Chapter 26 - Legacy
1336 Words
#musicvibe - Skin, Sixx:A.M.
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Valeria POV
I woke up to the sound of small sobs, and I groggily sat up to look around the room. A lamp was on in the window, leaving the room in a dim light.
I heard the sobs again and I looked over the edge of the bed to find Tyson curled up on the floor, a thin blanket covering his large frame. He was trembling and tears streamed down his cheeks.
My heart clenched when I saw him, and I used my powers to wrap the blanket tighter around him and lift him up. He landed softly on the bed next to me and I reached out for his hand, interlocking our fingers. Tyson calmed down and his breathing slowed to a steady rhythm. The little sparks in my hand lulled me back to sleep fairly quickly, and when I woke up again, I saw Tyson stare at me with his hand still in mine.
“Hi.” He whispered.
I carefully scooted closer to him and put my head on his chest. Tyson hugged me gently, as if he thought that I was going to break if he hugged me too tight. It was nice to be back in his arms, and for the first time since this whole mess started, the dam burst completely and I started crying. I hugged Tyson closer and cried so hard that I could barely breathe. Tyson hugged me back and cried with me until our faces and shirts were soaked with tears.
“I’m sorry.” Tyson sobbed. “I’m so sorry, my love.”
I shook my head and stiffly sat up, wincing in pain.
“Don’t be sorry.” I replied. “I know it wasn’t your fault.”
Tyson sat up too.
“But I hurt you.” He protested.
“I know you’d never hurt me.” I frowned. “I know it wasn’t you. She had you under her control. What happened is her fault, not yours.”
I fidgeted with my fingers.
“When you were under her spell…” I whispered. “How much do you remember?”
I looked up and saw Tyson clench his jaw.
“Everything.” He whispered.
My eyes widened.
“Then I should be the one to apologize to you.” I said. “I should have fought harder to protect you from her.”
Tyson took my hands in his.
“There was nothing you could do.” He replied. “I tried everything to take back control. I just wasn’t strong enough.”
“Don’t blame yourself for this.” I whispered. “Promise me, Tyson.”
Tyson sighed, but nodded.
“Okay.” He mumbled. “The witch is dead now. I guess we shouldn’t let this come between us. We don’t have time for that right now.”
I nodded and almost teared up again, but I forced myself to take a deep breath.
“So there’s no cure at all?” I asked.
Tyson shook his head.
“Wolfsbane is really dangerous for lycans.” He replied. “We have done research on Wolfsbane at the Maxwell building, but we haven’t been able to find an antidote.”
“Well, that sucks.” I muttered and Tyson smiled.
“There.” He said. “That’s the first time since you came back that you actually sound like yourself. I’m glad she didn’t take that from you.”
I smiled too.
“I’m still here.” I shrugged. “A little more fragile than usual, but I’m here.”
“Good.” Tyson whispered.
Our lips crashed against each other instantly and I kissed him like my life depended on it. I had missed him so much and kissing him again after everything that happened made me feel like I found my way back home.
Tyson put a hand on my leg, making me break the kiss and hiss in pain.
“Sh*t, sorry.” Tyson said.
“It’s okay.” I replied.
“There’s nothing about this that is okay.” Tyson muttered.
He cupped my cheeks and stared at me with so much determination that I only frowned in confusion.
“I want to make you happy.” He said. “In every way possible.”
I nodded.
“Just stay with me.” I smiled. “That’s all I want. I want to spend the rest of my time with you.”
I took a firm hold on his wrists.
“I need you to promise me something.” I whispered.
“Anything, my love.” Tyson whispered back.
“Promise me that no matter what, you’ll keep living.” I said. “You are still a king. You need an heir to your kingdom.”
I gulped.
“When I’m gone, you need to start looking.” I continued. “If there’s any chance that you have another mate out there, you need to find her. Or any girl you like. You need to have an heir and you need to protect our pack when I no longer can.”
Tyson stared at me in disbelief and shook his head.
“I can’t promise you that.” He replied and stood up.
I could see tears forming in his eyes.
“How is it possible that you are severely injured and dying, and still you act more like an Alpha than me?” He almost shouted. “No! There’s no one else for me. I can’t have another mate.”
It looked like a light bulb lit up in his head, because he abruptly sat down on the bed again.
“Wait.” He said. “How did it go with the eggs they extracted? Maybe I don’t need another mate. Maybe we can have a child together anyway?”
The realisation that Tyson didn’t know about the result felt like a slap to the face, and I sighed.
“I was going to tell you about that right when the witch showed up.” I replied. “The eggs aren’t viable. There’s nothing to save.”
“Oh.” Tyson let out a breath. “I’m really sorry. I knew you wanted a child.”
I shrugged.
“I guess that’s just not in the cards for me.” I whispered and wiped a stray tear. “I guess it’s better that way. I mean, I don’t want my child to grow up with powers and be completely alone in this world, especially when I won’t be there.”
Tyson gently pulled me to himself and hugged me. I leaned my head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat.
“I’m sorry.” I said quietly. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t give you a child.”
“It’s okay.” Tyson replied. “I just want you, for whatever time I have left.”
Tyson stiffened and I sat up to see his eyes clouded over.
“Sister Athena and some witches from her coven just arrived here.” He frowned.
I frowned too.
“Oh, I wonder what they want.” I mumbled.
“If they show up here with some bad news or something, I’m gonna lose it.” Tyson muttered while he helped me off the bed.
When we came downstairs, we found Kayden, Garrett, Alex, Evy and Violet standing outside the castle along with a group of women dressed in black dresses. I instantly recognized sister Athena’s white eyes and I smiled.
“Sister Athena.” I greeted. “Nice to see you again.”
“I wish it was under better circumstances.” Sister Athena replied. “Celeste is not working alone. If you don’t watch out, you’re about to have a full scale war with her whole coven on your hands.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Tyson’s eye twitch.
“Can I lose it now?” He whispered.
I sighed.
“I might just join you.”
- Writer
