(Alnilam)

What am I even witnessing?

"They look like father and son," Snow chimes in my head and I can’t help but agree.

Now that I see them together, there is a resemblance between them. Almost the same height, same facial structure. Eyes and hair are similar because both of them are vampires.

The shadow magic. That feels more than a coincidence. Rigel has no familiarity with our father, never had and I always thought it was because of Queen Adrnia. But could it be more than that?

I know Mom Adrnia and Hathial used to be lovers but is this even possible?

There is so much we don’t know.

When Rigel reveals that his mother is alive, I see a shift in Hathial’s whole demeanour. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Those relaxed shoulders of his tense. His shadows lift from Rigel’s shoulders and hauntingly hover over both of them like an enraged being.

His eyes burn like two-coals of smouldering rage. His nails dig into the skin of his palms.

"Adrnia is alive? My Adrnia is alive?" He thunders in a booming voice which would make the knees of anyone weak shake.

"Yes and has been tortured by Istrale for the last 19 years," Rigel continues.

I can sense Hathial’s wrath as his blazing eyes slide towards me and he demands.

"Tell me everything." I nod at him and thus begin the details of everything gruesome regarding Rigel, us, Amaia and my so-called mother. I also include what I learned from Mom Adrnia’s diary and where Queen Adrnia was last seen to be kept by Aziel.

"That vile woman. I always knew something was off about her. Never knew she could stoop this low." Hathial strides towards the nearby sofa and drops himself on it, holding his head.

"Adrnia and I were childhood sweethearts. I always thought she was mine. Would be mine. I felt it in my blood. Vampires always know. But, that wretched woman and Orion took her away from me. I am getting her back and this time I won’t let her go."

He lifts his head and watches both of us. I expect Rigel to react but he doesn’t.

"Esmelda always tried to be too sweet. Even when Adrnia turned out to be Orion’s mate, I couldn’t believe it was true. Now I am convinced that the mate bond is forced too. Both Adrnia and Orion are under her spell and curses."

He is right. I feel the same. "We believe you are correct and now both of us are trying to bring her down, along with Istrale. I think she is involved with the Dread Army and Natianu."

Hathial viciously smiles. "Her family is from Istrale and I am pretty sure she and Natianu are either secret lovers or mates. Why doesn’t he have a queen or a lover and yet have children? That never sat right with me."

A wave of anger passes through me at his words. I don’t by any means wish to be linked to those horrible B-Twins.

"Since I was the only one posing that question and no one else had the backbone to speak to Natianu about it. I had to always pay a heavy price. My kingdom was attacked several times. Finally, I stopped because there was no one to back me up. But there are too many coincidences regarding them."

"We will stand by you. We are not our father," Rigel says with determination. My brother will go to any length for Amaia, this much I know.

"I like you. You have my Adrnia’s spirit." His admiration-filled eyes then drift towards me.

"And you have that defiant air about you which today’s young men lack."

"Exactly why only you opposed my punishment," I say.

Restlessness grows in my heart. Not only from what Hathial is revealing but there is something else too.

"You have guts like no one else I have seen in a long time. You reminded me of my younger self. The way you stood up to your father and protected your mate. I applaud your bravery." He offers me a smile of approval.

"Your brothers and mates are also people with valour and honour. They helped my recruits instead of trying to kill them. I stand by your side. Whatever you need, whenever you need."

Rigel crosses his arms over his chest and it’s more of an act to keep them from shaking.

"We might need a place to bring our mate and brothers. We have to face the queen and prepare for battle."

"My kingdom’s gates are now open to you. Bring your brothers and mate here and we’ll go to battle together after strategising. After everything Istrale has done to Faes and is still doing. They fucking took the love of my life. I only needed one Allie to fight them and here you are."

He stands up and confidently walks up to Rigel, holding his arms.

"But I am getting your mother back, if it’s the last thing I do. It’s my promise." Rigel gives an appreciative nod.

"I will accompany you. That’s my priority."

The silent bond has become restless in my heart. Only a minute passes when Rigel turns towards me and opens the mindlink.

’Something is wrong we need to return. My shadows are extremely agitated. I might have to hold the rescue mission’

So I am not alone in sensing that.

’I feel it too.’

"We appreciate that. We need to return but we will be back soon. Something is wrong back home."

Hathial shakes hands with both of us. "You have brought such joy to my dull life after so many years. I will wait a day and then I will make the move to rescue Adrnia. I can’t leave her there anymore."

"I hope to join but if I am delayed, I know you will bring my mother back."

With promises of meeting again and preparing for the tough battle that lay ahead, I open the portal back to my office and we leave Fudaria.

The safe place behind my office is empty. Amaia and others must be in the Infirmary with Alnitak. But that panic and restlessness grow.

I open the mindlink, trying to reach Amaia but all I hear is silence from her side.

"She is not responding. Where is she?" Rigel urgently says, throwing the door open and striding out. I follow him.

"I don’t know."

"Amaia was with Saiph but we haven’t felt them in a while. Maybe they fell asleep. We were all tired," Mintaka hopefully says through the bond.

"Let’s check her room," I suggest. Rigel and I head towards her room in hopes of finding her.

But it’s empty. Then Rigel double overs in pain as if his insides are being sawed. I sense a pricking pain in my heart too.

"What’s happening?" Rigel painfully says, his veins protrude out at the temples and neck and I have to hold him.

"Something is wrong with Saiph and Amaia. Where are they?" Rigel is breathless as I take him towards the infirmary.

Alnitak and Mintaka are both agitated when we enter. Me holding onto Rigel and then the world goes still.

A silence falls followed by a rupturing chaos.