Chapter 341: The Place They Began

By the time they returned to the palace, it was already noon. Brandon and Emma had barely stepped through the entrance when Luna Alexandra came toward them.

"How did it go?"

"It went well," Brandon replied. "We managed to settle the dispute without it turning into a fight."

Alexandra smiled with relief. "Good. And thank you for sending Elyon to help me."

Brandon and Emma exchanged a look before laughing.

"He really did help," Emma said.

Alexandra raised an eyebrow. "He did, although I’m not sure how much work he actually managed to do."

"Where are the pups?" Brandon asked.

"In the nursery. He’s sleeping with Nadia."

Emma smiled. "Already?"

"He fell asleep on the stack of documents on my table," Alexandra said, shaking her head. "Apparently, sorting papers was exhausting."

Brandon laughed softly. "At least he tried."

Alexandra smiled and shook her head. "He did, and he was very proud of himself. I’m sure he’ll be reminding us about his hard work for the rest of the moon."

Emma laughed softly. "Then we’ll have to thank him properly when he wakes up."

Brandon smiled. "After all that hard work, I think he deserves it."

Emma slipped her hand into Brandon’s as they turned toward the nursery.

"Let’s go see our little helper."

Brandon nodded, and they walked down the hallway together.

They walked toward the nursery and found Elyon and Charlotte Nadia sleeping peacefully. Emma paused beside them for a moment, gently smoothing Charlotte’s hair before they left.

Luna Alexandra preferred calling Charlotte by her middle name, Nadia, and everyone in the royal family knew why.

After checking on the pups, Brandon and Emma took the elevator back to their chamber.

The rest of the day passed quietly. Brandon attended to a few matters that had accumulated during their trip, while Emma spent time with the pups before returning to their chamber.

That same day, after lunch, Brandon found her sitting by the window with a book in her hands.

"Moonheart."

She looked up from her book.

"Hmm?"

"Come with me."

She closed the book and studied him for a moment. "Where?"

He held out his hand with a small smile.

"You’ll see."

She glanced at his hand, then back at him.

"You’re being mysterious again."

"Just trust me."

She placed her hand in his and stood. "I hope you’re not taking me somewhere I need to dress up for."

"You’re fine just the way you are."

He simply adjusted her shirt’s sleeve and led her through the palace toward the private entrance, where a car was already waiting. She looked at him as they stepped inside and settled into their seats.

"You planned this."

"I did."

"When?"

"Before we left for the west."

Her eyes narrowed playfully as she looked at him.

"So that’s the arrangement you didn’t want to tell me about."

Brandon smiled. "You’ll understand soon."

The drive was quiet, and after a while, Emma stopped trying to guess where they were going. When the car finally slowed and came to a stop, she looked through the window.

Her expression changed.

The park stretched ahead of them beneath the evening sky, quiet and familiar.

Brandon stepped out and walked around to open her door. She took his hand and stepped onto the path.

He led her past the familiar trees and along the winding path until they reached the old willow tree.

Emma stopped.

She stared at it for several seconds before a smile slowly spread across her face.

"This is where we first met."

Brandon nodded.

She walked beneath the hanging branches, looking around as the old memories came back to her. She could almost see herself sitting beneath the tree with that worn-out novel in her hands, only to hear the click of a camera and look up to find Brandon standing nearby with a mischievous smile on his face.

Then came the chase.

Emma laughed softly as she looked at him.

"You were so annoying."

Brandon’s smile widened. "You chased me."

"Because you took my picture without asking."

"And then you sat on me."

She turned toward him, trying not to laugh.

"You fell."

"Because you were chasing me."

She shook her head, laughing again as the memory of those first few minutes came back to her.

"I remember everything."

Emma looked at him.

"So do I."

He reached for her hand and gently laced his fingers through hers.

"I wanted to bring you back here because this was where everything started."

She looked up at the willow tree again, letting her eyes move over the familiar branches.

"We didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into."

