119

Chapter 119
*Freya*
“Rafe…” I managed to whisper, my throat dry and raw. The sound was faint, but it sliced through the oppressive silence like a knife.
He looked up slowly, almost as if he couldn’t dare to hope. His eyes were red-rimmed, his face a mask of anguish. The moment our gazes locked, something inside him seemed to snap.
“Freya?” His voice cracked. He stared at me, disbelief mingling with desperate hope.
“Yes,” I confirmed, my weak smile growing stronger under his intense scrutiny. “I’m here.”
“She’s alive! She’s alive!” Rafe’s scream echoed off the walls, a sound filled with pure, unadulterated joy. He leapt to his feet and pulled me into a bear hug, his strong arms wrapping around me so tightly that I could barely breathe-but I didn’t care. I was home.
“Thank you, goddess,” he murmured fervently against my hair, tears soaking the strands. “Thank you for bringing her back to me.”
Before I could respond, the door burst open. Addy, Aurora, Connor, and even Jessica-who rarely showed emotion where I was concerned-stood there, eyes wide and mouths agape.
“Freya?” Addy’s voice trembled as she took a tentative step forward.
“Yes, it’s me,” I said softly, tears streaming down my face.
“By the moon goddess, it’s a miracle!” Connor exclaimed, rushing forward to join Rafe in hugging me. Soon, I was enveloped in a sea of warm bodies, each person holding on as if they never wanted to let go.
“You’re really awake, I couldn’t bear the fact that I was part of the reason why you were in this situation. ” Jessica said, her voice filled with tears. For the first time, I saw genuine happiness in her usually guarded eyes. “I am genuinely happy, Freya.”
“Yes, I’m really awake.” I laughed through my tears, the sound mixing with the joyous cries around me.
The commotion spilled out into the hallways, where servants and maids paused in their duties to celebrate. Laughter and cheers filled the air, weaving through the grand corridors of the Crimson Palace.
“Freya’s back!” someone shouted, and the cheer was taken up by others, spreading like wildfire.
In the middle of all the chaos, Rafe held me close, his eyes never leaving mine. “I thought I’d lost you,” he whispered, his voice breaking.
“Never,” I whispered back, resting my forehead against his. “I’ll always find my way back to you.”
For a moment, everything else faded away-the noise, the people-and it was just us, two souls reunited against all odds. And in that brief, shining moment, I knew that we had the strength to face whatever lay ahead.
“Everyone, please,” Rafe’s voice cut through the jubilant chaos. “Freya needs rest.” His words were gentle but firm, and one by one, people began to step back, offering me warm smiles and whispered blessings as they left the room.
“Rest well, Freya,” Addy said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Aurora gave my hand a final squeeze before following Connor and Jessica out of the door. The room slowly quieted, leaving only the sound of my heartbeat and Rafe’s steady breathing.
“Thank you,” I murmured, gazing into Rafe’s eyes, which still held traces of disbelief and relief. He leaned in, his lips brushing mine softly at first, then more urgently as if trying to confirm that I was truly there. My hands moved to cup his face, feeling the stubble on his jawline, grounding myself in his presence.
“I love you,” he whispered against my lips, his breath warm and comforting.
“I love you too,” I replied, my voice cracking with emotion. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“Never,” he vowed, pressing a lingering kiss on my forehead. He started to pull away, likely to give me space, but I tightened my grip on his arm.
“Wait,” I said, my voice urgent. “There’s something important I need to tell you.”
Rafe’s brow furrowed, concern replacing the brief moment of peace in his eyes. “What is it, Freya?”
“While I was… gone,” I began, searching for the right words, “I saw my mother. She spoke to me in the spirit realm.”
“Your mother?” Rafe repeated, clearly taken aback.
“Yes,” I continued, “She told me about the curse on the Crimson Kingdom. It’s tied to your family because of what happened with the witches. The moon goddess cursed the land so that no one would find true love until the Crimson Alpha did. Then his people would also be freed from the curse.”
Rafe stared at me, absorbing the weight of my words. “But how do we break the curse?”
“By sealing our blood on the altar of the moon goddess,” I explained. “Only our bond, our true love, can lift the curse.”
“We’ll go tomorrow,” Rafe said decisively, already planning the journey in his mind.
“No, Rafe” I interrupted, shaking my head. “We need to go tonight. My mother said time is running out.”
“Tonight?” He hesitated, his protective instincts flaring. “Are you sure you’re strong enough?”
“Yes,” I affirmed, determination hardening my resolve. “We don’t have a choice. We need to do this now.”
“Alright,” he finally agreed, his eyes reflecting both admiration and worry. “We’ll go tonight.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling a surge of hope and purpose. “For everything.”
“Anything for you,” Rafe replied, his fingers entwining with mine. For a moment, we simply held each other, knowing that the path ahead would be challenging but facing it together, bound by a love strong enough to defy even death itself.
We moved swiftly through the shadowed forest, the moonlight casting an eerie glow on the path ahead. Rafe’s hand was a reassuring warmth in mine, his presence was a beacon of strength. Sersia, the shadow witch, glided behind us, her dark cloak blending seamlessly with the night. Rafe had asked her if she knew the location and she had offered to take us there without demanding anything.
“Are you sure this is the right thing to do?” Rafe asked, his voice tinged with concern.
“Yes,” I replied, my heart pounding with urgency. “I can feel it.”
The altar of the moon goddess stood in a clearing, ancient and majestic, bathed in silvery light. We approached it, our breaths visible in the cool night air.
“Here,” Sersia intoned, her voice a whisper of the wind. “It’s time.”
Rafe and I exchanged a glance, our love and determination mirrored in each other’s eyes. We took the ceremonial dagger from Sersia, its blade shimmering ominously. Together, we made a small cut on our palms, allowing our blood to mingle as it dripped onto the sacred stone.
“By the power of true love,” Sersia chanted, lifting her hands towards the sky. “We break the curse that binds this land. Let the bond of these two souls be the key.”
Suddenly, a brilliant light burst forth from the altar, enveloping Rafe in its radiant glow. He gasped, his shoulders relaxing as though a great weight had been lifted. The light faded, leaving a sense of profound peace in its wake.
“Freya,” Rafe whispered, pulling me into his embrace. “You are my one true mate.”
His lips met mine in a kiss that felt like the dawn of a new era, sealing our promise and our destiny. “I love you, my dear Alpha king” I whispered with a bursting happiness coursing through me.
We returned to the Crimson palace under the cover of night, our hearts lighter, our spirits soaring. We had finally conquered all odds and nothing could stop our constant blossoming love.
In the days that followed, the changes were palpable. The people of the kingdom began finding their mates, love blossoming where there had once been hatred. Peace settled over the land like a gentle blanket, warming every corner of the realm.
“And now, let us toast to new beginnings,” Rafe announced at the grand celebration held in the palace courtyard. The air was filled with laughter and music, the happiness of the people a testament to the lifted curse.
“And now, for the most joyous news of all,” Rafe continued, his voice carrying over the crowd. “Lady Freya is pregnant with my child and will soon be crowned as your Queen.”
The cheers erupted, a symphony of joy and hope, echoing through the night. I looked out at the faces of our people, their smiles a reflection of the love that had saved us all. I caught Addy’s face in the crowd and she blew a kiss at me. I smiled warmly at my best friend. My gaze caught Jessica and Aurora and they both bowed their heads slightly, smiling at me. I smiled back at them, my heart filled with joy.
“Thank you,” I murmured to Rafe, tears of happiness brimming in my eyes. “For believing in us.”
“Always,” he replied, his hand resting protectively over my belly. “Always and forever. My Crimson Queen.”
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