Page 6 of Triplets for the Dark Elf
It is the pain of her death, of her being ripped away just for daring to love me, that sticks with me. That is what plagues me, the inability to be happy.
“Come with me.”
I don’t bother to argue as my father leads me down the hallway to the guest room. He shuts the door and comes up to me, gripping my arms.
“You were thinking about her.”
I swallow hard. “Father, I am happy for Imris–”
“I know how hard this is for you, Miothro.” He sighs, shaking his head, and his features soften. “I do not blame you for that. But I want to see you happy, too. Not just Imris.”
At first, I flounder for an answer. “I am happy–”
“You are afraid and in pain,” he cuts me off. “Do not lie to either of us. I know that what happened with Inilie has made it difficult for you to trust and open up, but I can’t stand to see it stand in your way anymore.”
I gulp hard.
“Times have changed. Look at the Archduke or your brother. What happened with Inilie was terrible, but it is not something that you should let harden your heart any longer.”
Unable to stomach the tension any longer, I crack a joke. Not my forté as much as it is Imris’s and it shows in my flat delivery. “Are you telling me you want me to take a human mate?”
“I’m telling you I want you to be happy. And I saw your face in there. You can barely enjoy your niece and nephew without feeling pain I’d hoped you’d healed from.”
His voice is soft and understanding, and I know he is right. Things are different now, and I have let the past hold me back for too long.
Maybe I am more ready than I had originally thought.
“Take a moment and gather yourself. And then come join us as a family.”
With that, he gives me a gentle squeeze and leaves me alone in the room. Instead of being irritated or ignoring what he said, I think it over as I sink into the chair next to me.
I have spent so long refusing to acknowledge anything I’ve felt. Frustration, happiness, pain, love. Now, it feels overwhelming to see others feeling so freely.
But maybe, it shouldn’t be.
I let the memory wash over me again, but this time, when I see myself smiling, I see Annalise smiling back. With her eyes bright and her cheeks flushed, the way she always looks when I tease her.
And gods, it does feel good to be around her.
Is my dad right? Have times really changed that much?
As I hear the children screaming and all the laughing outside the door, I start to think that maybe they have. And maybe it’s time that I do, too.
Standing from the chair, I cross to the door, and just as I pull it open, a blur rushes past me. With fast reflexes, I dart forward, catching my nephew and flipping the boy upside down. He squeals as he lands on his feet again, racing to his father, who catches him the same way.
I lean against the doorframe, watching them as I chuckle, and this time when I see Imris smile, it doesn’t devastate me. I still feel that pang of jealousy. But it’s different this time.
I am jealous of Imris…for having what I want. Not because he didn’t have to suffer the way I did.
And his kids are so damn adorable. It makes me think about what it would be like to have my own.
Before I get too into my thoughts, though, Imris points down the hallway. “D, go tackle your uncle.”
And the little kid comes charging at me like an angry taura, wrapping me up in their play time. I love every minute of it, and the entire time I think about this being my daily life. My home filled with laughter and kids, and my own mate to smile at when they finally collapse from exhaustion.
I want it all.
So why can’t I have that with Annalise?