Chapter 149 To See Her
In the days to come, the couple made preparations. When the morning dawned upon the two of them, they were already standing outside in the quiet expanse and center of their garden behind the house. An intimate ceremony was held with only Ophelia and Killorn present beneath the vast canvas of a clear sunny day. In the heart of the garden where a small tree stood, its branches reaching into the sky. Beneath its sheltering canopy was a small plot of freshly unearthed soil.
"Let me help," Killorn gently offered, digging up a bigger hole with his small shovel, smiling a bit as Ophelia examined their handiwork with curiosity. "There, the perfect cavity."
Ophelia knelt and together, they planted the white dress stained dark red. On top of it, they placed budding Bougainvillea flowers known to survive all seasons, especially Winter. The bright pink petals were a soft color against the muted canvas of her lingering grief. A final offering to the soul that had briefly touched their lives. Killorn's gaze softened upon her, as she placed soil upon the flowers, burying all of their previous memories into the spot. His movements were slow as he firmly patted the soil into place and offered her the watering can.
"We have a saying in Mavez," Killorn began, watching as her hands trembled to pour the water. He aided her elbows, offering her the support she needed. "When a mother miscarries, the baby's soul is still young and lost. When the mother is pregnant once more, the same soul will find her again."
Ophelia's lips quivered as she peered up at him. Emotions overwhelmed her once more as she turned to the freshly planted flowers. As the soils embraced what they had lost, the rustle of leaves filled the air, a gentle murmur against the rush of breeze that pushed past them. Not even the birds chirped today, almost as if the universe silently mourned alongside the couple.
One day, this would just become another memory for them. One day when this garden was filled with the clamor of their future children, Ophelia hoped one day to water the plant once more with them.
"Thank you," Ophelia finally said. "F-for everything, Killorn."
"I owe it all to you," Killorn muttered. Words that she couldn't understand in the heat of the moment. She leaned against him and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
Together, they shared a final moment under the soft sun. As the moment came to a close, Ophelia and Killorn retreated into the comforting wall of their home. As they walked deeper into the hallways, Ophelia realized a petal was stuck in her hand. She peered upon the thin, papery pink, and couldn't help, but smile to herself, the first of many to come one day.
- - - - -
As the two began with their lunch, Maribelle was nowhere to be found. They ate in silence in the absence of her rowdy presence, before Ophelia finally placed her spoon down.
"What happened to Everest and the royal family after the calamity?" Ophelia asked.
"Well, Princess Elena cleared me of treason surprisingly," Killorn began with a slight frown, not sure where her misplaced kindness came from. "And Everest is in a coma."
Ophelia wished she cared enough about Everest, but her heart didn't even drop when she heard the news. "Last I remembered, he attacked you."
Killorn dryly stared at her. "Went straight for my neck, that traitorous fiend. I supposed he wanted you all to himself."
Ophelia frowned at the idea, suddenly losing her appetite, despite eating the most she had since waking up. "Sanguis took Everest under his care initially," Killorn continued. "When the two returned, Everest was in a coma and no one knows why. Not even the royal family dared to question Sanguis's decision, but I heard the punishment was light considering Everest's offense."
Ophelia's brows tugged together.
"To this day, no one knows what offense Everest had committed for Sanguis to return him in such a state. Lupinum backed his decision, which was another rare agreement between us werewolves and vampires. The two always butted heads," Killorn continued, tearing apart his bread and dipping it into the hot soup. "Pity really, I wanted to settle scores with the f*ckard, but I suppose lying as a vegetable for the rest of his life was enough revenge."
Ophelia blinked. "How do we know he'd be in a coma forever?"
Killorn revealed a dark smile. "Sanguis doesn't dish his punishments out lightly."
Ophelia felt like there was more to the story, that perhaps even Killorn himself didn't know. And she had a feeling that it began with Princess Elena. As she finished the remainder of her meal, she was lost in thought, pondering over what offense Everest could've committed. For both the Werewolf and Vampire Overlords to join hands… What could've led to such a thing?
Ophelia pressed her lips together as she read in the quiet of her library. Soon, a knock echoed in the room and she rose to see Janette entering.
"Nyx!" Ophelia eagerly gasped, watching as the creature pranced up to her and instantly nudged her side. His bright eyes peered up at her, eager for her affection. She petted his head immediately as he wagged his tail. She paused at the sight of red that coated his mouth.
"Big as a wolf, that one, my lady," Janette warily said. "His appetite is endless, he returned this afternoon with a rabbit practically torn in half. He gobbled up the creature right in front of us."
