Chapter 159
Chapter 159
-Ava’s POV-
I practically leaped out of my seat forgetting about everything else. “Wait, WHAT?” I exclaimed, my drink momentarily forgotten as I gaped at her.
Isabella flinched at my volume, but I was already grabbing her shoulders, shaking her lightly the way she used to do to me whenever I had big news. “Why would you start with Elaine?” 1 demanded. “Who cares about Elaine? This is huge!” art with Elatier 1 Jamaluded. “Who cares about Klaine? This is huger”
She burst into laughter, clutching at my wrists to stop me.. “Stop shaking me! My drink might come back up!”
“Tell me everything!” I insisted, ignoring her protests. My voice was a mix of excitement and disbelief. “The last thing I was ‘extremely foolish.‘ And now you’re marked? What happened? What
remember you saying about Rickon was that he e
changed?”
Still laughing, she pushed me back into my seat and took a deep breath. Her cheeks were flushed, her smile wide and genuine. “Okay, okay. Let me explain.”
I wasn’t letting her off that easy. Reaching out, I gently brushed her hair aside, leaning closer to get a better look at the mark. It was intricate and beautiful, the edges shimmering faintly in a way that made it seem almost alive.
“It’s beautiful,” I said sincerely, leaning back and sighing as I ran a hand through my hair. “Okay, start talking. I want every detail
Isabella bit her lip, her blush deepening as she glanced down at her hands. “Honestly, there’s not much to tell,” she said, though her tone betrayed her. She was clearly holding back.
“Don’t you dare try to downplay this,” I warned her with a grin.
She sighed, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips. “Okay fine. He was just… there. When you disappeared, I was so worried, Lilian. I didn’t know what to think, where to look, or even what to do. Rickon was the one who kept me sane through all of it. He stayed by my side, helping me, listening to me… And he was serious. For the first time, I saw how serious he could actually be.”
I tilted my head, intrigued. “Serious? Rickon? Are we
talking about the same guy?”
Isabella laughed softly, her gaze growing distant as she continued. “He pulled every resource he had to help search for you and Grayson. He didn’t stop–he wouldn’t stop. And seeing him like that… it changed something for me. I guess I realized that beneath all his jokes and his carefree attitude, he really cares. He’s… he’s amazing, Lilian.”
deeper red as she looked away. deeper red as she looked away. “And… one night, it just happened. We Her voice grew softer, and her cheeks flushed an even were talking, and he said something–something about how he’d protect me no matter what–and I don’t know. It was like something clicked. The next thing I knew…” She trailed off, smiling as she gestured vaguely toward her mark.
I stared at her, my chest swelling with a mixture of happiness and disbelief. “Wow,” I said finally. “I mean… wow. I never thought I’d see the day.”
1
She laughed again, covering her face with her hands “Me neither”
Reaching across the table, I squeezed her hand. “I’m so happy for you, Bels. Really. You deserve this.”
Her eyes glistened slightly as she looked at me, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence was comfortable, filled with the kind of understanding that didn’t need words.
10:33 Mon, Jan 20
Chapter 159
After a moment, I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. “Okay,” I said, breaking the quiet. “So, Rickon marked you. Elaine and Liam mated. What else did I miss?”
Isabella’s expression sobered slightly, and I immediately regretted my question.
“A lot,” she admitted, her tone heavy. “The realm has been in chaos since you disappeared. There were rumors about an attack on the throne, but nothing was ever confirmed. Rickon and Ricardo been doing his best to hold things together, but it hasn’t been easy. Everyone’s been on edge, Lilian. We’ve all been holding our breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
I nodded slowly, absorbing her words. “And Crystal?” I asked hesitantly just to confirm that she was currently Doing well. I couldn’t stand her and deep down I knew what happened was an accident. I didn’t know I had that amount of power plus Crystal had made the first move because of Dylan?
Dylan. His name rang out in my head and contrary to what Grayson said in what happened to him.
my subconscious state, I could care less about
Isabella spoke breaking me out of my thoughts, “Last I heard, she is still being Crystal. The baby survived, but it’s still touch and go but it’s too soon to tell if there’ll be any long–term effects
Still, I closed my eyes, the weight of her words settling over me like a blanket.”
s is all my fault. I whispered.
“No, it’s not,” Isabella said firmly, reaching across the table to grab my hand. “Lilian, listen to me. None of this is your fault. You didn’t ask for any of this to happen. You didn’t ask to disappear.
e here now, and that’s what matters.
Her words were kind, but they did little to ease the guilt gnawing at my conscience.
“I just… I need to make this right,” I said finally, “Somehow.”
“You will,” Isabella said softly. “But first, you need to take care of yourself. You can’t help anyone if you’re running on empty.”
I nodded, knowing she was right but still feeling the restless need to do something.
“Come on,” Isabella smiled, standing and holding out her hand. Let’s get another drink. We’ve earned it.”
“I thought you were going home because you had work tomorrow?” a smooth, commanding voice interrupted, cutting through the chatter like a blade.
I turned toward the source, and for the first time in my life, I saw Isabella light up like a child on Christmas morning. Rickon stepped into the room with an air of casual confidence, but it was the man beside him who made my wolf growl, low and threatening.
Ricardo…
The bastard that had me kidnapped.
