The Apple Tree Ch. 04

"You saw Shannon's future as well as I did: in 30 years she would've controlled half the world including this land. Larry and Lily would have perceived us sooner or later and eliminated us from a distance. In addition to safeguarding the future of our family, we've let tens and thousands of innocent people like your parents live without the burden of oppression."

"But Larry was the only one that died. I can understand how you spared Shannon, although most wouldn't have tried to get her to see the error of her ways, but why did you give Lily your Paradise?"

Michael stroked her hair. "Lily was reasonable. She knew she could never recover her power and was willing to accept personal safety rather than die under the claws of the demon like Larry did. I was able to offer her an alternative she could accept."

She patted his knee. "But you could've gone to your Paradise and been forever young, forever graceful, in a place constructed to make you happy."

"I've already done that here. No one waits for me on the other side in anger. More is not needed."

Rebecca snuggled into his tummy and purred. Her spirit still tingled from their night of passion, and through her magical knowledge of her body, she knew another spark of life would take hold within her shortly. She kissed his thigh. "I'm ready to stay home for a while."