Chapter 88: Doubts and Deception

Ava's Chambers -- Night

Lucian closed the door behind him, his expression grave. Ava looked up from where she sat by the window, immediately sensing something was wrong.

"What happened?" she asked, standing.

"We found the traitor," Lucian said quietly.

"Ava's breath caught. "Who?"

"Rhyssa."

The name hit Ava like a physical blow. She stumbled back slightly, gripping the edge of the windowsill for support.

"Rhyssa?" she repeated, disbelief thick in her voice. "That's impossible. She was cursed by Morgana.. she almost died.. she...

"She's being coerced," Lucian explained. "Draven has her mother. He's threatening to kill her unless Rhyssa delivers you to him."

Ava's mind raced. "Her mother is alive? she told us she died years ago."

"She lied, Lucian said. About that. About everything."

"After everything we've been through?" Ava's voice rose with anger and shock. "After I risked my life to save her from that curse?? After we welcomed her into our alliance? Isn't that insane?"

"It is Lucian agreed. "But she's desperate. And desperate people make terrible choices."

Ava turned away, her hands shaking. "How is Aria?"

Lucian's expression darkened. She's the one who discovered it. Followed Rhyssa into the woods and overheard her meeting with Draven. She looked like she was holding in a lot. But she has to keep it all a secret until we figure out how to thwart Draven's plan."

"They're after me," Ava said quietly, the reality of it sinking in. "This whole time, it's been about getting to me."

"You're the moonborn, Lucian said, moving closer to her. "Yes he's after you. But I can protect you I promise."

Ava turned to face him, pain flashing in her eyes. "You couldn't when he captured me took me hostage and he could've killed you too."

The words struck Darion like a blade. His jaw clenched. "That was different."

"How?"

"The only reason he was able to do that was because he had inside information," Lucian said firmly. "And we know that now. We know Rhyssa is feeding him intelligence. Which means we can control what information she gets. We can set our own trap."

"And if it doesn't work?" Ava challenged. "If he outsmarts us again?"

Lucian moved to stand directly in front of her, his hands gently gripping her shoulders. "He's not touching a hair on your head, Ava trust me."

Ava searched his eyes, seeing the fierce determination there. The love and the absolute certainty.

"I trust you, she said finally. "But I'm terrified Lucian. If Draven gets what he wants, if he uses whatever evil scheme he's planning..."

"He won't, Lucian interrupted. "Because we're going to stop him together."

Ava nodded slowly, letting herself draw strength from his conviction even as fear continued to coil in her chest.

Morgana's sanctum

Morgana stood over a stone altar, her hands moving in precise patterns as dark energy swirled around her fingertips. She was working on a spell, a particularly complex one that required all of her concentration.

The door to her Chamber suddenly opened.

"Mother," Kael's voice interrupted her focus.

Morgana's hands stilled. She took a controlled breath before turning to face her son. "I'm in the middle of something."

"I need to ask you something," Kael said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.

"Morgana studied his face, seeing the conflict there. "What is it?"

"Did my Father know about me?" The question came out blunt and very direct.

Morgana's expression tightened. "Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"

"I don't know," Kael said, though they both knew that it was a lie. "I'm just curious. Did he?"

Morgana was silent for a long moment, weighing her response. Then finally she spoke. "Yes, he did."

Kael's eyes widened slightly. " He knew I existed??"

"Yes" Morgana confirmed. "But he didn't want anything to do with the son of a Witch. You're hybrid. Your blood is forbidden, and so was our union. He chose his legacy, his pack, and his precious position over the both of us."

Kael's hands clenched into fists. "You never told me that before. You said he didn't know."

"I've told you this many times before in different ways," Morgana said, her voice hardening. "Don't let those Varex people poison your mind, son. They're trying to manipulate you. Make you doubt me. Make you question everything you know and everything I've told you."

"I'm not.."

"You are," Morgana interrupted, moving closer to him. "I can see it in your eyes. The doubt, the questions. Thhey got to you, didn't they?? At the meeting."

Kael looked away. "They told me their version of events I wanted to hear it."

"And what did they tell you?" Morgana's voice was dangerously soft. "That your father loved me? That he wanted to be with us but the circumstances prevented it? That everything that happened was just a tragic misunderstanding?"

"Something like that," Kael admitted.

"Lies," Morgana said flatly. "Pretty lies to make you sympathize with them. To make you forget what they took from us."

"They said Aldric didn't know about me," Kael said. That you never told him you were pregnant."

"Because I knew what he'd do!!" Morgana's voice rose. "I knew he'd try to take you from me and raise you as a Varex. Turn you into a weapon to use against your own mother! I protected you by keeping you a secret."

"Even after you told me he knew and wanted nothing to do with me, you kept me a secret because it gave you leverage, Kael said quietly.

"A weapon to use against him someday."

Morgana's hand lashed out, striking Kael across the face.

‎The sound echoed through the chamber.

‎

‎Kael's head snapped to the side, shock and hurt flickering across his features.

‎

‎"Don't you dare," Morgana hissed. "Everything I've done, every sacrifice I've made, has been for you. To keep you safe. To give you the power and knowledge you'd need to survive in a world that would have destroyed you for what you are."

‎

‎Kael touched his cheek, feeling the sting. "I know you've sacrificed for me. I'm not denying that."

‎

‎"Then stop questioning me," Morgana commanded. "I am the only one you can trust. They killed your aunt, Kael. Seraphina. They murdered her and faced no consequences. What makes you think they won't kill you too if given the chance?"

‎

‎"Darion seemed genuine..."

‎

‎"Darion is a Varex," Morgana interrupted. "Charm and deception are in their blood. Be careful and tread with caution. I won't lose you too."

‎

‎Her voice broke slightly on the last words, genuine fear and love bleeding through her anger.

‎

‎Kael looked at his mother at the woman who'd raised him, taught him, loved him in her own complicated way and felt torn between two versions of the truth.

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‎"I'll be careful," he said finally.

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‎"Good," Morgana said, her composure returning. "Now leave me. I have work to finish."

‎

‎Kael nodded and left the chamber, his mind churning.

‎

‎

‎He walked through the dark corridors of Morgana's stronghold, his thoughts a chaotic mess.

‎

‎Was it really the truth, what Darion and Ava had said? That his father didn't know about him? That he would have wanted to meet him if he'd known?

‎

‎Or was his mother right? Was it all manipulation designed to turn him against the only family he'd ever known?

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‎He knew better than to trust them. His mother was right about that, at least. The Varex were dangerous. They had their own agenda.

‎

‎But was she?

‎

‎Was his mother telling him the truth, or had decades of hatred and pain twisted her memories into something darker than reality?

‎

‎Kael didn't know anymore.

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‎And that uncertainty terrified him more than any battle ever could.