Confessions of the Heart

POV: Alexandra

The realization began to dawn on me, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together. “You mean the bath…”

Mordred nodded, his smile widening. “Exactly. Your husband’s unintentional gift. The potion he created in the bathwater facilitated your memory restoration. It’s a rare and potent ability, one that even he may not fully understand yet.”

I sat back, absorbing this new revelation. The idea that Garrett’s hidden talents could extend to such profound healing was both astounding and humbling. “So, the trauma I went through, combined with his potion, triggered the return of my memories?”

Mordred’s gaze softened, filled with a mixture of pride and concern. “Yes, and it’s a testament to the strength of your bond. This ability is part of what makes him a rightful heir to the throne. His magic, though latent, is incredibly powerful.”

I glanced back at Lysandra, her stoic presence a reminder of the gravity of our situation. “And this Twelve Steps... what exactly does it entail?”

Mordred’s expression turned serious. “The Twelve Steps are abilities that Garrett must master to claim his rightful place as ruler. Each step is a unique power, tied deeply to the Lycans’ ancient traditions and magic. It’s a journey of self-discovery and immense responsibility.”

The weight of his words settled over me, a mix of awe and trepidation filling my heart. “What can I do to help him?”

Mordred reached across the table, his hand covering mine in a gesture of solidarity. “Support him. Stand by his side. Your bond is his greatest strength, and together, you can navigate the challenges ahead. One thing is that you absolutely cannot tell him that this ability is a thing as part of his Twelve Steps. He has to find out on his own.”

I let his words roll around in my mind, contemplating the implications of Garrett discovering his own abilities without guidance. The thought was unsettling. Mordred shook his head, as if reading my thoughts. “My dear, you don’t want to find that out. It wouldn’t be a punishment for him; it would be a punishment for the person who told him. I read about it in the journal I gave to Jack. The way Gensha described it…well, let’s just say the Underworld would be a welcome reprieve.”

I swallowed hard at his words, feeling a chill run down my spine. “Okay, note to self: shut my damn trap.”

Mordred chuckled, a warm, comforting sound amidst the gravity of our conversation. “I know you will do the right thing for him.” He leaned in and patted my hand reassuringly. “My dear, I hate to kick you out, but I think I’m growing tired.”

I nodded, concern etching my features. “Good. Do you want me to help you up the stairs?”

He shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Just get the closest male servant, the stronger the better.”

Before I could move, Lysandra spoke up, her voice steady and composed. “I can portal you, Your Majesty.”

Mordred glanced up at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “That may not be the worst idea. Let’s do that, and you both can hoist me and chuck me into bed.”

I giggled at his playful tone, appreciating the levity he brought to an otherwise serious moment. Mordred had a way of balancing the weight of his responsibilities with a touch of humor, reminding me that even in the darkest times, a little laughter could go a long way.

Lysandra stepped forward, her movements precise and controlled. She raised her hand, and a portal shimmered into existence beside Mordred. With practiced ease, she helped him through, and I followed, feeling a wave of magical energy wash over me as we stepped into his chambers.

Mordred settled onto his bed with a sigh of relief, his earlier fatigue evident. “Thank you, Lysandra. And thank you, my dear,” he said, looking at me with genuine appreciation.

I smiled, feeling a warm sense of accomplishment. “Get some rest, Mordred.”

He cast a sleepy gaze at me and said, “I shall count the minutes when next we meet, my dear.”

With a slight turn of his head, his eyes fluttered shut and he drifted into a deep sleep. I exchanged a knowing glance with Lysandra, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and duty.

Our footsteps echoed softly as we made our way toward the library, where Talon was waiting. As we approached, the scent of old books and polished wood filled the air, mingling with the crisp, cool breeze of autumn seeping through an open window.

Inside the library, Talon sat slumped in an armchair, a heavy book resting on his broad chest, rising and falling with each gentle breath. His short red hair, tousled by the breeze, shifted slightly, catching the light. He wore jeans and a long-sleeved white dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong, tanned forearms and his signature phoenix tattoo. Over his shirt, a yellow, almost gold-colored vest added a touch of sophistication to his rugged appearance.

