Chapter 595
“It’s not a sacrifice, Gabriel,” Cynthia corrected him.
“Then, what is it?” Gabriel questioned, his voice strained. He was a man who lived by logic and strategy; the idea of a “free” victory felt impossible to him.
“It is my punishment,” Cynthia answered, a sorrow crossing her radiant features. “My punishment for the crime of falling in love instead of fulfilling my duties. Gabriel, look at the family around you. Everyone is living in the shadow of your worry. This fate of yours… It began because of me, so it should end with me. Don’t you think p>
She stepped closer. “Why forge a blade that will hurt your mate the most? Do you think Amelie will be able to survive when she has to watch you wither away after giving up your life force? You are her heart, Gabriel. To save her life by destroying your own is not a victory. Don’t argue with me, and don’t be stubborn. For once, listen p>
As she spoke, Noah, oblivious to their conversation, had flipped onto his stomach and was crawling toward the edge of the bed. Before Gabriel could react, Cynthia lowered herself and scooped the toddler into her arms.
Noah didn’t cry; instead, he let out a joyful burst of laughter, his tiny fingers immediately reaching out to grasp the shimmering pearls that adorned Cynthia’s neck. He pulled at them with a wide, toothless grin, fascinated by the way they glowed.
“Noah came into your life as a blessing,” Cynthia whispered, looking down at the child with a tenderness that brought tears to Gabriel’s eyes. “So let him remain a blessing. Don’t let your guilt and your fear make this decision for you. Use the dagger, Gabriel. End the cycle without creating a new one p>
Cynthia placed her hand gently atop Noah’s head, a soft, golden light pulsing briefly from her palm. It was a divine blessing for the child’s future before she lowered him back onto the safety of the bed.
“I know you’ll make the right decision now,” she whispered, her eyes locking onto Gabriel’s with an intensity that demanded courage. “I have faith in you p>
She offered a final, serene smile to the father and then to the child before her form began to dissolve. In an instant, the goddess was gone, replaced by a swirl of radiant, gossamer-white butterflies that filled the bedroom. They danced in the morning light. Noah’s mouth widened in awe; he let out a squeal of delight, extending his tiny arms and grasping at the air as if he could catch the magic between his fingers.
Just then, the door clicked open. Amelie walked in, her hands occupied with Noah’s milk bottles. She froze in the doorway, her breath catching as several of the white butterflies brushed past her, escaping into the hallway like living embers of starlight.
“What’s this?” she asked, her voice hushed with wonder. She watched the last of the butterflies vanish into thin air, then her gaze snapped to Gabriel.
Gabriel stood by the bed with a pale face and troubled expression.
Amelie set the bottles down on the dresser with a clatter and hurried to him. She took his face in her hands, searching his eyes with a piercing closeness.
“Gabriel?” she whispered. “Who was here p>
Gabriel didn’t wait for her to ask again. He reached out, pulling her into a tight hug. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breath warm against her skin as he squeezed his eyes shut.
“I know what I have to do now,” he murmured against her skin. “I have been a fool all this time for even considering the alternative p>
He pulled away finally.
“What are you talking about? Gabriel, you’re scaring me,” Amelie said, her confusion deepening as she watched him reach for his phone.
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he dialed Karmen. The silence in the room was heavy until the line clicked open.
“Return without the bloodsmiths,” Gabriel ordered, his voice echoing with the authority of the Third Prince.
“Huh? Why?” Karmen’s voice crackled with disbelief and a hint of panic. “Gabriel, wait—I-I will do what you said. I’ll make the arrangements, I’ll p>
“I said return, Karmen. The deal is off,” Gabriel interrupted, before hanging up.
Amelie stood motionless. “Gabriel, please. Talk to me. You were ready to do something terrible, weren’t you? And now p>
Gabriel turned to her, his hands gripping her shoulders firmly. “Amelie, I’m going to Aurevalis. I know where the weapon lies that will end Ophelia for good p>
Her eyes grew wide again with confusion. “Aurevalis? But you p>
“I’ll explain everything to you later,” he promised, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “This time I’m taking one of my brothers with me. By the evening, we should return. But if we won’t be able to, then by tomorrow morning p>
Gabriel nodded, a sense of profound relief washing over him as the truth finally settled between them. “Yes,” he admitted, his voice low. “She was here. I was on the verge of making a choice that would have destroyed us both. I let my fear for you cloud my judgment, thinking with a desperate heart instead of the mind the Moon Goddess gave me p>
“Hmm. Go then,” Amelie said. She didn’t press for details; she simply trusted him. “Bring the weapon p>
She leaned over the bed, scooping Noah into her arms. The toddler looked content. “Tell Daddy to return safely, Noah. Wave at him,” she encouraged, gently moving Noah’s small hand back and forth. Noah didn’t quite grasp the concept of a goodbye, but he gave Gabriel a bright, toothy grin that felt like the ultimate blessing.
Gabriel leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to Noah’s forehead before turning to Amelie. This time, his kiss was deep, a silent vow to return to her whole. Without another word, he turned and strode out of the room.
He didn’t head for the main gates. Instead, he stopped right outside Dominick’s private chamber before walking in.
“Accompany me to Aurevalis,” Gabriel requested.
Dominick, who had been engrossed in a tactical file, lowered the papers slowly. He lifted his gaze, his brow furrowed in sharp curiosity. “Why Aurevalis? We have the Bloodsmiths coming here. Carlos told me and Cas p>
“The deal with the smiths is dead,” Gabriel replied. “The real weapon lies there. It’s the only way to end this without a sacrifice p>
Dominick didn’t ask how Gabriel knew or why the plan had shifted so drastically. He saw the fire in his brother’s eyes and knew the time for talk was over. He stood up instantly, grabbing his phone and his coat.
“Let’s go then,” Dominick said. “We shouldn’t waste a single second p>
Today is the last day of this year and I wrote nearly 600 Chapters for this story. To me, it still feels nostalgic how far I have come in writing, especially writing werewolves. Praying for everyone’s joy, good health and prosperity.