Chapter 164 Burning Cacophony (1)

Chapter 164 Burning Cacophony (1)
E L E A N O R

"James is scared to death of the dark, so please leave the lights on and the door open," Bernadette tells me for what feels like the tenth time, her voice rushed but sincere. I nod with a understanding smile as she gives my hand one last squeeze before turning toward the waiting carriage.

"Goodbye, Daddy. Please come back soon," Eliza says, her voice soft but clear.

"Of course, darling,”

Severus has just set her down after giving her a playful twirl. Now he squats to meet Hildegard at eye level. She reaches out and ruffles his already messy hair with a mischievous grin.

"Don't forget you have to tell me everything about your trip, especially when you get to the serpent shifters," Hildegard instructs, her tone serious despite her playful actions.

"I'll keep it in mind, Hildie. Don't miss me too much," Severus replies, a fond smile touching his lips.

"I should be saying that to you," she fires back without missing a beat. "I know Mama can be a bit boring, but don't worry—it's only for a few days." She winks dramatically, then leans in close to whisper, though her voice carries easily across the quiet yard. "Oh, and the maids... always sit near the maids. They know a lot of things."

"Hildegard, stop teaching your father how to gossip," Bernadette sighs from the carriage step, though her eyes are warm.

"I wasn't!" Hildegard insists, raising her hands in mock defense before turning back to Severus. "Don't forget... okay?"

We finally wave them off, the carriage pulling away down the gravel path. The heavy burden I've carried in my heart for weeks feels a little lighter this morning. When they told me they'd found a lead to Perseus, I broke down and cried for a solid ten minutes before pulling myself together. Bernadette insisted I stay behind—my stomach is too prominent now, and I can't risk a long journey, especially since I've been running the pack in his absence. Besides, someone had to look after the children, which didn't seem like much of a hardship at all.

"Okay, children," I coo softly once the carriage is out of sight. "Let's head back inside."

They follow me without complaint. I haven't bathed yet today, so I leave them briefly with Iris and Irene, who both seem more than eager to help.

"As you can see, the Luna is pregnant, and her babies are almost here," Irene tells the children, her tone gentle but firm. "So don't give her a hard time, all right?"

"If you don't comply, I'll eat you," Iris adds with a mischievous smirk.

James shivers, and Eliza's eyes widen where she sits perched on the sofa.

"That isn't possible," Hildegard argues, planting her hands on her hips.

"I'm a lycan," Irene says matter-of-factly.

"And you think the Luna would just watch you kill people right here?"

"You know what, you already sound like trouble."

"I'm not the one threatening to eat children."

"Please don't eat us," James begs, his eyes filling with tears.

"Aw, James," I soothe, crossing the room to sit beside him and pull him into a side hug. "Irene can't eat children. She's only joking."

"Irene, stop scaring the kids," Iris rolls her eyes before heading toward the kitchen to check on breakfast.

"She didn't scare me," Hildegard huffs, though she sidles a little closer to me.



Hildegard continues her back-and-forth with Irene while Eliza chats easily with Iris. I settle on the couch with James, watching as he carefully colors in his book.

"Have you started school yet, James?"

"No," he mumbles, not looking up from his drawing. "Mama said we'll have a home teacher."

"That's because of the other kids at school, Auntie," Eliza calls from the carpet where Iris is now braiding her hair.

"Other kids?" I ask, leaning forward slightly.

"Mama is scared we could get bullied. You know... the other kids are lycans, and we're not."

My heart aches a little. "That sounds horrible. Has any of you ever been bullied?"

"No," Eliza admits. "Mama is just being careful."

I've never really thought about it so deeply before. Our people are still reluctant to be fully welcoming, and with my own triplets being tribrids, getting a home teacher might be an option Perseus and I should consider too.

"I hope you all never feel like you don't belong here," I tell them, meaning every word. "Because you do."

"I wasn't meant to belong," Hildegard announces, flipping her hair with a confident smirk. "I was meant to stand out."

"Perfect," Irene grins.

"Perfect, indeed," I agree warmly.

"We're stars. Me and Hildegard Grace Junior," Hildegard says, beaming down at my belly.

"Wait, we're choosing names for the baby already?" Iris asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Iris, I—" I start, but Irene cuts me off.

"Alexander would be a lovely name for a boy," she gushes.

"It sounds too old," Hildegard disagrees instantly.

"I know... we could start with a letter!" Eliza suggests, her face lighting up. "We can play a game. I call out a letter, and you guess the name Auntie Eleanor is thinking of."

Not her, too.

"I'll go get some paper!"

"I can't spell," Hildegard grunts, folding her arms.

"It's okay, Hildie. You can just say the names out loud," Eliza assures her.

"Okay, fine. I'm in," Hildegard relents.

"I'm in too!" James laughs, scrambling up from the couch.

I can't help but laugh as I watch them turn the living room into their game headquarters. Dinner is just as eventful, filled with laughter that swells my heart with a joy I haven't felt in weeks—and the warm, steady realization that my husband is coming back to me soon.



Later that night, Iris and Irene tuck the children into their beds while I doze off on the floor, having given up on finding a comfortable sleeping position in my current state. I'm jerked awake by the sound of slicing flesh and a heavy, pained grunt. Boots scuff against the floor just outside the room.

"We're in danger," Eira warns, her voice sharp and urgent in my mind.

My blood runs cold. My pulse kicks into a frantic rhythm as I scramble to think clearly. I reach out through the mind-link immediately. "Irene, Iris—we're under attack. Take the children through the back door. Now."

Before I can even rise, the door is forced open. A man steps inside, his presence sucking the air from the room. My heart hammers violently against my ribs. My eyes dart toward the fruit knife left on the side table; pitiful, but something.

Then my gaze lands fully on him, and my lips part slightly. He slightly resembles Thomas… and Perseus. Same strong jaw, same intense but green eyes. His hair is also shorter and jet black. He looks young, maybe my age or a few years older.

He smirks when his eyes find me in the dim light. He strolls forward casually, dragging a blood-soaked blade along the floorboards beside him. The sound sets my teeth on edge.

"You must be Eleanor Cage?" he asks, one eyebrow raised.

"Who are you?" I snarl, forcing strength into my voice even as fear claws up my throat. "And what do you want?"

He doesn't answer right away, just continues his slow approach. He tilts his head, studying me like I’m a puzzle he’s about to break apart.

"I'm George Black," he says finally, his voice low and cold. "Youngest prince of Eretria." His hand shoots out faster than I can react, closing around my throat. "As for what I want?" He leans in, his breath ghosting across my face. "Nothing. I've come to return to Perseus what he's given my family… by finishing what our parents started."