Chapter: 85 ****** TALON: I woke that morning with a sense of buoyancy as if I were drifting among the clouds. A newfound lightness infused my steps, and a soft melody played in my throat. The song I had shared with Vale lingered at the edge of my tongue, his gentle voice echoing in my mind, prompting frequent smiles that I couldn’t suppress. Later that evening, I prepared for my class, and as usual, I embraced the experience with joy. The children noticed my upbeat demeanor, and Murray playfully ribbed me about it. It was, without a doubt, a splendid day; even when I heard that the Lycgers had come to take their son for the Manor, I found no room for sorrow or concern. Given Vale's recent actions, it was understandable that his parents were upset, and it was equally important that Altair offered his apologies. I too recognized the need to express my regrets, especially to the Lycgers, whose mate Vale had nearly harmed. The day was filled with discussions about my spirit wolf's an
Chapter: 86*******VALE:The gates of Elysium loomed before me, an unwelcome sight that felt both familiar and foreign. I pushed through, my heart racing with a frantic hope that felt increasingly futile. In my arms, Virgil lay motionless, and every step I took felt heavier than the last as if the very earth beneath my feet conspired to drag me down into despair.“Please, not again,” I whispered, my voice barely a tremor against the night air. I could hardly breathe, my chest constricted by a suffocating dread. Each heartbeat echoed in my ears, a reminder of the fleeting moments we had shared, now slipping through my fingers like sand.“What happened, Altair?” I asked my half that had grown cold within me. “Altair,” I called again, worry starting to tug at my heartstrings. When he finally replied, his voice was so weak that I knew something was terribly wrong. The Goddess had seen something; she had sent me back to prevent whatever was about to happen, yet I had arrived just a moment
Chapter: 87 ****** VALE: “Po-” My voice faltered as tears stung my eyes. Rage surged within me, bubbling to the surface. “Poisoned?” I demanded, my heart pounding in my chest as I struggled to comprehend his words. “W-what do y-you mean p-poisoned?” My body felt heavy as if the very weight of my grief threatened to crush me. The pain inside was unbearable, and I wanted to reach into my chest and tear my heart out, anything to alleviate the torment. The doctor nodded gravely. “Whatever he ate last killed him. It was poisoned—a lethal substance not meant for a vampire. Whoever fed this to him wanted him dead.” Anger ignited inside me. “He was with Altair when this happened! There’s no way my half would do this!” I growled, my vision blurring with fury. The urge to set fire to the Manor, to destroy everyone within its walls who had done this to him, consumed me. Altair had fallen asleep, and I couldn’t reach him to find out what our mate had eaten. “I’ll take a blood sample
Chapter: 88 ******* SOMEWHERE IN DRAKENSHIRE… THIRD PERSON POV: In a quiet hospital room, the sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the faint sound of monitors beeping steadily. The room was dimly lit, with soft overhead lights casting a gentle glow over the scene. On one side, a large window allowed a sliver of sunlight to filter in, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. The walls were painted a calming shade of blue, and adorned with a few abstract paintings that did little to distract from the clinical environment. In the center of the room lay a man, a figure with the pallor of someone who hadn't seen the sun in years. His body was covered with a thin blanket, and multiple tubes snaked from his arms and face, connecting him to various machines. A ventilator hummed softly beside him, its rhythmic whoosh filling the silence as it forced air into his lungs. The heart monitor beeped steadily, displaying a consistent, yet weak, line on its screen.
Chapter: 89 ****** THIRD PERSON: As Evelyn stepped out of the sleek glass doors of Helios Pharmaceutical, her heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Waiting for her was a black luxury car, the driver standing by the door with a warm smile. “Good afternoon, Dr. Hart,” the driver greeted, his voice cheerful. “It’s a beautiful day for good news, isn’t it?” “It certainly is,” she replied, her voice bubbling with joy as she slid into the back seat. “Let’s go to the hospital, please.” The driver nodded, pulling out into the bustling city traffic. As they drove, Evelyn quickly dialed her nanny, her fingers trembling slightly. “Yes, Helen. Please bring the kids to the hospital. Their father has awakened from his coma!” She paused, listening to the excited response on the other end. “Yes, I want them to see him right away. Thank you!” The anticipation bubbled within her as they approached the hospital. Her mind raced with thoughts of her husband, the man who had bui
Chapter: 90 ***** TALON:DREAM-LIKE MEMORIES. After a few minutes, Vale turned off the water and dried his hands. He leaned against the table, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. “Alright, I think we’ve done enough work for now. How about we have a little fun?” “Fun? What do you have in mind?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. He leaned in closer, mischief glinting in his eye. “How about a game? We could play some music together or maybe even a round of charades.” “Charades? You’re on,” I laughed, suddenly enthusiastic. I used to enjoy that game with my friends when we were all together. I really missed those guys, which brought me to another nagging question. Now that Vale had returned, did that mean I could visit my friends, stay away from RiverBay, and not fear for his safety? I decided not to voice that question, instead focusing on the game. “But fair warning—I might not be as good at acting as I am at singing.” Vale chuckled, his laughter filling the room. “I woul
Chapter: 91 ****** TALON: As we talked about our dreams for the future, I felt the weight of uncertainty lift. There was something undeniably powerful about sharing these aspirations with Vale, about envisioning a life built on love and resilience. We spent the next hour dreaming up plans, mapping out our garden, and even brainstorming names for our ridiculous future charades club. The laughter and excitement enveloped us like a warm embrace, and I felt a sense of peace settle in my heart. Eventually, as the evening wore on, we decided to wind down. We moved to the sofa, curling up together under a soft blanket. Vale turned on some music, the soft melodies filling the space and creating a serene atmosphere. I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling utterly content. “You know, I never thought I could feel this way after everything we’ve been through,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. Vale brushed his fingers through my hair, his touch soothing. “Life can be to
Chapter: 92 ****** VALE: Days melted into an indistinct haze as I remained locked away in our sanctuary, the outside world a mere whisper beyond my sealed door. I had used my magic to create an impenetrable barrier, a desperate decision to keep anyone from intruding on my fragile reality. I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone seeing Virgil like this, nor could I face the fake pity in their eyes. So, I wrapped myself in denial’s embrace, tending to him as if he were still alive. I spent countless hours by his side, my hands moving mechanically as I cleaned his skin, wiping away the remnants of the world that had intruded upon our blissful existence. I would hum the soft melodies he had sung for me that blissful day, my voice trembling as I poured all my love into those hollow notes. “Remember in the past, when we danced in the moonlight by the riverbank?” I would whisper, my breath hitching as I traced the contours of his face. “We’ll dance again, I promise. Just… just wake up.