Chapter 86

She leaned back against the headboard as she was pulled forward with Kalani. She swooned and closed her eyes. *When she opened them, she was surrounded by a soul snatching pure darkness that choked her and made her want to hide under her blankets. Someone touched her arm and fingers slid down to her hand. She screamed and a hand was pushed over her mouth.*
*“Shut up!,” Kalani hissed. “We cannot disturb his mind.”*
*She nodded. “Sorry.”*
*Kalani took her hand and Lukas took her other one. They trailed behind Lani as she led them through the darkness.*
*‘You seem to know your way around very well,’ Sasha commented through their link.*
*‘It wasn’t like this the last time I was here. It was full of light and happiness. There wasn’t this sadness or lingering desire to let go and die.’*
*Sasha’s heart splintered and Lukas squeezed her hand.*
*‘Where are we going then?,’ he asked.*
*‘I’m following the pain. I have no idea where it’s leading. I’m just trusting Galina and she said to go this way,’ Kalani answered.*
*Sasha sighed. She hoped they got to where they were going soon, this darkness was stressing her and Irina out, while Lukas was happy and content in the darkness. She shivered. He was the Bringer of Death, for real. They just kept walking with no end in sight, literally. A tear crept down her face and Kalani stopped.*
*“Dad?,” she called softly.*
*A dim light was turned on and they saw their father sitting on the ground with one knee bent and his arm on it. His face was tear stained and the deepest heartbreak Sasha had ever felt drew her in. They all sat around him and hugged him.*
*“Dad?”*
*“All I did was love her.”*
*Sasha’s heart ached for him and she hated her mother even more. She had inflicted so much on their father that he would feel for the rest of his life, which wasn’t long if they didn’t get him to come back.*
*“Dad, listen to me. I know you did. We all know it. She wasn’t worth having your love. She was cruel. Nobody mattered to her, but Tiffany and Eis. Not you, not me, not Lukas or Sasha,” Kalani told him.*
*He lifted his head to look into her eyes. “He made her happy. She loved him. Why couldn’t I have found her first? Why did the Goddess do this to me?”*
*Sasha touched his cheek. “Dad, listen-”*
*He stood up abruptly and began to walk away. “Come on. I want to show you something.”*
*They scrambled up to follow him. Lights lit up as he walked by. The stone walls shifted to trees and a field. He stopped and they stood beside him. They were overlooking a beautiful pond with lily pads and bullfrogs croaking. Dragonflies skimmed over the surface of the water and beautiful koi fish swam beneath it. A stunning woman with raven black hair and golden honey eyes sat reading a book on the grass next to the pond. The vision’s version of their father approached her. He was younger and looked more vibrant. He stood behind her, looking over her shoulder at the book.*
*“That’s a good book.”*
*She jumped and looked over her shoulder, before shifting to kneel in front of him.*
*“Your Majesty, I’m sorry. I didn’t-”*
*“May I join you?”*
*“I- it’s your land. You can do whatever you want, Sire.”*
*He sat down next to her and leaned over to look at the page she was on. “Where are you?”*
*She pointed to a line.*
*“‘We are mates. Soulmates basically, but it’s so much stronger. We are one soul split into two. We are stronger together and we crave each other. We have a bond that is more than life itself. You are my world, my everything, the very oxygen I breathe. Without you I will go crazy and lose myself and become the worst part of myself. My wolf would take over and kill until he is killed.’ Interesting Why choose a story about werewolves? Are dragon’s not enough for you?”*
*The woman giggled. “Well, Your Majesty, they are kind of our brethren. Besides, humans don’t tend to give dragons a human counterpart. To them we are just giant brutes who steal shiny stuff, kidnap their women and burn down their towns.”*
*He laughed. “Touche. What’s your name?”*
*She nervously tucked her hair behind her ear. “My name is Odanya, Sire.”*
*He smiled at her. “It’s nice to meet you Odanya. I am Sterling.”*
*Her eyes widened and she blushed. “It’s nice to meet you, too, King Sterling.”*
*“So, tell me, Odanya. Do you come out to the Koi Pond often?”*
*“It was an accident. I got lost on the castle grounds and just decided to wait here. Do you come here often?”*
*He looked back out over the water. “Not sure. It depends.”*
*“On what, Sire?”*
*“If you’re going to be here.”*
*Her mouth dropped open, making him chuckle. “I… I suppose so. It is beautiful here.”*
*He studied her face. “That it is.”*
*Their father walked around the couple sitting on the ground, taking turns reading the book out loud, giggling and discussing it. They looked so happy. Sasha tilted her head as she watched the pair as her father continued to circle them. They stayed there all night long chatting and getting to know each other. Their father’s feeling of love grew and when she said goodbye, he had caught her hand and pulled her back. He kissed her and she leaned against his chest with her eyes closed. When they finally pulled away from each other, they were both panting. She smiled up at him and he cupped her face.*
*“Same time tomorrow?,” he asked.*
*She nodded breathlessly. “Tomorrow.”*
*The scene faded back into the stone walls and dimly lit area as their father walked back to them. His pain was written all over his face.*
*“I loved her. I loved both of them and that was our downfall. They should have never had to fight over me. I should have let your mother go as soon as I found out she was married. Then none of this would have happened, but something stopped me. I never had an intention to initiate with your mother, but I couldn’t help it.”*
*Sasha hugged him. “Yeah, but we wouldn’t be here either.”*
*He hugged her back tightly. “I wouldn’t change you three for the world. I wouldn’t. I just wish I had lived my life differently. Better.” He sighed. “Come, there’s more.”*