Meeting A Ghost Of Their Mother

Keira's Pov

I feel like I have lost them despite their presence right beside me. Without a mate bond they would never have me as a potential queen or wife. I also doubt that without it I can keep them all.

"Is there a chance that you may have made the wrong wish with the stone? Or maybe that witch Lyna did it," Angel Fenris asks while chewing on a piece of bread with disinterest.

"I did not make any wishes concerning our mate bond. Lyna died before she could make every one of hers. I do not think this has anything to do with the stones," I answer.

We could ask my father to make his last wish and restore our mate bond. But I am afraid of using that wish when we have no idea who or what is behind the loss of our mate bond.

"I must revisit the sacred fountain, find out if I can get some answers from those mysterious waters," I say.

"We shall come with you," Garren says.

"No. We still don't know what is behind this. The palace must remain well guarded, not just by soldiers," I point. "You know I can protect myself."

"We will not risk having you travel alone nevertheless. Like you said, we don't know what is behind this," Garren argues.

Unlike their powers, mines aren't exactly capable of directly hurting someone. So I must still depend on a sword to protect myself.

"I will come with you. My brothers will watch the palace until we return," Angel Conrad suggests.

"Why don't you be the one to stay and I will be the one to take her?" Angel Garren asks.

"Because I asked her first," Angel Conrad answers.

"Just make sure to see who messed up my best night so I can have them hanged at the city Square," Angel Fenris says.

I am not sure that a person did it. But who knows? We might still be harbouring bitter enemies.

* * * * * * * * * *

I now realize that I may not have made it to the fountain alone. I had actually forgotten most of the paths. Angel Conrad helps me get off the horse back but connects his soft lips with mine as soon as my feet are on the ground.

The taste of him is entrancing despite the lack of mate bond. It gives me hope that not everything is lost.

"Whether or not we find out what the problem is I want you to know that our hearts will always be yours," he assures after breaking the kiss.

I do believe him. They didn't have a mate bond with Lyna when they married her and rejected me. They were just convinced that she had all the virtues they wanted their queen to have. I want to be loved for more than just my virtues. That's why I need to know what happened to our mate bond. It doesn't just disappear.

"I trust you to keep loving me. But I cannot give up on our special bond," I say before turning to head towards the fountain. It's a lot more beautiful under the intense light of the midday sun.

I carefully walk on the slippery rocks until I reach the fountain's stone wall and deep my hand into the thick, crystal clear warm waters.

I wait for for a vision of my future to manifest in my head. That doesn't happen. Instead an image of a beautiful woman with the fairest skin I have ever seen appears on the surface of the fountain waters! She looks like a live ghost than just a reflected image. I look around just to make sure that angel Conrad is the only person close enough to cast his reflection on the waters. There is no one else apart from both of us.

I look back at the fountain, and the woman's ghost speaks. "Do not be afraid, Keira. I am the mother of your beloved mates. Nothing pleases my soul than being able to meet you."

I am so shocked that I gasp out loud. I had no idea that the fountain is also haunted by ghosts of the dead.

"What?! You're . . . my mother-in-law?" I ask.

Angel Conrad hears me and immediately rushes forward. "Who are you speaking to?" he asks in confusion while peering over my shoulder at the fountain.

I imagine that he cannot see her. Because he and his brothers had never been able to use the sacred fountain. I wish he can see her though. How else can I know if she is really who she claims to be?

"Hold his hand. It's the only way he can see through the veil separating our two worlds," she says.

I reach out with my other hand and take my husband's hand.

"Mother!" he gasps, suddenly able to see the ghost in the waters.

"Son . . . you're as beautiful as I always imagined. I am in awe that you found a virtuous queen who can reconnect us. I have waited years for this moment," she says in a voice filled with bliss.

"I should have brought my brothers. They would be exhilarated to see you again," my husband responds in an emotional tone, leaning closer to the fountain.

"Your brothers will have their time, once you have overcome the great test that now seeks to take away all that you have attained," she answers.

"Test?" Conrad questions in surprise.

"Yes dear. You have the most perfect queen, but even the wisest of people can make mistakes," she replies in a rueful voice.

"What are you talking about?" I demand.

"Dear, I admire you above all those I have known. So you must understand that it is not out of disappointment that I remind you of the man you granted uncontrolled power over your Devine bond with my son's," she answers.