A warm smile spread across my face at the sight of him, looking so peaceful and content. But I needed to wake him, so I cleared my throat, the sound breaking the tranquil silence. Talon stirred, his hazel eyes slowly opening. When he saw me, a broad smile lit up his face.

"There’s my gorgeous niece," he greeted, his voice warm and slightly raspy from sleep. "How are you feeling? Do you recognize me? Your mother said you got amnesia."

I couldn’t help but giggle at his barrage of questions, a light, musical sound that felt almost out of place in the quiet library. "I’m fully cured now, by some miracle," I replied, my voice tinged with both joy and a hint of nervousness.

His eyes sparkled with relief and curiosity, but I remembered Mordred’s warning about disclosing Garrett’s abilities. I decided to keep that part of the conversation a secret for now, hoping it was the right choice. I sat down next to him, ready to spend the rest of my allotted time catching up with one of my favorite people in the world.

POV: Garrett

Alexandra had tried to leave early for the manor on foot that morning, her determined stride already taking her a good distance. But I needed to grab something from the stables for Vesper’s care later on, and I couldn't let her go alone. "Let me drop you off," I had insisted, sensing her resistance but not backing down. She finally relented, and we rode together in the carriage, the rhythmic clatter of hooves on cobblestones a steady accompaniment to our silence.

The morning was crisp, the air filled with the scent of dew-kissed grass and the faint aroma of wood smoke from nearby chimneys. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees lining the path, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Alexandra sat beside me, her expression thoughtful, eyes focused on the passing scenery. I glanced at her occasionally, trying to gauge her mood, but she remained an enigma as always.

My day was meticulously planned: a meeting with Lucien, a lesson at Jack’s, and some much-needed care for Vesper. Each task demanded my full attention, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Alexandra, her quiet strength and the subtle vulnerability she tried to hide.

We arrived at the manor, and I escorted her to the grand entrance. She had waved me off and I had heard the door creak open behind me and my mother’s sweet soft voice speak to her. She was gone to House Black by the time I came back from the stables.

My mother was out front, kneeling in the garden, tending to a bed of what used to be flowers before the autumn chill had taken them away. The once vibrant petals now lay brittle and brown, a stark reminder of the changing seasons. Normally, she wore delicate, frilly dresses in soft pastel colors, but today she was dressed in a light green shirt and overalls, practical attire for the task at hand. Her waist-length dark blonde hair, usually flowing freely, was tied up in a messy bun, strands escaping and framing her face.

She paused her work as I approached, looking up with a warm smile. "My son, your wife just left with Jynx to House Black. You just missed her," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of teasing. "I must say, you really have such a lovely girl in your life. It’s no surprise, coming from House Batiste. They were always a good sort of people. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Rayla when I thought you two were going to… well, that’s in the past."

Her hesitation brought back memories of a conversation we'd had after my return from relief work at Kastilidan Glades. Back then, I was sure I was going to marry Rayla after the Queen competition. I shook my head, dispelling the old thoughts. "It’s fine, Mom. Things change, and sometimes fate has a way of making sure that your plans change along with it."

She furrowed her brow, pulled off her gardening gloves, and stood up. Though she wasn’t a tall woman, she had a way of making herself seem larger when determined to get to the bottom of something. This was one of those times. "I have just been dying to ask you something," she said, her eyes searching mine.

I looked down into her soft green eyes, a mirror of my own, and nodded. "You know you can always ask me anything, Mom."

She smiled, the gentle crease of slightly forming wrinkles beside her eyes becoming more pronounced. "Are you happy? I mean, with Alexandra. She wasn’t your first choice as a wife, and I don’t think you were her first choice as a husband. I worry that you two don’t have a love like… well… like Talia and Reginald."

Considering her own marriage with my father was not exactly ideal, I understood why she would ask that question. The tension between them had always been palpable, a constant reminder of the complexities of love. If it had been Derek in my place, he likely would have flipped out at her and insisted everything was fine. He was more of an emotional reactor and quick to it.

I pulled her in for a hug, feeling the warmth of her frail body against mine. I placed a soft peck on the top of her head, whispering into her hair, "Look, this marriage just sort of happened. I know you worry, but I can assure you of this. I love her, Mom. She’s such an amazing, vibrant, interesting, strong, and kind-hearted person."

