“I think I have an idea about the secrets of the past, Lee,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions whirling inside me.
Holding Luna closer, I let my love for her flow freely, wrapping around her like a protective cocoon.
“I love you so much, Little Moon,” Lee whispered. “And I promise you and I will see each other soon.”
The words were a vow, an unbreakable bond forged in the fires of our shared history.
Lee’s expression softened. “I wish I could stay longer, Olivia, but Marcellious needs me. Malik and Roman will remain by your side to protect you and Luna.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the steadfast figure before me. I blinked them back, not wanting to cloud this farewell with the salt of my sorrow. But they came nonetheless, slipping free to trace paths down my cheeks.
“You’ve always been the anchor in my chaos,” I whispered, kissing his cheek.
His skin was warm beneath my lips, the fleeting touch brimming with the tenderness of our unspoken bond.
I wrapped my arms around him, holding on for an eternal second. In that embrace, I poured every ounce of gratitude and love I had for this man who had been more than a mentor—he was the compass that guided me through the darkest nights. “Stay safe,” I murmured against his shoulder, knowing full well the perils that awaited us all beyond the safety of our walls. My heart clenched at the thought, but I pushed away the fear. Lee was as unyielding as the mountains, as relentless as the tide. He would return to us. He must.
With one last squeeze, I released him. I had been forged in the fires of his teachings, and for Luna, for all we held dear, I would not falter.
Emily entered the room.
“Olivia.” Her voice was a choked sob as she closed the distance between us. She wrapped her arms around me and baby Luna, desperately trying to condense a lifetime of sisterhood into one heartfelt touch.
“Safe travels,” I said, my lips trembling against her ear.
“Always,” she breathed out, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. “You, too.”
I nodded, unable to trust my voice again.
Rosie, bright and small, scampered in, her feet pattering on the wooden floor, reminding us all that life persisted with an innocent vigor even in our darkest moments.
“Bye-bye, Emily,” Rosie said with a lisp, wrapping her little arms around Emily’s leg. Emily bent down to lift Rosie into a hug, her tears falling freely.
“Goodbye, brave little one,” Lee said. He managed a weak smile for Rosie, who reached out to pat his cheek, her tender gesture threatening to unravel me completely.
“Tell Marcellious to feel better!” she said, her voice filled with hope and love.
Lee nodded, the emotions in his eyes threatening to spill over. He quickly wiped away the tears gathering in the corners of his eyes and whispered, “I will.”
Their farewells were a montage of embraces and whispered promises, each a thread sewing the fabric of our bond tighter, even as they prepared to unravel it by stepping into a future unknown. And then, with a final glance laden with love and worry, they were gone, leaving the hallway outside my room hauntingly empty.
The settled silence was oppressive, a marked contrast to the flurry of activity moments before. A lump formed in my throat as I gently laid Luna down in her cradle. The soft rustle of her blanket and the sweet scent of her skin were small comforts in the vast emptiness of the estate.
I kissed her forehead. “Sweet dreams, my little moon.”
Lying on the bed, I closed my eyes and let a few tears escape, rolling silently down my cheeks. Everything here was so complicated. Roman and I lived among monsters, and I couldn’t shake the gnawing unease that haunted me. I felt unsafe—like a cornered animal pretending it had somewhere to run.
A heavy hand came to rest on my shoulder, and I turned to find Roman’s solemn gaze upon me. His presence had always been a source of strength, but it only reminded us of what we all stood to lose.
“I need to check on the men in the caves,” he said, his voice rough. “I’ll take a horse and return as fast as possible.”
The thought of being alone, even momentarily, sent a shiver down my spine. “Roman...”
He squeezed my shoulder. “You stay in your room. Rest with baby Luna. Malik will stay behind and watch over you.”
The command was gentle yet firm, bearing the weight of a man who knew too much of danger.
Reluctance clawed at me, the urge to cling to him almost overwhelming. But I knew better than to argue when lives were at stake.
