Free Spellbound Falls by Janet Chapman Page A

have. A lot has happened to you in the last few months, and… well, I want you to know that every day I thank the gods you’re my son.”
Reading his intentions, Mac crouched down just as Henry charged toward him, catching him and straightening with an exaggerated grunt when the boy threw his arms around his neck in a bear of a hug.
“I’m glad you’re my dad,” Henry whispered. He leaned away just enough to look Mac in the eyes, his young eyes glistening with emotion. “I wished and wished for you to come for me after Mama died,” he said, his voice quivering. “Because she told me over and over how strong and powerful and good you were whenever I asked.”
“If I had known about you, Henry,” Mac said thickly, “I would have come for you immediately.” He walked to the smaller downstairs bedroom and lowered the boy to the floor, then cupped his face in his hands to make him look up. “Nothing—not even your uncles—would have kept me from you. And remember that if we somehow ever get separated in the future, all you have to do is make your way to the ocean and you will find the help you need to get back to me.”
Henry beamed up at him. “I know that now.” He let out a yawn. “I understand Misneach belongs to Fiona, but I miss him terribly. Can I have a puppy of my own?”
For the love of Zeus, the child changed directions like the wind! Realizing that if he didn’t get him in bed the boy was going to talk all night, Mac pulled back the blankets. “You can have a pet once we settle into a permanent home. Now strip off and climb in. It’s well past your bedtime.”
“But I haven’t brushed my teeth,” he said even as he pulled his shirt off over his head. “And you haven’t read to me from Aunt Carolina’s book.” He shed his trousers and underpants and kicked them to the side. “Tonight I was supposed to learn how Athena took Athens away from Poseidon.”
Mac stifled a sigh. “I’m afraid brushing your teeth six times a day isn’t going to stop them from falling out, son. And as for that particular war between the gods, the people of Athens decided they liked Athena’s gift better than they liked Poseidon’s,” he continued, lifting Henry into bed. He sat down beside him and tucked the blankets under the boy’s chin. “And so they chose Athena as their goddess.”
“What was her gift?”
“She planted an olive tree in the city, whereas Poseidon drove his trident into the ground at the Acropolis and created a spring.” Mac shrugged. “And deciding an olive tree was more useful, the people chose Athena as their patron.”
“Didn’t they know that water is
necessary
for life?”
“They preferred Athena’s gift because they could eat the olives, whereas they couldn’t drink from Poseidon’s spring because it was salt water.”
The boy arranged his stuffed whale under the blankets beside him with a frown. “But weren’t they afraid having a woman as their patron would leave them vulnerable to attack?” He snorted. “Because the gods were warring against each other all the time and people kept getting caught in the middle, they should have chosen Poseidon to protect them because he was stronger.”
“Ah, but Athena was known for her wisdom. And wisdom is far more powerful than brute strength, Henry. Which is why being big and strong and knowing how to wield a sword isn’t always enough; it takes wisdom to recognize if something is worth fighting over, so you can decide when to stand your ground and when to retreat to fight another day.” Mac patted Henry’s chest and stood up. “Now close your eyes and talk to your mama, and let me know in the morning if we need to buy you pajamas.”
“Sophie told me her mama is always running away from people,” Henry said just as Mac reached the bedroom door. “So does that mean Olivia is wise like Athena? Because I think Sophie believes her mama’s just scared of everyone.”
Mac could see he needed to start preparing for bedtime