Three months later, after his departure, Anthony returned to the castle where he had sworn he would never set foot again. He needed to say his last goodbye to his wife. Anthony entered the room where she was being veiled, and his eyes met those of his father-in-law, who looked older and tired, and he hated him even more. He saw the little girl next to him, looking curiously at the dead woman. He hated her too. For it was better that he had never known such happiness, if it was to be snatched away from him so soon. And because of that girl, he had lived days that he would never be able to repeat with anyone else. He approached the coffin and realized how beautiful his sweet Kellen looked. She seemed to be asleep. Her face was not cadaverous, nor was her skin pale. He knelt down and wept in front of everyone present. He had never told her that he loved her. And what did it matter now, the words he didn't know how to say? She let him go so easily that he thought he was nothin
“Brianna, you have to learn that I know what's best for you. And it is best for you, since you were not given the gift of sight. I did everything I could to awaken your gift, but you're just like other ordinary people. The only thing that sets you apart is your blood. Power runs through your veins, my child. You are the first in a long line not to have a vision of your future husband. So I have to do this for you, since you haven't given me a choice. I know this means that this marriage won't produce another Bruma, but it guarantees that it will produce a very powerful species.” “I don't care about any of that, Dad. I won't marry that man to satisfy you. Why do I have to get married? That's so outdated...” “It's not outdated, Brianna. Have you ever seen a decent young woman your age without a husband? We're not in... Our land. I know that habits here are modern, but... I prefer to stick to our traditions.” Brianna stood up. “Dad, don't think about it anymore. I have Mom's in
Brianna went back to her room, where she spent the rest of the day, angry and locked in, and ignoring her grandfather's pleas to come in. How could she leave her homeland and live so far away? Her grandfather was going mad. Perhaps she should tell him that she'd had the vision he'd been waiting for... But now it would be too late. He wouldn't believe her. He'd think she was just trying to circumvent his will. Brianna cried herself to sleep. When night came, she had the dream that would change her life forever. Brianna felt someone sit on the edge of her bed. She kept her eyes closed. She didn't want to see anyone yet, and besides, she was very sleepy. Her eyes felt heavy. She felt a touch on her leg, and sat up startled, remembering that there was no way anyone could get in there, as she had locked the room from the inside, and came across her mother, the same age as when she saw her in the coffin, but now with her green eyes open. Behind her, she could see a figure, as if it wer
“I thought he only cared about having his grandson.” “Yes. That's all he cares about. But he fears the power of the man who fell in love with you, and he'll feign indignation when the man comes after him and forces him to disown you so that he can never come back here.” “But... won't this child I'm going to give birth to be able to meet my parents?” “No, my dear. But it will form a beautiful family for itself. With lots of people. People she will choose. There's no point in having siblings, like I do, and not knowing them, is there?” “I thought you were an only child...” “I thought so too. But Mom had twins. Of course, she didn't let Dad know, because she was afraid she'd raise them like he was raising me. When she was three months old, she traveled to her relatives' house in Scotland and had the children there, where she left them and went back to her grandfather.” “How old are they now?” “They're thirty-five.” “So the age difference between you isn't that great
Brianna thought her grandfather was lying and as soon as they arrived at the castle, everyone went their separate ways, looking for memories in every part of the place, except Brianna. She went to her mother's room. There was a painting right above the headboard. Her grandmother didn't let her in there when they lived there. She realized that everything there had belonged to her mother. Brianna didn't want to think about it, so she went to the painting, and when she took it down, she discovered the safe. She typed in the date of her birthday and the safe opened with a small pop. Then she got emotional and cried. Her mother had really been with her and talked to her. She saw that there was a lot of money in the safe. She could live comfortably for the rest of her life, without working. She went to the closet and realized that her mother's clothes were all there. Clean and perfumed. Her grandmother probably told her to keep her room clean. She took a pillowcase and put all the money
An employee of the house came to tell Brianna, who was sitting on one of the benches in the labyrinth, that her fiancé was waiting for them to have lunch together. Brianna stared at her for a few seconds, and it was only at that moment that she realized that she didn't know the name of any of the staff. She didn't want her children to have the same upbringing that her grandparents had given her. She didn't want them to feel superior to anyone. She wanted them to value people, to take care of their home and their things. After all, everyone who worked in the house ended up becoming a member of the family. How many secrets was that woman in front of her, who must have been the same age as her, hiding in order to protect her family? “I'll be there in a minute.” Brianna decided to reply, to free the young woman. She would start a new life somewhere else and would know the names of everyone who helped her. She couldn't do that there. Even if she had time, her grandfather wouldn't ap
“If that's your condition for marrying me, know that I'm a man of honor, and I keep my word, and I give you my word today, that I won't let your grandfather take any of the children we have.” “Can I trust that? You gave Dad your word that you would allow our son to be taken by him.” “I didn't give my word. He asked me as a favor and I said I'd think about it. He must have concluded that I accepted, since I didn't give up on marrying you.” Brianna looked at him suspiciously. “E... What are you? Dad says you're an animal, but to me, you look a lot like a human.” He smiled. “Do you really want to know? I can show you what I am.” “Just tell me.” Brianna said fearlessly. “I'm a werewolf. Half man, half wolf.” “And why are you like that?” He shook his shoulders. “I don't know, Brianna. Do you know why you're a Bruma?” Brianna wondered. She just was. There was no explanation. Or at least, she couldn't explain it. “Will our children be like you?” “I don't know.
Brianna, thinking that her grandfather would find it difficult to control his anger at the decision she had made with Dester to leave his house immediately, and not wanting to face his fury, preferred to wait for Dester in his room. There, she showered and changed her clothes. There was nothing interesting on TV, so she took her father's book out of one of the suitcases and started reading. The story was moving, and at times she cried. Overcome with emotion, she heard a knock on the door. She got up, quickly wiped away her tears and went to answer it. Another employee came to call her. Her fiancé was already waiting for her. Brianna put the book back in her bag and asked the employee to help her downstairs with them. When he arrived in the lobby, his grandparents were waiting. Her grandmother couldn't hide her tears, and her grandfather was playing strong, when everyone could see that he was struggling not to fall apart. She felt no pity, but hugged him for the last time, and sm