The Courage to Love: The BraveHeart Series Book 2

Chapter 17 - Thema

The smells that entered my nose were calming and gentle enough to coerce Nubia into instant submission. When I finally opened my eyes and my vision was cleared, the first face I saw belonged to the woman claiming to be my mother. I stared into her hazel eyes with hopes that this was all a dream or that she was an imposter, but instead, I found the truth which instigated my tears: she was, indeed, my mother.

"Oh, ma fille chérie! You are more beautiful than I've imagined you to be, but your father has tarnished your heart." As my mother stroked my forehead, her soft words and tender touch knocked down the rest of the steel walls that blocked my heart.

Mama's eyes instantly changed to solid brown, but what I also saw replaying in them was the past that was hidden from me. Everything that my father ever told me about my mother and my entire life was a complete lie. My mother was the love of his life, his mate, but he wasn't willing to love her more than his far-fetched hostile takeover plans. He knew I was never going to be the Alpha Queen, and he never really cared for my existence because I was born the wrong gender. He got himself killed because he wouldn't move on, and instead of giving me his blessing of liberation, he set me up to be killed. He placed the curse on my head and took advantage of it. So much for being Daddy's Little Princess...

The visions disappeared and her hazel eyes faded back into sight. I jumped up like something bit me and hugged my mother tight. Her warmth caused me to break down like a small child.

"Oh, Mommy!!! It really is you!!! Daddy told me that you didn't love me or want me!!" I sobbed uncontrollably because thanks to my father, never in my twenty-two years on this earth did I think this moment would be happening. Daddy constantly told me that the reason my mother left was because of my being born a girl and my inability to carry on the family name. That it was all my fault we weren't a family. Can you believe that shit?? For a long time, I did.

"Mon cher enfant!! There will never be a day that I blame you for anything your father has done. You are my pride and joy, and I've loved you from the very moment I knew I was carrying you in my womb, Mon chéri. Not even your father's maniacal ways can keep me from you." Her tears matched mine, and as my love for her began to grow, my hatred toward my father began to surpass all understanding.

"There is no reason to hate your father, Mon cher. Hate leaves no room for all the other beautiful things waiting to take place in your life." Mama spoke lovingly while wiping the tears that were still falling from my eyes. The fact that she just read my mind and responded to my thoughts didn't even phase me. I was still in disbelief that all of this was happening.

"I don't know what to say, right now. I have a lot of foreign emotions swirling around inside of me and it scares the hell outta me because of what I've been taught. I was taught that love is a redundant weakness that will get me killed. The only other person I've given my heart to was just as abusive as my sperm donor." I couldn't dare to refer to him as my father anymore.

"I understand, Mon cher. Your father was the love of my life, and the thought of me being able to convince him to leave well enough alone and leave Georgia with me was exciting. I wanted to become a doctor, and I was more than willing to help your father build his own company and tribe, but he was hell-bent on killing Omer. Now, he's made our child, our greatest creation, carry on his wrath and kill for him. I am so sorry that you had to grow up without my love, Mon cher."

I fell back into my mother's arms and allowed her to comfort me. While I continued my uncontrollable sobbing, I could feel Quincy's love radiating from his skin as his strong hand caressed my knee. I lifted my head to stare into his eyes and was greeted with another blissful wave of genuine love. I felt that I could now trust Quincy with my heart and allow him to give me the love that I needed and yearned for. Mama broke our embrace and turned to look at Quincy, who looked nervous and confident. She then looked back at me with a wide smile on her face, but then the smile disappeared as her glance shifted back and forth at my neck.