“Such an enduring love usually brings suffering and a good touch to add to the story. Convince Cregan that your mother had such a love for your true father,” Addie said.
“I have often wondered if my mother loved my father.”
“According to the story, she loved your true father beyond all reason, as you do Ronan,” Addie said, adding to the tale. “She and your father knew each other since they were young and were inseparable. Where you found one, you would find another, and it seemed only natural that the two would be together forever.”
“What a lovely story,” Carissa said. “And it truly sounds believable.”
“That it does,” Addie said, “but I must finish it. You must use names to make it more convincing. Cormack, your father, and Shona, your mother, wed, and they were happy. She got with child after a short time and they both looked forward to the birth and hoped for many more.”
“Now comes the suffering,” Carissa said sadly.
“Yes, it does,” Addie agreed. “Their village was ravaged by barbarians.”
“My father,” Carissa whispered.
“No, my dear, remember that your father is Cormack. Mordrac is nothing more than the barbarian who brought suffering upon your family. He killed your true father and took your mother for his own.”
“And she never let Mordrac know she was with child,” Carissa said, adding her own touch to the tale.
“That’s right,” Addie said. “She wanted to secure her unborn child’s future, and by making the mighty Mordrac believe the child his, she had that chance.”
“But she couldn’t live without my true father’s love, and she perished from a broken heart,” Carissa said, ending the sad tale.
“Would you not do the same?” Addie asked.
Carissa thought on it, knowing that her situation mimicked that of the tale. Only she knew the circumstances of the child left behind, for she had lived through them. And she could very well find herself in the same situation. Soon she would know if she carried Ronan’s child and that, if no escape was made or rescue accomplished, then she would live the tale herself.
“While my love for Ronan is beyond measure,” Carissa said, “I could not nor would I leave my child with Cregan, for that would be a fate more cruel than its death.”
“Perhaps, then,” Addie said softly, “you are stronger than your mother.”
“Circumstances made me strong.”
“Then, in a sad way, your mother gave you the strength to survive,” Addie said.
“I would have preferred that my mother remained with me.”
“Loving someone from the time you were very young and having him die in your arms is a tragedy that not only breaks the heart but tortures the soul.”
Carissa closed her eyes for a moment, imagining how she would feel if Ronan lay in her arms dying, but then he would have died if she had not struggled to keep him alive and safe from her father. She could not imagine the excruciating pain and helplessness she would suffer if Ronan lay dying in her arms with nothing she could do to save him.
“I am glad this is just a tale, for it is a very sad one,” Carissa said. “But it is one I am sure I can make Cregan believe.”
Chapter 36
Night fell, and they had to make camp. Ronan sat staring at the campfire flames. He felt helpless, and he didn’t like it. He had felt helpless far too much in the last couple of years. The only thing steadfast in his life had been his love for Carissa.
A smile teased the corners of his mouth.
Carissa, not Hope.
When had he fully merged the two? He couldn’t say. He only knew that he no longer thought of them as two separate women. While he had once believed there were distinct differences between the two, he had come to learn that there were distinct reasons for those differences. Once he understood them, he was finally able to see the whole woman that Carissa truly was, and he loved her all the more for it.
“She will survive,” Dykar said, joining him by the fire.
Ronan nodded. “I have no doubt of that. From what I have learned, she has survived far worse. But there is a big difference now.”
“A difference?”
“Yes, a very big difference,” Ronan said. “Carissa now has me to love and protect her. And I intend to make Cregan pay for taking what is mine.”
Dykar smiled. “It is good to hear that you will fight for her.”
“I would die for her.”
“Do not do that,” Dykar warned. “While Carissa has survived much, I do not believe she would survive your death. She would want to join you. And I selfishly do not wish to lose my best friend.”