Chapter 183
[Bonus Chapter]
Koan and Naomi hugged for the nth time before parting with a smile.
“I’m sorry” Koan said, referring to the empty throne behind them with the crown still sitting atop obediently. “But he didn’t deserve to be a father in the first place p>
Naomi managed a pained smile and shrugged.
“It’s better to loose him than let him manipulate me into hurting you. I’m so sorry about your mum p>
“Hey,” He embraced her again. “She was your mum too p>
“What do we do about her?” Talia whispered to them, and everyone turned to Sakuarr who was floating beside the throne, staring ahead with a lost look in her eyes, a grin on her face, that mad glint still shimmering in her blue-crimson glowing eyes.
Naomi, Koan and the rest turned to Hakura.
Daniel’s gaze landed on the half finished jar of orange mixture in Hakura’s hand.
“Can’t we use that.. just like it did on Naomi, it might… ”
Hakura put the jar back into her spatial space while shaking her head.
“She’s been overdosed with so much of the spell that it would take more than just this to cure her. I don’t know the remedy yet, but for now, we shouldn’t worry since she wouldn’t be a threat… I think p>
“What do you mean ’For now’.” Cardin cut in.
“She’s still under the king’s control and well, I don’t want to be the pessimistic one here, but when he said ’He’ll be back’, he wasn’t joking. We never actually killed him, he just faded off into non-existence. It will only be a matter of time before he’s transmigrates back here p>
Everyone had grave expressions on their faces on hearing the news before she suddenly said, referring to Naomi.
“I don’t think it was sensible for you to suggest that.” Hakura cut in, and Naomi figured out what she was talking about since the witch was never on the same page with her based on her decision.
“What’s wrong with Kitsunes living amongst us? It will broaden our mutualism p>
“Or get us killed. We can’t trust them.” She snapped, but on seeing the look in Koan’s eyes, she finally shut up, realizing what she just said.
Naomi frowned, brows etched as she left Koan’s side to stand before her.
“I think you’re forgetting that I am also a Kitsune. Can’t I be trusted p>
“If we can trust Naomi, then we can accept whatever decision she makes.” Barton announced and Naomi smiled at him. Hakura just rolled her eyes, stepping back, feeling Naomi’s aura holding her back though, forcing herself not to bow to her.
“Well, they still refused to leave.” The witch pointed out.
Naomi looked out, from the smashed walls, she could see what was going on outside. The Kitsunes had all gathered together, rearranging and rebuilding walls and buildings that had fallen to the ground.
“I respect their decision to remain here. After all, it is their home. But the fact still remains that they won’t be a threat to us any longer.” Naomi turned to Hakura as she said this last part.
“If you’re heading back to the werewolves’ territory, we’ll need to appoint someone who’d represent you while you’re not here.” Koan said.
“And someone to guide you back at home since you’ve gained your powers, and you don’t have any clue of how to use it.” Daniel added.
Naomi sighed, clearly exasperated.
“What of Aunt Marcy? What if she and the others don’t accept me for who I am. What if they don’t want me around any longer.” She turned to everyone.
“They will have to accept you. Not for what you are but who. You’re not just a Kitsune. You’re Naomi, and I know you wouldn’t hurt anyone.” Nancy said and Naomi entwined her finger with hers.
“I’m so lucky to have you.” She whispered, pursing her lips to hold in the fear and emotions she felt all at once.
Nancy tightened her grip.
“Me too p>
Suddenly, Naomi turned to Barton and Daniel.
“Where’s Dora p>
She innocently asked, aware that she, Daniel, Barton and Dora were heading to Ruby Stone’s pack before the whole drama began.
Even though she acted like a brat sometimes, she still wanted to know if she was okay. Maybe she was back at the werewolf’s territory to stay with her recently widowed mother? No… she would obviously want to follow Daniel around.
As she was deep in thought, she didn’t see the grave look that fell on everyone’s faces again.
“I wonder how you’ll sit up straight for breakfast with a hangover tomorrow.” Liliana pointed out as the two sat side by side on a fallen log of wood in the garden; just behind the Omega quarters.
“I’ll manage, but no pain would be worse than missing this opportunity right now p>
She avoided his gaze, aware that he was looking at her before she said, twisting her fingers around each other.
“What are you… talking about p>
“I’m talking about us Liliana p>
“I already said… ”
“That’s what you said, but you don’t really mean it p>
“I do Raiden. This is over p>
“There was nothing going on between us in the first place.” He pointed out.
Her lashes were wet with tears. “Tell me why I’m out here again p>
“Let me finish,” He growled. “There was nothing going on between us in the first place, because of me p>
Silence. She finally turned to him with narrowed eyes which looked glassy from the tears welling up in her eyes.
“I… ” He took her hands in his. “I was scared, okay? I was scared that we’d go so far in our relationship only to find out that we aren’t mates p>
“What about Talia and Jephthah?” Her voice was slowly breaking down with the tears she was holding back. She has cried so much, how was it possible that the tears still kept Rolling down like unending streams of water?
“No one knows for sure if they’re going to be mates or not, but you can see their bond, the undying, unwavering love they share. They’re just like us, Raiden, except that… unlike us, they aren’t hesitant or scared to love each other p>
“I do love you Liliana p>
“Prove it p>
“What p>
She raised a brow after wiping the side of face, the arm of her robe turning a bit damp from the tears she had to wipe off her cheeks.
“You love me? Prove it? Tell me why I shouldn’t think you’re just pulling another one of your pranks on me again p>
After seating down for a while in complete silence, long enough to make Liliana question If he was too drunk to not have heard her the second time, he finally got up.
Before her very eyes, Liliana watched as he left the garden, heading back into the house.
Where was he going?
For several minutes, almost an hour, she sat down there, contemplating If he had just bailed on her again and she stop wasting her time and go back inside or If she should go after him.
Soon, she stiffened on hearing voices and footsteps, and she turned to see two figures walking towards her, talking in hushed voices.
“Jephthah?” She got up instantly.
Jephthah grinned at her. “Hey p>
“What’s going on… ”
“I happened to get this from one of the workers who was happy to lend me two of it. Is it okay?” John suddenly said, emerging out of the darkness, holding up two silver colored rings which looked really cheap and old.
“John… what’s… ” She turned to Raiden and Jephthah. “What’s going on guys?” She asked again.
She watched the three men exchange glances before Raiden finally walked up to her, putting his hands on her shoulders.
“I know you don’t trust me… but all I’m asking is that you give me one last chance tonight.” He saw the hesitation in her eyes and he tensed up, his grip tightening on her shoulders. “Please. Just one. I’m begging you p>
“O- Okay.” She stuttered, sighing after. “But If you mess this up, then forget it.” She was stern as she said this, causing the twins behind them to exchange a knowing smile.
Raiden smiled, leaning in to kiss her smack on the lips before pulling away, leaving her red and flushed.
“I promise. I won’t p>
They pulled away.
“Well, tell me.. what’s going on?” She curiously asked.
He was about to reply when Royce suddenly emerged from the darkness as well.
“I found this in the nearest store around. It’s very cheap, but that’s all I could get. Oh.. hey Liliana.” He grinned and Liliana tried to smile back, but it faltered on seeing the Bouquet he had in his hand.
“Bouquet… ” She turned to John. “Rings… ” She turned back to Raiden. “You… ”
Her voice suddenly broke down and she held her chest so abruptly that everyone exchanged worried looks before Raiden held her hands, steadying her, finally smiling on seeing the fresh stream of tears that ran down her cheeks.
“Liliana.” His voice was soft. “Will you marry me p>