Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Emilia’s POV

I stood there holding my abdomen; still in shock that Nivaan had taken blood for the ritual forcibly. I knew that he hated me but this was an all-time low. He had crushed my trust like a useless piece of paper. There was not an iota of regret in his eyes when he stabbed me with the syringe.

I had thought that he cared about me but I was probably just being delusional. There was only one woman, Nivaan could ever love. My fingers dug into the soft fabric of my dress and I slumped onto the bed, “Why Nivaan? Why? Why do you trust her so blindly?”

There was something about Valence that made me feel queasy. It was like an intense gut feeling that told me to stay away from her. I don’t know if that feeling had stemmed from jealousy, hatred, or something else. But, I didn’t want her to perform this ritual.

I wiped off the moisture on my cheeks and hastened to stop her. This was my baby and I couldn’t allow anyone to make decisions for him; not even Nivaan.

I followed Kiara’s scent and made my way to the clearing. Hundreds of candles flared in the dark night giving it a surreal appearance. The ambiance was so enchanting that my steps slowed on their own. The array of candles was set in the form of an infinity symbol. Nivaan was seated in one of the loops while Valence was seated in the other. Their hands were linked together in the center over a larger candle/.

“Alesto Crestos Klipestell… Alesto Crestos Klipestell…. Alesto Crestos Klipestell…,” the rhythmic chanting resounded in the clearing. With every chant, her tone climbed a notch higher and the candles flared brighter.

A high-pitched howl sounded at a distance, pulling me out of my trance. I rushed towards the formation but two guards blocked my way, “I am sorry but you can’t enter.”

I glared at him and tried to push him away but three more guards came along; surrounding me in a tight circle. I could only call out to him in desperation, “Nivaan! You have to stop this right now. Please listen to me. Nivaan! I am telling you if anything happens to my child because of this, I won’t forgive you.”

I kept repeating myself but it was useless. Nivaan didn’t even turn around to look at me. It was like my words never reached him. The time ticked by increasing my anxiety. I had to find a way to stop him.

Drawing in a deep breath, I kicked one of the guards in his groin. The other two guards growled in anger and grabbed my hands. They seemed pretty angry but before they could do anything Kiara came running.

“What the hell do you guys think you are doing? Let her go,” her voice was firm and resolute. Their grip loosened but he didn’t release me, “Alpha Nivaan told us to keep everyone out of the circle.”

Kiara crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows. The guards instantly apologized and retreated. She took a step towards me with her hands raised in the air, “I am sorry about that… Are you okay?”

“I… I am fine but we have to stop this craziness,” I grabbed a stone intending to aim for the candle in the middle. But, Kiara grabbed my arm and shook her head, “This ritual is for your own benefit, Emy.”

“I don’t believe that… please let me go,” I spoke in an anxious voice as I tried to free myself desperately.

She snatched the stone away from me and forced me to look at her, ‘I have seen many rituals, Emy. I can assure you that this is perfectly safe….”

“But…Ow!” A sudden stinging sensation made me wince. My wrist was suddenly swathed with a burning sensation. I raised my hand to find a small band of gold. Where did this come from? There was a faint mark below the bracelet as if it had burnt me.

“Don’t worry about that. Valence modified the ritual to add something extra.” She pointed at Nivaan’s wrist which had a similar band. “She has connected both of you. Nivaan will be able to sense it if you are in danger.”

My eyebrows drew closer and my eyes darted between the two bracelets, “She did that?”

I watched as the candles flared one last time before going out. Valence had stopped chanting too. My gaze wandered over the formation and lifted to land on Valence. She seemed to be surrounded by a faint purple glow but there an undertone of black to it.

Kiara patted my arm and said in a soothing voice, “Believe it or not Valence just wants to keep you both safe. She is a good person, Emy. Please try to keep a more open mind towards her.”

Could Valence really be so selfless? It couldn’t be that simple. There had to be something more to it. I didn’t voice out my concern though. The ritual was already over and Kiara wouldn’t believe me. She was blinded just like her brother.

I ran my finger along the cold metal. It seemed to be emitting a kind of warmth. Was Kiara right? Was this ritual meant to protect me? Was all the suspicion created by the envy I felt for Valence?

No, a mother’s love had to be stronger than a lover’s envy. Wasn’t I automatically supposed to prioritise my baby; especially since I was pregnant?

“This looks so pretty,” Valence chirped as she drew closer to me. She ran her finger over the tiny inscriptions of the bracelet and smiled. “It will keep your baby safe.”

Her statement was plain but why did it create a sense of unrest within me? Why did I feel a sense of ominous premonition?

I felt Nivaan’s presence beside me but I kept my eyes fixed on the bracelet. I didn’t feel any despair or anger. It was more like detachment. I could live without love. I could even tolerate his hatred but how could I live with someone I didn’t trust.

My eyes darted to the firefly hovering near my tent. It’s body glowed a bit brighter as it drifted away, across the garden, along the trail. It grew smaller and smaller until it had become an invisible part of the landscape.

Probably, it was time for me to leave too….