I spent the night in restless anticipation, pacing the small room like a caged animal. Sleep eluded me as the weight of the previous conversation with Declan gnawed at my resolve. The dawn broke reluctantly, its light spilling through the window like an unwelcome intruder. My heart sank as I overheard a hushed conversation outside my door.
Lizzie’s voice, soft yet resolute, carried through the wooden barrier. “Dad, are you sure we’re leaving now?”
“Absolutely,” he replied, his tone devoid of its usual warmth.
A pit formed in my stomach as the sound of retreating footsteps echoed down the hallway. I threw on my cloak and rushed out, only to catch the faintest glimpse of their retreating figures as they disappeared into the path leading away from Trionia. My heart clenched. They were leaving. Without a word. Without goodbye.
By midday, the oppressive weight in my chest shifted to an ache I couldn’t ignore. Castor and Pollux coaxed me from my solitude. Their bright spirits filled the somber air around me as they suggested exploring more of Trionia’s rugged beauty. I hesitated but eventually agreed, hoping the distraction might ease the storm brewing inside me.
The island was a paradise, its wild nature untamed yet serene. Despite the looming threat of the Death Sanguine vampires that had attacked us the night before, Castor and Pollux moved through the world as if untouched by fear. Their confidence in my shield’s power as a Descendant of the Moon Goddess was unshakable. They trusted me in a way I was still learning to trust myself.
As we trekked across the cliffs overlooking the turquoise waters, my twins were stepping behind with Trisha. Their laughter was infectious, pulling me from the shadows of my mind. Pollux kept throwing teasing glances my way, his carefree charm a balm to my battered spirit.
“You know,” Pollux said with a sly grin, “I’ve been thinking, sweet pea. If you can take down two Death Sanguines without breaking a sweat, maybe you should lead us for a change.”
“Pollux, stop trying to palm off your responsibilities,” Castor quipped, rolling his eyes. His sharper, more serious demeanor balanced Pollux’s easygoing nature. “You’re just mad she’s stronger than you.”
“I’m not mad,” Pollux shot back, feigning offense. “I’m impressed. Right, Luna Godiva?”
Their banter lightened the heavy atmosphere. For a while, I let myself laugh along with them, feeling the weight of Declan’s departure fade into the background.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and violet, we returned to the cottage where Blackmoon’s guards kept a discreet but watchful presence. The looming shadows of the evening brought an air of intimacy to the villa, and I couldn’t help but feel the shift in Castor’s gaze as he lingered near me.
We shared a quiet dinner, the chatter and clinking silverware filling the room. Yet, beneath the surface, something unspoken hung between Castor and me. His glances were fleeting but intense, and the space between us seemed to hum with unacknowledged tension.
As the evening wore on, Pollux excused himself with a knowing smirk. His departure left Castor and me alone in the candlelit room. The flickering light danced across his features, highlighting the subtle vulnerability hidden behind his usual Stoic exterior.
“Luna Godiva,” he began, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “About everything that happened last night… I want you to know I don’t hold it against you.”
I looked at him, startled. “You don’t?”
He shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips. “No. You were caught in the middle of something none of us could’ve predicted. And you’ve done more than enough to prove where your loyalties lie.”
Relief washed over me, but it was tempered by the raw sincerity in his eyes. “Thank you, Alpha Castor. That means more than you know.”
For a moment, we sat in comfortable silence, the bond between us growing stronger in the quiet. Then, as if emboldened by the stillness, he reached out, his hand brushing against mine. The touch was tentative but electrifying, sending a jolt through my senses.
“I’ve been holding back,” he admitted, his voice low and steady. “But I can’t anymore. Not after seeing you risk everything.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. My heart raced as he leaned closer, his presence overwhelming yet comforting. My breath hitched as his fingers trailed lightly up my arm, stopping just short of my shoulder.
“Alpha Castor…” I whispered, unsure of what to say.
Before I could gather my thoughts, the door swung open with a loud bang, shattering the moment. Pollux stood there, his expression a mix of urgency and mischief.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said, not sounding sorry at all. “But we’ve got company.”
My stomach dropped as I saw the grim look on his face.
“What kind of company?” I asked, already reaching for the small dagger hidden in my belt.
“Not the friendly kind,” Pollux replied, his tone serious now. “A group of Death Sanguine. Looks like they weren’t too happy about losing their comrades.”
Castor was on his feet in an instant, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. “How many?”
“Five, maybe six,” Pollux answered. “But they’re moving fast. We don’t have much time.”
The air crackled with tension as we prepared for the impending fight. My heart pounded, not just from the threat but from the lingering intensity of the moment Castor and I had shared.
As we stepped outside into the cool night, the surrounding beach seemed alive with whispers and shadows. The presence of the Death Sanguine was palpable, a sinister force lurking just beyond the waves.
“Stay close to me,” Castor said, his voice firm yet laced with an unspoken promise.
I nodded, clutching my dagger tightly. My shield hummed faintly, its power waiting to be unleashed.
The first vampire emerged from the shadows, its crimson eyes glowing with malice. And then another. And another.
They surrounded us, their fanged smiles promising bloodshed. But as I stepped forward, raising my shield with a newfound confidence, I felt Castor’s gaze on me, steady and unwavering.
Whatever came next, I knew we would face it together.
But in the back of my mind, one question lingered, haunting and unresolved.