Ember of Hope

Tamara Marianne D’evreux was making a potion for her neighbor’s son who’d developed a fever that wasn’t going down. The little boy reminded her of her own son when he was little. He had the same mischievous glint in his blue eyes as Valiance. She had a special place for the boy in her heart. The people of her little town in Aurora sought out her help every now and then; atleast the ones who weren’t blinded by the wonders of modern medicine and didn’t hold any ill-will against the herbal treatment.

When the doorbell rang she hurried to bottle the potion to give to her neighbor Emily, but Emily wasn’t the one who she met at the door. It was someone who made her heart beat faster and her lips to stretch in a brilliant smile. “Christian” she breathed. The answering smile on her mate’s face was so beautiful her breath caught. Even after centuries together, he still had this effect on her. She ushered him inside. Something felt different about him, something good – she could feel it through their bond but what it was she couldn’t tell. And there was this little fact that this visit however welcomed, was unexpected and unscheduled. He’d just visited a week ago.

“Is there something you want to tell me honey?”

He took her in his arms and placed a sweet kiss on her lips.

“Indeed there is. But for that you’ll have to close your eyes. And don’t cheat. I have a surprise for you”.

Smiling at her mate’s silliness, she closed her eyes.

“Okay, now wait for me to tell you when you can open them. Promise me you won’t cheat”.

“I promise. Now hurry up or I won’t keep my promise” the sound of the front door opening and closing a while later increased Tamara’s curiosity but she held firm to her promise.

“What’s taking you so long?” she said, bouncing a leg.

Christian took her by shoulders and guided her towards a couch. “You better sit down for this. Can you guess what it is?” he asked her.

“No, no I don’t know and I’m opening my eyes now”.

He laughed, “Okay open ’em”.

And when she did she was glad that her mate had made her sit. She couldn’t believe her eyes. There standing in front of her was Valiance – her son. Her breath hitched. She got up on shaky legs but Valiance was already there, pulling her stunned form in his arms.

“Mother” he cried on her shoulder and hearing that word again after so many years felt like the first morsel to a starving man. It was then that her gaze landed on the last figure in the room, standing quietly near the door watching everything with wet eyes.

“Raegan?” somehow she knew the girl would’ve ended back in Evreux but seeing her was still surprising. Raegan came forward and placed her hand in Valiance’s outstretched one.

“Mother, meet Raegan – my mate”.

“I thought you weren’t going back to Evreux” she smiled at the girl and pulled her in her arms, “but I’m thankful that you decided to go back and chose to give him a chance. You gave me my son back. I can’t thank you enough”.

“You don’t have to thank me. I just went back to where I belonged” she smiled up at Valiance, “with my mate”. She was a good girl – a good match for her son. And Tamara could see how happy Valiance seemed. The light in his eyes was back with a new brilliance.

“Valiance, son I love you but don’t ever make her unhappy…” she started in her strict mother voice.

“Or you’ll kick my ass. Yeah, yeah I’ve heard this lecture already from your mate” he plopped down on the couch like a sulking teenager, “I’m hungry mother”.

Raegan grinned, “Aw you poor baby” sitting next to him she teased, “Are you jealous Val?”

“I’ll make your favorite and then we’ll talk” Tamara bent down to place a kiss on her son’s forehead and went to the kitchen, calling her mate after her.

Valiance turned towards her, “What were you saying love?” he asked against her lips, “Of course I’m jealous. My mother sees me after 50 years and she’s threatening me already because of you. Not fair” he complained, pulling her close.

“Aw, how can I make it up to you?” her tone was husky, suggestive – making Valiance’s eyes shine wickedly, “Sure I’ll think of something”.

He pressed his lips to hers in a sweet kiss that turned into something mind blowing faster than she could keep track. All her senses were lost to that kiss – so warm, like liquid sunlight was being poured inside her. Every kiss felt like that first one but somehow different too.

“I’ll let you know when we’re alone” he winked.

…………………………………………

Titan Tiberius Varamont didn’t exactly feel heart broken when his father was killed in the war 50 years ago. Because it had resulted in his ascension to the throne of Velar and the title of “King Varamont” was far more attractive than “Prince Titan”. They might have done him a huge favor but it didn’t mean he wasn’t going to exact vengeance on Evreux.

Someone had beaten him to the revenge game. It could only be Katherine. The only witch missing from the ranks. But how that weakling managed such a huge scaled revenge was beyond comprehension. Maybe she had help or maybe everybody had underestimated her. He’d sent his people in search of her, his witch had tried locating her but she was nowhere to be found. Pity, he could’ve used her in his plans.

Even though their king was now dead, it didn’t mean he wasn’t going to follow through his plans. The dreams of all the ripe lands of Evreux kept him up at night. And the females – so many of them. He’d have them for himself and his men. So many of the ungrateful humans had left Velar for other kingdoms during his father’s reign and not enough of the females were left. It was time to remedy that. But before the war – oh yes, he’d bring war to their door like they had done – before anything, he’d make Valiance D’evreux beg on his knees.

The acid burned his hide and ate through his wings. He lost control of his flight and started to fall. Unwillingly a cry tore through his throat and for a moment embarrassment overcame the pain. How many of the lowly sentries had heard him cry out? But the every thought left him with his breath as he hit the rampart and slid down. The memory came to his mind unbidden and he gritted his teeth against the wave of rage

He’d never forgotten the embarrassment of that night and the failure – Titan Varamont never failed. And now his informant had told him that the mutt had found his mate. Now the tables will be turned and he will have that half-breed under his paw.

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