The request broke something in her chest. He'd lost his brother. Spent thirty years searching for family he'd thought lost. As far as she knew, he was her only living relative.
“Yes,” she said. “I'd like that.”
His smile transformed his face. “Thank you.” He looked at Brandon. “Take care of her.”
“Always,” Brandon said.
Silas moved toward the door, then paused. He looked back at Brandon, head tilted slightly, eyes narrowed slightly. “You know... you remind me of someone. Can't quite place it.”
Through the bond, Muriel felt Brandon's careful control, his deliberate nonchalance.
“I get that a lot,” Brandon said lightly. “People often mistake me for the Boy Who Lived.”
Silas's lips twitched, but his eyes remained thoughtful. “Indeed.” He studied Brandon for another moment, then nodded once. “Be safe. Both of you.”
And then he was gone, theLiber Terraetucked under his arm, taking the Consilium's attention with him.
Muriel sagged against Brandon the moment the door closed, and he wrapped his arms around her immediately.
“You okay?” he murmured.
“I’m going to miss it.”
“TheLiber? Don’t.” He kissed her forehead. “I switched the real one with a Consilium forgery.”
“You—” she laughed and shook her head. “I’m sorry I doubted you.”
“You’re forgiven.”
“So… I have an uncle. And he's been trying to protect me all this time.”
“Apparently. I’ll ask Jason to confirm, just to be sure.”
“Do you trust him?”
Brandon was quiet for a moment. “I want to. But...”
“But he's still Consilium.”
“Yeah.” He pulled back enough to see her face. “We'll stay cautious. For what it’s worth, I do think he’s sincere, and I believe he meant what he said about keeping his promise to your father.”
Muriel nodded, feeling tears prick her eyes again. “My father loved me. Even before I was born, he was trying to protect me.”
“He did.” Brandon cupped her face. “And your mother loved you enough to spend thirty years maintaining the wards he taught her, even though it must have been agony for her.”
She felt his love surge—that same fierce, protective devotion her father must have felt for her mother.
“Do you think Silas knows about theCodex? Or about who you are really?”
“Maybe. But even if he does...” Brandon shrugged. “He's protected you for thirty years. I don't think he'll stop now.”
Muriel leaned into him. They were together. They were safe.
And this time, it would stay that way.
24
HAPPY FOR NOW