Chapter 113
The transition from the tight, warm air of the parlor to the crisp, biting cold of the Moon Spirit’s realm was instantaneous. Here, a fresh breeze carried the deep, grounding scent of the forest floor, rustling through the canopy as the moon cast a brilliant, unwavering glow. Odesse remained in the clearing, still locked in a meditative stance. Suddenly, like a physical shockwave ripping through her mind, her eyes snapped open.
Her throat constricted. Her breath cut out completely. Clawing desperately at her neck, Odesse thrashed against the sand, her eyes wide and bulging as panic overtook her.
Descending slowly from the glowing sky, the Moon Spirit hovered directly over her, releasing a cascading wave of pure, radiant light. The soothing warmth washed over Odesse, easing the constriction in her chest. Her trembling limbs stilled, and she broke into a fit of violent coughing, clearing the residual spiritual pressure from her lungs. Exhausted, she collapsed backward, rolling onto her back with her hands spread wide above her head in the sand, drawing in deep, grateful gulps of the fresh night air.
“You have returned, moon child,” the Moon Spirit murmured, her voice like chiming glass.
Odesse let out a breathless, raspy chuckle. “That… was terrifying.” Pushing herself up with trembling arms, she stood unsteadily. “Why did i react like that p>
“The state of her soul is deeply toxic,” the Moon Spirit replied, hovering gracefully. “How did it go p>
Odesse took a slow, grounding breath. “It was a raging storm in there. But I met her inner child… and she is entirely different from the monster we see. Azure suffered horrific psychological mistreatment when she was young. It completely fractured her mind. I actually… I feel bad for her p>
“Push your feelings aside, moon child,” the Moon Spirit commanded, her ethereal tone hardening slightly. “There is no sparing her now p>
Odesse rolled her eyes, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. “I know. It’s just exhausting p>
The Moon Spirit descended lower, drawing close until she was inches away. In a majestic, angelic voice that resonated in Odesse’s bones, she spoke: “I am proud of you, moon child p>
A warmth bloomed across Odesse’s face, a brilliant smile breaking through her exhaustion. The Moon Spirit extended a slender arm, pressing her fingertips gently against Odesse’s forehead. Odesse’s eyelids fluttered shut as the spirit’s final words echoed in the silence: “This is your destiny, and I will protect you p>
Instantly, Odesse felt her consciousness violently dragged backward, sucked through a dark, rushing tunnel.
She jolted upright on the mattress, gasping for air. Her vision blurred, sweat pouring down her face as a harsh cough tore through her throat. She struggled to expand her lungs, suffocating in the sudden transition back to the physical world.
The heavy doors of the royal bedchamber burst open. Valex rushed inside, his face pale with panic. Spotting her distress, he snatched a cup of water from the bedside table. “My love!” he cried, sitting on the edge of the mattress and pulling her trembling frame against his chest. He carefully tilted the cup to her lips, guiding her as she drank greedily. A few drops of water spilled over her chin, catching the dim lamplight.
Once the cup was empty, Valex set it aside, his large hand gently rubbing soothing circles into her back. “My love, you’re awake. You’re finally back p>
Odesse threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder as a wave of intense emotion broke over her. She began to cry softly. “My king… I missed you so much p>
Valex held her tight, pressing his warm body against her shivering, ice-cold skin. A tender, relieved smile graced his lips as he whispered, “I missed you too, my love p>
Pulling back slowly, Odesse wiped the tears from her cheeks and sniffed, trying to steady her breathing. Valex cupped her face in his hands, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “What happened, Odesse? You were completely unresponsive. You’ve been unconscious for five days p>
Odesse’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. “Five days?!” She pressed a hand to her forehead, the reality clicking into place. “Oh, right… time in the spiritual realm moves differently than the physical world p>
“What pulled you under for so long, my love?” Valex asked softly, his eyes searching hers.
Taking a deep, stabilizing breath, Odesse looked directly at him. “My king, I entered Azure’s soul p>
Valex stiffened, his jaw dropping. “What? You did what p>
“Yes, my king,” Odesse interrupted gently, a sad, knowing smile on her lips. “And I must tell you, it is definitely not what we thought p>
With meticulous detail, Odesse recounted every fragment of the journey—the drowning ocean, the isolated cottage, the presence of the frozen child, and the tragic, twisted reality of Azure’s upbringing, the murder of her father, and the loss of Koa. Valex listened in absolute silence, a heavy matrix of conflicting emotions and deep thoughts passing across his features as the true tragedy of Azure’s life was laid bare.
When she finally finished, Valex let out a long, quiet breath. “That is deeply tragic, my love p>
Odesse nodded solemnly. “It truly is p>
“But her actions are still not justified,” Valex added softly, his pragmatic kingly nature returning.
