Chapter 372: Heart to Heart With His Father

(Rigel)

I don’t know what the future holds. My brothers’ reassurance that our bond will never break gives me hope.

To live without Amaia, I will never agree to that. At the same time can I be this selfish to ask her to accompany me if or when I will have to go to Fudaria?

Surrounded by these questions, I go to meet my father. Can I even call him that?

Saiph and my mom wanted to come with me but I refused. I need to do this alone.

Slowly I knock on his door. Sentinels open it for me at his permission.

He is sitting on his rocking chair, donning his white night gown and reading a book. His silver hair hangs loosely. He appears like an older version of Alnilam. The resemblance is uncanny. Now that I think about it, we look nothing alike because we are not even related.

"Rigel!" He abruptly leaves his seat with a surprise smile covering his lips and nears me.

Emotions almost choke me as I say. "I thought it was time we spoke."

"Of course, come sit with me." He invites me over and both of us settle down.

He picks up the decanter offering me wine. I have never drunk it so I shake my head.

I don’t know what to say to him. Anger seemed a viable option with him, at least I didn’t have to navigate these difficult emotions. But now I am blank.

"What is it, Rigel?" He asks, seeing me struggle. His voice is comforting. I don’t sense any unpleasantness or hostility.

I clasp my hands together and face him. "I spoke to mom." I draw in a painful breath. "She told me the truth that you are not my father."

He leans back at my words. Hurt crawling over his face. His shoulders sag as if the weight of my words is thousands of kilograms on his body.

For a second he closes his eyes, collecting his thoughts.

"I don’t see you differently, Rigel. The truth hurt me but I still see you as my son."

I realise how much he has lost at the hands of that woman and how lonely he must be feeling.

"If I wish to remain here. Will you have no issues? You won’t see me as a reminder of cheating. My mother was your mate at that time no matter how fake the bond was."

He leans forward and extends his hand. Placing it on my wrist. "After everything I did under her influence. Abused Alnilam, failed to protect Saiph, Adrnia and you. I have no right to judge anyone." His lips bunch up.

"You will always be my son, without any conditions. This is your home and this is your palace too. You have my word."

A relief worms its way into my heart.

"For me, you are my father and will always be. No matter where life takes me."

The smile that descends on his lips is warm and thankful.

A mutual respect forms between us and I could see a burden has been lifted from him.

"Thank you, Rigel."

I nod at him before getting up. I leave his chamber with a light heart. The life ahead is not going to be easy but I am going to spend it on my terms.

Right now I am going to visit my mate and spend the night with her. Come what may.

Others are already there with her, sitting and lying in her bed. She is sitting between them like a princess.

She beams, seeing me and asks.

"How did it go?"

My brothers expectantly watch me. I share the details with them and everyone sighs in relief. Min places his arm around me.

"Told you father will be chill. You have nothing to worry about."

My heart has eased now.

"I have been thinking of practising something and if it works, our situation will become easier," Amaia says, ushering me forward.

"I think you can do it. There is nothing you can’t do." Alnitak is slumped in front of her with his chin balanced on his palms.

"She can. With how her powers have advanced. I will train with you," Alnilam offers, leaning back in the chair he is sitting in. His shoulders broad and relaxed.

"What are you going to try?" Effortlessly I pick her up and place her in my lap before leaning against the headboard of her bed.

"Open portal without having to rely on portal points. I have tried and seen progress. We still have a week."

To open portals we need portal points, special places where we can land. But if Amaia can open portals without them, we can easily travel from one state to another. Even to Istrale. They won’t even see us coming.

"Yes, you can." I kiss the back of her head. "I fully believe in you."

Everyone nods and Amaia continues to beam as we discuss the strategy further.

***

The next few days we practice. Alnilam, father, mother and Aziel spend hours with her, practising and guiding her to open portals. By night her energy depletes but Amaia is not a quitter. When she puts her mind to something, she doesn’t stop until she achieves it.

On the third day, Amaia is able to tear through space and time and open a portal from the palace to the academy. The black and purple electricity cackles around the circle which leads to her room. The edges seemed to be made from a dark foggy material.

"You did it," Alnilam proudly says, hugging her to his chest. Sweat clings to her hair but her smile doesn’t drop.

"First, we need to see if it works."

"I will go," I volunteer without a question.

Her smile instantly disappears. "No, we will test through an object first."

I shake my head at her.

"I trust you, Amaia. This will work." Before she can protest more, I walk through the portal. A force drags me forward but just for a second before my feet hit the solid ground of her room.

Turning around I wave at my brothers, mate and father. "All good and in one piece."

"Yahhhhhh! You did it." They cheer. Alnitak picks her up and takes a swirl, going round and round.

"Now we are going to war and win it," our father announces.

This is going to give us a great advantage in the war. They won’t see us coming and wouldn’t be prepared for Amaia’s powers.