Free Kiss of the Goblin Prince by Shona Husk Page A

in—Matt’s.
    There was nowhere else for her to stay.
    Roan and Eliza were in the guest room, the master room having been gutted for renovation. And the study downstairs was being used by Dai. She couldn’t say the idea of being under the same roof as him was entirely unwelcome. Their last conversation left her with a desire to know more…and he was more forthcoming than Eliza. So the only two rooms left in the house were the bedrooms Matt and Eliza had used as children. And Brigit would want to sleep in Eliza’s princess room.
    When they arrived, Brigit proved her right, immediately laying claim to the pink-and-white, rose-patterned room filled with old dolls and soft toys. There’d been a time when she’d first started dating Matt that she’d thought Eliza strange for keeping such a childish room as a teenager, but now she understood her need to hold on to the past. Eliza’s mother had decorated that room, and that was all Eliza had left of her. She touched her bare finger; she’d lost another piece of Matt.
    In Matt’s room, she sat on the end of the bed. The room was the same as it was when he’d died. Surf posters on the wall. His clunky computer was on the desk. Clean laundry in a pile on the chair. Even surrounded by his things he was a memory, insubstantial and untouchable. The love they’d shared was faint and offered no warmth or support. She rubbed her hands together hoping the heat would reach her heart.
    It didn’t. She was lonely. She didn’t want to be by herself. Dai’s smile flickered in her mind. He was quiet and mysterious and despite her best efforts she was drawn to him. Something about him sparked an interest she hadn’t felt, or wanted, in years. Her body knew exactly what she needed. Her skin ached to be touched. She wanted to be alive again.
    Dai set her on edge like she was a desperate teenager. She closed her eyes. What would his lips taste like?
    Amanda gave herself a shake. How could she be thinking of Dai while sleeping in Matt’s room? No matter what her body thought, she wasn’t going to start having flings and introducing strange men into Brigit’s life. With a sigh, she pushed aside all thoughts of men and what her body craved and went to check on Brigit.
    She cracked open the bedroom door and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dark. Brigit’s breathing was quiet, as it should be. The day off to rest had helped: one more and she’d be back to her usual self. Brigit knew the risks as she’d been hospitalized before. Her teachers knew, and Amanda wasn’t far away if anything happened. It was ten minutes from the high school where she worked to Brigit’s school. In a few more years, Brigit would be in high school. Her little girl was growing up.
    Brigit rustled as she rolled over. “Mom, can you tell me about Dad?”
    Amanda smiled. She should’ve known Brigit wouldn’t be asleep after all the excitement. “Sure, honey.”
    She sat on the bed and smoothed Brigit’s hair. “Daddy liked to surf. We used to go to the beach all the time.”
    “And I was in your tummy.” Brigit knew the story well.
    “That’s right. One day he didn’t come back.” He’d gone to the aid of another surfer and they’d both disappeared. She’d been on the beach, with every breath she’d expected him to reappear. He didn’t, not until the next day when both men’s bodies washed ashore.
    “Because the angels took him.”
    “That’s right.” She’d started the lie for herself so she didn’t feel alone, even though she no longer believed it, she continued the story for Brigit. “He watches over us because he loves us and wants to watch you grow up.”
    “Do angels get tired?”
    “Maybe. I know little girls do.” She gave Brigit a kiss. “Get some sleep.”
    She closed the door but let her hand rest on the handle. If Matt were there, he would know what to do. He would’ve been qualified by now, a doctor who could tell her if she was being too protective of her only