~ Rayel’s POV“Let’s spring into action to find her and my child,” I added.“Yes, Your Majesty,” Boris acknowledged my message.“But why did Elara fake her own death?” Boris asked again, looking so confused.“We will find out when I see her.”I watched as he left the room again. I went to my wardrobe to get changed, feeling so excited to reunite with my long lost mate and my child again.~ Elara’s POVDespair washed over me as Rufus spoke. My father, the key to protecting my child? It felt like a cruel joke."There has to be a reason he vanished," Rufus pressed gently, trying to reason with my anger. A part of me acknowledged he might be right.Memories flickered – my mother's voice, soft and reassuring. She always said my father shouldered his burdens, never abandoning his family without a fight. But rage had clouded my judgment, twisting those cherished memories into accusations.Could I have been wrong? The thought gnawed at me. Shame flared hot. I had been so consumed by fury, I h
~ Elara’s POVRelief washed over me as Rufus agreed to train me. The dream, once a confusing memory, now felt like a spark, a potential key to protecting my child."Thank you, Rufus," I said sincerely, my voice thick with emotion. "I can't express how much this means to me."He offered a reassuring smile. "Think nothing of it, Elara. We're in this together." With a nod, he rose and headed towards the kitchen, likely to get me some food.Left alone, I cradled Dolph close, his tiny fingers clutching at my shirt. His big, inquisitive eyes seemed to hold an unnerving wisdom, staring deep into mine. A shiver ran down my spine. Was it just my imagination, or did he seem to sense the turmoil within me?A wry smile touched my lips. Maybe he did. But even if the world seemed to be crumbling around me, I wouldn't let it break me. For Dolph, I would find my strength. For Dolph, I would unlock the power within.Dolph continued to nurse, his eyes wide open and locked on mine. I couldn't help but
~ Elara’s POV I clutched the vial Rufus handed me, a warmth radiating through the glass. "So, what's next?" I asked, barely containing my eagerness.Rufus, his posture straightening, met my gaze. "The vial can reignite the ember within you," he explained, "but it's just the first step. To truly fan it into a flame, we need a plan."His next words surprised me. There were no cryptic chants or gestures he instructed me to perform. Instead, he outlined a series of practical steps:"First," he said, his voice dropping to a low hum, "we need to quiet the storm within. Meditation can help. Find a quiet corner each day, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Imagine yourself like a still lake, emotions just ripples on the surface. With practice, the whispers of your intuition will become clearer."A flicker of hope ignited within me. Meditation wasn't some ancient ritual, it was something I could do.Rufus continued, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "Next, we need to train this newfound
~ Rayel’s POVThe soft fabric of my clothes brushed against my skin as I pulled them on. Stepping out of my room, I paused for a moment, a newfound awareness blooming within me. My body felt different. A content smile curved my lips. The feeling of well-being, the surge of energy, it had to be thanks to Elara and my little baby.Heading towards the training grounds, my thoughts drifted to what would happen when I meet my child. Soon, there would be a baby’s voice echoing in my palace, another face to light up your days. I felt excitement bubbling over. I needed a name, the perfect name, for this little baby who would change my world forever.Names flitted through my mind, ones I had loved since childhood. But none of them felt quite right yet. The search continued, a delightful puzzle waiting to be solved. I quickened your pace, eager to reach the training grounds and see what Boris was up to, hoping maybe he'd have some brilliant ideas. After all, you were in this together.A flurry
Rayel’s POVThe soldiers filed out of the training grounds, their boots crunching on the gravel. They were leaving to follow my command. Boris lingered behind a moment, a furrow in his brow. He leaned in and spoke quietly, "Your Majesty, why are we heading back to the lake forest? We combed that place high and low months ago."I met his gaze. “We found a scrap of Elara's clothing there. It has to be connected somehow. Maybe another search will jog to uncover something we missed before." A flicker of worry crossed my face.He nodded his head and then asked me what I was going to do next after finding Elara and her child."Bring them back here, to the palace," I said, my voice firm but my heart heavy. "And I will make sure I keep them safe."Boris studied me for a long moment, then let out a sigh. "That's all well and good, Your Majesty," he said, "but have you thought about Luna Hazel? How's she going to take all this?"A knot formed in my stomach. The truth was, I hadn't. Elara's sudd
~ Elara’s POV I finally left to hide with Dolph when I heard the approaching footsteps again and they were almost close to where we were. I thanked Rufus before jumping out of his training ground and I went into the house to carry my baby. Ducking behind the massive oak tree, I peeked out, heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs. The approaching footsteps were getting closer. Then, through the trees, I spotted Rufus. But he wasn't running. He stood stock still, facing where I and Dolph were hiding. He wasn't just standing there, though. He was humming. Not a tune, but actual words.Curiosity, sharp and hot, pricked through my fear. I squeezed my eyes shut, straining to hear over the pounding of my own blood. The humming grew louder, resolving into a rhythmic chant. It wasn't gibberish, the way some movies portrayed magic. This sounded…ancient, powerful. Like an old poem or a secret language. A shiver ran down my spine. Then, it hit me.Rufus was creating a shield, a magical
~ Elara’s POVMy heart overflowed with gratitude for Rufus. He'd just saved our lives! I rushed inside to lay Dolph carefully on the bed. I needed to get him safe so I could help Rufus. But the sight that greeted me stopped me cold. The room was trashed, a complete disaster zone. Panic surged through me.Spotting a large cloth, I grabbed it and in a flash, I secured Dolph onto my back. Bursting out of the room, I scanned desperately for Rufus. But he was nowhere to be seen. Fear twisted in my gut. Where had he gone? I spun around, searching frantically, until I spotted him.There he was, in the middle of the chaos, but not doing what I expected. Instead of running away, he was focused on the aftermath of the fight. He was trying to clear away the bodies of the men who had attacked us. Relief washed over me like a wave. I hurried over to Rufus, my voice shaky with concern. "Are you sure you're alright? Shouldn't you be resting after all that?"Rufus straightened up, his brow furrowe
~ Elara’s POV Rufus knelt down, and a moment later I heard the happy gurgling of my son. Rufus had brought him out, a tiny scrap of peaceful normalcy in the midst of the chaos. Dolph munched on his food with a single-minded focus that mirrored my own training sessions. It was almost comical, the way he would get so engrossed in eating he'd fall asleep right after, as if sensing the importance of the task at hand.A surge of fierce love washed over me. I would find my father. Not just for myself, but for Dolph, to create a safe and secure future for both of us. Fueled by this newfound determination, I devoured my food, ready to tackle another grueling training session. The road ahead was long, but with each passing day, I felt myself getting closer, not just to unlocking my powers, but to reuniting with my father.Days bled into weeks as I trained relentlessly. Rufus pushed me hard, but I never faltered. Then, one day, it happened. With a final, grueling exercise, Rufus finally manage