Raymond stood silently at a distance, watching the little girl laughing as she chased two other children around the garden. Her delicate laughter echoed in the air like music that both healed and wounded him.
Cara.
His mate
His lovely mate.
His his life.
So close, yet still so far.
"How long do you plan to stand behind me?" he asked, voice low, eyes never leaving the child.
"I didn't want to disturb your moment with my niece, your mate," Lillian replied, walking up beside him with a soft smile. "It's been three years already. Hard to believe how time flies."
Raymond gave her a sideways glare. "You think time flies? Wait until your mate is within reach, and yet you can't hold them because of her young age. That's when time turns cruel."
Lillian chuckled lightly. "My bad, my bad. No need to bite me."
He snorted but didn't reply.
She sighed. "I won't be coming around for a while, Raymond."
He finally turned to look at her. "Why?"
"Selene." Lillian's expression hardened. "She's keeping a very close eye on me now. If I hadn't masked my trail properly, she wold have already found here by now. She's grown very suspicious."
Raymond's jaw tightened. "Cara will be sad if she doesn't see you for a long time."
"That's why I plan to spoil her today." She winked, already anticipating the moment.
"Aunt Lillian!" a voice called out joyfully.
Raymond turned just in time to see Cara sprinting across the grass toward them, her curly hair bouncing and her tiny feet light on the ground.
Lillian spread her arms, crouched slightly, and caught her mid-run, lifting her up into a twirl before settling her on her hip.
"Look what Auntie brought you today." Lillian cast a soft, silent spell. A plush doll appeared in her hand, glimmering with faint magic.
"I love it! Muah!" Cara squealed, planting a kiss on Lillian's cheek.
Raymond stood there, heart constricting. The smile that tugged at his lips didn't quite reach his eyes. How he longed to be the one holding her like that. To feel her tiny arms wrap around his neck, her kiss on his cheek. But all he could do was watch from a distance, the burden of secrecy keeping him shackled.
---
Meanwhile, in the vampire capital...
Julian stood by the window in his dimly lit chamber, his eyes trailing the movement of the bustling street below. The once solemn city of shadows was now alive under daylight. It was strange how much had changed in just one generation.
He recalled his father's stories—of the days when vampires could not walk under the sun, of the fear of fire and death. But now, thanks to Nyxoria, a rare potion discovered centuries ago, sunlight was no longer fatal. Those who drank it could bask in daylight. And now, every child born since its discovery was immune to the sun's curse.
Julian sighed, lost in thought, haunted not by sunlight but by something much darker.
The knock on his door went unheard.
Even the sound of it opening didn't stir him.
Not until a hand landed on his shoulder did he finally jolt out of his reverie.
"Father? Mother?" he turned, startled.
Lord Orion Blackhood, imposing as ever, met his gaze with concern etched into his stoic features. "If you keep sinking into this void, you'll destroy yourself, Julian."
Lady Vivian, graceful in her silk robes, tugged gently at his cloak. "We've spoken with Queen Lyra," she said softly.
Julian blinked. "About what?"
"Your mate." Orion stepped closer, his voice even. "Is she a wolf or a witch?"
Julian's eyes widened. "You… you know?"
"Of course we know," Orion said. "You haven't been yourself since returning from the mission. At first, we thought it was defeat. But the way you avoided even the mention of her… we knew it had to be a bond."
"Queen Lyra has offered to help," Lady Vivian added. "She gave us a parchment—one that can lead you to Prince Raymond."
"Queen Lyra has been in contact with Raymond?" Julian asked, stunned. "I thought she opposed his rebellion."
"So we all thought," Orion replied, "but it seems she sees the value in alliances... especially now. Take the parchment. Find her."
Julian stared at the parchment in his father's hand before slowly taking it.
"Thank you… both of you."
Without wasting another breath, Julian turned and dashed out of the room, the parchment clenched tightly in his hand, hope flickering in his chest like a forgotten flame rekindled.