Chapter 144 Buried in silence
DARIAN
The air felt heavy, and it pressed down on me like a physical force.
I hated it, hated the way it clung to my skin, making every breath feel labored. The air smelt of mud, expensive cologne and death.
The crowd around us was a sea of black, their faces shrouded in somber hues as the priest droned on in a monotonous tone that seemed to stretch on forever.
I stood there, frozen in my grief, as the rain pattered softly against the fabric of our umbrellas and the sound of muted sobs filled the air.
A tiny squeeze on my forearm brought me out of my reverie, and I peered down at Iris, my eyes meeting hers under the brim of her dark hat. The fabric was slowly darkening as the rain seeped into it, but her eyes were bright with concern.
She mouthed a silent question, her lips forming the words "are you okay?" that I knew so well. I nodded, the movement barely perceptible, trying to reassure her that I was fine, even though I felt anything but.
She offered me a small, tentative smile, the corners of her eyes twinkling with a mixture of sadness and understanding. The priest's voice finally broke through my thoughts, calling my name as he gestured toward the pulpit. It was my turn to deliver the eulogy.
My heart sank as I peeled myself away from Iris, her grip on my arm reluctant as I offered her a lopsided grin. I willed some strength into my legs, which felt like jelly beneath me, threatening to give way at any moment.
I adjusted my cap, the mud making an odd swishing sound underfoot as I trudged up to the pulpit.
My throat ran dry as I looked out at the faces in front of me, pairs of grey, hazel, blue eyes all staring back at me, while I stood- haunted by the knowledge of my father's lifeless, cold body, laying a few feet away from me.
Iris stood in the front row, her dark eyes locked on mine, filled with a silent encouragement. She was my rock, my safe haven in this storm. I swallowed thickly, feeling a lump form in my throat as I met her gaze. For a moment, everything else faded away, and it was just us, bound together by our grief and our memories of my father.
But then my eyes drifted to the side, and my gaze landed on him. My brother.
He was standing a few rows back, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my blood run cold. For a moment, I forgot to breathe. His eyes were the same shade of brown as always, but they seemed different now, almost...soulless. He seemed startled when our eyes met, and for a moment, he didn't look away. Then, he shook his head, running a hand through his hair as he twisted his lips into a grimace.
I felt my face twist in response, a scowl forming on my lips as I stared back at him. It was a look of pure hatred, one that I knew would shock the crowd if they saw it felt.
The murmurs erupted around us, and I was vaguely aware of the tension in the room. Iris cleared her throat, her voice breaking through the thick tension in the air.
She arched a brow at me, pleading with me to let it go and honor my father.
I took a deep breath, pushing aside the anger and the hatred that threatened to consume me. I glanced at my brother, who was watching me with a ghost of a smile on his lips. It was a challenge, a taunt, and I knew it.
With a heavy sigh, I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling the weight of my grief and the weight of my anger. I puffed out my chest, my voice shaking slightly as I began to speak.
"My father..." I started, my voice cracking as I looked out at the sea of faces before me. "He was a complex man, full of contradictions. He was a father, a friend, a mentor...but he was also flawed, just like all of us."
I paused, taking a deep breath as I gathered my thoughts. I glanced at Iris, who was watching me with tears in her eyes. I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude toward her.
"Today, we gather to celebrate his life, to remember the good times, the laughter, and the memories we shared with him. Let's try to find some comfort in the fact that he's no longer in pain, that he's finally at peace."
My voice trailed off as I looked at my brother, who was watching me with an unreadable expression. I knew that this wasn't the time or the place for our conflicts, but I couldn't help the way I felt. I took a deep breath, pushing aside my emotions as I continued to speak, my words a tribute to the man who had raised me, the lycan king.
•••••
“You okay?” Iris asked as I walked up to her, immediately locking our fingers together.
I sighed heavily, running a hand across my face as my eyes drifted for the umpteenth time to my father's casket ahead.
They'd be lowering it soon.
“Honestly…no…
“It still doesn't feel real, you know?”
She nods softly in understanding, pulling me towards the refreshment table.
“Yeah, I get it,” she murmurs, dishing me a plate of rice and sauce.
“Like he was here and now he's just…not. I fucking hate Ezra.”
Our conversation is cut short by the announcement that it's time to lower the casket into the ground.
The somber tone of the priest's voice cut through the air, signaling the final farewell. "It is now time to lay our beloved brother, father, and friend to rest. Please rise and join us as we commit his body to the earth."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I stood up, my eyes fixed on the casket. The rain had slowed to a gentle patter, as if nature itself was mourning the loss. The mourners began to move forward, forming a line to pay their respects.
Iris slipped her hand into mine, offering a comforting squeeze. I glanced at her, and she smiled weakly, her eyes red-rimmed from crying.
As the pallbearers began to lower the casket into the ground, a faint rustling sound filled the air. The sound of dirt hitting the metal echoed through the silence, a haunting reminder of the finality of death.
I felt a wave of grief wash over me, and I closed my eyes, trying to hold back tears. Iris's grip on my hand tightened, and I knew she was there for me, supporting me through this difficult moment.
The priest's voice continued, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust..." The words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the cycle of life and death.
As the casket disappeared into the earth, I felt a sense of emptiness wash over me. It was a moment that would change me forever, a moment that would haunt me for the rest of my life.
I bit down on my tongue, willing the tears not to fall as Iris rubbed my back soothingly.
I looked up, seeing Zeus slink away into the forest
I blinked hastily, rubbing at my eyes to make sure they weren't playing some sick joke on me.
What the actual fuck?
“Darian?” Iris asked as I quickly withdrew my hand from hers. I didn't even realise my body was already facing the direction he had disappeared to?
“What's going on?” she asked, her brows furrowed as she glanced around me, staring at the solemn lycans surrounding me.
“N-nothing,” I replied, my eyes drifting over to that direction severally.
“Iris…” I started as the rain let up.
She hummed, pushing a stray strand of hair out of her face as she looked up at me.
“I'll be right back, okay?”
She arched a brow, staring me down and I shrunk, ever so slightly, under her gaze.
“Darian, are you okay?”
I mustered up a smile, appreciative of her care.
“Iris, I promise I'm fine, don't be worried. I'll be right back,” I said, not waiting for a reply as I wove my way through the crowd, going in search of my treacherous brother.