Her throat ached as badly as her heart. “That was incredibly romantic.”
He chuckled. “You always forget who I am, babe.”
“My Death.” Jane stroked his cheek. “I never wanted to hurt you. I was so awful to both of you.”
“No. I know you never wanted to hurt me. David knows as well. I hurt you, though. That is why I know he is the man for you. I’ve failed you again and again, and I have hurt you. David will never do that to you. I believe I have you the way I am meant to. I will always be here to hold you should he slip up.” He grinned. “I would love to have a reason to punch his Boy Scout ass.” Jane chuckled as he pulled her closer. “It is so good to hold you again, Sweet Jane.”
She stroked his hair and kissed the top of his head. “It feels so good to be held by you.”
He laughed and hugged her to him more.
“Jane,” David called behind her.
She glanced over her shoulder to see him standing a few feet away. He gave her a tight smile, but she saw the worry in his eyes.
Death chuckled, removing his arms from around her. “I couldn’t keep my hands to myself.”
David held out his hand for her to take. She smiled at him but looked back down at Death.
He winked before gently pushing her away. “Let him help you with your rugrats. I’m not cut out for the baby thing.”
David smiled as he began wiping the tears she hadn’t realized had fallen.
“You were good with me,” she said when David kissed her forehead.
“I already told you.” Death stood up. “Only for you.”
The smile Death gave only her spread across his gorgeous face.
David turned her head into his strong chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I told them I have a surprise waiting.”
She flexed her fingers, fear flooding her system.
David held her tight and placed a kiss on her hair. “They’re going to be so happy, sweetheart. We’ll be right here with you. She’s not here. I don’t see her at all in your eyes or feel her in your touch. She’s gone, and she can’t hurt them or anyone else.”
“Are you sure?” Jane felt pathetic, but she could only imagine the gruesome images of bodies and the brother and sister with blood spilling out of their tiny throats.
“I’m sure, Jane. She’s gone.” He gave her a sweeter kiss. “You haven’t even felt her, have you?”
She opened her eyes, not remembering when she had squeezed them shut, and shook her head at him, her anxiety fading a tiny bit.
“She’s gone, angel,” Death said. “I promise.”
“Okay.” She smiled, feeling his presence without needing to see him.
David glanced over her shoulder. There was a slight nod from him to Death before he looked down at her. Then he gave her a soft but long kiss.
Those perfect lips pushed away all her fears as they filled her with warmth and strength. There weren’t any images of her attacking her children—no whispers telling her that she was evil, that she was worthless or that she would destroy them all. There was still sorrow and guilt for what she had done to everyone she cared about—sadness knowing that she would not hold her kids with Jason by her side again, but when David pulled away, smiling at her, she realized her heart had been with him all along. He’d kept it safe for her so Death could bring her home. He wouldn’t replace Jason, but they would be a family together.
Death chuckled behind her, and tingles spread through her chest without him even touching her.
“How did you do that?” She gasped, jerking out of David’s hold.
Death smirked but stayed quiet.
She rubbed her chest, still feeling that warm sensation tingling there. “Death?”
“What did he do?” David asked, looking between them.
“You do make a beautiful family, baby girl.” Death smiled, clearly knowing something she did not.
“How?” she breathed, touching her chest as the sensation grew stronger.
“You will find out one day,” Death said, looking completely at peace. “Your babies are here now.”
Jane turned away from him, forgetting about the strange phenomenon, and took in Guinevere standing in the doorway with Nathan and Natalie at her side.
“I could not keep them back any longer,” Guinevere said, almost in tears.
“Mommy?” Natalie whispered.
“Hi, babies.” Jane’s eyes watered upon seeing no hate or sadness. “I’m so sorry I was gone.”
David wrapped his arm around her and kissed her temple before holding his hand out for Natalie. The little girl didn’t wait and neither did Nathan.
“Mommy!” Nathan said, running straight to her when she bent down, just as David plucked Natalie off the ground and pulled them all into his arms.
Jane cried, unable to do anything else but squeeze them to her and breathe in their little baby smell.
“Mommy, home,” Nathan mumbled into her shoulder, making David and Death chuckle.
“Yes, Mommy is home,” David whispered, tilting Jane’s face up and giving her a sweet kiss. “Welcome home, Mommy.”
4
Queen Of Hell
“Will you be here when we wake up, Mommy?” Natalie asked.
Jane’s eyes watered, but she smiled as David sat on the bed, rubbing her back. “I’ll be here, baby,” she said, brushing Natalie’s hair out of her face.
Natalie looked at David. “It’s the new moon, right?”
David grinned before kissing Jane’s head. “That’s right, princess. It’s a new journey for the moon, just like it is for Mommy. We will all support her so she can glow again.” He tickled Natalie.
Natalie giggled, nodding. “Can Nathan and I help?”
“You two are why Mommy shines the brightest, princess.” David reached over, caressing Nathan’s cheek. “Are you better, little man?”
“Better,” Nathan said, making Jane’s heart ache as much as it felt it could burst from joy.
“Good. I want you both to sleep now. Mommy and I have to go visit Ryder, but Aunt Elle is coming to watch over you.”
“Are you still mad at Aunt Gwen?” Natalie asked.
Jane glanced at David. He didn’t look at her, but judging by his tense posture, he wasn’t happy about something that had happened with his sister.
“I’m not mad at her, princess. She just does not understand my love for Mommy, but she will.” David kissed Jane’s head as she looked down, realizing David must have argued with Guinevere over her. “Now, get some sleep. We’ll both be here when you wake up.”
They nodded, and Jane quickly kissed their heads before letting David lead her out of the room.
Ragnelle was already waiting in the hall. She surprised Jane by hugging her tightly. “I’m so happy to have you back home.”
Jane glanced at David, unsure of what was happening. “Oh, well, I’m glad I could come back.”
Ragnelle smiled sadly. “I know we are not close, but I know how much David and my husband love you. That makes you precious to me as well. I hope we can become friends, but I understand that will take time. Just know that I, and many of the other wives, care a great deal for you. None of us understand the burdens you had to carry or the events in your life that have shaped you into the person who is adored and loved by David and the knights, so none of us have the right to judge you. Please understand that some may have spoken negatively purely out of concern for David.”