(Amaia)

The hope returns to me like rain after a drought, like sitting near a warm hearth after wandering a cold tundra for an eternity.

Queen Adrnia’s words have seeped into my heart and now I truly believe I can bring my mate back.

After days, I let myself relax slightly and truly breathe. Alnitak and Mintaka take me out on the grounds for some fresh air. The wounds she had given me, I heal because I don’t wish Saiph to see me like that and relive the horrifying memories when he awakens.

Now that Queen Adrnia is beside her son, I don’t have anything to worry about. She has a lot of catching up to do with Rigel, so we give them space.

Sitting on the fresh grass, surrounded by spring flowers, their fragrance has a calming effect on us.

"I know you understand your limits better than others but don’t endanger your life for the ritual." Alnitak squeezes my arm, staring at me.

I am going to push myself, my strength, my powers to the brink but I nod at them, not wanting to worry them.

A sentinel arrives. With a bow he says. "King Orion would like to have dinner with the princes and their esteemed mate. Will you accept?"

Both of them glance in my direction, wanting to know my decision.

"I think it’s about time I have to face him and reveal all the truths."

"We will join him for dinner," Mintaka informs the sentinel, who bows before leaving.

Now that the culprit is gone, I have requested to be reunited with my brother. TJ has promised to bring him.

We watch the sunset together—the last rays painting the sky in its pinkish hues.

With me leaning on Mintaka’s shoulder and Alnitak lying in my lap. My fingers slowly comb through his silken hair.

A calmness has descended on me. My troubled heart is no longer restless because I believe it’s my time to shine. The atrocities we have been through need to be over.

TJ brings my brother to the palace and they enter the grounds.

"Amaia!" He urgently calls me, quickening his pace. Getting up I rush towards him, embracing him but I don’t break down. I will remain strong now.

"I heard about what happened. Are you alright?" Worries have made his forehead creased. He rubs his hand on my head.

"I am going to be," I tell him. I want to say more about Saiph but for now, I stay quiet on the matter. Lifting my head, my gaze shifts towards Healer TJ.

"Thank you for protecting my brother."

"I would always stand against evil," he says in his usual tone and faces the twins. "I would like a word with your father and older brother. There are things they need to know." The old man appears more serious than usual.

"Stay for dinner. All of us are going to have a meeting with him."

He nods. We decide to return to the palace.

Twins take TJ to the guest room while I tell Aziel about Queen Adrnia.

"She is here?" He asks with wonderment, stars dance in his eyes.

He was so young when he was taken and imprisoned, she is the one who kept him alive. I can only imagine the love and respect he holds for her.

"Yes."

"Can I meet her?" He requests and I open the mindlink with Rigel.

"Aziel wants to meet Queen Adrnia. Is this a good time?"

Rigel doesn’t take too long to answer. "Mom would love to meet him. Bring him to her room."

We approach her room, and I softly knock. Rigel opens the door and his gaze fixes on Aziel.

"It has been a while," Rigel nostalgically says.

"Rigel?" Aziel speaks in a surprised tone and my mate nods at him. Both of them embrace like old friends before he invites us in.

Queen Adrnia and Hathial Kane are present in the room, sitting on chairs, softly speaking.

Seeing us enter Queen Adrnia leaves her seat with a joyous smile gracing her lips.

"Aziel, my child." She spreads her arms and my brother rushes forward to embrace her.

"I can’t express my happiness to see you here and well." Aziel rejoices, tears of happiness fall from his eyes.

My heart brims with unexplainable feelings seeing them united.

"Me too. And I have found my real mate and my son." Queen Adrnia points towards Hathial and Rigel.

Aziel respectfully nods. Hathial stands up and shakes hands with my brother.

"I appreciate your courage, young man. Your presence kept my mate alive. I owe you." Aziel shakes his head.

"It’s the other way around. I gave up many times. She kept me going."

"She has that resilience. That’s what made me fall in love with her." Hathial warmly and openly expressed his feelings for her.

Rigel and I watch the interaction with him holding my shoulders.

"How wonderful Life must have been if we had never crossed paths with that vile creature. She destroyed our lives, took away our loved ones and it’s going to take a while for us all to heal," Rigel regretfully whispers.

"We will have our revenge. Once that ritual is performed, we are going to gather our forces and hit them with such ferocity that they won’t even see it coming. We will annihilate the State of Istrale," Hathial pledges with such ferociousness that I feel his determination in my heart.

"Yes, we will. But that crone will be mine to kill," I say with icy coldness, there is no warmth left in me when it comes to them.

A knock on the door has our attention. "You may enter," Queen Adrnia grants permission.

A sentinel enters and bows in respect. "King Orion requests your presence at the dinner."

"We will be there. Please, inform him."

Sentinel curtsies before retreating.

"Let’s go. I have plenty to tell everyone."

All of us leave the room and head over to the dining hall. The doors are open for us and we are guided to our designated seats.

King Orion is already seated in his place with his hands tightly clasped. His face has deep shadows of misery clouding it.

He respectfully receives us all. I introduce Aziel to him and both of them shake hands.

I settle down between Rigel and Aziel. Queen Adrnia and Hathial are ahead of us while the twins, Alnilam and Healer TJ are seated opposite.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me," King Orion begins. "I would like to begin this dinner with an apology to every single soul I wronged and couldn’t protect."