Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 150

Thalia

I leaned heavily on Elara's arm as we made our way through the forest toward Lycandor Keep, each breath more labored than the last. Four years of slow deterioration had taken their toll, but I couldn't let that stop me from reaching Draven.

"Thalia, we should rest," Elara murmured. "Your strength..."

"Is sufficient," I replied firmly, though my voice trembled. "Draven needs us."

A sudden rustling ahead made us freeze. Before either of us could react, a familiar golden-haired figure burst through the trees.

"Mama!"

The word hit me like a physical blow. I stared in disbelief at the child before me—my beautiful Nova, her blue eyes wide with relief and joy.

"Nova?" I whispered, hardly daring to believe it. "What are you doing here? How did you even—"

But that was impossible. She should be safe in Eldoria. How could she possibly be here, in the dangerous forests of Silverhowl?

"I felt you," Nova said simply, rushing forward. "Your life force—it's so bright but flickering. I had to find you."

My knees nearly buckled as Nova wrapped her arms around my waist. She felt so real, so warm. "Oh, my darling girl. You shouldn't be here. It's far too dangerous."

"I had to help Papa," she said, looking up at me with those unnaturally wise eyes. "He's been so sad, Mama."

Behind her, Seraphina emerged from the shadows, her purple robes catching the moonlight. "Thalia, long time no see."

"Seraphina!" I gasped, my surprise evident. "It's so good to see you again."

Seraphina's face brightened with genuine warmth as she approached. "I encountered Nova and Pax at the border," she explained. "They said they were heading to Lycandor Keep, so I brought them here.".

"Nova, how did you get the border?" I turned to Nova, my maternal instincts overriding everything else. "Where's Pax? Did something happen to—"

"Uncle Alexander brought us," Nova replied. "Pax's with Papa..."

"You mean Draven?" I asked in shock.

"Draven has escaped from prison." Seraphina nodded gravely. "He's been moving through the forest. Now..." She glanced into the depths of the woods.

As if summoned by her words, footsteps approached through the trees. Two figures emerged—one tall and achingly familiar, the other small and dark-haired.

"Draven," I breathed.

He stopped dead when he saw me, Pax's hand clasped in his. For a heartbeat, four years of separation stretched between us like a chasm. Then his expression crumpled.

"Thalia."

Pax broke the spell, tugging free to run toward me. "Mama! Mama, we found you!"

I sank to my knees as both children collided with me. Draven followed slowly, hesitating as if afraid I might disappear.

"I'm real," I whispered. "I'm here."

His arms came around all three of us then, and for the first time in years, I felt complete. Draven's body shook as he held us.

"Why?" he asked brokenly. "Why didn't you tell me about them? Why didn't you trust me?"

"Because I was dying," I said simply. "The pregnancy was killing me slowly. I couldn't bear the thought of you watching me fade, and I couldn't bear to make you choose between me and the children."

"That should have been my choice to make," he said fiercely. "Our choice."

"I know," I whispered. "I'm sorry. But look at them, Draven. Look at what we created together."

He studied Nova and Pax with wonder, as if seeing them clearly for the first time. Nova gazed back with her eerily mature eyes, while Pax grinned up at his father.

"Papa, you're really tall," Pax announced, making Draven laugh despite everything.

Nova placed her small hand on Draven's cheek. "The shadows around your soul are lighter now, Papa. Being with family helps."

Elara cleared her throat gently. "I hate to interrupt, but the hunters are still searching, and the blood moon approaches in ten days."

Draven's expression immediately shifted into the strategic commander I remembered. "As Morgana's 'prisoner,' I overheard their planning. The ceremony will take place at Lycandor Keep's highest tower."

"Then we stop them before it begins," I said, feeling for the spell components in my satchel. "I've been preparing a counter-ritual to break vampire enchantments. But it requires precise positioning—the old altar beneath the keep."

Draven's eyes sharpened. "Tell me."

I pulled out the ancient scroll. "The spell will disrupt vampire magic in the area, but..." I hesitated.

"But it requires your life force as an anchor," Elara finished quietly.

Draven went rigid. "No. Absolutely not."

"I'm dying anyway," I said urgently. "If my death can save our people, save you—"

"The ritual will work, Papa," Nova interrupted, her young voice carrying prophetic weight. "But Mama won't die if we help her. Pax and I can share our strength."

"The children's bloodline connection," Seraphina breathed. "Their werewolf heritage combined with Thalia's vitality could amplify the spell while distributing the cost."

"We want to help," Pax said with determination. "We want to save Papa and everyone."

Draven looked torn between pride and terror. "The timing would have to be perfect."

"I can sense when their ritual peaks," Nova said. "That's when Mama's spell will be most effective."

"And I can coordinate from within," Draven added, his strategic mind working. "If I let myself be 'recaptured,' I can sabotage their components while you cast the counter-spell."

"I can establish a magical communication network around the keep," Elara offered, her young face determined. "It will allow you to maintain contact with the outside world."

Seraphina stepped forward and glanced at me with obvious concern.. "And I'll accompany Thalia into the keep. She'll need healing support throughout the process."

"Seraphina, it's too dangerous," I protested, though part of me felt relief at the thought of her steady presence.

"No more dangerous than what any of us are facing," she replied with a small smile.

Draven's jaw tightened with resolve. "When do we begin?"

"Now. You return to the keep and let yourself be recaptured. The children and I will use the hidden entrance."

Draven knelt before our children. "Do you understand the danger? I can't guarantee—"

"We trust you," Pax said simply. "And we trust each other."

"Together, we're stronger," Nova added, taking her brother's hand.

Draven looked at me with desperate love. "Promise me—if this goes wrong, you'll take the children and run."

"Only if you promise the same," I replied. "No more heroic sacrifices. No more choosing martyrdom over trust."

He smiled—the first genuine smile I'd seen in years. "Together, then. Whatever comes, we face it as a family."

"Together," I agreed, pulling him close for one more kiss.

As we prepared to separate, Nova slipped her hand into mine.

"The vision is clearer now," she whispered. "We'll succeed, Mama. But the cost will be higher than any of us expect."

I squeezed her hand, drawing strength from her certainty. "Then we'd better make sure the victory is worth the price."

The moon watched overhead as we went our separate ways, our hearts beating with shared purpose toward the battle that would determine the fate of all we loved.