Chapter 73
“We need to act fast before he makes any move. The most efficient way is by blood.”
Emilia’s voice rang steady through the silent chamber, though her hands trembled as she gripped the edge of the bed where Calista sat pale and exhausted.
Calista’s eyes flickered, her body stiffening. “No.”
Emilia frowned. “No?”
“I’ve made blood oaths before, Emilia.” Calista’s voice was quiet, she did not want anyone to hear them.
“Every one of them ended in disaster. I’ve watched blood magic bind, poison, and destroy entire lineages. I’ve watched it ruin me and deprive me of joy.”
“This is different, Calista.”
Calista looked away from the other woman, her voice wary. “I don't think you understand, Emilia. ”
Emilia forced herself to breathe. She crouched down so their eyes were level.
“I’m not asking you to bind yourself to vengeance or power. This isn’t about the past. It's not about curses. I’m only asking you to trust me… just once. As a mother.”
Calista’s throat worked as she swallowed. Her eyes darted to where Terra, slept quietly nearby.
Emilia continued, her voice breaking. “Kith isn’t circling us anymore. He’s inside. He’s waiting and watching us, our chikdren closely. If he gets to Aerius or Terra, it’s over. No walls will protect them. Even their fathers might not be able to save them.”
Calista hesitated. Then whispered, “What’s your plan?”
“A blood pact. It will be between us alone. But there will be nothing consisting of darkness. It will be a seal of protection. A simple vow between you and me.”
Calista closed her eyes. Her fingers tightened around the blanket.
"It's not that simple. What if Luca kicks me out?"
Emilia assured her. “He won't, I promise. So Please.”
There was a long silence.
Then, Calista nodded.
“One last time,” she whispered. “One last blood oath.”
They moved carefully. Quietly. The night air tasted sharp as iron as Emilia pulled a small blade from beneath her sleeve.
“No one else can know. Not even Luca or Cyrus” Calista said.
“They won’t.”
Emilia sliced her palm gently and extended it.
Calista stared at it for a long moment. She wondered if there was another way.
Then, slowly, she cut her own skin.
Their blood mixed as they clasped hands.
“This pact is not for power,” Emilia whispered.
“It is not for vengeance.”
“It is for the protection of our futures, our legacy.”
“Only for protection.”
They both spoke now, voices blending.
“For Aerius. For Terra. Let no force, no blood, no deceit break this vow.”
The air in the chamber shifted.
And then, it was done.
Emilia pulled her hand back, the cut already sealing.
Calista let out a shaky breath, glancing down at the drying blood between her fingers. “I hope you’re right about this.”
Emilia offered her a quiet smile. “For their sake… I have to be.”
“Tomorrow,” she continued “We start the trap.”
Calista gave a hollow laugh. “Funny, isn’t it? Working together.”
Emilia smiled.
Somewhere at the corner of her mind, she feared the step she had just made, especially its consequences.
However, she had no selfish desire or greedy motive, the oath would be one that keeps the children safe from every force. Anyone who tries to harm them must be harmed because nobody messes with the son of a Queen.