“Go to bed, Kalia,” her father says gently. “Your mother will see you there.”
Both women look at him like he has lost his mind. I suddenly get the sense that he blusters… but rarely commands these women. Then Kalia’s mother raises her eyebrows and nods, urging her daughter upstairs. Well… that can’t be good.
“Sit down, Shield Evren.” Not good at all.
“You… are the only person my daughter has ever taken with her when she has run. And I am… grateful… that she trusts you enough to do so.”
I nod. This is not the part I’m worried about.
“And I beg you to remember who she is. And what will happen if you let your feelings of… protectiveness… be misplaced where she is concerned.”
Ah. “You are asking me to keep my hands to myself.”
He grows very still, hands clenched with effort. “I am.”
“Your daughter was falling apart in the middle of the street. And I restrained myself from offering her comfort. And she knew I was restraining myself. And she stepped into my arms. Are you asking me to pull away next time your daughter feels safe enough for that as well?”
He stops breathing, eyes closed tight.
“I’m asking you to know that the consequences for her are so much worse than they are for you… should either of you mistake trust and safety and proximity for… freedom to act on those feelings.”
“I am not selfish. I do not want anything from your daughter. I want… a lot… for her. And I understand and agree with what you are telling me. I will not risk her future safety for her current desire for comfort.”
“I know you believe that… I wish I could, too. And yet… she’s never…” He looks away and I see real pain in his eyes. “Please be careful with her. Be smart. Do not hurt her. I won’t pull back from killing another boy who does that to her again.”
“I would never. I don’t just believe that. I promise that. Your magic pushes you to watch and understand and know. Mine pushes me to protect. And I can’t turn it off just because a pretty girl wants to hug me after she spends an evening emotionally devastated.”
“Pray you never have a daughter who you find yourself helpless to protect,” he murmurs. And I understand how much fear rules this man’s relationship with his daughter.
“I don’t think anyone holds you responsible for what happened with that–” I have to take a breath.
“I do.”
I nod, glancing to the stairs where Kalia disappeared to.
“I will… try to tell someone the next time she needs to run. But I will not leave her to run alone if she’s willing to take me with her. She doesn’t think the world is dangerous to her. You and I know that there are parts of it that absolutely are.”
“I should release you from your duties… hire someone old and boring.”
“And it would not keep her safer.”
“No. I think you’re probably right.”
“I cannot understand the fear you feel for your daughter. But I watched her fall apart tonight and it ripped my heart out. I will not do the same thing to her. If I think I’m in danger of doing so… I’ll remove myself from the equation.”
“I love her mother more than anything in this world. And I’ve hurt her so many times over the years. Never because I wanted to. I’m… an old man. And I’ve lived a lot of life. I am putting the most important thing in my world in your hands. Against my better judgement.”
We sit together for several long minutes before Kalia’s father finally stands and walks upstairs after his family. I stay seated, suddenly aware of just how little I belong to these people… or them to me. I cannot let my affection for this woman turn into something harmful to her. There are rules… neither my nor her interdistrict privileges exempt us from them.
Spoiler… the man absolutely will not be keeping his hands — or his heart — to himself.
And everyone will be better for it in the end.
I’m sorry in advance for the emotional damage it will cause in the meantime.
Excerpt from Falling of Stars
A Shieldbound Universe Prequel
By: Meris Rosewick
Work in Progress
