Chapter 211
Read Me
Althea felt it then. The loud, relentless thumping of her heart echoed in her ears, heavy and suffocating. She knew. Deep inside, she had always known how this would end.
The man who raised her. The father she grew up calling her own. He would die.
“I need to go,” she said suddenly, pushing herself up from the bed.
Candice reacted instantly, rushing to her side before she could even steady herself. “Althea, stop. Where are you going?” she demanded, gripping her arm. “You’re still weak. You nearly drained yourself healing Princess Riela. You need to rest.”
But Althea shook her head, panic flashing across her face. “Gavriel already left. He’s going to kill my father,” she gasped, her steps unsteady as she headed for the door. “I… I need to see him. I need to see my father, Cain.”
Candice froze. Her grip loosened slightly as realization struck her. “Wait,” she said slowly. “How did you even know about Cain being captured—”
She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening.
“…You,” Candice whispered. “Don’t tell me you can read and hear thoughts?”
Althea didn’t answer. She didn’t deny it either.
Instead, she turned back to Candice, her eyes glassy, her voice breaking. “Please,” she pleaded. “Just help me for now. I just need to see him. Just once. I need to see him before it’s too late.”
Tears welled up despite her efforts to hold them back.
Candice exhaled sharply and ran a hand through her hair, clearly torn. “Althea… that man is not your real father,” she said carefully. “I know this is hard, but you have to think clearly. Showing yourself there is not a good idea.”
Althea stopped walking.
Candice continued, her tone firm but not cruel. “He’s a criminal. His fate is sealed. Justice will be served, whether you’re there or not. And politically speaking… it’s dangerous for you. You’re the future Luna. The future Queen. Showing emotion toward a condemned traitor will only give others reason to doubt you.”
Althea’s fingers clenched at her sides.
“I know,” she said quietly. “I understand all of that.”
She turned to face Candice fully, her expression raw and honest. “But none of that changes the fact that he raised me. He fed me. Protected me. He stayed beside me when I was sick, when I cried, when I was afraid.”
Her voice trembled. “He may not be my real father by blood… but he was a good father to me.”
The chamber fell silent.
Candice looked at her for a long moment, her jaw tightening as she weighed duty against compassion. Finally, she sighed, defeated.
“…You really won’t stop, will you?”
Althea shook her head slowly. “No.”
Candice closed her eyes briefly, then nodded. “Fine. But we’ll be careful. Very careful.”
Althea let out a shaky breath of relief. “Thank you.”
Zander noticed them the moment they stepped outside the cottage. He had been standing near the edge of the clearing, speaking quietly with one of his men, when his gaze lifted and caught sight of Althea leaning slightly against Candice for support.
His expression shifted instantly, brows drawing together as he dismissed his companion and walked toward them.
“Why are you out of bed?” Zander asked, his tone calm but edged with concern. His eyes flicked over Althea carefully, assessing her posture, the faint pallor in her face. “You should be resting.”
Althea opened her mouth to speak, but Candice beat her to it.
“She won’t listen,” Candice said bluntly. “And frankly, I can’t blame her.”
Zander sighed softly, already sensing there was more to this. “What are you planning?”
Candice straightened and met his gaze. “We need a portal. To the royal palace. Now.”
Zander’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s not a small request.”
“She needs to be there,” Candice insisted, gesturing toward Althea. “Cain is already captured. Gavriel left to deal with him personally.”
Zander turned back to Althea, searching her face. He didn’t need magic to see the truth there. Her worry was raw, unguarded.
“You shouldn’t push yourself,” he said quietly. “But I understand why you want to go.”
Althea nodded. “I won’t interfere,” she said. “I just… need to see him.”
Zander studied her for a moment longer, then gave a short nod. “Very well.”
He lifted a hand and began forming the portal, magic threading through the air as the familiar shimmer took shape nearby. The opening glowed faintly, its surface rippling like liquid moonlight.
But before any of them could move closer—
“Stop right there.”
Osman stepped into their path, his broad frame blocking the way to the portal completely.
His expression was stern, unyielding. “You’re not allowed to leave,” he said firmly. “Those are the Alpha King’s direct orders.”
Candice stared at him in disbelief.
“…Seriously?” she hissed.
Osman didn’t waver. “Princess Riela has only just been healed. Lady Althea is not fit to travel. The Alpha King was very clear.”
Candice clenched her jaw and turned sharply toward Althea. “Read me.”
Althea blinked, then nodded and looked straight into Candice’s eyes.
‘I’ll distract Osman. He’s nearby, pretending not to listen. Once I do, you run straight into the portal. No hesitation.’
Althea gave Candice a knowing nod.
Candice then inhaled slowly and lifted her gaze to Zander. “Go with her,” she said quietly, her voice steady despite the tension tightening her chest.
Zander understood immediately. His lips curved faintly, amused despite the situation. “I’ll make sure she gets through safely.”
Candice turned back to Osman, already stepping closer. “You know,” she said lightly, “you really need to loosen up.”
Osman frowned. “This isn’t the time—”
She didn’t give him the chance to finish.
Candice grabbed the front of his armor and pulled him down into a sudden, forceful kiss.
Osman froze.
Completely.
For a split second, his mind blanked, instincts short-circuiting as her lips pressed against his. The scent of her, the heat, the shock of it all hit him at once.
Behind him, Althea didn’t waste a second.
She took Zander’s hand and rushed toward the portal, her heart pounding as the air shifted around them. The moment they crossed the threshold, the world bent and pulled—
—and then they were gone.
The portal snapped shut just as Osman finally reacted.
“What the— Candice!” he barked, pulling back, his face flushed with anger and something dangerously close to panic.