so safe within his arms.
“There are a few more who would really like to meet you, but I need your permission before they can come.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Friends who have also been watching over you,” he added.
“Yes, of course,” I nodded, wiping the tears from my eyes. “I’d like to meet them.”
“Brother, come,” Michael spoke.
Another bright light illuminated the closet, and this time, two figures stepped forward.
I gasped, recognizing them as soon as they came into focus.
“These are—” Michael said with his hand outstretched toward them.
“Kade’s parents,” I breathed.
He looked at me and smiled.
“They’re exactly how he described,” I said, breathless.
Both were beautiful beyond words, with strong resemblances of Kade which made my heart ache. His mother radiated beauty. Her deep amber eyes had flecks of gold within them, and when she smiled at me, it reminded me so much of my mother.
“Emma, I am Arella,” his mother spoke. I instinctively ran into her arms.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry he’s gone. It should have been me. He didn’t deserve to die. Not for me.”
“Shhh—” She gently stroked my hair. “It’s okay. It’s okay, darling.”
I didn’t understand how they could bear to look at me, let alone touch or speak to me so kindly. Their son was dead because of me. But they didn’t show an ounce of anger.
“Kade knew what he was doing.” Arella’s voice was soft and sweet. “He freely chose his path, and was willing to give everything he had for the one he loved. We are proud of our son. The choices he made were his alone, and no one can question why. He did it because he believed in you. Because he loved you.”
“I never deserved him.”
“Yes, you did. And right now, mourning his death is the last thing he would want. He would want you to celebrate his life,” she answered.
“I’m so sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. I loved your son, and you’re right. He wouldn’t want me to mourn him. But whenever I close my eyes, I see his face, and it kills me a little more each time.”
Kade’s father, Raphael, sighed. “Come, child.” He stepped forward and offered me his hand, then led me over to the bed. “Please sit.” He nodded and smiled.
I did as he said, wondering why.
Arella moved behind him, and stood next to Michael. Their calm demeanors made me relax just a bit.
“Are you going to put me to sleep?”
They all began to laugh.
It was a rational question. I really didn’t want to be put under, not when I still had so many questions. Not to mention the fact I had just met them.
“No.” Raphael grinned, placing his hand on my forehead.
As soon as he touched me, a rush of dizziness and tingles jolted through my body. It felt similar to the effects of the potion, only much more potent. I felt woozy and grabbed his arm to steady myself.
“It’s okay. Just close your eyes, relax, and breathe.”
“What’s happening?” I questioned.
“He’s healing you,” Michael answered.
Arella nodded kindly, her beautiful smile never left her lips. “Kade’s vial was filled with Raphael’s healing magic, which we shared with Alaine. The reason why Kade was in possession of the vial was because he knew from whom it came, and how it worked.”