20: Iris
Tawakened to the brightness of the morning slipping through the spaces in the curtains. I looked around in the partial darkness, my head throbbing and my muscles sore. I did not know for how long I was gone. Hun judging by how my body felt, I would have to say that it was more than a day.
I tried to remember what had happened just before I fell unconscious, but my mind refused to relinquish the memories. Then I heard breathing soft inhales and exhales. The origin of the sound came from right beside me. I felt for who it was in the darkness. The moment I touched the sleeping person, they awakened raising their head
“1—ing” The person stuttered.
My heart stopped. I had to be mistaken, it was my brother’s voice.
I reached out for him in the darkness and cradled his face in my hands. I felt for the dimple in his little chin and when I finally felt it, I knew that I
was not hallucinating.
I pulled him instantly into an embrace. “Abel,” I whispered reverently into his soft hair.
He held me as well, his stall arms coming to my neck. It ached a bit but I didn’t mind
1-1-1 wa–wa–was 10–o–o scared,” he told me. 1-1-1 couldn’t lo–love yout–boo
1 froze. What was he talking about? Then it all come back in flashes. The scene of my mother’s death played in my head, her body on that ground, her blood drenching the snow. Grief Elled me instantly,
“She is gone.” 1 whispered, hoping that if I did, it would make it less real.
Abel nodded against my chest.
I bit back through a sob that threatened to rip out of my throat. I could not let him see me fall apart, when he was already so strong. He was not crying, she was not sniffling. It was as though he had come to terms with it. I had to do the same, at least for his sake.
“T—the bi–big s–scary m–m–manh–helped you,” he said.
At first, I was confused before it clicked “Cassian?” Lasked.
He nodded again. “He–he–be is n–n–nice,” he remarked.
Before I reply to my brother’s statement. The door of the room was opened and by the sound of footsteps, I could tell that it was more than three people that had just stepped in
One pulled open the curtain, the illumination immediately blinding me. By the robes of the visitors, I deduced that they were delta
“How are you feeling now?” One asked.
“I am better, just a few aches here and there,” I replied.
They all shared a look that I could not read before their leader turned back to me, “Do you have any memory of what happened before you lost
consciousness
I tried to sesech my mind, but the memory was hazy, I shook my head.
They shared another look with each other. Then they examined my body, gently prodding and poking before they gave me a tasteless concoction that smelt of cinnamon. The moment I ingested it. I immediately felt the effect. My body seemed to loosen and left more relaxed
Before they filled out as they had filled in the leader spoke again. “The Alpha will soon be here.” And they left
My heart quickened at the mention of Cassian. Had he saved me again. Why would he do that? The questions whirled in my mind as Abel and I sat in the silent room, waiting for Cassian’s arrival. I glanced down at my brother, his innocent eyes wide with curiosity and concer
“Abel,” I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, “did Cassian say anything to you?”
Abel shook his head. “N–n–no. Hej–just s–said to s–stay with y you”
Before I could ponder this further, the door creaked open. Cassian strode in his presence filling the room. Ilis dark eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still
“Tris,” he said, his voice a deep rumble, “how are you feeling”
I sat up straighter, trying to muster some semblance of strength. “Better, thank you Abel told me you helped me.”
Cassian nodded, his expression unreadable. “Yes, I did”
His words were simple, but there was an intensity in his gaze that unsettled me “thank you,” I managed to say. I did not know what more he had done for me since I had fallen unconscious, but knowing how the Lycan castle and its inhabitants were, I was sure that some other troubles had come up. And if I was still in one piece afterward, that would mean that I was indeed helped. And after what I had done to lone, I doubted that she would have been the one to lend a helping hand once again.
“You wanted to speak with me?” I asked, the atmosphere awkward.
Is it so strange that a man would want to see his wife?”
Cam’s question hung in the air, the weight of it making the atmosphere even more tense. I swallowed, trying to find the right words.
“It’s not strange,” I replied slowly, “but considering our circumstances, it feel..unexpected. When did we start to speak like this? It felt odd but not
- Ins
so bad that it made me uncomfortable.
Cassian’s expression remained impassive, but there was a softness there that I had never seen.
He glanced at Abel, then back at me. “Your mother, do you wish to have a ceremony for her?”
Words clogged my throat. My throat tightened, and I struggled to find my voice. “A ceremony? I hadn’t thought that far,” I admitted.
Cassin’s gaze softened even further, and he stepped closer, his presence somehow both intimidating and comforting. “It’s important to honor her memory, Iris. For both you and Abel”
I looked down at Abel, who was clutching my hand tightly. His eyes, still wide with fear and uncertainty, looked up at me. He had been so strong through everything, but I could see the pain and confusion lingering beneath the surface.
“Yes,” I said finally. “I think a ceremony would be good. We need to say goodbye properly.”
Cassian nodded, as if satisfied with my response. “Tll make the arrangements,” he said. “But there’s something else I need to discuss with you.”
Itensed, the feeling of dread creeping back into my chest. “What is it?”
Cassian’s expression grew serious. “You were pregnant before, weren’t you?”
