His Missing Luna

CHAPTER 89

MALACHAI

FAMILY RUN

After Gary leaves, I watch the kids play in the field, their laughter drifting through the air like music carried on the breeze. Amerie’s hair catches the dying sunlight, and Midriel’s easy smile speaks of a rare peace. I let the warmth of the moment settle in my chest before heading upstairs to find Rakiel.

She’s stepping out of the bedroom just as I reach the top of the stairs, her eyes softening when she sees me.

“Did you rest well?” I ask, meeting her halfway. Her scent—fresh citrus mingled with the sweetness of apples—envelops me, soothing the tension in my shoulders.

“I tried,” she replies, though the exhaustion in her eyes betrays her effort. She reaches out, and I take her hand, drawing her into a tight embrace.

“I was coming to make sure you did,” I murmur into her hair, inhaling deeply as her body eases into mine. Her sigh is a whisper of fatigue, and I feel her muscles relax against me.

“The block is still in place,” she says, voice heavy with disappointment. “It’s the same as Amerie’s.” Her fingers dig into my side, a subtle display of frustration as she looks up, blue eyes flickering with determination. “We’ll need to try something different to break it.”

“I’ve decided,” I say, my tone sharpening with resolve. “I don’t care if the bastard dies when I use my power on him.”

Rakiel’s growl reverberates softly between us, a fierce promise. “Let’s hope he doesn’t die. I want him to suffer for what he did—to her, to us.” She steps back, her expression fierce, her eyes alight with a smoldering intensity. “He won’t get an easy death.”

“I wasn’t planning on making it easy,” I say, leaning in to capture her lips in a slow, lingering kiss. “But since you want him to still suffer, I’ll be careful. Anything for my queen.”

Rakiel giggles, a sound as light and sweet as the scent she carries, and it makes something in me loosen, like a knot untangling. “Thank you, my king,” she says, though her eyes betray the flicker of a deeper thought.

“What is it, my love?” I ask, watching as her expression shifts, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face.

She hesitates, drawing a breath. “I think it’s time we return to the palace,” she admits, her gaze searching mine as if gauging my reaction. “We’ve suffered enough. And now that Amerie is back…”

Her words hang between us, heavy with the weight of the past and the hope of what’s to come. Amerie’s disappearance had torn at the seams of our family, but her return feels like the stitch that might hold us together.

“If that’s what you want,” I say softly. Only she can decide when the time is right.

“It’s not about what I want,” she says, her voice firming. “It’s about what’s right. It’s what should happen. I believe we have suffered enough. Besides, Amerie is back. But...”

“No buts, my love. We’re returning to the palace,” I nod, letting the resolve settle within me.

Rakiel’s face lights up, joy radiating from her eyes as she throws her arms around me. “Mal!” she cries, her voice breaking on a note of relief as she buries her face against my chest. I hold her tightly, feeling the tremor in her shoulders subside as we stand there, drawing strength from each other.

“Let’s go meet the kids,” I say, and together we head outside.

Amerie and Midriel are still where I left them, the tall grass swaying around them like a living curtain. Amerie’s laughter is a bright, buoyant sound as she spots us, and she runs, leaping into my arms without hesitation.

“Daddy!” she exclaims, her legs wrapping around my waist as I catch her. Even though she’s grown, she still fits perfectly in my arms.

“Princess,” I chuckle, adjusting to her weight. Her familiar scent—like rain on pine needles—brings back memories of when she was smaller, and everything was simpler. Some things, it seems, never change.

“No hug for mummy?” Rakiel teases, her lips curving into a playful pout. Amerie grins, slipping down from my hold to envelop her mother in a hug.

“Hug for mother,” she declares, wrapping Rakiel in her arms as they sway together, laughter bubbling between them.

“My sweet baby,” Rakiel coos, running her fingers through Amerie’s hair, a mirror of my own in its dark, thick waves. “You always loved swaying us.”

Amerie pulls back, her brows furrowed. “I used to do that?”