"S-so that must be where he runs off to usually," Ophelia realized, but continued stroking his soft, black fur. Nyx didn't seem to mind her hesitation as he rested his jaws upon her lap without having to bend his powerful legs. "He's a loyal beast, my lady," Janette replied softly. "Always comes running back to us eventually. Mister Reagan believes this is no dog, but a monster."
"But he lived when all of the creatures had died," Ophelia mumbled, wondering what breed he was. He did seem to grow bigger spontaneously, but she questioned if it was from him taking her blood. She recalled what Meredith told her about the creature licking her wounds in an attempt to heal it.
When Killorn discovered the truth of what happened to her after the fall, he immediately sent a large wagon of supplies to the town as thanks for their loyalty and duties.
"Indeed, it is quite curious, my lady," Janette agreed before presenting her with a golden and red envelope. "This arrived for you, my lady."
Ophelia recognized it immediately. Colors of the royal family, but the wax seal was curious. A soft lavender unlike any other with dried flowers. Elena. She opened the letter as Janette excused herself to fulfill other tasks around the castle. Her fingers trembled as she went through the contents of the floral-scented parchment.
Instantly, Ophelia rose to her feet and decided to search for Killorn. She knew she didn't need his permission for what she was about to do next, but believed he should at least be in the loop of things. He hadn't reprimanded her for her foolishness of running off in the middle of the night. Ophelia liked to believe he was just relieved to see her.
"Ha!"
Ophelia found her husband in the spot he always frequented. And there he stood, dashing and handsome as ever. A force to be reckoned with, standing tall and firm, like an unwavering mountain that bowed to no one. He rested with his hands on his hips, his face stern, and his eyes stormy as he overlooked all of the new soldiers. They were equally young, practicing the sword techniques before sparring with each other.
"Killorn," Ophelia softly greeted.
Instantly, Killorn turned around, his head snapping to her. His features melted at her presence, drawing her closer to him. He kissed the side of her head fondly, earning a soft flush of her pale skin.
"What are you doing outside in the cold like this?" Killorn murmured. "And without your fur cape?"
"B-but you're in nothing except a tunic and your armor," Ophelia complained, her bottom lips protruding slightly at his revelation. Despite that, his palms were still warm, the heat seeping into her clothes.
"I've been trained in colder weather with even fewer clothes," Killorn dryly told her before his attention jumped to the people behind them. They were quickly gathering an audience.
"Woah… is that Luna?"
"She's so beautiful, I've never seen her this up close before."
"Back to training!" Killorn snarled, his voice thunderous, and his expression murderous. Instantly, they yelped back into position, as Gerald emerged from the break room.
"I'll take it from here, Alpha," Gerald called back, turning to the boys with a smirk just as they groaned in exhaustion. "Should've kept your traps shut, our Alpha is a possessed man in love."
Ophelia burned bright red, immediately escaping back into the hallways, and was quickly accompanied by Killorn who trailed after her. A cold gust of air blew past them, but Killorn's large body seemed to shield her frail posture. "Next time, call one of the footboys to grab me. It's far too cold for you to search for me," Killorn said, resting his palm against her lower spine. She was rigid and stiff, her face red as a tomato. He snorted, "Why are you the one embarrassed?"
"W-well, I know men don't like to l-look weak by—"
"It doesn't make men weak to show their affection for their wife," Killorn responded, bending and kissing her forehead. He cornered her the second they passed the doors leading back into the mansion. "What was so urgent for my wife to come personally?"
Killorn brought her body even closer until she was pressed against him. Her amethyst eyes seemed to sparkle under the chandelier lights, marking her an ethereal beauty he could never keep his hands off of. He exhaled, feeling himself tightening by the second.
"I received a l-letter," Ophelia responded, her voice quivering a bit as his eyes darkened and flickered to her mouth. She hadn't even done anything yet! "From Elena, she wishes to request permission to see me."
Killorn scowled, his lips dipping deeply. "And do you want to see her?" Ophelia blinked, expecting his immediate "no." Not that she should need his permission… "I don't want to cage you in," Killorn explained, seeing her surprise. "Lest you run away from me without a word in the middle of the night again."
Her heart skipped. "I-I'm sorry…" "Don't apologize, I shouldn't have suffocated you like that," Killorn exhaled, releasing a slight groan as he dropped his head. "I was too hard-headed for you." Ophelia smiled a bit at his revelation. She hesitating rested her hands upon the side of his firm stomach. She rarely touched him, for she was always uncertain about where to caress.
Ophelia decided on the spot. "I-I think I should see Elena for the final time. I just know she has answers that no one can give me…"
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