“No, of course they aren’t, my king,” Odesse agreed. “Even her own inner child knows that. She wants me to end this. She explicitly told me to kill her adult self. All I need to do is get her leg anklet p>
Valex went quiet, his brow furrowing as a dark cloud settled over his face. Odesse leaned closer, searching his expressions. “What is it, my king p>
“You are putting your life at risk, Odesse,” Valex said, his voice laced with sudden fear. “If she realizes the truth before the anchor is gone p>
Odesse let out a soft, confident chuckle. She reached out, her hands gently framing his strong jawline. “I have put my life at risk many times, my king. But this time, I am absolutely confident that I will be safe. The Moon Spirit is protecting me all the time. You don’t have to worry.” She tilted her head, her gaze piercing his. “You have to trust me p>
Valex closed his eyes, inhaling slowly before opening them with absolute devotion. “I trust you, my love p>
Odesse pulled his face down to hers, pressing her lips softly, tenderly against his. When she pulled back slightly, she rested her forehead against his, staring into the depths of his eyes. “I love you, my king p>
Valex smiled warmly, the tension finally leaving his shoulders. “I love you more, my love.” He pulled back fully, looking her over. “Before anything else, you will freshen up, eat, and rest your mind. Tomorrow, we will confront Azure together p>
Odesse shook her head sideways, her expression hardening with absolute resolve. “No, my king. I cannot waste another second. I am going to her chamber tonight. And I have to go alone p>
“What if she attacks you?” Valex countered, his protective instincts flaring.
Odesse offered a reassuring smile. “Trust me, my king. She won’t.” She then let a playful, flirty smirk tug at the corner of her lips. “But first… you have to help me freshen up p>
Valex’s expression softened into a warm smile. “Yes, I will, my beautiful wife p>
The deep velvet of the night had fully settled over the palace, the air cool and perfectly breathable. The brilliant moonlight flooded through the grand glass windows of the corridor as Odesse walked slowly toward the guest wing, Valex keeping pace right by her side.
He glanced down at her, his posture rigid and ready for battle. “If you need me for anything, my love, call out. I will come through that door instantly. I will be standing guard right outside her bedchamber p>
Odesse slipped her hand down his arm, gripping his sleeve tighter as she leaned her cheek briefly against his shoulder. She smiled up at him. “Yes, my king p>
They came to a halt in front of Azure’s heavy wooden doors. Valex slowly released his arm, giving her space. Odesse stood before the threshold, drawing in a deep, heavy breath to calm the nervous fluttering in her chest.
“I believe in you, my love,” Valex murmured softly, his voice thick with unyielding devotion. “No matter what happens, I will forever be by your side p>
Odesse looked back at him, her eyes shining. “I won’t die, my king p>
“It doesn’t matter,” Valex replied, a fierce tenderness in his gaze. “For even in death, I shall be by your side p>
Odesse’s smile was radiantly warm. Valex lowered his head, pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to her lips. When he stepped back, his expression turned stoic. He reached out, twisting the ornate metal door handle silently, and cracked the door open just enough for her to slip through.
Turning back to him one last time, Odesse whispered, “I love you, my king p>
“I love you more, my love,” Valex whispered back as the door slowly clicked shut behind her, sealing her inside the dark room.
Odesse stood in the shadows, waiting for her eyes to adjust. She took a slow breath to steady her hammering heart, walking deeper into the luxurious, suffocating space. She made her way silently toward the massive four-poster bed. Looking down at the silk sheets, her eyes instantly locked onto a small object resting on the mattress.
It was a thin, delicate anklet, crafted entirely of pure, polished gold.
“This looks so simple,” Odesse whispered to herself, staring at it in disbelief. “I never would have guessed this belonged to Azure p>
She picked it up, the cool metal resting against her palm. “What should I do to get rid of it completely?” she thought. Staring at her hand, she focused her intent. Instantly, a brilliant, pure white aura emitted from her palm, enveloping the gold. The holy light surged, and within seconds, the metal softened, liquefied, and turned entirely into a shimmering vapor that drifted up into the air and vanished completely.
Odesse stared at her empty palm, blinking in surprise. “That was… surprisingly easy p>
“Odesse p>
The voice called out softly from behind her.
Odesse spun around instantly, her posture defensive. Standing in the arched doorway of the adjacent bath chamber was Azure. She was wrapped tightly in a simple white bathing cloth, her shoulders bare. But as the moonlight cut across her face, Odesse froze.
Something was entirely wrong. Odesse stared at the feared sorceress, a sudden realization piercing her mind.
“Azure… was she crying p>