“A lot,” I confirm, ruffling her hair. “You’ll remember everything, Amerie. Just give it time.”

“I’ll try harder,” she promises, her voice earnest as we walk over to Midriel. He’s perched on a large rock, watching us with a soft, almost wistful smile. His eyes, the same striking blue as Rakiel’s, are filled with quiet understanding.

“Hey, son,” I greet him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. Amerie takes a seat beside me, and Rakiel sits on her other side, her hands moving deftly to braid her daughter’s hair.

“Had enough fun for the day?” I ask, glancing between them.

Midriel shrugs, though there’s a glint of affection in his eyes. “She didn’t stop asking me a thousand questions, as usual.”

Amerie sticks her tongue out at him. “You said I could ask anything and you wouldn’t get mad.”

Midriel laughs, the sound rich and warm. “I didn’t mind.”

“You two will never change,” Rakiel says with a shake of her head, a smile tugging at her lips as she watches them bicker lightly. Midriel tugs at Amerie’s braid playfully, and she swats his hand away.

A warmth spreads through my chest, watching them—my family, together again. This is what I fought for. This peace, fragile as it might be, is worth every battle I’ve faced. I won’t let anyone take this from us again.

Rakiel squeezes my hand, her eyes urging me to speak. “We have an announcement,” I say, drawing the kids’ attention. They look up, their playful expressions shifting to curiosity. “It’s time we returned to the palace,” I announce, my voice steady and certain.

Midriel’s response is immediate—a triumphant whoop as he jumps up, pumping his fist in the air. “About time, Father!”

“And Amerie is going to be crowned as the princess she is,” I add, meeting my daughter’s wide eyes.

Amerie’s smile falters slightly, uncertainty flickering in her gaze. “Crowned? Officially?”

“Yes, baby,” Rakiel laughs, her excitement bubbling over as she pinches Amerie’s cheek. “I can’t wait to see you with a crown on your head.”

“But…I…won’t…” Amerie stammers, glancing between us. Midriel throws an arm around her shoulders, squeezing gently.

“No stammering, sister princess,” he teases. “If the king says you’re going to be crowned, you say, ‘Yes, Sire,’ and bow.”

Rakiel smacks the back of his head lightly, and we all burst into laughter, the sound filling the field. “Don’t listen to your brother,” she tells Amerie with a smile.

Midriel chuckles, his tone darkening slightly. “Those old fools are going to have a heart attack. They’ll try to stall, insist on tests and investigations…”

I nod, my resolve firm. “That’s their problem. We’ll bring Amerie to the Cot and have her tested. She'll pass and no one will doubt.”

“Test?” Amerie asks, her heartbeat quickening.

“Nothing hard,” Rakiel assures her, rubbing soothing circles on her back. “Just a blood test.”

“If your blood turns silver, it means you’re one of us,” Midriel explains.

“And if it doesn’t?” Amerie’s voice wavers, her gaze darting between us.

“It will,” I say firmly. “Because you’re my daughter. You carry the blood of kings and the spirit of a warrior. And,” I add, leaning in with a conspiratorial smile, “my wolf has been dying to meet you.”

Amerie’s face brightens for a moment before a shadow of doubt crosses her features again. “He is?”

“Yes,” I assure her, kissing her hair lightly. “I’ll shift behind the house.”

“Can I come too?” Midriel asks eagerly.

“No,” I say with a smirk. “You’ve had all these years. Besides, you can’t ride on my back anymore.”

Rakiel’s eyes light up with an idea. “How about we all shift and have a family run?” she suggests.

Midriel’s face lights up. “Sounds great, Mother.”

“It’s a good plan,” I agree, my heart lifting at the thought. “But I’ll carry Amerie.”

“Perfect!” Rakiel beams, clapping her hands. “We’ll shift together. Amerie, wait here for us, okay?”

Amerie nods, her smile small but genuine. I catch her eye, and the flicker of hope there reminds me of why we’re doing this. We’ll face whatever comes together, and this time, no one will tear us apart