My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear anything else. Lucien stood in front of me, his sword raised. My father stood only a few feet away, his silver eyes fixed on him.
Neither of the men moved. Even the air itself felt frozen.
"I said move," my father said again.
Lucien didn't flinch.
"I heard you."
His voice was firm.
"My answer is still no."
I stepped forward.
"Please"
Both of them ignored me.
"I don't want anyone else to get hurt."
At last my father looked toward me. Immediately his face softened.
"I'm not here to hurt anyone Aria, I'm here for you."
His voice was warm and gentle. It was far from the terrible stories I had been told.
"I've waited twenty years to hold my daughter."
I felt a lump in my throat.
"I've waited twenty years to see my father."
For a li
