Chapter 71 Aldric is Sick

Chapter 71 Aldric is Sick
In The wee hours of Monday morning, Zephyra's phone rang. "uhmm" She groans as she stretches to pick the phone from the beside table. lookin at the phone, she realized it was Elias Thornvale.
" what could he be calling for?" She wondered has picks up the call.
" Hello." As soon as she speaks into the phone, Elias tired voice was hear.

“Zephyra,” he said, his voice was urgent and strained. “I’m sorry to call so late, but this couldn’t wait. Aldric’s condition has worsened suddenly. The healers are doing everything they can, but he’s asking for you. He wants to see you before… before it’s too late.”

Kaelric sat up beside her, instantly alert.

Elias continued, voice heavy. “A private escort can be arranged within forty-eight hours. The choice is yours, heir. But if you want to meet your father… it needs to be soon.”

The line went silent as Zephyra stared into the darkness, heart pounding, the pendant suddenly burning hot against her skin.

The silence after Elias’s words stretched thick and heavy in the dark bedroom.

Zephyra’s grip tightened on the phone until her knuckles ached. The pendant against her chest burned hotter than it ever had, as if reacting to the sudden spike in her emotions. Kaelric sat fully upright beside her now, one hand firmly on her back, the other reaching to gently take the phone and put it on speaker so he could hear too.

Elias’s voice came again, quieter this time but no less urgent. “He’s stable for the moment, but the healers say his old war wounds have flared badly. Something about the suppression lifting in you may have stirred old bonds in his blood. He’s conscious and asking for you specifically. Perhaps, he wants to see you while he still can speak clearly.”

Zephyra swallowed hard. Her throat felt raw. “How long does he have?”

“We don’t know for certain,” Elias admitted. “Days. Maybe a week or two at most if things don’t improve. A private, heavily guarded meeting can be arranged as early as tomorrow evening. Neutral ground. Safe. I can send a car for you.” Elias said.

Kaelric’s hand rubbed slow circles on her back, grounding her. He didn’t speak, giving her the space to process, but his presence was solid and unwavering.

“I… need time to think,” Zephyra said finally, voice trembling but clear. “Even a few hours. This is a lot.”

“I understand,” Elias replied, respect evident in his tone. “I’ll wait for your decision. Call me back at any time , I will will be available. And Zephyra… he’s frightened. Not of death, but of leaving this world without ever looking his daughter in the eyes.” Elias emphasized tiredly.

The call ended.

Zephyra set the phone down and turned into Kaelric’s arms completely. He held her tightly as the first wave of emotion crashed over her. It was not just tears, but deep, shuddering breaths that shook her entire frame. He didn’t try to silence them. He simply held on, murmuring soft, grounding words against her hair.

“I don’t know what to do,” she whispered after several long minutes. “I wanted more time. I was planning to call him in a few days, on my terms. Now suddenly there might not be a few days.”

Kaelric pulled back just enough to cup her face in both hands, thumbs brushing away tears. His gray eyes were steady, filled with love and quiet strength. “Then we decide together what feels right. Not what Aldric wants. Not what Elias thinks is best. What you need. If you want to go tomorrow, I’ll be right beside you. If you need another week, we tell them no. This is your choice, Zephyra. Yours alone.”

They stayed awake for hours.

They talked through every angle in the dark. The fear of regretting not going, the fear of going too soon and not being ready, the complications with nationals so close, how Seraphina might feel, how the mate bond might help anchor her during the meeting. Kaelric listened more than he spoke, offering perspective only when she asked. The mate bond glowed faintly between them, silver light visible in the darkness, pulsing with shared emotion.

Eventually they drifted into an exhausted, restless sleep tangled together. When morning came, gray and soft, Zephyra woke with a strange sense of resolve mixed with terror.

Downstairs, Seraphina took one look at their faces and knew something major had happened. Over coffee, Zephyra told her about the call from Elias and Aldric’s condition. Seraphina’s face paled, but she remained steady, reaching for her daughter’s hand across the table.

“You don’t owe him anything,” Seraphina said firmly. “Not your time. Not your forgiveness. Not even this meeting. But if your heart is telling you to go… I’ll support you. I can come too, if you want.”

The rest of the day passed in a careful, deliberate haze.

Kaelric stayed home with her instead of going to school or training. They spent hours in the backyard talking, and practicing a very light shift together, sitting in silence. Zephyra held the pendant constantly, turning it over in her fingers as if it might give her answers.

By late afternoon, after another long conversation with Kaelric and Seraphina, she made her decision.

She called Elias back.

“I’ll come ” she said, voice steadier than she felt. “But not tomorrow. Two days from now. And Kaelric comes with me. Neutral ground. No surprises.”

" okay okay." Elias agreed without hesitation. Arrangements would be made.

When she hung up, Zephyra felt both exhausted and strangely lighter. The clock was now ticking but things will be done on her terms.

That night, as she and Kaelric lay in bed once more, the weight of the coming meeting pressed down on them both. Nationals were so close. Her training was progressing. Life had finally started to feel steady.

And now this.

Kaelric pulled her close, forehead resting against hers. “Whatever happens when we meet him,” he whispered, “you will not face it alone. Not for one second.”

Zephyra closed her eyes, the mate bond glowing brighter between them.