Chapter 198
This Ends Now
The air rippled, and the portal opened in a clean, sharp flash of white. Gavriel stepped through first. But the moment Zander saw who followed behind him, his brows creased in shock.
“Your Majesty… Queen Mother?” Zander blurted, unable to hide his confusion. “I thought Archmage Uriel would accompany—”
“He stayed behind,” Gavriel cut in. “I brought my mother. Take us to Riela. Now.”
Zander straightened immediately and nodded. “O-of course. This way.”
He led them quickly across the forest clearing toward the secluded chamber where Princess Riela was being kept safe. The Queen Mother stayed close to Gavriel’s side while her steps shaky. Though her face carried authority, her hands trembled slightly
When they reached the cottage, gentle light pulsed from within. Zander pushed the door open.
Riela lay inside, still asleep, her small body surrounded by a shimmering dome of protective magic. The barrier glowed softly — alive, breathing, untouched by corruption.
Queen Mother gasped and rushed forward, but the moment she extended her hand, the barrier flared and repelled her with a gentle push of force.
She staggered back. “I… I cannot reach her…”
Zander caught her arm to steady her. “Your Grace, please don’t worry. The dome protects her. Only the healer and those the dome recognizes can step inside.”
Queen Mother’s voice broke. “She looks so pale… Riela… my daughter…”
Gavriel stepped up beside her. “Mother,” he said softly but firmly, “listen to me. Althea will continue Riela’s healing. She pushed herself earlier and exhausted her inner energy. That barrier is keeping Riela well until Althea can resume.”
Tears streamed silently down the Queen Mother’s face. She walked closer again, stopping just an arm’s reach from the dome, staring at Riela with a heartbroken expression.
“I want to stay,” she whispered. “I want… to speak to her. Even if she cannot answer. Even if she cannot see me.”
Zander nodded lightly, stepping closer with a respectful bow. “Your Grace, that would help her greatly. Princess Riela can hear everything happening around her. A mother’s voice — a mother’s encouragement — it will strengthen her through the healing process.”
Queen Mother’s lips quivered. “Truly…?”
“Yes,” Zander assured. “Her spirit is still fighting inside the spell. Your presence will steady her.”
A soft sob escaped her, but she wiped her tears quickly and stepped forward again. She stood before the dome, her hands hovering close without touching, her gaze fixed on her granddaughter.
“Riela… my sweet child…” her voice trembled, but warmth filled each word, “I am here. Your mother is here. My daughter… I’m so sorry.”
The words fell out of her like they had been trapped inside her chest for far too long.
“I was a fool,” Wilma whispered shakily. “I let people near you who should never have been trusted. Ava… Nilda… all those smiling faces around us.” Her hand curled, her voice trembling with regret.
“I should’ve known better. I’m your mother. I should have been the first to protect you, the first to notice anything wrong. Instead, I let myself be manipulated. I let others influence me. I let them hurt you right under my nose…”
Her shoulders shook as she leaned her forehead against the dome. “I failed you, Riela. I failed you so terribly.”
Gavriel watched with a grim but softened expression, understanding the depth of his mother’s regret. Wilma continued, voice strained yet earnest. “I know you can hear me. So please, listen to me, my love.” She drew a shaky breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t see the poison in those people sooner.” She closed her eyes tightly. “I’m sorry they hurt you. I’m sorry I let them. I’m sorry I didn’t stop them.”
Her tears dripped onto her clasped hands. “I promise you, Riela… never again. I will never let anyone get near you with ill intentions. I will never be blinded again. You will be safe. You will be protected. And when you wake up, I’ll be here. Every day. Every hour. Until you open your eyes.”
The faint glow of the dome pulsed softly, as if responding to her voice. “I love you, my daughter. Please… come back to me.”
The room felt quieter, gentler, as her words settled around them. Even Gavriel’s stern expression softened faintly before he stepped back to give her privacy.
Wilma stayed there, whispering to Riela in broken apologies and soft promises, her voice steadying with each word, like a mother finally reclaiming her place beside the child she almost lost.
Outside, Zander said calmly, “I’ll make sure the Queen Mother and Minister Marius are well accommodated during their stay.”
Gavriel lifted a brow, “Looks like you already know all my people. You even know their names without me introducing them.”
Zander let out a low chuckle. “I studied you and your kingdom for years, Alpha King. I’ve infiltrated your royal estate whenever I wanted and gathered every piece of information I needed, officials included.” His eyes flicked with something between pride and shame. “I needed the right pieces on the board to make sure you’d eventually consider forming an alliance with me. I suppose I was… desperate enough for that.”
“Indeed you were,” Gavriel grunted. His jaw tightened slightly. “Be grateful Althea had a connection to you. Otherwise, you would’ve died by my hands long before you got your revenge for meddling in my affairs.”
Zander didn’t argue. Instead, he inclined his head slightly. “I know. And I do apologize. I’ll also personally apologize to the Queen Mother and—”
“There’s no need,” Gavriel cut in before he even finished, sharp as a blade. “I don’t want my mother stressed over the chaos you stirred with your feud against the clans in your House.”
His tone dropped, low and cold, but controlled. “She has enough to worry about.”
Zander nodded, accepting the reprimand without defense. “Understood.”
Gavriel exhaled slowly, his eyes darkening. “Let’s get down to business,” he said, voice firm. “I want Cain and Rett dealt with as soon as possible.”
Zander straightened, instantly attentive.
“When my mate returns to the palace,” Gavriel continued, eyes narrowing like a predator assessing his next kill, “I want everything settled. No lingering threats. No unfinished matters. No one waiting to put her in danger again.”
Zander understood immediately, this wasn’t just a command. It was a promise Gavriel was making to himself.
“She deserves peace,” Gavriel murmured, more to himself than to Zander. “Peace, comfort, and safety… not more complications to face or endure.” The edge in his voice softened, but the determination hardened.
Zander tapped his knuckles lightly against his chest in acknowledgment. “Then I’ll prepare everything you need, Alpha King. Consider Cain and Rett already cornered. We’ll handle them before your mate even steps back into your kingdom.”
“Good,” he said. “Because once Althea returns… nothing and no one will be allowed to disrupt her life again.”
He stepped forward, aura rippling with command and finality. “This ends now.”