Chapter 660
“You scared us,” Amelie said with fear and immense relief.
“I didn’t want to,” Flora whispered, her gaze fixed on the ripples in the glass of water she held between her palms. Her eyes darted up, searching Amelie’s face. “Alex didn’t hurt you, did he p>
Samyra and David watched the exchange in silence.
“No,” Amelie reassured her, reaching out to squeeze Flora’s arm. “Zander saved you, by the way. If not for him, you wouldn’t have made it back. You really should just accept him this time, Flora. You know he can already sense the mate bond. I think he kept it quiet only because he knew you weren’t ready to let him in p>
Flora lowered her head, the rim of the glass pressing against her lip. “I’ve spent so much time thinking Zander deserves a mate, a Luna, who isn’t broken like I am. Someone who doesn’t have my history p>
“It’s your life, Flora. I can’t tell you how to live it,” Amelie said, turning serious. “But if you keep clutching your past so tightly, you’ll only ruin your future. That’s all I have to say. And… Thank you for being my sister this time, too. You chose me and Noah over your own life. I won’t forget that p>
Amelie’s smile was warm.
“I’m sorry, Amelie,” Flora whispered, the tears finally spilling over. “And thank you for everything. I know all this treatment I received was because of you. If not for you, no one would have even cared if I lived or died p>
Amelie reached out, her thumb catching a stray tear on Flora’s cheek. “Calm down, will you? You’re part of this family, Flora. Stop trying to convince yourself otherwise p>
Noticing Flora’s lingering fragility, Amelie gestured for Samyra to take her place. Samyra shifted onto the edge of the bed and pulled Flora into a motherly embrace, gently patting her head as the younger girl’s tension began to melt away.
Amelie stood up, smoothing out her dress. “I have to go be with Noah now. He’s been unhappy since yesterday p>
Flora gave a soft hum of understanding, watching her sister’s retreating figure.
Amelie stepped into the chamber finally. On the expansive bed, Gabriel was sprawled out, patiently playing with Noah.
“Mama is back!” Amelie exclaimed, her voice bright with genuine joy.
Noah’s tiny head snapped toward the sound. With an excited babble, he began crawling swiftly across the soft linens, his little limbs moving as fast as they could to reach his comfort person. Amelie scooped him up into her arms, nuzzling her nose against his. Noah erupted into a fit of giggles, peppering her face with wet, messy toddler kisses.
“Sorry, baby, for not giving you my full attention,” she whispered, her heart fluttering. “Mama won’t leave you anymore, alright p>
Noah let out a contented sigh and rested his face against her chest, his tiny fingers bunching the fabric of her silk shawl as if to anchor her there. Amelie looked over at Gabriel, who had moved to the edge of the bed to perform a few light stretches.
“Did you speak with Flora?” she asked softly.
“No. I couldn’t,” Gabriel admitted, a rueful shadow crossing his face. “I thought I should apologize to her for… Everything. But when the moment came, my tongue felt like… I couldn’t bring myself to say it p>
Amelie chuckled at the sight of the powerful Prince looking so defeated by a simple apology. She watched him rise and approach her, his eyes softening as he reached for both her and the boy in her arms.
“Let’s go out this evening, if you’re not too tired,” Gabriel suggested, his eyes lingering on her with a rare softness.
“You’re the one who should be saying that,” Amelie countered, shifting Noah to a more comfortable position. “You worked harder than anyone today, teleporting across the places so many times must have drained you. Just rest for today. We can go tomorrow instead. How does that sound p>
“Hmm. That’s better,” Gabriel agreed. He collapsed back onto the bed, half-lying against a stack of plush pillows. “Come up here with Noah. It must be his nap time anyway p>
Amelie climbed onto the bed, carefully settling Noah down between them. Gabriel shifted onto his side, his large hand resting protectively on Noah’s belly, patting him with a gentle motion that soon had the toddler’s eyes drooping.
“Carlos’ vision went wrong,” Gabriel said. “Have you seen him since this morning p>
“No, he went out early,” Amelie replied, her brow furrowing slightly. “You shouldn’t go looking for more answers, Gabriel. It only increases the anxiety. What if Flora hadn’t made it? People would have seen you as the culprit regardless of the truth or your efforts to save her p>
Gabriel remained silent for a moment before he looked up at her. “Didn’t you find it odd… That your parents seem to care for Flora so much more p>
“No. I stopped caring about all of that,” Amelie said softly. “Why must I think of the things that only bring me hurt? I only care for your attention and your love.” Her lips curled into a faint smile as she leaned back, her body finally relaxing into the mattress. “I know you love me. Every action you take is for me and Noah p>
Her words trailed off as her eyes drifted shut, the crushing exhaustion of the last twenty-four hours finally pulling her under.
Gabriel stayed still for a long moment, his gaze lingering on Noah. The toddler’s breathing was fast and stable. Gabriel moved with silence, sliding off the bed just long enough to pull the heavy silk duvet over both of them, tucking the edges in to keep the chill of the palace evening at bay.
He settled back into his position, propped up against the pillows, and simply watched them. The fierce Prince were gone, replaced by a man who found his entire world contained within the four corners of a bed.
’Amelie, you have such a big heart,’ he thought, his own eyes growing heavy. ’I just hope you stay unscathed by every negative thing in this world p>
Soon, the deep sleep claimed him as well.