Shadows from the Past - Book 2 of To Be Claimed By Her

Chapter 26

Owen's POV

I felt like a veil had been lifted from me and turned to look at the fragile woman in my arms. "Eveleen," I gasped. I saw the tears streaming down her cheeks as her eyes met mine. Oh gods, what have I done? "Please say something, Tesoro," I begged her.

"O...Owen," she gulped. "Do..do you really remember me?" Her body shook in my grasp as I nodded. She cried out and wrapped her arms around my neck, clinging to me as if she were afraid I'd disappear. "I thought I'd lost you," she sobbed.

"As touching as your reunion is, perhaps we should take this somewhere more secure," the figure before us said. Waving her arm, we suddenly found ourselves in a place I hadn't been for a long time - the Summerlands. The Morrigan pushed back the hood of her cloak and looked at us with concern. "Um, perhaps you could, well, um...find another position - and clothes," she stuttered.

Eveleen and I both looked down and grumbled, as we realized we were still naked, and I was still balls deep inside of her. She squeaked and buried her head in my shoulder. I quickly summoned clothing for us both, along with a warm blanket for her and water. A pair of oversized chairs materialized and the Morrigan motioned for us to sit. I pulled Eveleen onto my lap, wrapping the blanket around her. When she had taken a few sips of water, I turned to the goddess. "How long?"

Hanging her head, the Morrigan sighed, "Almost fifty years since the first of you vanished. When the goddess looked up at me, her eyes were tear-filled. "What happened to you? The last time we spoke, you were following a lead with Marc and Axel. You thought you had located where Eveleen was being held. That's the last any of us heard from the three of you."

A growl ripped from my chest, making Eveleen jump. "Sorry, Tesoro," I said, attempting to calm myself, then continued. "Volto, well Deimos happened. He tricked us then handed us over to Sang and Kaylie." I looked at my hands and groaned, "Sang infected me with her venom and blood - Demios's blood. She said it corrupted me and this is the result. I forgot everything - even my own name. I was her plaything." I felt pain fill my chest as I looked at the woman I had sworn to love and care for. "Tesoro, I...I'm so sorry, I..we..." I couldn't say it.

Those beautiful purple eyes met mine as she placed a soft hand against my cheek, "Mo chroí, it's okay. You weren't in control, none of us have been. None of this is your fault, it's theirs."

I felt a sob break free. "You don't understand," I groaned.  "Sang...she was pregnant." Eveleen stiffened but still held my face.

"Was?" she asked.

I nodded, "She lost the child, but said she planned to try with the others."

She let out a sob, "I...I haven't been faithful either. Deimos and Erebus, they've done things to me. Some I wasn't aware of, but other times..." her guilt-ridden voice trailed off.

I lifted her chin, "No. You aren't allowed to blame yourself either." She nodded and kissed me softly.

Her face twisted into a determined look and she drew in a breath. "Okay, then we will deal with whatever has happened. Now, can anything be done to reverse what Sang did to Owen?" she asked, turning to the Morrigan.

I already knew the answer and the look in my patron's eyes confirmed it. "Tesoro," I said softly. I let my magic flow and took on my human glamor. "Magic is the only way I'll look like this again. I'm so sorry, my love."

Her eyes glistened with tears, "Oh, Owen, I love you no matter what you look like." He pressed her lips to mine as her arms twined around my neck. I kissed her back fiercely. I have no idea what I'd done in my life to deserve this woman.