We conducted a funeral two days later. My mates wanted to make it a public festival, but I refused. I wanted it to be a private one. I knew my mum would, too. As I was the only one of the royal line who survived, she would want me and those close to me to escort her to the river, where we would say our final goodbyes.
Only 5 people attended, which worked well for me. As her body disintegrated, my mates had to return to her place to get some of her belongings, which we laid in the coffin.
The ceremony was short. There was no priest. I did everything while my mates carried the coffin to the river after the ceremony. Chrys and Chris joined us as we set the coffin on fire and pushed it into the sea. As it went, I burst into tears.
It dawned on me as I watched the burning coffin that I would never see my mother again, at least not in this world.
As I stood between my mates, I bid my mum the last farewell until the day we finally meet at the other end of the river, again.
…..
“Who did you say the man was?” Fred frowned, sitting up on the couch. We had just finished dinner when I told my mates about the hybrid who came over to seek my help. It had been five days since he left, and I knew he would be back in two days. I had to tell my mates about him before he returned.
“He mentioned his name is Leo Devon. He’s a witch hybrid,” I repeated the words I’d mentioned thrice now.
“And that’s all? Someone comes to you claiming he’s a hybrid and only gave his name?” Blue looked like he couldn’t comprehend what I was saying.
“We didn’t have that much time to discuss him. Moreover, he only came to ask for my help. Do I need to know about him?” I furrowed my brows at that.
“Why do I feel this will be like Imelda’s case all over again?” Sighing, Fred pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why do you magnet people like that?”
“What do you mean? Are you trying to say I’m a poor judge of character?” Folding my arms, I shifted on the couch. “Devon Leo doesn’t seem like a bad person…if he were, he would have harmed me the moment he came in. Don’t forget, he’s a witch. He could have defeated Chris should it come to that.”
“Okay, I need to know something,” Blue started, choosing his words carefully, “How did he survive all these years? You know this isn’t Earth where there are intermarriages. Here, it’s frowned upon. How did he survive? You claimed he has unique hair, right?”
“He said he stayed in hiding for most of his life. There are caves around, right? He must have hidden in one of them?” It was more of a question than a statement. The moment my mate voiced the question, I realized I didn’t ask Devon much about himself. Hearing he was a hybrid was enough to make me want to take him in.
“You don’t know each species guards their caves, right? It’s impossible for someone to hide in a cave for that long. How did he survive? How did he get food? Obviously, he didn’t stay hungry all those years. Don’t tell me it’s a witch thing?” Fred pursed his lips.
“It’s not.” Letting out a breath, I sat up on the couch. “I will have to ask him about this when he comes in two days. He promised to return after a week, so he will be here in two days. You can ask him everything you want to know about him. Hopefully, we will get all those answers.”
“I’m still not comfortable about him.” Fred shook his head. “We just returned to the kingdom, and don’t know whom to trust aside from Da Ankora. We can’t just take someone in until -”
“Didn’t I say you can interrogate him when he arrives? This way, we can identify if he’s trustworthy. To avoid getting the blame laid on me, I will let you be the judge.” As long as I can get them to let Devon stay in the palace, I would do just anything.
I knew they were right in suspecting him because of the incident with Imelda. I just wanted them to give in to my request, so Devon could live with us. This way, he can teach me how to master my witch powers.
“Sounds good.” Blue nodded. “We will be the ones to interview him. You can’t join.”
“I won’t. You have my words.” I raised my right palm. “As long as you promise you will take him in if he proves to be trustworthy?”
They didn’t respond immediately. Blue shared a look with Fred before he turned to focus on me. “You have our words, Bunny. We will let him into the palace if it turns out he poses no threat to you or the throne. However, should he try anything suspicious, we can determine whatever we wish with him, agreed?”
“Let’s shake on it.” I brought my right palm out and my mates shook it one after the other, with Fred shaking my palm the last. “You can do whatever you want with him if he turns out he wasn’t who he said he was. However, should his words turn out to be true, you will let him in.”
“It’s a deal, then.”
As I relaxed on the couch, I couldn’t help but pray for Devon to be as helpless as he said he was. I needed him to be, so he could teach me how to control my powers and my wolf. I just pray everything turns out well.
It has to, else my hopes of mastering my powers, and shifting into a wolf without pain, would all be nothing but a dream.