Chapter 587
“Sister Amelie! Noah!” Idris called out, his voice echoing through the corridor as he hurried to catch up with them.
Amelie halted, and Ashna followed suit, both turning to see the young boy running toward them. Idris arrived slightly out of breath, offering a quick, respectful greeting to Amelie and a nod to Ashna. His eyes immediately went to Noah in Amelie’s arms whose eyes reflected a striking, deep blue.
“How are you, little one? Do you remember me? I’m Idris!” He could barely contain his excitement.
However, Noah wasn’t in the mood for play. His face remained contorted with distress, and instead of responding to Idris’s enthusiastic greeting, he simply looked away, burying his face into Amelie’s chest and gripping her chain tighter.
“Oh. What happened to Noah? Is he upset?” Idris asked, his smile faltering as he looked up at Amelie for an explanation.
“Yes, he is, because his father isn’t around,” Amelie replied softly, her hand stroking Noah’s back to soothe him. “He’s been restless for a while. He can sense the tension in the palace, and he won’t settle until he sees Gabriel p>
“Oh. The prince is in the common hall. Sister Zilia told me. I was heading there too,” Idris stated, his eyes brightening at the prospect of a full gathering.
“What are you three doing here?” Gabriel’s voice suddenly echoed through the corridor. The three of them turned to see Gabriel standing a few paces away. The intensity he had shown during his argument with Dominick and Casaio had vanished the moment he laid eyes on his family.
Amelie felt relieved, while Noah reacted instantly. His little head snapped in his father’s direction, his hand letting go of Amelie’s chain to reach out.
Gabriel stepped forward and took the boy from Amelie. His large hand secured Noah in a protective embrace, and the child’s cheek rested comfortably against his father’s chest. The muffled cries stopped at once; Noah finally felt the grounding presence he had been searching for.
“Sorry, I was caught up with work,” Gabriel said softly, his eyes searching Amelie’s for forgiveness. He then glanced at Idris, his tone becoming protective. “Stay in the palace all the time. Don’t go wandering past the inner gates p>
Idris nodded quickly.
“We are heading back to our chamber. You should go to yours as well,” Gabriel suggested.
“I wanted to see Prince Casaio,” Idris said, glancing toward the hall.
“He’s in the common hall,” Gabriel answered shortly. “We leave first, then.” He reached out and took Amelie’s hand, and began leading them back toward the private wing while Ashna followed closely behind.
“What’s this?” Sage asked, holding up the intricate, beaded bracelet and examining it under the light.
“A talisman to protect you,” Carlos replied. “Wear it at all times. Don’t take it off,” he asserted, watching until Sage slid it over his wrist and nodded.
“Can’t we just catch Ophelia?” Sage asked, his frustration bubbling over. “We need to end her before she brings any more trouble. We could… We could organize the entire wolves’ army against her. I’ve heard from Kate that she’s too strong to beat alone, but surely p>
“Umm… Gabriel has his plans ready. He’s being surgical about this, not just sending in a blunt force,” Carlos answered. “For now, stay within the palace walls. My protection spells are strongest here. Ophelia won’t reach out to your family. I’ve assessed the risk, and they aren’t her targets, so I’ve not prepared anything for them yet p>
“Why is she doing this? Is the grudge truly that deep?” Sage remarked, shaking his head. “Gabriel might look intimidating, but he never hurts anyone unless the person in front of him strikes first. He’s fair. Why is she so obsessed with destroying him p>
“Well, it’s from his past life. Ophelia’s daughter died by Gabriel’s hands,” Carlos answered. “From then onwards, she’s like this p>
Sage frowned upon learning the truth which he knew half through Katelyn.
“It wasn’t Gabriel’s fault. Anaya was going to kill Amelie. To rescue his mate, Gabriel had to end her. It was a choice between his love and his mercy,” Carlos explained. “Ophelia couldn’t accept that her daughter was the aggressor. She decided to put them in a blood curse, a tether of hate that allowed her to track their souls into this life too p>
“That bloody witch has forgotten that evil never wins,” Sage stated in a stern tone. “She might have succeeded in the past in separating them, but it won’t happen this time p>
“Yeah. I will take my leave then,” Carlos stated as he vanished into the shadows of the corridor. Sage watched him go for a moment before he headed toward Katelyn’s wing.
As he approached her quarters, he saw the Luna Queen and Zilia walking out together. They were deep in conversation and moved in the opposite direction, disappearing around a corner before they could spot him.
Sage took a deep breath, and walked into the chamber. After a respectful nod from the attendant stationed at the door, he entered the bedroom. Katelyn was sitting up, slowly sipping water from a glass. When she saw him, she lowered it.
“I slept a lot, right? It’s almost night,” Katelyn said, her voice soft as she looked toward the window.
“It was good that you had a good sleep. Rest will heal your wounds faster,” Sage stated. “How are you currently feeling? Are you feeling pain?” He lowered himself next to her.
“A little. The painkiller is effective,” Katelyn replied. “Where did you go? Were you with Brother Gabriel p>
“No. I went to rest after you fell asleep,” Sage stated. “Also, I’ve not seen Gabriel after the gathering here p>
“He is avoiding me. I wanted to tell him that he should give me a reward for being so brave!” Katelyn said proudly.
Sage smiled at her words, taking her hand in his. “You have indeed surprised everyone with your strength! I’m sure Gabriel will visit you soon once he settles his mind p>