Chapter 9 9
Aurélie POV
Four Years Later
Deep breath in.
Deep breath out.
I’d forgotten how tranquil this place could be.
It was my first time returning to the lake since that brutal, life-shattering day four years ago. My first real break in four years. My lungs expand again slow, controlled and release.
A gentle gust of wind sweeps across the water, catching a few loose strands of my hair and brushing them across my eyes. I tuck them behind my ear just in time to watch the breeze ripple over the lake’s surface, pushing a small wave to break against the pebble shore.
Another breath escapes me, heavier this time, as a flashback slams into me the memory of my parents’ bodies, left like discarded prey by a monster with no soul. Even now, the image is sharp, cold, inhuman. The flashbacks come less often these days, but when they do, they still shred my nights.
Then laughter. High, bright, bubbling through the air.
Small, fast footsteps sprinting in my direction.
The ghosts vanish instantly.
Thank you, Moon Goddess. Thank you for these two little miracles. Thank you for the strength that motherhood forced into my bones strength that saved me more than once.
As they run toward me, my heart flutters the way it always does. They are my sunrise, my pulse. I wake each day because of them. I breathe because of them.
My great loves.
Mine alone.
Both blondes Delphine with her almost white, silver-touched hair, and Dominique with a slightly darker golden shade, just like…
No. Not today.
Thank you, Moon Goddess, thank you for my children.
“Mummy!”
Two little pairs of arms stretch toward me, racing to see who reaches me first. Delphine takes the lead because Dominique lets her. He always lets her believe she’s winning.
They amaze me, constantly. Their strength. Their beauty. Their spirits.
“My darlings!” I spread my arms wide and crouch as they crash into me, warm and breathless.
“Mummy, we found every item on Miss Lambert’s list!” Delphine thrusts her paper into my hand, her bold, oversized ticks nearly stabbing through the page.
“Well done,” I tell them, smiling in the way I only ever smile for them.
“Yeah, well, I found them first,” Dominique huffs, annoyed by his sister’s triumphant tone. His irritation only makes her prouder, which in turn makes me smile even more.
“Only because you cheated,” Delphine taunts, sticking her tongue out at him.
I open my mouth to correct her then freeze.
Her tongue isn’t its usual pink.
It’s bright blue.
“Goddess, Delphine…” I tease lightly, catching her chin. “What has happened to your tongue?”
She opens her mouth wider when I ask, guilt flickering across her little face.
“Dominique got us ice pops,” she admits in a whisper.
“Dominique…” I draw out his name, pretending to scold him for raiding tonight’s dessert stash.
“Mum, it was hot,” he argues confidently, hands on his hips like a miniature Alpha. “I needed to take care of Delphine. She needed something cold.”
“You can’t set a bad example,” I say, squeezing his cheek. He rolls his eyes dramatically.
“Well,” I sigh, throwing my hands up, “now we have no dessert for tonight.”
“It’s okay, Mummy… we found the chocolate too,” Delphine whispers conspiratorially, finger pressed to her lips.
I raise an eyebrow. “Hmm. Perhaps little ones who sneak snacks shouldn’t get chocolate…”
“Please…”
“But Mummy…” they chime in together, perfect harmony, eyes wide and devastatingly effective.
“I won’t do it again,” Dominique promises, grabbing my hand and tugging me upright.
“Hmmm…” I draw it out, relishing their anticipation. “Come on. You can both help me with dinner.”
I hold out my hand for Delphine, and the three of us head toward the lake house slow steps, warm sun, their little hands anchored in mine.
As we step inside, I spot Fabrice seated on the deck, laptop open, eyes darting between work and the tree line. He never lets us out of sight. He’s as protective of the children as I am.
“Uncle Fabrice!” Dominique releases my hand and darts toward him like a lightning bolt.
“Daddy!” Delphine calls, softer, trailing after her brother with a gentler rhythm to her steps.
“Dominique, not so loud!” I call after them.
“It’s fine,” Fabrice says without looking up from his laptop. “I was just finishing. They can be as loud as they want… well, Delphine can.” He shoots Dominique a teasing look.
Dominique mimics the raised eyebrow… and launches himself toward Fabrice in a mock attack. Fabrice reacts instantly years of training still etched into him. He catches Dominique by the ankle and flips him upside down, leaving him dangling mid-air in a fit of giggles.