A protective mother

*Zac’s mother”
I glide through the ballroom, my head held high, radiant joy making me feel much younger than my forty-seven years. One son is a lord, another a prince, and now Zac has gained a knighthood. Few mothers have sons as accomplished as I do. For a terrified girl whose journey into adulthood began with a forced marriage to a man far older than I, I have not done too poorly for myself and my boys. Their welfare has always come first, at any cost. I suspect that is the reason I feel such an affinity for Calliope. She cannot be faulted as a mother.

Nor as a wife either, I suspect. Zac is happier than I’ve seen him in ages. Two years of ghosts he couldn’t remember are no longer haunting his eyes. He walks with confidence again, no limp remaining as evidence of the wound in his thigh that nearly took him from me a second time.

I catch sight of Lynn standing tall in a corner, observing the festivities. He’s come out of duty, as guardian to my sons, but I know he will be leaving soon. A higher duty calls. I once resented that he placed his family above mine. I was a silly girl then, full of childish dreams. Sometimes I miss that young girl.

Once I reach Lynn, I wrap my gloved fingers around his arm and lean up to kiss his cheek, his scent filling my nostrils, still enticingly familiar after all these years. “I’m so glad you were able to share this day with us."

“I would not have missed it. I’m sorry Angela was too weary to attend."

“She and I must do the waters again. She seemed much stronger after our last visit there." I say softly.

“Yes, I believe she was. You’re a dear friend to her."

“And to you, I hope. You must know I am always here for anything you might require.”

He gives a brusque nod and turns his attention to the gathering. When I look at him, I see Zac. When I look at Zac, I see Lynn. It’s a wonder others don’t comment on the similarities of their appearance.

“I thought the knighting was a nice ceremony,” I say softly. “Brought tears to my eyes."

“You, who never cries."

“I cry. Just not where others can see."

He studies me for a moment before saying, “I apologize if I ever made you cry."

I tilt up my chin. “You did, but it was long ago, and I’ve since forgiven you."

We stand in silence for a long while. I can see Zac waltzing with Calliope. They make such a lovely couple. As I thought earlier, Zac appears content. Calliope not so much. She seems unnaturally pale in spite of the dancing, which has brought a rush of color to her cheeks. I wonder what is going on there.

“He has surprised me," Lynn says quietly, his gaze following in the same direction as mine. “I doubted he would ever become a man a father could be proud to call son. But he has achieved that end remarkably well."

I purse my lips and give him the hard glare I have used on numerous occasions when it comes to his handling of Zac. “You were always more harsh with him than you were with the others."

“Perhaps instinctively I always knew he was my son. Why did you never say anything before you thought he was dead?" He asks.

“It was so long ago, Lynnie. We were young, and I was not as wise as I am now. Still, you had only just gotten married. Had declared your devotion to your mate. What would I have gained except to make you miserable? You were a man of honor!”

He sighs, “Who bedded a married woman!”

“After her husband abandoned her bed. My first mate cared nothing for me. He had his heir, he had his mistress, who apparently was willing to do disgusting things I am not. You were a joy in my life. And your son is my greatest joy." I hold up my hand. “Yes, I know, a mother should not have favorites, but God help me, I do."

He grins. “You never apologize for yourself, do you?"

“I see no point in it. It is a frivolous use of time." I sober. I want to tell him that I love him, that I always have, that I always will. But those are not words he would welcome. From the moment he took Angela to mate, he made it clear to me that his loyalties would not be divided. His determination has only made me love him more. “I feel as though there is an ocean of things I should say to you about Zac.”

“As I said, I’m proud of him." He touches my cheek. “And I’ve always been proud of you. You hold a piece of my heart."

But only a piece. While Angela holds the whole.

“My princess."

Spinning around, I smile brightly. “Leo. Lynn and I were just discussing how proud we are of Zac.”

“As well you should be.” Taking my hand, he brings my fingers to his lips, and I feel the heat of his mouth offering promises for later. I love that he has no qualms whatsoever when it comes to displaying where his affections lie. Any other man would have latched a challenging gaze on Lynn as he staked his ownership, but Leo is not that sort. He gives all his attention to me, treating Lynn as though he is nothing more than a bit of lint to be brushed away. “I was hoping I could entice you into a dance.”

“I would be delighted." I turn back to Lynn. “If you will be good enough to excuse me?"

“Of course. I must be off myself. Angela is no doubt waiting to hear news of the day.” He, too, takes my hand and presses a kiss to my fingers. I hope Leo doesn’t feel the shiver of longing that travels through me. What surprises me is that it is not quite as strong as it had once been. Age, I suppose, and the passage of time.

“Do give her my best," I order.

“I will."

I give him a soft smile, “And tell her that I shall be over to discuss with her when we may next do the waters."

“I know she will look forward to seeing you." He nods toward the man holding my other hand. “Leo, do take care with her."

“I always do." There is a possessiveness, a challenge to his tone that is not normally there.

After Lynn strides away, I lean in to Leo, welcoming the curling of his arm around me. The display is inappropriate, but then I have a reputation for the inappropriate. Now is not the time to worry about it overmuch. “He’s proud of Zac."

It is all I need to say for Leo to understand what I mean, the undercurrent of my words: he is proud of his son. “Of course he is, sweetheart."

I tilt my head back to study him. “Do you think Zac should know the truth about his father?"

Leaning down, he brushes a kiss over my brow. “Are you thinking of telling him?”

I close my eyes. “I don’t know. What if it should cause him to hate me?"

“Then he is not deserving of you as a mother."

I smile at him. “You always know the right things to say."

“Then may I have that dance now?"

I give him leave to escort me onto the dance area. He always manages to lighten the weight I carry on my shoulders, but this one remains, nonetheless. I will have to determine how best to unburden myself. But not tonight. I want nothing at all to ruin the night for Zac.