The Storm King (The Lost God, #3)

by Sheila Masterson

Love was a thief, robbing him of something he did not know he possessed.

Over time it became clear that despite choosing to spend her life with Rainer, she still missed Xander’s comfort.

She was a hero revered in her kingdom, a woman deeply loved by her fiancé, and a witch reborn—but she truly had no idea who she was.

Now Xander was all unspent thunder and wasted lightning.

She had depths that he didn’t, and when she fell low, she fell very low. It was so hard to know someone’s pain like that and not be able to do anything but be there.

Rainer would remember her even when she couldn’t. Cecilia Reznik was unforgettable.

“Scars are just reminders that you are stronger than the thing that tried to break you,” Rainer had once said when they were children. But she wasn’t sure that was true.

Sometimes that’s all there was to do: simply witness someone’s pain and hold them through it.

In the small towns along their route, she was just a lady who could blend in, enjoy herself, and not worry about being thanked for dying.

The inequity between them suddenly made plain: love versus loved. She was kissing a memory while he was kissing a wish.

In Olney, if a witch and their bonded guardian had a relationship and were found out, their bond would be severed. It’s supposed to be an excruciating process, like having a part of your body cut out. Then one was sent to live in exile while the other remained in shame.”

I promise to love every part of you. I’ll remind you who you are when you forget, because you are undeniable and unforgettable, Cecilia Juliette Reznik.”

Xander was loath to admit that Rainer was the best swordsman he’d ever seen. As someone who’d been trained to defend his whole life, Rainer was an excellent choice. As someone whose fiancée Xander never stopped trying to seduce, he was not.

Rainer gave him a scathing look. “She doesn’t, and that’s almost worse. It feels like nothing will be normal again.” “What is normal anymore?” Xander asked with a sad smile.

“Wow, you are drunk,” she said. “If I didn’t know any better, I would think you two had been enchanted by some foreign magic.”

“You never know. The next few days will change so much for all of us. She might feel differently when dazzled by a royal wedding.”

“Maybe you don’t need to let go so much as to make more room.” Jessamin shook her head.

“For what it’s worth, I think you deserve more love than you’ll let yourself receive. Look for someone who gives it to you in a way that you can take it,” Jessamin said.

“Well, it could be fun to have both of you at once,” she said, looking from Rainer to Xander. Xander choked on a laugh. “How do you want us, Cece?” Rainer gave him a dirty look. “You shouldn’t take advantage of her altered state of mind to ask her something like that. She’s going to be mortified.” “You’re not the least bit curious?” Xander just wanted to hear her say it.

Rainer looked torn between worry and laughter as Cece drew him closer. Xander had definitely not given the man enough credit. Rainer was much more honorable, but he was clearly very curious.

“Because here you are wanting to fight for me when it’s too late—when you should be fighting for yourself.”

Name the fear and it loses its power over you. I’m afraid I will never love again. I’m afraid my wife will resent that I cannot give her that part of myself. I’m afraid I have no birthright to be the king.

“I love you, Cecilia Reznik, and I always will. And because I love you, I will let you go.”

“Xan, don’t cry,” she whispered, her own eyes glassy. “I hate endings. They’re always sad,” he mumbled. She cupped his cheek and smiled. “This isn’t the ending. It’s the start of a new story. Trust me. I’m an expert at storytelling.”

What I mean to say is that real, lasting change requires patience and planning so that when the right moment arises, you’re ready to act.

“I’ve heard stories of your skills, and I will certainly take you up on it. What man doesn’t want a crack at the famous Rainer McKay? I have age and experience on my side. I’d prefer having you fighting beside me but I bet I could take you down,” he said, his tone teasing.

I’m not expecting anything crazy, but we can never be too careful.”

“I’ll have her favorite tea sent up tomorrow to help her build back her energy,” William said.

“It cannot compare,” Cecilia said, shaking her head. “Nor should it be compared,” Magdalena corrected her. “Take it from a healer. Comparing wounds is pointless. Our attention needs to be focused on those who afflicted that damage.”