I felt her body relax slightly against mine, her voice muffled as she spoke into my chest, "So you fell in love with her." She pulled away and glanced up at me with a hint of surprise on her face. Her eyes searched mine, looking for any signs of deception or doubt. I realized then that she had assumed our marriage was one of convenience, not love.

I nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of my lips. "That’s right." She gestured to the stone bench off to the side of the cobbled carriage path, a silent invitation for a deeper conversation. I offered my arm to her, and she took it gently. The touch of her hand was a reminder of all the times she had guided me through life's challenges.

Once she was seated, I sat down next to her, the stone cool beneath me. She turned to me, her eyes filled with a mix of skepticism and hope. "Tell me," she urged softly.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Well, as you know, King Mordred approached me a few days before the masked ball. He told me that his niece was soon to go on a journey and that she needed a capable strong guard by her side. I was hesitant to go along with it. I hardly knew her and I was slightly embarrassed by that incident in the Glades."

She giggled, a light, airy sound that brought a smile to my face. She had always found humor in my misadventures. "He convinced me that Alexandra wouldn’t hold that against me. He said it had to be me after I tried to suggest that Toby would be just as capable. I told him I would think about it. I did, but the announcement that Rayla was going to be Queen tipped me to want to leave Vellum. I was heartbroken, and I knew Alexandra was too. Her love for His Majesty was evident to me every time she looked at him."

My mother nodded, understanding the unspoken emotions that had woven themselves into our lives. She could also tell that Alexandra’s eyes were always with Lucien.

I sighed, the weight of past memories heavy on my shoulders. "I was going to maintain a professional relationship with her, but I also thought maybe we could talk about the issue. Maybe counsel each other through the heartbreak. You know, Mom, there’s this funny thing that happens when you guard someone. Your whole job is to observe that person and their surroundings. I got to observe her, interact with her. I got to see the quiet strength she exudes when taking on the world. I saw the grace she held when others faltered. I got to see her heart, and it made me want to know more. I found myself excited to be near her so I could find out more about her. This accidental marriage is a blessing for me, truly."

She reached out, her hand warm and reassuring on mine. "I'm glad, my dear. Truly glad. How does she feel?”

I slumped my shoulders and leaned my elbows on my knees, the weight of the question pressing heavily on me. How could I explain to my mother that Alexandra wasn’t quite at the level I was? I felt her hand on my back, a gentle reminder of her unconditional support. She was giving me the space to open up, free from judgment.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at her and said, “That’s a little more complicated. I think she has affection for me but wouldn’t quite call it love. She told me she had had a crush on me.”

My mother’s face transformed from concern to a beaming smile, her eyes twinkling with hope. “That’s a start, my son. I am biased, but you are a good man. I have no doubts that she can see it too. I think it is because she really hasn’t had a chance to observe you. How did your plans last night go?”

My mind drifted to the previous evening, to the kiss she gave me in the bathroom. The memory was so vivid that I subconsciously reached up and stroked my lips, a ghost of her touch lingering there.

My mother, ever observant, caught the gesture and her smile widened, her entire face radiating joy. “She kissed you.” Her tone was triumphant, as if this small act of affection was a victory for us both.

She stood up abruptly, dusting off her overalls with a sense of purpose. “I think today is a good day for a girl’s day out. I think Talia and I can get her to talk about her feelings. I want to be a good mother-in-law to those girls, and it starts today. I think you have somewhere to be too. I will see you later, my son. Come talk to me tomorrow, eh?”

As she walked toward the house, softly humming a happy tune, I felt a surge of gratitude for her. She was determined to bridge the gap between Alexandra and me in her own way. Watching her retreat to prepare for her time with Talia and Alexandra, I stood up, feeling a renewed sense of hope.

A short time later, I was at the front of the castle, having shown up ten minutes ahead of the scheduled time. I pulled the invitation out of my inner suit pocket and gave it to the guard at the door. He nodded and opened the door for me. I made my way up to Lucien’s office, and he was waiting for me. He ushered me into the room and said, “Have a seat. Let’s talk.”