"No."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"But we were happy."

Brandon nodded.

"We were."

For a while, they stood beneath the tree, listening to the wind move softly through the branches.

Then Emma looked at him.

"Did you think about this place when you were away?"

Brandon’s expression softened.

"Many times."

He looked toward the tree.

"When everything became difficult, I used to remember what we had before all of that. I remembered you sitting here with your book. I remembered the first time you looked at me like you wanted to throw something at me."

Emma let out a quiet laugh.

"I probably did."

"I know."

She rested her head against his shoulder, her fingers still intertwined with his.

"I wish we could have stayed like this forever."

Brandon tightened his hand around hers.

"But we’re still here."

She lifted her head and looked at him. For a moment, she said nothing. Then her eyes dropped to their joined hands.

"I still remember those nine winters apart," she said quietly. "And it didn’t end there. We spent another two winters apart."

Her voice faltered.

"The painful part was carrying our daughter alone."

She quickly looked away, but a tear slipped down her cheek.

Brandon turned toward her and gently wiped it away with his thumb.

"You don’t have to forget those winters," he said softly. "But you don’t have to carry them alone anymore."

Emma looked back at him.

"Why?"

A small smile touched his lips.

"Because we’re still here."

He brushed another tear from her cheek.

"You’re right about those winters apart, Moonheart. I can’t change what happened, and I can’t give those winters back to you. But I promised I’d make it up to you, and I intend to spend the rest of my life trying."

"How?" Emma asked, her voice quiet as she looked at him.

Brandon held her gaze for a moment before answering. "By being here. I know that sounds simple, but it starts here. I missed more than just time with you. I missed the ordinary things I used to take for granted. Waking up beside you, having breakfast together, watching our pups grow, being there when Bryan learned something new, and listening to Charlotte tell one of her endless stories. I missed all of it."

Emma’s eyes softened. "You can’t get those winters back."

"I know." Brandon reached for her hand again and gently intertwined their fingers. "That’s why I don’t want to miss any more of them."

She looked down at their joined hands before meeting his eyes again. "And what about me?"

Brandon’s expression softened. "You’re not getting the mate who disappears when things become difficult anymore. If something is wrong, I’ll tell you. If I’m afraid, I’ll tell you. If I need help, I’ll ask for it. And when you need me, I’ll be there."

A small smile appeared through the tears in Emma’s eyes. "I hope so."

"I mean it." Brandon lifted their joined hands slightly. "I can’t erase what happened, Moonheart, but I can make sure you never have to wonder where I am , wether you can trust me again or whether I’ll come back to you."

She swallowed and looked away for a moment, brushing the tear from her cheek with her free hand. "I don’t need you to give me back those winters, Starlit."

"I know."

"I just need the ones we still have."

Brandon looked at her quietly, then brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Then that’s what I’ll give you."

She smiled softly. "All of them?"

"All of them," he promised.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

He gently drew her closer and kissed her lips, and she kissed him back. The kiss lingered for a moment before Emma pulled back slightly, a teasing smile appearing through her tears.

"Starlit," she whispered, glancing around them. "We’re still out in the open."

Brandon chuckled softly and loosened his hold on her, though he kept her close.

Emma watched him quietly, her eyes still wet as she held onto his hand.

"I’m sorry. I almost lost control," Brandon said, running a hand through his hair.

She gave him a teasing smile. "You always lose control."

He looked at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Only when it comes to you."

He gave her fingers one last gentle squeeze before slowly stepping back.

Emma looked at him, confused by the sudden distance between them.

"Starlit?"

Brandon didn’t answer.

Instead, he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and held something tightly in his hand.

Emma’s eyes dropped to it, then returned to his face.

"What are you doing?"

A small smile appeared on Brandon’s lips.

He took one slow breath before lowering himself onto one knee.

Emma’s eyes widened.

For a moment, she simply stood there, staring down at him beneath the willow tree.

"Starlit..."