Chapter 104 104
Venessa’s POV
“She isn’t dangerous to people,” Denzel said calmly. “That was the first time I ever saw it happen and the first time it happened to her.”
His hand moved in slow, reassuring circles against my back. I felt my father’s gaze settle on me, heavy and searching. I nodded, confirming Denzel’s words.
“What happened to you?” my father asked quietly.
The question struck deeper than he could have known. How could I possibly explain that I had died that my head had been severed from my body and that the goddess herself had returned me to life? That death had been the price, and this power the reward?
There was no escaping it. I would have to tell him the truth. Just not all of it. Not yet. The matter of time of how little I truly had left would have to wait until I succeeded. I wanted him to know, but I could not bear to break him in the process.
“Father,” I began, and he straightened immediately, his full attention on me.
“I need you to keep an open mind about what I’m about to say. I need you not to judge or hate anyone. I need you to hold on to hope and look toward the future. And most of all, I need you to be grateful for the gift the goddess gave us.”
He adjusted himself in his chair, his posture alert, receptive.
I started at the beginning when my mother and I were hunted down and killed. I told him how I was later arrested by members of the Blood Moon pack for trespassing. That part was hard for him to hear; I could see it in the tightening of his jaw, the flicker of pain in his eyes. But it was necessary. Painful truths often are.
I told him about Denzel rejecting me but I spared him the humiliation of it. I explained how I stayed, how I worked for the pack as a servant. I told him about my discoveries, the things I uncovered, and how I tried to warn Denzel.
When I spoke of Jalisa and Tyrell, I chose my words carefully, delicately. Even so, I noticed my father’s wolf stir beneath his skin flickering dangerously close to the surface. I knew then that if I described events exactly as they had occurred, he would kill them without hesitation.
Then I told him about Denzel’s death.
The shock on his face was immediate, absolute.
“How could Denzel be dead,” his expression seemed to ask, “and yet be sitting here?”
I smiled faintly. “I’ll explain.”
I told him about the trial how I was accused of Denzel’s murder. How I stood before them, condemned. And how I was executed.
“Venessa,” my father said sharply, irritation creeping into his voice, “do not insult my intelligence.”
“I’m not,” I replied steadily. “I was beheaded. And after my death, the goddess sent me back.”
His breath hitched as the truth settled.
“After I died,” I continued, “Fabian moved against Jalisa and Tyrell. He took over the werewolf territory and seized command of Denzel’s army. He marched them into war against the bears. In the end, they destroyed each other.”
I swallowed before continuing.
“The Lycans lost because you were already dead by then. And once the fighting ended, the Silver Forest bandits came. They wiped out what little remained and ushered in a new era one ruled by beings no longer connected to the goddess.”
I looked directly at him.
“She sent me back to prevent that future. She gave me gifts so I could change what went wrong. I was meant to ensure that certain people did not die that the bandit clan would not rise, and her children would not be wiped out.”
I kept my voice gentle, controlled. Still, my father was frozen.
Then his composure shattered.
Tears spilled freely down his face as he broke into quiet sobs.
“I failed you,” he said hoarsely. “I failed Danisha.”
His gaze snapped to Denzel, fury blazing through his grief.
“How dare you treat my daughter that way? She was meant to be your fated, and you allowed that bitch Jalisa to”
I shook my head firmly.
“I asked you to keep an open mind,” I said. “Denzel is not to blame. He sheltered me when no one else would. He treated me well. Jalisa did her evil behind his back.”
I took his hands, grounding him.
“He was a faithful husband. She betrayed him because Tyrell was her fated. She wanted everything both men, both lives and that is why she lost. Please, Father. Don’t be angry.”
His head bowed, shame and sorrow weighing heavily on him.
“That is an unbearable burden to place on you, my child,” he said softly.
Then he looked up at me again, resolve forming through the grief.
“After what I witnessed while fighting the rogue clan, I believe you. This is the only explanation that makes sense.”
He wiped his tears away.
“Tell me what I must do to help you succeed,” he said. “I want this finished so we can live the rest of our lives in peace.”
My chest tightened painfully. I couldn’t tell him that the rest of my life amounted to less than six months.
Not yet.
Not long after, Elder Craig returned to the lounge. The hour was late, exhaustion clung to all of us, but we remained seated as he delivered his report.
“Your Majesty,” Craig began, “Jahlil did not know his father was poisoning you. In that regard, he is innocent. As for Danisha’s death, he carried it out under direct royal order from the queen. Maximum punishment is not appropriate. I suggest stripping him of his rank and placing him into service.”
My father growled low in his chest.
“Exile,” he said flatly. “That will be best.”
Craig hesitated but continued.
“I won’t argue, but that leads us to the second matter.”
We all leaned forward.
“Ashani was instructed to poison you by Alpha Tremaine of the Silver Forest bandit clan.”
Craig sighed heavily.
“According to Ashani, the bandits possess liberation magic. They bow to no one. They cannot be controlled. Even silver cannot kill them. They claim immortality.”
A chill crept through me.
“Ashani is terminally ill,” Craig continued. “He was promised these powers if he eliminated you. We cannot exile Jahlil he would only join them. As for Ashani… he must be executed.”
Shock rippled through me, but with it came understanding.
I had always wondered how the bandits overwhelmed Lycans, werewolves, and bears alike.
Now I knew.
Like me, they had help.
“How is that even possible?” my father demanded.
“We need to capture one,” Craig replied. “That’s the only way to know.”
Denzel spoke then. “When they refused your authority and healed at an alarming rate, I knew something was wrong. The only ones we managed to kill were those we beheaded or those touched by the light.”
He carefully avoided mentioning that the light had come from me.
Fear settled thickly in the room as the truth sank in.
This so-called insignificant clan was anything but.
If they truly possessed such power, no one stood a chance.
And if they were not tied to the goddess… then who were they worshipping?
And why hadn’t she warned me?