I walked out accompanied by Aldric, his hand on my waist, pulling me protectively against his side.
Outside, voices could be heard.
I didn't know whose they were; they seemed to be coming from the courtyard.
Ilooked up at the tall ceiling beam.
Even though this was the best house in town, it still felt dark and oppressive.
The green striped wallpaper on the walls gave off a dizzying and claustrophobic effect.
Turning a corner, we arrived at another hallway with bedroom doors on one side.
Quinn was standing in front of one of them.
"Quinn, why arent you resting? Are you okay? How's Celine?" I quickly stepped forward.
I know Aldric doesnt like my closeness with this Lycan, but we've been through too many life-or-death situations together.
To me, Quinn and Celine are like comrades-in-arms, my friends, and I feel nothing else for him.
"I'm better, and Celine is resting.
I'm really glad nothing happened to you; thats what matters most," he says with a nod.
He looks exhausted and haggard, with dark circles under his eyes.
He doesnt seem to have rested at all, and his expression is filled with worry.
Is he lying to me about Celines condition? "Love, your mother is resting in this room.
I think she want to see you ---- alone," Aldric speaks from behind me before I can question Quinn.
Iturn around when he strokes my back.
"Baby, take it easy, okay?" he says softly, caressing my neck.
"The pup is fine, but the sorceress told me shes a bit stressed.
You cant keep putting yourself at risk.
Even though shes a strong baby, we need to take care of her, understand?" Inod, promising that I will.
Im getting too nervous with all these precautions.
What am I going to find in there? My somewhat rigid hand reaches for the doorknob, and I slowly open the door.
"Shes been longing to see you.
You are her reason to live now, Valeria," Quinn's whisper reaches me before I step inside.
I glance at him, a bit puzzled.
Why does he look so anxious, as if Gabrielle is too important to him? Without overthinking it, I finally step into the dimly lit room and close the door behind me.
The strong scent of medicinal herbs assaults my nose, making me wrinkle it slightly.
The heavy curtains are closed, and the little light that enters seeps through a few slits in the window.
Step by step, I walk toward an old canopy bed, also draped with those white curtains, closed.
Through the darkness, I can barely make out the silhouette of someone lying on plush pillows.
As I get closer and my eyes adjust to the dim light, my breath catches in my chest.
Icant see her body because shes covered up to her chest, but her hands, resting outside the quilt, are wrapped in white bandages, just like her neck.
Her face shocks me the mostshe has a bandage around her eyes, covering her vision, and from its edges, horrible red burns spread across almost all the skin on her cheeks and forehead.
"Ga...
brielle," I say, holding back tears as I carefully sit on the edge of the mattress.
I dont even want to touch her.
Im afraid of hurting her with just a touch.
"My child, you re finally awake," her voice comes out in a whisper, tired.
Her fingers near my hand start moving, trying to reach me.
Trembling, I carefully take her hand.
Even through the bandages, the red, burned skin is visible.
Tears begin to fall from my eyes.
I barely know her; I only saw her fora moment.
How could such a strong woman end up like this? Dont cry, dont cry, my baby.
Everything is going to be okay," she tries to squeeze my fingers, and that action alone seems to take all her strength.
Will you be able to recover? You're a Selenia.
Do you need blood? Is there something we can get you? More magic?" "I need you to be well and safe, to find the happiness youve never had until now," she interrupts me.
"You have no idea how sorry I am, daughter.
You can't imagine how much I wish I could turn back time and make better choices." ---- Isee tears rolling down from beneath her bandage.
Her pale, cracked lips tremble as she holds back sobs.
"When the Goddess summoned me, for a second I thought about refusing.
I didnt want to be separated from you.
But when I held you in my arms and looked into your little eyes, I knewI had to sacrifice myself so you could live in a safe world," she confesses, caressing the back of my hand.
"I never imagined I was saving you from Umbros only to deliver you into the arms of an even greater enemy." The pain she feels reaches me, despite trying to contain it to avoid affecting me.
"What happened, happened.
Im fine and alive.
Ma...
ma..." I say the word I only ever used for the she-wolf who raised me, but I had always longed to call my real mother that.
"T dont blame you for anything.
I know you did what you thought was best for me.
I can forgive everything except you giving up now.
You cant leave me alone again, Gabrielle.
You just cant." Tlean forward, carefully lying beside her.
Her hand moves slowly to caress my hair.
The bond of blood is something that irreversibly unites hearts.
Thad never seen her before, yet I feel so close to her.
She emanates the same feeling as Nana's magictrustworthy and protective, the warmth of amother.
The door was weak with the power of the Selenias out of place, and then it exploded because of that damn bastard, she explains in a whisper that resonates through the dimly lit room.
Thad to pour all my magic into sealing it again, but still, I'm not sure how long it will hold.
It's not the same as the spell the Goddess created.
T can give you back the magic you gave me.
I can return it so youcan heal, I sit up slightly, touching the pendant where I can feel my inner energy slowly recovering.
No, no, my little raven, she has chosen you.
She has bonded with you of her own free will.
It's the only gift I could give you, and Im so glad I did, she stops me.
Valeria, I have already lived my life.
I wont die, Iwont, because I must protect the door.
But as long as all my power is there, I cant heal myself.
Im practically just an ordinary person now, with nothing special.
Then we must find another way to seal that prison so you can recover, Icant give up on this.
Its so unfair that she has to keep sacrificing herself for everyone.
My time should have passed long ago, my child, she whispers with a sigh.
All my sisters gave their lives to keep the hearts power beating.
I believe Im the only one who has managed to survive.
Maybe it has to do with the wish the Goddess granted me during my trial.
She tells me, and I remember the moment I almost died.
The Goddess rewarded me with a long and numerous lineage.
T begged her to let me meet you one more time.
She smiles slightly.
Seeing her beautiful face so ruined fills me with sorrow.
I clench my teeth, my lips trembling as I hold back my sobs.
At least Im grateful I get to see you for a few seconds, the beautiful woman my Valeria has become.
Those horrible scars, daughter...
its time to let them go.
Valeria, leave the past behind and live happily with your ---- baby and your mate, as I couldnt.
As long as I have a single breath left, I will keep the evil away from my family.
She confesses, and I touch her tears with the tips of my fingers.
"No, Gabrielle, things wont be like this, this time.
I cant let you keep sacrificing yourself for everyone.
We have to find a way to contain that prisoneror even better, end him once and for all." "No Selenia will sacrifice herself anymore in the name of the Goddesss mistakes."