Sophie's Point of View
I had sent Ezekiel home. His pack needed him there more than I needed him here. I had the Valkyrie to bare witness to my pain. Yet no tears came. None. Even in their company, I felt hollow. As if Luciana had left a hole in my chest. My sister. The one person who had always found a way to make me smile, even when I was annoying her in some or other way. She never knew how much I had admired her. How much it hurt when she had left and left me there, along with every single monster prowling the night. Suddenly, I was in the hands of a beast. The same beast she had been protecting me from her entire life.
***
The house was filled with the sweet scent of mother's milk tart and roast. Fire crackled to my right, Jasper splayed before it. June was a cruel month where we stayed. Some elders even predicted some snow fall later in the month. Snow was breath taking and fun to play in. But most importantly, my birthday was a w
Julian's Point of View Three days. That's how long she had been gone. Cold as ice. Pale as marble. Beautiful as an angel sent to me all those years ago. With her fiery temper and resolve of steel. Those flames within her soul had gone out, leaving this world colder than when she had come into it. Regret gnawed on my insides, tearing apart the parts of me that hated myself the most. I had lost her once, but that was nothing compared to this pain. This suffering. Whiskey came in short coming. Even my staff knew to steer clear of my office. How could she have been gone? With her smile and tenacity to raise Cain. There was nothing in this world that could bring her back. Witches were long since dormant and I feared that even they wouldn't have been able to raise her from her eternal slumber. Caspian had taken to his own room, leaving only to get another bottle of bourbon. We often met in the bar. Both looked as if we had seen better days. Those d
Julian's Point of View Breakfast was at 8am sharp. I had ordered everyone to attend. Sonja had gathered the Valkyrie, along with Ezekiel and Caspian. Lillian was retrieved from her villa and Amelia already sat waiting in the dining hall. Today was the day that I ensured the victory of our war. Our species, united as one. We had lost someone vital to our cause, but that did not mean we had to lose everything else as well. I had invited Caspian's father as well, but was politely declined due to the preparing of more men for war. Our war. They whole heartedly stood behind us now, thanks to Caspian. And in part thanks to Luciana. The old Alpha had heard nothing but praise for my wife from Caspian, thus resulting in us having more allies to rely on. It was bitter sweet in the face of losing her. The crown atop my head gleamed in the early morning rays. Last night I had stayed awake, rehashing Amelia's conversation. She was right. I couldn'
Caspian's Point of View Julian and I avoided each other like the plague after our quick kiss. My emotions left me bubbling. Boiling at what happened. He was Luciana's first mate. The King. A man. How could I possibly be feeling anything towards him except loathing for having her before me? There was nothing tying us together anymore in this world, yet I couldn't help but feel those same sparks with him that I had felt with Luciana. The brush of his lips against mine sent fire rushing down my throat. What had happened was a strange occurrence, but could easily be chalked up to grief and lack of common sense. Another bourbon bottle stood on my nightstand, almost empty. I had come to use glasses in the presence of people yet drank it straight when I was alone. There was no need to pretend that I was a healthy member of society when I was alone. My mourning was my own and I wouldn't have it any other way. Luciana had found me and then she was gon
Julian's Point of View My feet couldn't find the floor fast enough. I zipped down the corridor, my mind a raving mess. Sebastian hadn't uttered her name completely before I broke from Caspian and took off. Katharine was here. Somehow, the goddess be blessed, she was safe within our reach. The foyer quickly came to view, the big double doors opening up. In strode my men, a timid frame between them. Her chestnut hair was dirty against her head. Blue eyes wild. The small girl shook once when she looked to the side and saw Sophie. A radiant smile crossed her face but nothing compared to the one when she saw me. "Katharine!" I all but screamed and collided with the girl, wrapping my arms around my daughter. Tears prickled my eyes. She was safe. Safe and home. Dirt stained the front of my clothes as she drew even more into my arms. I couldn't care in that moment. She was home and I thanked every star in the sky for her safe return. "Pappa,"
Caspian's Point of View An unnerving girl with chestnut hair exited Luciana's room. I assumed it to be Katharine her daughter, but something didn't sit well with me. She was too graceful for someone of her age. Too self-assured. Was she saying goodbye to her mother one last time? Soon after, Julian left the room as well and casually strode to his office. But my intentions weren't to see him. Oh no. After what happened last time, it was best I stayed far away from him for the time being. We were both weak from losing her and we took to each other for comfort, but it wasn't right. He wasn't mine and I was most certainly not his. Even if his blood was in my body as well, even is she tied us together even before death, we were doomed with each other. I soon found myself beside her. The moonlight slithered in from an open window, letting a calm breeze play with locks of gold. The black tips to her hair added a sense of rebellion to her visage, but
Caspian went slack jawed, staring at my naked form, drinking in every bloodied feature. He looked tired beyond recognition, but his eyes were alive as they dipped over my body. Disbelief danced within his face, nose wrinkling up. He couldn't fathom that I was looking back at him. Lust twirled at the bottom of my stomach as his gaze went lower. For some reason, just the sight of him nearly brought me to climax. As if raising from death whet my appetite. Maybe even in more than one way. "You are alive," he breathed, barely audible. My eyes went into slits. He smelled different. Almost as if Julian had rubbed himself all over Caspian. Their scents mingled together perfectly, filling the room with the heady aroma. "And I am still waiting for you to take my hand," I mused and took a small step forward, feeling the power in my limbs coil and uncoil. Unwittingly, Caspian took a small step back, eyes now glued to my outstretched hand. I could almost see every thought
Caspian lay on his back, my head neatly resting on his chest. One of his arms fell over my middle and softly caressed Julian's toned back. The heat they both provided felt comforting. I was safely at home but I knew that what had transpired would haunt me. The overwhelming cold shaking my body would always linger in the back of my mind. I would never let them see it, but it would always be there, haunting my dreams, awake or asleep. Shaking myself from the morbid thoughts, I returned to the present. Julian and I had our legs intertwined, welcoming the touch that it provided. Caspian's chest rose and fell as he inhaled. Another reminder that I was alive. Safe. They surrounded me with nothing but love and adoration, something I had come to long for the past few years. Now here I was, in the arms of the two sexiest men alive and yet I still felt a hole within my chest. Mikaela wasn't yet home, but I doubted that was the sole reason for the empty feeling within my chest.
"Mommy!" Katharine squealed as she dashed towards me. Chestnut hair trailed behind her in waves. The girl had dressed herself and it was evident. Sneakers closed around her feet whilst she donned a bright green dress. Yet the smile on her face was contagious, leaking onto my own lips as she drew closer. Somehow she had grown tremendously since I had last seen her. Even her eyes held a certain intelligence within them. As if she was more aware of the world than even I was. That was what it meant to be a witch. Intune with the world, whether she wanted to be or not. "Baby girl!" I squealed and bent down a little to grab her in my arms. Her tiny body was fragile beneath my new found strength. Every muscle beneath her dress tensed within my arms, then melted into nothingness. The feeling of having her in my arms kicked in, sending tears rolling down my face. Thick and hot. When was the last time I had held her like this? When was the last time I had bathed in her presence? My li