Last detail

Last detail
Hera POV

I turn to look at the guards and motion for them to wait outside.

They file out without a word. I have questions to ask them, like how did they end up passed out in the house and not by their working station. Why did they leave the gate unguarded when I gave them strict instructions never to do so after the incident with Finn.

They have a lot to explain but for now, my priority is Lily. She is still terrified and in shock and if she doesn't release that tension, it could harm her mentally.

The ordeal she went through today was traumatising, not to mention she was still recovering from the last kidnapping and losing her mother.

I can't believe how unlucky she is. It makes me question everything we are fighting for. We are the reason she keeps getting dragged in adult conflicts when she is innocent.

Somehow, it makes me feel irresponsible.

Mason shifts, careful not to disturb Lily. It seems like he wants to question the guards right away. That's important but not urgent.

"Later," I mouth, then scoop Lily from him gently. She comes willingly, her arms looping around my neck. Her body goes limp against me as her milky body scent wafts into my nose, grounding me.

Lily and I settle in the big armchair by the window. I start to rock her slow, humming a soothing tune as my hand traces lazy patterns on her back.

"You're safe, baby. I am here with you. Daddy's here too. No bad people will hurt you again."

After Helena's promise, I don't know if those words are true but for my baby, I'll make them the truth. I'll make sure no one ever lays their hands on her ever again.

She doesn't talk and that worries me. Slowly, her eyelids start drooping.

My heart aches for her, a dull throb that spreads to my chest. How many nightmares will this give her? How long till she laughs easy again? I press a kiss to her temple, breathing her body scent.

Minutes tick by and her breath even out. When I confirm that she's deep asleep, I carry her upstairs.

Mason follows behind me like a protective shield.

After I tuck her in, I turn and spot Mason leaning on the door. I walk to him, a sigh escaping my lips.

"She's gonna be okay," he whispers, more to himself than me.

I nod, but doubt claws at me. "Yeah. She will." We slip out, closing the door quietly, and head downstairs.

In the kitchen, Mason leans against the counter, arms crossed, staring at the floor. The wine glass from earlier sits abandoned, half-full and forgotten. He looks up when I approach as his eyes search mine.

"She didn't say a word,Hera.

Do you think she's mad at me? For not being there?"

His voice cracks on the last word, and it hits me like a punch in the gut.

I can feel guilt pouring off him in waves. I step close and place my hands on top of his.

"No, Mason. She is not mad. She is just scared.That is not something you shake off with a hug." I keep it gentle, hoping he can read between the lines. I can't bear to plaster the doubts I have, that perhaps this time, Lily is traumatized by the experience and it might be the reason she is not talking.

"If she doesn't talk after she wakes up, we will have to get her help.” I whisper.

“ What do you mean?” Mason asks, alarmed.

“ I mean that this was heavy for someone like her. She might need a therapist.”

He shakes his head, his eyes dropping and jaws clenched.

This is all my fault. I have been stuck in my own world that I failed to protect my daughter. What kind of a father am I?”

His voice breaks and he turns away, guilt written all over him. Seeing him like this breaks me as much as Lily's situation does.

"Hey," I say softly, turning him back and cupping his face. Tears glisten in his eyes but he holds them back.

“ This is not your fault,Mason. You didn't have a grudge against Helena or Finn. It's all their fault. This world is ugly but I believe you've been the best dad Lily could ever ask for. You love her unconditionally and I believe she knows that deep down.”

He searches my face, desperate for belief. "You really think that?"

"I know it." I pull him down, foreheads touching and our breaths mingling. "We're getting through this. Together."

For a second, he leans into it, eyes closing temporarily.

But then he pulls back, gently and looks at me.

“I need to be with her. Just in case she wakes up scared." His voice is small, vulnerable and it guts me.

"Yeah. Go ahead.” I manage a smile, though it feels fragile. "I'll handle the guards."

Mason nods and presses a quick kiss to my forehead. It's warm and lingering then heads upstairs.

The sound of his door clicking shut echoes and I am alone in the kitchen.

The weight of it all comes crashing down at me. Watching him go, pain blooms fresh in my chest. He is hurting badly and blaming himself for sins that aren't his alone. I want to fix it, wrap him up and chase the shadows away.

He is guilty about Lily and hurt about Finn's betrayal but some wounds need time. All I can do is be here, steady as I can.

Sighing, I head outside where the guards are waiting on the porch.

The air is crisp and carries with it the scent of fallen leaves and distant rain. It's a typical October night.

"Alright," I say, stopping in front of them with my arms crossed.

On normal days, they're good men.

They loyal and tough—but tonight, they look like kicked dogs. "What the hell happened? Walk me through it. I want to hear everything to the last detail."