A Father's Instinct
763 Words
Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Father's Instinct
Elara's POV
No one spoke.
The image had disappeared.
Yet it felt as though the little girl's laughter still echoed through the council chamber.
My heart ached.
Lunara was the first to break the silence.
"That wasn't just a memory."
Vespera agreed.
"It was sealed magic."
I frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"Someone wanted us to remember only when the time was right."
My eyes slowly lifted to King Cassian.
He hadn't moved.
His crimson eyes remained fixed on the spot where the memory had appeared.
His breathing was uneven.
His hands trembled ever so slightly.
A king...
A ruler feared across kingdoms...
Looked as though he were barely holding himself together.
"Your Majesty?"
My voice was barely above a whisper.
He blinked several times before meeting my eyes.
"Forgive me."
His voice was rough.
"You remind me of someone I loved very much."
The room grew quiet again.
Draven's hand found mine.
Not to claim me.
To steady me.
I squeezed it without thinking.
His thumb gently brushed across my knuckles.
A silent reminder that I wasn't facing this alone.
King Cassian noticed.
Something softened in his expression.
Orion spoke quietly.
"He's relieved."
Lunara tilted her head.
"Why?"
"Because he knows she'll never be alone again."
---
Alpha Magnus stood.
"I think everyone has had enough surprises for one day."
Several Council members nodded.
The elderly Alpha tapped his silver staff against the floor.
"I agree."
"The young lady needs rest."
The witch smiled kindly at me.
"Your memories will continue returning."
"Don't fight them."
"Let them come naturally."
I nodded.
"I'll try."
She smiled.
"Good."
---
As the meeting came to an end, the Council slowly left the chamber.
Nightshade warriors escorted them to their guest quarters.
Soon...
Only a handful of people remained.
Draven.
Alpha Magnus.
Luna Celeste.
King Cassian.
Ryder.
And me.
The silence felt strangely comfortable.
Until my stomach growled.
Loudly.
Everyone looked at me.
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
"Oh..."
Vespera burst into laughter.
"Apparently saving the world burns calories."
Even Lunara chuckled.
"You skipped breakfast."
"I was a little busy."
Draven smiled.
"I noticed."
Luna Celeste laughed softly.
"I think our future Luna needs dinner."
The words caught me off guard.
Future Luna.
No one had ever spoken about me with such certainty.
I opened my mouth to protest.
Instead...
Draven answered first.
"I think she's earned dessert too."
Ryder nodded seriously.
"I agree."
Alpha Magnus looked offended.
"She's been here two days and already outranks me?"
The room erupted into laughter.
Even King Cassian smiled.
A real smile this time.
It transformed his entire face.
Something about it tugged painfully at my heart.
It felt...
Familiar.
---
Later that evening...
Dinner was served in the royal dining hall.
For the first time in my life...
I wasn't sitting at the servants' table.
I wasn't serving food.
I wasn't cleaning afterward.
Instead...
A chair had been prepared beside Draven.
Across from Luna Celeste.
Beside Alpha Magnus.
I hesitated.
"I don't belong here."
Draven immediately pulled out my chair.
"Yes."
His silver-gray eyes met mine.
"You do."
Slowly...
I sat down.
The servants began serving dinner.
Roasted venison.
Fresh vegetables.
Warm bread.
Fruit.
Everything smelled incredible.
As everyone began eating, I noticed something strange.
King Cassian wasn't touching his food.
He kept glancing at me.
Not rudely.
Almost...
Like he was making sure I was eating.
Finally, Luna Celeste smiled.
"Your Majesty."
He looked up.
"You've watched the poor girl eat every bite."
Cassian blinked.
"I..."
For perhaps the first time in centuries...
The Vampire King looked embarrassed.
"I apologize."
His gaze found mine again.
"I suppose..."
He smiled sadly.
"...old habits are difficult to forget."
My heart skipped.
"What habits?"
He stared at me for several seconds.
Then quietly answered.
"Making sure the people I love have eaten."
The room became silent.
Vespera whispered.
"Father..."
Lunara's voice was barely audible.
"He hasn't stopped loving us."
Tears burned my eyes.
I didn't understand why.
I barely knew this man.
Yet every instinct inside me wanted to believe him.
Before anyone could speak again...
A royal vampire guard burst through the dining room doors.
"My King!"
Cassian stood immediately.
"What happened?"
The guard was breathing hard.
"They've attacked..."
Cassian's expression hardened.
"Where?"
The guard swallowed.
"Shadowmoon Pack."
The room fell deathly silent.
The elder from the Council slowly stood.
His face had turned pale.
"They're moving faster than we feared."
Draven looked toward Cassian.
Cassian looked toward me.
Then the King spoke the words that changed everything.
"We leave for Shadowmoon..."
"...before sunrise."
- Writer
