Ican’t believe my eyes. My father is standing in the middle of Lucca’s entryway looking regal and imposing.
“Hello, Vryenn.” His eyes drop to my pregnant belly, and he smiles. “You look well.”
“How are you here?” I ask. “And why?”
Before he can answer, Lucca grits out, “Where’s my sister?”
My father’s lips flatten. “Your sister and her mate have been captured by my wife.”
My stomach drops, and I feel faint. “No.”
Lucca holds my arm, helping me stay upright. “And you didn’t help them?”
He glowers. “Why do you think I’m here? I can’t go toe-to-toe with Maewe. She’s too powerful.”
“Are you saying you can’t do anything against your wife with all your Nightingale powers, but you want our help?” Saxon butts in. “The last time we were in Ellnesari, she almost killed us.”
“And you have the shadowbeasts at your command now, or has Castiel betrayed you already?” Rikkon watches our father through slits.
“It’s not that simple. There’s a war brewing with Cygnus and their allies, and if I kill your mother, Vryenn will not inherit the powers of the land. Aquila will be defenseless.”
“Is anyone following this?” Vaughn asks.
“None of what you said means anything to me. But Vivi can’t return to Ellnesari when you’re in the middle of a war,” Lucca retorts.
As much as I want to see my mother dethroned and save Manu and Karl, returning to Aquila before the baby is born would be too risky. Plus, my mother would probably kill me on sight if she saw me in this condition.
“If Vryenn doesn’t come with me, then your sister and her mate are as good as dead.”
My heart feels heavy, like it’s about to cave in. I’m being pulled in two different directions, and it’s tearing me apart. How can I choose between my unborn child and Manu and Karl?
“Lay on the guilt trip thick, why don’t you, Dad?” Rikkon glowers at our father. “Vryenn going to Ellnesari won’t change anything. Our mother has to transfer the powers of the land to her, and she’ll never do that.”
“I’ve found a solution to that particular problem.”
“Wait, you only mentioned Manu and Karl were captured. Where are Ronan and Cheryl?” Vaughn interrupts.
“I do not know where they are. All I know is that Maewe doesn’t have them.”
“That doesn’t bring me comfort,” Lucca grits out. “There is a myriad of dangers in Ellnesari.”
“But none worse than our mother,” Rikkon replies. “If she didn’t capture them, then they have a much higher chance of survival.”
“If Vryenn can’t come with me, then I’m afraid what needs to be done will be impossible.”
“What exactly are you planning to do?” I ask.
“Use the Magna Vis to take your mother’s powers and transfer them to you.”
My brows shoot up. “But… that relic is just a myth.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not, my dear.”
“I hate to interrupt this impromptu family reunion, but we have to be somewhere,” Solomon reminds us.
“I’m sure it isn’t more pressing than saving your friends from Maewe,” my father rebuffs.
Dad hates when things don’t go his way. He probably expected me to drop everything and follow him, but I can’t do that, even though my heart is torn in two.
