Ensnaring his Dark Moon-Chapter 362: A voyage

’’If standing up for the man I love seems like defying you to you, then yes I am,’’ Aleister was powerful and she was aware of that but there were always mysteries in the world that challenged existing powers. Marilyn’s curse on Aleister rendered him weak in her presence.

A place like Whispering Mist River was even beyond the comprehension of people like her father and every event that transpired there would be unpredictable and beyond anyone’s control. After listening to the tale that Elder Hall narrated, Esme knew the deities were not the existences whom they could compare to.

Not even their fathers as the current main gods could measure up to the extent of the powers that the deities had possessed because they were just a small part of their powers that exploded during their destruction. Hence, just the thought of Aleister stepping inside that land was akin to sacrificing his life consciously.

Rezeph pushed himself to his feet, ’’I am adamant. Either Aleister has to go there for the reason I want him to or I will never accept this marriage.’’

’’Do you want history to repeat itself so badly? Do you want me to lose my love like you lost yours?" the words escaped from Esme’s mouth even before she realized it and her eyes widened in disbelief.

Silence descended in the sea court.

Rezeph looked at Esme.

Before he could say a word, Aleister pulled Esme behind his back as he stepped forward to shield her, ’’I am willing to go there.’’

Aleister’s words took everyone aback.

Rezeph frowned and looked back at him.

’’If not for you, I would have exploded and died years ago, not knowing how to control my own divine powers. You gave me a new life and taught me things that helped me survive. I would have done this if you asked for yourself,’’ he paused, not saying the rest of the words but everyone understood what he meant.

He would have done it even if Rezeph wanted him to do it but with Esme’s involvement, there was no room for him to step back. He would do it willingly and happily, without any regrets or considerations.

To Aleister, she was his life. It did not matter what the future held but he did not want the father and daughter to be separated as soon as they found each other and reunited with each other.

Tears rolled down Esme’s cheeks as she looked at his back. She knew there was no going back. Before he uttered those words, maybe there was but once he agreed to her father’s demands, she knew there was no going back.

’’Good,’’ Rezeph nodded, satisfied.

’’How should I go there?" Aleister asked.

’’I have my ways to send you to that place,’’ Rezeph turned to look at Cardan, ’’But before that, I would like to ask our Prince here if he wants to go on this voyage as well.’’

Cardan, who was lost in his thoughts raised his head, ’’Me? Why do you think I would even want to go to a place like that? What for?!’’

’’Because your brother is going and it is a place filled with perils so I believe you would want to go there to protect him,’’ Rezeph shrugged.

Cardan glanced at Aleister before turning to look at Rezeph, feeling like he was being mocked, ’’He is much more powerful than me and he possesses my father’s pure divine powers. What makes you think that he needs my protection in any manner?’’

’’Then I believe there might be something in that place that might suit your palate. That might alleviate the pain that has been tormenting you for years.’’

Rezeph’s words had Cardan’s back stiffening. A cold chill crept down his spike at the realization that this man knew the things that he was not even told about. It was as if he could see through every secret in the world.

The pain that has been tormenting him for years? Luciana’s eyes wandered off to Cardan’s face and she could not help but think about all those days when he used to lock himself up in his room, telling his guards to send her away with various excuses. Sometimes, he would look pale, tired but when asked, he would shrug it off.

Sensing her eyes on him, Cardan looked in her direction but she immediately averted her gaze.

Cardan pushed himself to his feet. A look of understanding flashed in their eyes when his gaze met with Aleister’s.

Wordlessly, he approached Aleister and stood beside the man.

’’But there is one condition that I want you to keep in mind,’’ Cardan spoke up.

’’You going to that place doesn’t benefit me in any way, Prince Cardan. Even though Aleister’s departure to Whispering Mist River has something to do with my daughter, it is a test for him. He is not bound to go there if he doesn’t want to. It is his wish. You are in no position to put conditions forward and I have no obligation to follow them.’’

’’Then, take it as a request,’’ Cardan softened his tone, knowing well enough that what Rezeph was saying was true. He had nothing to lose, and nothing to gain in this whole matter.

’’Interesting,’’ Rezeph raised an eyebrow, ’’Tell me about it.’’

Cardan glanced at Aleister and the man nodded at him without looking at Esme who was quietly standing at the back, alongwith Luciana who had, at some point, approached her as well. They witnessed the whole conversation proceed between the men without interrupting them.

’’You have summoned the four of us here today but we want the ladies to stay here, in your protection, under your care, rather than joining us in this perilous journey,’’ Cardan said.

Rezeph nodded without a second thought, ’’I called them here to bid your farewell, nothing more. They are not going with you.’’

Luciana and Esme both frowned as they looked at each other but a look of understanding flickered in their eyes and both the women remained quiet, not uttering a single word of protest to the men.