His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 146: Bond (4)

I imagined it—vast lands where the sun never truly relented, where the nights were warm, and the people knew no constant chill. A place where the kingdom’s name, Sun and Fury, wasn’t just a title but a reflection of the land itself. "It sounds wild," I murmured.

Eryx grinned. "It is. Everything there is stronger, more untamed. The beasts, the land, even the people. You wouldn’t find palaces with frost-lined windows or people wrapped in layers of furs. Instead, warriors walk bare-armed, their skin kissed by the sun, their blood running hot."

His fingers ghosted along my arm as he spoke, sending a shiver down my spine. "You’d love it there," he murmured.

I raised a brow. "And why do you think that?"

Eryx tilted his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Because you don’t belong locked away in cold halls, Idalia. You burn too bright."

His words stirred something deep within me, something I couldn’t quite name. My wolf preened under the praise, a sense of longing curling in my chest. Would I love it? A place of heat and battle, of warriors unafraid to embrace their strength? It was a far cry from the snow-covered kingdom I called home.

I opened my mouth to respond, but a sharp knock at the door made us both stiffen. The moment of peace shattered. It was Cohnal we could sense it. His words came through a mind link telling us we had an hour until we needed to see Alaric. I’m not sure how the time rushed away from us then.

"Damn," Eryx growled. "Do we have to?"

I chuckled at his reluctance and how he seemed like a whining pup right now. "We’ll see what he wants," I say it lightly but I do feel a little anxious.

I won’t feel guilty about spending some alone time with my mate but I hoped we hadn’t missed anything important. I hadn’t even checked in on the children-

Eryx’s hand cupped my cheek and leaned his forehead to mine. "Everything is fine. Our men have checked in on them. They’re... feeding... and not causing any more problems. At the moment."

I nod, sigh, and feel myself calm down. "You’re right."

Eryx kissed me softly, then pulled back with a huff, his irritation flaring again at having to leave the bed. Reluctantly, we finally pulled ourselves from the warmth of the bed.

We bathed together in the tub, the water rising and almost spilling to us inside it together. It was a little cramped with Eryx’s huge size, but neither of us complained. We couldn’t quite separate yet.

"You wait until you see Sun and Fury..." Eryx mutters as he lathers soap across my body, taking his time and enjoying the feel of my skin under his rough fingertips.

We took our time to wash up and enjoy touching each other. Then when we dried, kissing each other occassionally on each other’s bodies, I moved to dress, slipping into something more fitting for dinner with my brother.

Eryx watched me, his gaze lingering on the mark he had left on my neck, the permanent symbol of our bond. I caught him staring in the mirror and raised an eyebrow.

He smirked. "Just admiring my handiwork."

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. "You’re impossible."

His only response was a satisfied hum as he pulled on a dark tunic, adjusting the leather belt at his waist.

By the time we stepped into the hallway, the air was noticeably tense. Eryx and I exchanged a glance—whatever awaited us at dinner, it was clear that it wouldn’t be a peaceful meal.

We walked together through the palace, our hands instinctively finding each other’s. I noticed how the guards stiffened as we passed, their eyes darting between us. The scent of our mating was still strong in the air, undeniable. Some looked away in respect; others watched with barely concealed apprehension.

I lifted my chin higher. Let them look. Let them know.

The dining hall doors opened before us, revealing a dimly lit room with a long table set for a meal. At the head of it sat Alaric, his expression unreadable but his presence heavy. His eyes flicked to Eryx first, assessing, then landed on me. His gaze lingered on the mark at my neck, his jaw tightening ever so slightly.

"I was beginning to wonder if the two of you had lost track of time," he said coolly.

Eryx smirked but said nothing, allowing me to take the lead. I stepped forward and met Alaric’s gaze without hesitation. "We’re here now."

He nodded, though there was something else beneath his composed exterior, something weighed with importance.

Eryx and I took our seats across from him. A beat of silence passed before Alaric leaned forward, elbows resting on the table.

"It’s about Deyanira," he said.

Deyanira. Not mother.

The name sent a ripple through me, my wolf stirring uneasily. I straightened. "What about her?"

Alaric’s expression darkened. "She’s gone missing."

"Missing?" I ask. "How can... She was meant to be in the Summer Palace?"

Alaric nodded, then sat back as the first meal was dished out. We grew silent. Eryx’s hand went to my thigh in a comforting manner. I observed my brother’s expression. He was always so stoic or aggressive, but whenever Deyanira was involved, he would express himself more. She was his mother so it was understandable.

The servants left the hall after Alaric waved them off. "You don’t seem awfully concerned about her?"

"What is it?" Eryx asks after sensing my trepidation. He watched my brother now that he had bit more of an insight to him through our bond.

Alaric sighed and looked at Eryx. He wouldn’t usually disclose anything with him present like this. But he was my mate now. He was family.

"There have been some sightings of Deyanira but Sigurd and Ivar lost her again." They were the best trackers in the North.

"She doesn’t want to be found," Eryx states and Alaric nods in confirmation.

My stomach twisted in unease. Eryx’s hand found mine under the table, grounding me more than on my thigh. "Where?" he asked, his voice steady.

"Near the Northern border," Alaric replied.

I swallowed. "And? What was she doing?"

Alaric hesitated before speaking. "We don’t know. She wasn’t alone, though. She had others with her, and they weren’t human."

I stiffened. "Blood Wraiths?"

Alaric shook his head. "No. Something else. Beasts with wings."

I felt Eryx’s grip tighten around my hand. The weight of Alaric’s words settled over us like a suffocating fog.

Something else.

"Like the ones that attacked us?" I ask quietly.

Alaric nodded. "I believe so. Idalia..." He hesitates, looking down at his plate. "There’s something else..."

My hand squeezes Eryx’s hand and his thumb strokes over my hand. "What is it?" I can see whatever it is, it has drained Alaric of all colour. He even looks haggard at his young age.

"Deyanira is not my mother."