Chapter 230: Not A Dream...But A Memory
At the mention of the late Queen Selene, Solan’s eyes hardened, and he stared unblinkingly at Evelyn in her divine form. Her words struck him like a blow, for she made it unmistakably clear that if a war were to break out, she would not stand with Luminear; she would stand with Ivan.
Without giving him the chance to respond, she continued, "Everything that happened today was the disastrous consequence of you plotting behind my back in order to remove me from your kingdom entirely and look at what that led to. Not only did I almost lose Ivan in the process, but it also nearly cost me my life as well. With my blood, that witch and her son would have become so powerful that they would have posed a greater threat to you all than anything you have ever faced.
The only bright side in all of this was that I finally uncovered the truth that had been buried since the day I was born." She shifted her gaze meaningfully between Solan and Septimus, making it perfectly clear what she was referring to....the prophecy.
"Some things are not meant to be explained or understood by the people of this world....things veiled behind curtains far beyond your comprehension. So I ask you to stop. Stop meddling in forces you cannot command. Stop trying to control what you have no power over, because destiny will take its course regardless. Just stop. And if even after all of this....if you still refuse to open your eyes, then know this, the consequences that follow will be grave."
Her voice deepened with conviction, echoing like a decree of the heavens.
"You thrust me into this world....and now I have become a part of it. So hear me well: I, Evelyn Lumaeth Starforged, will fight for my right should any of you ever dare to threaten it again." As she spoke, the passion in her words ignited her very aura fiercely and a blinding beam shot up into the sky.
Moments later, the beam expanded and took the form of a massive golden phoenix that unfurled its wings across the sky and released a piercing screech, its majestic feathers gleaming with divine light. Every single person standing there could only stare, spellbound, as the celestial creature blazed above them.
Ivan, seeing it for the first time in this lifetime, was equally enraptured by the magnificent sight before him.
While Eve continued to hold Solan’s gaze without wavering, leaving him utterly speechless. When she had nothing more to say, she turned slightly until a sudden wave of dizziness crashed over her. Her balance faltered, and her body swayed back. Before she could hit the ground, strong arms caught her, drawing her firmly into a warm, protective embrace.
None of them spoke, but Damien, Cece, Edward and Septimus rushed forward at once.
"Evelyn!"
Eve’s vision began to blur, and she wondered what was happening to her. ’Ah... that’s right. I didn’t realise how much I exerted myself.’ Her golden eyes started to dim as she turned one final time to look at Ivan, whose face was now filled with utter worry.
She lifted her trembling hand, reaching for his gorgeous face, but her strength slipped away at the last moment. Her hand fell limp, and her sight darkened completely, the world fading with only the worried voices of Ivan and her friends calling her name before everything went utterly silent.
.....
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[Music recommendation: Aaryan Shah - Isolation (Dark Ages)]
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Far away on the highest peak of the mountain, where the chilly wind brushed against her smooth skin, she stood dressed in a flowy white gown, her golden-blonde hair swaying in the gentle yet cold breeze. With her eyes covered by large hands, she was carefully guided forward. Her golden sandals felt something wet brushing against her feet every now and then, and her nose caught the fresh scent of pines and wildflowers drifting through the air. Holding onto the firm wrist of the man she loved most in the world, she parted her rosy lips and murmured, "Kai...just where are you taking me?"
"You’ll see," a deep masculine voice rumbled behind her, his warm breath brushing the shell of her ear, sending a shiver down her spine as her heart skipped a beat.
After a few more steps, they finally stopped, and Kai lifted his hands away from her eyes, freeing her vision at last.
"Can I open them now?" she asked, her ethereal voice sounding like music to his ears.
The corner of his lips lifted into a soft smile. "Yes...open them and see for yourself."
She finally opened her deep blue eyes, which flashed gold for a fleeting second at the sight before her. She drew in a soft gasp of excitement as she took in her surroundings: a small, simple hut nestled across a gentle stream, a graceful waterfall spilling into a clear pool beside it, all framed by lush greenery and vibrant flowers. A neat cobblestone path wound its way towards the front door, completing the picture of quiet perfection.
"Where is this? Where are we?" she whispered, before turning to meet his molten-red eyes staring at her with so much love that it quickened her pulse. He stepped forward, closing the remaining distance and taking her hands gently into his own.
"You wanted to be away from all the noise...somewhere quiet. I don’t know if I’ve done a good job, but I built this for you...for us. A place where we can have a moment of respite."
He lowered his head and pressed a tender kiss to each of her fingers, making her heart shudder against her chest.
A beautiful smile bloomed across her face, and as she gazed at him, she could no longer hold herself back. Slipping her hands free from his, she cupped his cheeks and pulled him down into a wild, breath-stealing kiss. Kai responded just as fiercely, his hands sliding around the curve of her waist as he drew her tightly against him.
There was so much want, need, desire and boundless love between them that they completely lost themselves. They scarcely realised when they had drifted inside the hut, their clothes falling to the floor one after another, before a soft golden light enveloped the room, wrapping the two lovers in a warm glow as they surrendered wholly to each other’s embrace.
With that, Eve’s thick lashes fluttered slightly before opening...finally waking from yet another beautiful dream.
Her hazy vision began to clear, and she corrected herself....no, not a dream, but a memory. A beautiful memory of her and Ivan in a past life.
She lay still, staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling, the clarity of the recollection settling over her like a gentle weight. ’That place... that is where Ivan took me...’ she realised. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she whispered, "How ironic."
As her sleep-muddled mind sharpened, her deep blue eyes drifted around the room. ’Where am I?’ she wondered.
She took in the cosy wooden room, small, yet undeniably tasteful. As her gaze wandered, she noticed tall arched windows overlooking a lush stretch of green, flooding the space with soft natural light. A stone fireplace glowed warmly beneath an ornate mirror. Dark wooden floors were softened by a richly patterned rug, and a low bed draped in deep charcoal linens created an intimate, inviting atmosphere. Bookshelves lined one wall, and a wine-coloured leather chair sat tucked into a shadowed corner.
Everything about the room whispered of one person...Ivan.
She realised her body felt more rested but still tired at the same time. Her fingers twitched before she lifted her hand, only to find it smooth and unmarked, as if she had never been injured at all. ’Wait... wasn’t I hurt?’
And with that single thought, the memories of everything that had happened in Dartmouth crashed back into her mind like relentless waves pounding the shore.
Her heartbeat spiked, and she shot straight, only for a wave of dizziness to crash over her, forcing her to sway. She bent forward, clutching her head as a low groan slipped out. "Ugh..."
Drawing a deep breath, she whispered, "Ivan...that’s right. Where is Ivan?"
Fear coiled in her chest at the thought of him not being near. Even though she had cleansed every trace of darkness from him, a lingering dread clung stubbornly to her heart....fear of losing him, fear of something happening while she lay unconscious.
She inhaled again, slower this time, and pushed herself to move. Being much more careful than before, she slid off the bed. Her bare feet sank into the soft rug beneath her, and using the bedpost for support, she managed to steady herself before rising to her full height.
The soft, silken white gown she wore brushed from her knees to her feet before the fabric settled around her as she regained her balance.
Eve feeling weak was an understatement, to say the least. She felt utterly drained and couldn’t quite understand why. But right now, she didn’t give a damn about any of it. She needed to see him with her own two eyes, to make sure he was alright...to hold him, to feel his warmth, and only then would her restless heart finally be at peace.
