Having spoken his mind, he turns his back on Bram, preparing to remonstrate further with his daughter.

But Bram has heard enough.

“No, sir, I will not.”

“What’s that you say?” The duke of Radnor is not accustomed to being defied, either in life or in death.

Bram can feel ice forming on his hair and is conscious of his shabby clothes and unkempt appearance. He is conscious that his accent gives away his heritage, that his clothes mark him out as a man of small means, that he is not, in so many ways, a person the duke would have ever considered suitable for his daughter. Such opinions, however, no longer matter to Bram.

“I will not abandon Lilith. She is everything to me. I love her…”

“There is more to love than pretty words and kisses!”

“Indeed there is. There is loyalty. You may choose to refuse her request for help; that might be your understanding of love. I will stand by her, whatever the dangers. Oh, I don’t pretend to know about your coven, or your creed, or even what is happening right this minute. A man could lose his mind were he to think of it too hard and too long. But just because I cannot make sense of it does not mean I am not fit to help Lilith. We will stand together and I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe and to enable her to fulfill her duty. Because it matters to her. I will not be dismissed like some servant found wanting. I will not be scared off. I am a part of your daughter’s life now, sir, whether it suits you or not.” He steps close to Lilith and takes her hand in his.

“Please, Papa…” she whispers.

The duke shakes his head. “It seems to me you have already made your choice, daughter,” he says. And in an instant, he is gone, and Bram and Lilith stand alone at the graveside once more.

Chapter 15

15.