Chapter 76

—Tristan—

I watched Ellie as she stroked the heads of our children, patient, loving, even though they both had been crying on and off for hours. She sang to them, whispered words of sweet nothings to them. She had left her family for them so they would be safe, so they would get the life they deserved, the life they were destined for.

I had seen the look in her eyes when she’d said goodbye to her cousin. Ellie had given up so much for our children. Her body was weaker than mine. She wasn’t as harsh or cruel or fearless. But God she was strong.

When Samuel and Isabella had finally fallen asleep, she straightened from where she’d been bent over their crib and when she noticed me, she tensed slightly but came toward me. She’d been oddly quiet today, and I knew something was bothering her, but I didn’t talk emotions if I could help it.

Ellie stopped in the hallway. “I’ve been here for three weeks, but I still don’t know what we are.”

I braced myself beside her sh