Chapter 21: Say Yes Out Loud

Ronan's POV

My mother's stone stood at the end of the third row, under a pine, with the frost still on it.

ELLIS DRAYCOTT, LUNA OF BLOOD MOON, it said, and under it, in smaller letters, 23 years.

I had come here every year of my life on her birthday.

I had never once come without being afraid of what killed her.

I sat on the cold ground in front of the stone and broke the seal on the envelope.

The paper had gone soft with age.

The handwriting was round and quick, a young woman's, and it slanted uphill.

My dearest son, it began.

I read it by the gray light, with my breath smoking.

If you are reading this, you are grown, and your father has told you the tale of how I died.

I want you to know I could tell what was in the tea before I could prove it.

I hope Chester was brave enough to keep this for you.

I am not frightened of dying, because I have had you for eleven months and a husband who was glad to see me every night.

I am frightened that you will believe what they say about me.

They will say love did this.

Love did not do this.

Someone who was afraid of love did this.

Ronan, if the Goddess ever puts a woman in your path, say yes to her out loud.

Say it even though your voice shakes.

I would give back every day I have left to have had one more with your father.

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