Aftermath by Jaci Burton Page A

woman who knows nothing of life or of pain.”
    Her smile disappeared. “And you are a cold-hearted fool who is blind to those who love you. You might at least open your eyes and see your brother and sister before they are lost to you forever.” What was she trying to say to him? “So you are saying they alone love me?”
    “Well, do not look at me, for I can never love a man whose heart is so closed to love.” She stilled and pushed away from him. For the first time he noticed her tears were golden. “I am not a child, Braedon. I am a woman with a woman’s heart and a woman’s pain. Please do not tell me that I do not know what it means to feel pain. Your words cut me and I bleed. And it hurts. Please do enjoy the celebration for your people went to much trouble to put it together. And look at your brother and sister, before it is too late for you.”
    Before he could say anything, she backed away and slipped into the crowd. He started to go after her, but something she said made him turn and search the crowd. He spied Donny and Erin laughing and dancing with a crowd of strangers. Their joy pulled at his heart. That they felt such happiness without him hurt. Surprisingly, it hurt.
    “Yes, they still love you.”
    He turned to find Nadine beside him. “I am surprised they even know me.”
    “You would be surprised by many things if you would only open your eyes.”
    “Such as?”
    “That I love you, that Erin and Donny love you.”
    Nadine threaded her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder. “And Trista loves you too.”
    “I cannot love anyone.”
    “And why is that?” she asked.
    “Because I must concentrate on protecting all my people. Love is…distracting.” Nadine laughed and kissed his cheek, then forced him to look at her. “Silly boy. It is well past time that you get over losing your parents. Yes it was heartbreaking, but loving someone does not mean losing them. You have always been very smart in military matters. Now it is time to be very wise and use the same intelligence on matters of your heart.”
    “I am not sure what you mean.”
    “Open your eyes, Braedon. And more importantly,” she said, laying her hand on his chest, “open your heart.”
    She inclined her head toward the far end of the ballroom then walked away.

    He looked at Erin and Donny, watching them laughing and enjoying themselves with strangers.
    Strangers. Not family, not him, but strangers, dancing with his sister and playing with his little brother.
    Several of his guard were talking to Donny. Donny looked up at them with stark admiration in his eyes.
    He eyed their battle gear and their swords with great awe. Erin was dancing gaily with a young man from a fine family, the boy’s parents watching closely.
    Braedon realized he knew nothing of his brother and sister, had not involved himself in either their upbringing or their lives in any way.
    Striding toward them, he stopped first in front of Erin. The young boy she danced with backed away quickly, bowing his head. Erin’s cheeks colored a bright pink and she dropped her chin to her chest.
    Did she think he would berate her for something?
    He realized he had no idea how to even begin.
    “You look…very pretty tonight, Erin.”
    Her head shot up and her eyes widened. “I do?”
    “Yes. May I have this dance?”
    Her smile made her eyes brighten. At that moment she reminded him of their mother. He told her so as he swept her into his arms and moved her into the center of the ballroom. Her cheeks pinkened.
    “Thank you, Braedon. People say I look like Mother. It makes me very happy to think so. I wondered if you would be upset to think I looked like her.”
    “And why do you think that would upset me?”
    “Because if I reminded you of her it would make you sad. I never want to make you sad. You have already had enough sadness in your life.”
    His heart tore in two. For years he had ignored her, yet she still cared about him, still loved him. He