No, no, sweetheart, you must have absolute control over your magic, not let it come out by instinct, I explain to Valeria while we practice in the living room.
You can't wait until you're in a desperate situation to react.
Try bringing out your raven wings now...
no, no...
but without the full transformation, just the wings...
We spent quite some time practicing.
I was determined to teach her everything I knew, everything I inherited from my mother and her mother before her.
Lets take a break, dont wear yourself out too much, and take care of the baby.
We stopped, and soon I felt her pour water into a glass.
I thought she was going to drink it, but instead, her warm presence approached me, and the cold glass was pressed against my lips.
Drink, you've been talking too much; your lips look pale.
My soul melts at her care.
My greatest fear had always been that she would reject me and reproach me for believing she was abandoned, but my Valeria is too good-hearted.
Mother, I...
Iwant to talk to you about something, she suddenly says, sitting beside me, and doubt creeps into me.
Tell me, sweetheart, whatever it is, you can trust me.
I reach out to take her hand and hold it on my lap.
How is the Selenia bonding ritual performed? I want my mate to mark me permanently, she asks, and I tense up, although I knew this ---- conversation was coming soon.
T figured you d want to do it.
The truth is, its dangerous, Vale, I wont lie to you, I tell her before explaining what it entails.
What?! hear her stand up.
Engraving...
engraving my name on his soul...
what does that even mean? Tt literally means engraving the name 'Valeria' with an enchantment into the heart of the Lycan King.
That will bind him to you irreversibly only death can separate you, I confirm with a sigh.
You need to have strict control over your magic.
You also have to feed on him at that moment.
Youll feel euphoric, Valeria, youll crave more and more of his vital blood like a drug.
If you make a mistake, if you lose control, you could end his life.
I wasnt lying to her.
Few Selenias performed this ceremony due to the risks.
Honestly, I sometimes wonder if we were the Goddess's favored daughters or the most despised.
J...
[dont know...
she hesitates, and I hear firm footsteps approaching from the entrance.
We'll do it, I suddenly hear Aldrics voice, and the sofa springs creak under his weight.
Dont be afraid, love.
Im strong enough to endure this and more.
I want to be bound to you in every way possible.
But Aldric...
I dont even have full control over my power.
They start talking in hushed tones, back and forth.
Valeria, Im not telling you to do it or not; thats your decision as a couple.
But you should know something...
your father...
youve never asked me how he died.
Ill tell you now, I say, gripping the armrest, preparing to confess one of the greatest shames of my life.
My mother takes a deep breath; it seems like what she's about to tell me is very difficult for her.
For some reason, I can already imagine it.
"T killed him during our bonding ceremony," she lowers her head, and her knuckles are nearly white from gripping the chair.
"Tt wasn't because of my lack of control over my magic.
It was because the vampire side of me is dominant, and in the frenzy, I couldn't stop myself...
I literally drained his blood until I killed him." Aldric and I remain silent.
What can you even say to that? It unsettles me even moreif something like that happened to my mother, who was so powerful, could I end up hurting my mate? "I'm not a vampire; I'm a superior lycan, the Lycan King.
No matter how much my mate drinks, I have more than enough life force for her and our pup.
Besides, Valeria's wolf side is dominant," Aldric responds firmly.
Suddenly, the atmosphere grows tense.
I lift my gaze and spot a shadow hiding in the corridor.
Iknowit's Quinn.
He's listening to my mother's reasons, probably the real fear behind why she doesn't want to give her new mate a chance, despite her current weakened state.
"Well, it's my daughter's decision.
I'm just telling her the facts.
I don't want her to suffer what I did, holding her mate's cold corpse in her arms, " my mother replies, frowning.
"Vale, the enchantment will appear in your mind when the time comes.
It's best to do it during the new moon." ---- "Thank you, Mother.
I'll think it through carefully," I reply softly, and she nods, standing up.
"I'm going to rest.
We can continue practicing tomorrow.
Eat well." I stood up to help her, but she told me she'd go aloneshe had memorized the way to her room.
I watched her lonely figure walk away.
What was the point of having so much power if, in the end, she lost everything that truly mattered to her? "You told her about what we discussed," Aldric's low voice reaches my ear from behind.
I tense up because I don't want to talk about that right now.
"No, she was tired.
Maybe another day," I turn around, avoiding his inquisitive gaze.
"Valeria, I know you.
I don't like pressuring you, but I know you're torn between the two of us.
I gave you my reasons, and I thought we were on the same page..." "Aldric, we can't let this realm fall into the hands of another tyrant.
This is my mother's land; she won't agree to live among the wolves." "But why does it have to be you who claims that throne you don't even want?" he questions again, irritated.
"You don't want to be the Queen of the Dark Realm; you're not even interested in the reign I offer you.
Why don't you tell her to stop chasing a crown you don't desire? Why do we have to fight this war?" "Then what do you suggest?" I step back slightly, placing my hands on his chest.
"Let anyone take control? Go back to endless border disputes, hatred, ---- and constant conflict with the Dark Realm? Our daughter is going to bea Seleniawill she live marginalized her whole life in your castle? Do you think the wolves will accept a creature from the Dark Realm as their ruler?" "Anyone who dares touch my daughter, I'll rip their throat out, simple as that!" "Not everything can be solved that way, Aldric!" I snap back, feeling the tension of everyone pulling me in different dire
ctions.
"And then there's the portal.
Gabrielle can't hold it forever.
I know what her plans are.
We need the strength of both realms united to fight, or else we'll all die." He falls silent at my words.
Aldric is very strong, but he's not invincible.
The werewolves alone can't fight what will escape from that prison once the Selenia magic weakens.
"T'll talk to her, my love, but give me time.
Aldric, I don't want to be the Queen of anything I just want to live in peace with my family.
But at the very least, we need to ensure that whoever takes the throne of the Dark Realm is an ally, not an enemy." I caress his cheek, and he wraps his arms around me.
"Alright, we'll do whatever you want," he replies, sighing and kissing my hair gently.
"T haven't heard from Beof yet, and that worries me.
I hope Celine can reach him safely; then we'll figure out what to do." "She hasn't summoned me with the magic I placed in her.
I'll try to get in touch," I reply, unaware that soon, wed have no choice but to get involved in this war, whether we wanted to or not.