Chapter 129: The Awakening Two

Sophia POV

I feel a shiver run down my spine with that phrase, something I didn't know was possible, because there's a different tone, it's not like Khalid telling me I'm an object, it was different…

It was acceptance, certainty, as if, by calling me that, he was recognizing something beyond the physical, beyond desire, beyond the blood that pulses in our veins.

He didn't see me as a possession, but as part of something ancient, sacred.

My Shi. A phrase that meant our souls were connected…

Maybe that's how I should have felt from the beginning with Achilles and Perseus, but I was different back then, I didn't know about this world and had to learn about everything…

It's not that the connection between me and Khalid is stronger, but it's different… And this difference is glaring… Because Achilles and Perseus had to fight from the start to win me over…

They were the ones who taught me about the Bond, the Balance, and what it means to be a mate, and in this difference, there's an added weight, as if Khalid had arrived and taken advantage.

I brought my hand to my chest, trying to identify the reason for such thoughts, even though they are true, I still don't know if they came completely from me, and I sighed, turning my head to look at Perseus.

There, I see all the feelings of doubt that are in me, but at the same time, I see resignation, something that comes through guilt, the acceptance of the consequences of his actions.

"I have already accepted." Perseus spoke what was in his heart, like a double consideration. Something that was his and mine.

His gaze was fixed on mine, and I saw the glint of pain, sadness, and anguish, but none of these feelings mattered more than the love he felt for me.

"I know I made a mistake… I know it was my fault, that I let myself be carried away by the curse…" Perseus said, his voice choked, but he was trying to stay firm. "I let my doubts speak louder and didn't trust you."

I know Perseus wants to get closer, but he gives me space to think, to reflect on his words.

"If he is the third… If that's what destiny has reserved for you, then I accept. Not because it's easy, but because you are more important than my pride." Perseus said.

My heart tightened, as if the words had the weight of an eternal promise. I wanted to respond, wanted to say something to ease the pain in his chest, but all I could do was look at him in silence, because despite knowing he regretted it, there was still a part of me that was afraid.

Afraid of what Perseus might do in the future, that he might still be affected by the curse and that it might prevent him from being my mate.

"Don't worry… I will never let that happen again." Hélios's voice echoed through Perseus's lips.

"It's not that…" I shook my head from side to side, took a deep breath. "I know that neither you nor Achilles or Boreas will let Perseus hurt me…"

I lowered my head, trying to find the right words and sighed.

"I don't want to be afraid of being alone with Perseus, I don't want to feel this anger that almost consumes me just remembering what he did…" I lifted my head and looked at Perseus again. "I can't trust you… Not yet, not now, and I don't know when that will happen."

Perseus's expression showed all the pain he felt with my words, but it also showed resignation. He didn't look away. He didn't try to justify himself. He just nodded slightly, as if those words had hit him hard… But he accepted every one of them.

"It's okay." Perseus said in a hoarse whisper. "I'll wait. As long as it takes. Even if in the end you don't come back to me, I'll still wait."

I felt my heart warm, realizing that this was a crucial difference between him and Ivar, my former mate would never have allowed me to wait, he would have filled me with gifts and promises of love.

"I know these frivolous things won't make sense to someone like you." Perseus explained, and I knew he felt my emotions through the bond. "But I'll find other ways to prove my words."

I felt Achilles's arms tighten slightly around me, as if reminding me that I wasn't alone at this moment, nor in the next. He didn't say anything, and his silent strength was a foundation that kept me from falling.

I closed my eyes and let myself be cradled by his arms, feeling the warmth of his body heat mine and give me that sense of protection. Things have always been complicated, and now it seems like everything is even worse.

It was then that, without saying a word, I heard Khalid take a step forward, completely out of the shadow where he was, and with that, I lifted my head. His ruby gaze met mine, and something inside me vibrated, something I couldn't understand. He stopped very close to the bed. And even without touching me, I felt his presence enveloping me like a dense, warm fog. His power wasn't aggressive, it was serene, as if he were a constant in a world where everything changes all the time.

I can see the shadow of his Daemon, quiet, impassive, but with a smile on his lips and his eyes glowing.

"What happened?" I asked, feeling my throat dry under Khalid's gaze.

"When you performed the rejection ritual against Ivar, the bond that linked you to him split in two, one end came towards me and the other towards Perseus." Khalid quickly explained the facts.

I slowly nodded, while small flashes of that day came to my mind… But the main memory was that I had remembered who I was and that Ivar, along with Gáta, had tried to rewrite history.

I passed my hands through my hair and saw the platinum highlights and sighed, I had gone through so much to become Sophia Turner, and now a part of that had been undone.

The shock of having Khalid linked to me was nothing compared to realizing that I had physically changed, and this saddened me more than anything else, because I don't know if even with new surgeries I would return to having the same face.

"I can help with that." Khalid said, and I lifted my head. "Your thoughts are very loud, it's easy for me to hear them." He explained.

"I understand… But how can you help?" I asked curiously.

"It's not painless, but one of my subjects has the power to shape objects, this can be extrapolated to people and appearances." Khalid explained.

"Is she a shapeshifter?" Achilles asked.

"No… She is… Hum… She has powers, not quite a mage or witch, but she has powers, just like you with your wolves." Khalid tried to explain.

"Like the Tzimisce, with the discipline of Vicissitude." I explained in terms I understand. "Vicissitude is the characteristic power of the Tzimisce, this power allows the Tzimisce control over their flesh and bones and those of others. Through horrendous experiments, the Tzimisce have already created terrible creatures and even another lineage like the Blood Brothers."

Khalid smiled, because I am right, at least in some part.

"Almost, after all, what is beautiful or horrendous depends on the point of view." Khalid agreed with me. "Usually, when there are small modifications, there is no pain involved, but in your case, since there will be many modifications, it might hurt… What I mean is that it will hurt, it will hurt a lot."

I looked at the platinum strands and then at Khalid.

"It doesn't matter… I am no longer Naomi Blanchet, and if there is something that can be done to return to my appearance, then I accept." I said determinedly.