His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 107: Breakfast and Decisions

The following morning I was dressed and in the main palace for breakfast with Alaric, Liva and Eryx. I peeked at Eryx a few times from eating my meal, the sounds of cutlery louder today as we remained mostly in silence outside of pleasantries. We didn’t usually do this, but I guessed that with Deyanira’s absence Alaric wanted to share a meal with his mistress and sister and my soon to be mate,

I wanted to speak to Eryx about the night before, the strangeness of it and how it still seemed surreal. It was spooky and I didn’t know what to think of it. Was I going mad or was there something trying to lure me into the woods?

Theo didn’t join me back in bed when I returned, aware that Faidon was guarding outside and I sensed Eryx was nearby still prowling the woods for any mystery children.

"Ida?" My name rang in my mind and I realised everyone was staring at me.

"Hmm?" I looked to Alaric.

My brother scowled. "What did you want to do with Calix?" I blinked at the direction of the conversation.

"Calix?" Soren’s son? I glanced at Eryx who’s expression was unreadable.

"Are you okay? You look like you haven’t slept enough," Alaric said earning a scold from Liva about commenting on a woman’s looks, related by blood or not.

"I er..." I glanced at Eryx then smiled softly at my brother. "Had a few nightmares. I’m sorry, please repeat what you were telling me."

Alaric hummed and nodded, digging his fork into the meat on his plate. "Eryx said Deyanira blackmailed your knight." I froze but didn’t look at Eryx. "He wasn’t by your side because she took an interest in him." Alaric’s nose wrinkled as he kept his gaze focused on his food. "That was why he hasn’t been by your side. I’m disappointed in her but Eryx says his shadow dealt with the threats against Calix, Soren’s son." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Goddess, I really had zoned out. It was an important discussion."I don’t think that is for me to decide. If Calix wishes to remain in the academy it is up to him. Was he aware of the threat on his life?" I looked to Eryx.

"He was aware but didn’t want to cause any trouble for his uncle." I sipped on the tea, my nose wrinkling a little as it wasn’t khave. Did Calix call Soren his uncle? I wondered what their relationship is like.

"What about bringing the boy here? He would have the best tutors and could be guarded well," Liva suggested then warily glanced at Alaric, dipping her head. "My apologies, I didn’t mean to intervene."

Alaric waved it off. "You can speak your thoughts here, Liva."

"I don’t think it would be wise," I respond to her question. It didn’t bother me one bit that she spoke up. I wondered if Liva had been to many breakfasts with Deyanira and Alaric and had been scolded for doing exactly that by her.

"Oh?" Liva looked to me, questioning. "I thought being beside the King would be safest."

"He wouldn’t be though, and it wouldn’t be fair to put that on Alaric. He is not always here. You know how Deyanira is," I say, sipping on the tea again. "Would it offer more protection or bring attention to him? Nobles will wonder why Calix has the King’s protection. Some might question if he is his child."

"But would he be safe at the academy?" Liva questions again and glances at Alaric. My brother taps his fingers in thought. Like myself, he was used to the minds of the nobles, aware of how Calix might be seen.

"May I say something?" Eryx puts his utensils down and looks between us.

Alaric gestures for him to proceed. "We helped rid the threat to Calix’s life so Deyanira wouldn’t hold anything over Lia’s knight. Ultimately, she is the one who got Calix into the academy in the first place so when she finds out he has most likely lost his spot. I don’t agree with bringing the child here but..."

Eryx glances at me. "When we go back to my territory, will Lia be bringing her knight with her?"

My finger traced the rim of the cup as I frowned. I wouldn’t be staying in the North and that thought hit me like a physical blow. Perhaps it was a delayed reaction or thought but the last couple of days was starting to blur into weeks and I was struggling to keep up with everything.

Alaric clears his throat. "I don’t think it will be for some time before my sister leaves with you. But when she does there will no doubt be her guard and a maid servant."

Eryx frowned, his voice coming out more as a rumble that makes my spine straighten. "I expect my mate to come with me when I leave in two weeks and no longer."

"Impossible," Alaric seethes. "We need preparations in place. You know matters like this cannot be done on a whim. Is the Alpha King aware you are even bringing back a mate?"

I blinked back profusely. I’d completely forgotten about the ruthless Alpha King who ruled Sun and Fury.

Eryx’s gaze didn’t waver as he responded to Alaric’s harsh tone. "The Alpha King will approve of whatever I deem necessary for our people and territory. He is aware that I would take a mate eventually. The when and how are my decisions."

My brother’s jaw tightened, and his hand gripped the edge of the table. "My sister will not be dragged to Sun and Fury without proper preparation."

I interjected before their argument could escalate further. "Enough, both of you. I’m sitting right here." I placed my cup down with more force than I intended, the ceramic clinking against the table. "If I’m to leave, it will be on my terms and timeline. I won’t have either of you deciding my fate without me."

I didn’t particularly want to go in the first place but I didn’t want to delve into it right now.

Eryx’s expression softened, but Alaric still looked ready to pounce. I didn’t wait for their rebuttals. "Why did you ask anyway? We were discussing Calix." Ignoring my brother’s annoyance I held Eryx’s stare.

In a more gentler tone, Eryx said, "Because your knight won’t leave Calix in the academy if he will follow you to Sun and Fury. I have no problem with bringing that child to the South but it will be their decision. We aren’t his guardian." He looked pointedly at Alaric.

I nodded. "You’re right. But we will offer them options. It is my fault Deyanira has caused this in the first place."

Eryx frowned, his mouth parting to say something but Alaric spoke first with a growl. "The fault lies in Deyanira. Not you." I stare at my brother, forgetting that he hasn’t once called Deyanira ’mother’. His negativity towards her was a little surreal.

Pushing my barely eaten food aside, I rise from my seat. "If that is all. I want to see the children from the Blood Wraith attack."

Alaric’s stern demeanour faltered, and he sat back in his chair, curious. "Why?"

"Because I can’t stop thinking about them," I admitted, my mind flashing back to the boy from the night before. His face, his plea—it all haunted me. Was he among the children or had it been some magick cast from my imagination?