Used To Be My Hero
TALIA'S POV
"Please quit trusting him too much. He is no different from his mother. Don't forget that her evil blood runs in his veins."
Her venomous words make my stomach churn. Not because there is any truth in what she is in them, but because the bitterness in her voice is too much that I am afraid she may never be able to see the truth and admit she is wrong.
I take in deep breaths and blink away the tears before turning to embrace my mate and my little brother.
"What happened to our mom? She doesn't want us!" Michael cries as I hug him.
I force a smile and cup his face. "No sweetie, mum still loves us. She is just . . . a little confused right now. She will come back and stay with us soon." I soothe even though I am not sure she will ever accept to return back here. I know she loves us, she would never abandon us forever unless she really doesn't have the chance to be with us.
"She thinks you're bad," Michael says looking up at Evan. My stunning mate shakes his head as he squats and studies the boy's face.
"Do you think I am bad?" He questions and Michael shakes his head. I find myself doing the same.
It's unfair to judge anyone's character by the actions of their parents. I am nothing like our father and Evan is too different from his mother. He is sometimes ruthless, but not evil or pretentious.
"Your mum just needs time to heal. She will definitely come back after a few days." He too assures Michael.
"Okay."
"Let's all go have lunch. Aren't you hungry yet?" He asks and the boy finally smiles.
"Of course I am. I want two pancakes . . . sweetened with honey and . . . chicken soup with tomatoes in it." Michael answers but doesn't sound as excited as he usually is when he gets to choose what he wants to eat.
We didn't have that luxury three years ago when we lived in our small house. We enjoyed every meal anyway. Nothing tastes too bad when you're surrounded by family. They make an ordinary meal feel like a royal feast.
I take Michael's and Evan's hands as we head inside the palace. Having them close does help ease the heartache. After all the chasing and confrontations they are still the only family that I have by my side
I am still eager to see Taylor and do my best to convince her to stay with us. I however don't want to interrupt their conversation with our mother. So I will see her after our meal.
* * * * *
TAYLOR'S POV
Seeing my mother's face again was the most blissful thing I have had in a long time. Just like me, she looked thinner than she was three years ago and clearly heartsick. But the thing that actually mattered most is that she is alive.
For three years I lived through my own pain while still worrying about losing her or Michael just like we had lost Talia. It's still hard to believe that we are all alive after everything that each of us has been through.
The Luna of Fire Moon was supposed to kill our mother after a few months of enslaving her. But luckily the Luna didn't honour the agreement she had with the former Queen. I prayed for her and Michael every day. Talia was already dead so I didn't see the point. My heart missed her for many months before I was able to let go and accept that she was gone.
She had saved our mother's life by offering her own life to be taken. She fought against the former King and his council and outwitted them right in front of the most powerful Prince and his evil mother. One could feel hate and anger radiating off him every time she bravely objected to the King or his evil mother. I didn't have the courage to fight back against such a big and powerful crowd. I stood frightened and shaking while she sacrificed her own life without a hint of fear.
She was my hero and role model even though I knew I would never be able to do what she did. Evan himself was so infuriated by her courage and wit that he secretly demanded that she be executed.
That's the reason why I was too shocked to hear that she already accepted their mate bond. The man that asked for her execution, for us to be sold as slaves. Then I got even more appalled when my mother told me that she had chosen to remain here instead of leaving with us.
Something must have gone wrong when she died. She wasn't the kind of person that would choose wealth over family. There must be things that she forgot. Like how awesome our family used to be especially during breakfast and dinners. She was the one that used to crack jokes to entertain us and I was the one that always brought friends. Michael hated my friends and would toss pieces of his food at them whenever mum wasn't looking. We told stories for hours before everyone felt tired enough to go to sleep. We would try on mum's most elegant dresses and jewellery whenever she wasn't home and Michael would choose the one that looked better than the other. She would let me put on the most lovely dress but Michael would always choose her. Just like he has done now.
Would she still choose to stay here if I reminded her of all the fun stuff we did together? Every one of those memories is priceless than the gold in this room.
There is a gentle knock on the door before it swings open and the most breathtaking of noble women I have ever seen saunters in. It takes me a couple of seconds to realise that the angel I am staring at is actually my sister, Talia.
Unlike us she has grown, she is taller and impossibly beautiful. Her skin is so sleek that it looks like it is reflecting light. Her smile is kind and bewitching, her long body perfect in all impressive ways.
I see why Evan had wasted his time searching for us, she is worthy of all the work.
TALIA'S POV
I wasn't expecting her to look smaller and thinner than she was three years ago. Just like Michael she has not grown an inch. She has lost so much weight that her ribs are visible through the thin fabric of the dress she is wearing.
But her face is still as pretty as it was before trouble separated us. I don't understand why she is so astounded to see me, she has barely blinked since I stepped into the room.