Chapter 7 A cold freedom
Nova's POV
I woke up to the sound of Sister Joan’s voice, praying in a shaky whisper. Blinking slowly, I looked around. I was back in my room.
"Nova?" the monastery's nurse called out softly, noticing I was awake.
Sister Joan rushed over to my bedside, lifting my hands and pressing them against her cheek. "My child," she said, her voice trembling. "You scared us to death."
"What... what happened?" I muttered, trying to sit up. But the moment I tried to move, my muscles gave out. I felt hollowed out and weak.
"No, no, stay still, child," Sister Joan urged, gently pressing me back into the pillows. "You passed out in the field. Your nose was bleeding."
The nurse stepped closer, adjusting her glasses.
"Nova, can you tell us what happened out there?"
I looked at Sister Joan, then quickly dropped my gaze, unable to meet their eyes. "I... I was running in the field. I saw a bird and decided to follow it, and then everything just went black."
Sister Joan gave me a knowing look. I intentionally avoided her eyes.
"Well, you need to stay away from that field," the nurse warned. "What happened to you was incredibly dangerous. You had a seizure, Nova, and you were clutching your chest like you couldn't breathe. If this happens again, your body might not be able to handle the pressure."
Sister Joan thanked the nurse for her help, waiting patiently until the door was shut. Once we were alone, she turned to me, the worry lines deep on her face.
"What did you do, Nova?"
"I..."
"Don't lie to me, child."
I looked down, nervously picking at my cuticles. "I saw my mother."
Sister Joan let out a heavy sigh, closing her eyes. "Oh, child. We agreed you would ignore her. I told you it would only end up hurting you."
"I'm sorry, Mom."
"How can I let you go off to college if you're out there having seizures?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion.
"No, Mom, please," I pleaded, reaching out to her. "I promise I'll ignore it from now on. I'll stay hydrated, I'll take care of myself, I won't pass out again. Please don't take this away from me."
Sister Joan’s expression softened. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me. "I'm sorry, dear. I'm just afraid of losing you. You are going out into the real world now, Nova. You can't trust anyone out there. Promise me you will leave these powers alone. Put them to sleep."
Looking into her pleading eyes, I couldn't bear to let her down. I nodded, burying my face in her shoulder, and hugged her tightly.
Lucius's POV
I escorted my sister Anya down the aisle. Seeing her smile brightly made my chest tighten with pride. Today, she was marrying Decimus of the Flaccus clan—the cousin of High Lady Luna.
As the priest began the ceremony, I took my seat and watched them. It felt like a dream remembering that I had stood in that position twenty-two years ago. How time flies. Then I felt Ava slip her hand into mine and rested her head on my shoulder.
"Father would have been teary if he were here," she whispered.
I cleared my throat and quietly pulled my hand away from her grip.
A loud round of applause echoed through the hall as Decimus marked my sister.
After the ceremony, I walked over to the newlyweds. "Look at you," I said, offering Anya a warm smile. "Lady Anya of the Flaccus clan."
Anya looked up at her new husband, her eyes sparkling. "Thanks, big brother. I just wish Dad was here to see it," she said, her voice dipping into a sad note.
I drew her close and kissed her forehead.
"He's proud of you dear. Be happy, today is your day." Shifting my gaze to Decimus, my tone hardened. "Congratulations, Decimus. Never give her a reason to cry. If anything happens to her, I won't hesitate to reduce you to dust."
Decimus looked terrified, though Anya just laughed and squeezed his hand.
Seeing Ava walking toward us, I turned and left the ancestral hall before she could reach me. But as I stepped into the corridor, a sudden, blinding pain ripped through my chest.
I stumbled, reaching out to steady myself against the wall, but the agony was too great.
My knees gave out, and I collapsed onto the white marble floor. I wiped my upper lip with my thumb and stared at the dark crimson staining my skin. I was bleeding from my nose, and I couldn't breathe. My heart was racing fast.
Instantly, my mind drifted to the baby, the connection that had been dormant for the last twenty-two years. She was in trouble.
"My Lord! My Lord, are you okay?"
Finn rushed over, immediately helping me to my feet. "Let's get you home, My Lord. I'll send someone back to fetch Lady Ava."
I clutched my chest as Finn guided me toward the waiting car, my mind spinning with panic.
Please, let her be okay.
"You are stable now," the doctor said, closing his briefcase as I lay back against the pillows.
"Does this happen often?"
I shook my head.
"Alright then. Rest up and try not to stress yourself."
"Thank you, Doctor," I said, sitting up slightly. "How is my father today? Is he doing any better than yesterday?"
The doctor let out a heavy sigh. "Lord Rhys has very little time left, My Lord. Right now, all he needs is comfort and support from the people he holds dear."
"I understand. Thank you, Doctor," I replied as Finn escorted him out of the room.
The moment they left, Ava rushed inside. "My Lord, are you alright?" she asked, her face tight with worry as she examined me. She threw her arms around my neck, squeezing tightly. "Oh, please never scare me like that again."
I stared blankly out the window, numb to her touch. Unwrapping her arms from around me, I stood up and pulled on my robe.
"Where are you going?" she asked, "You need to rest."
"I am going to check on my father."
"Okay, let's go together then," she said, quickly stepping up beside me.
I stopped and gave her a cold look, offering no reply before turning and walking out into the hallway
She quietly followed a few steps behind.
I stepped into his bedchambers. The room smelled old and stagnant, as if the space itself was fading away along with him.
My father lay in the center of the bed, his skin a frail, ash-gray color.
"My Lord, My Lady," the maids murmured, bowing as we entered.
"Leave us," I commanded.
I walked over to the bedside and sat down, taking his limp hand in mine. He hadn't been the best father, but he was still the man who raised me.
"Lucius?" he muttered, his eyelids fluttering open slightly. "You're here, boy..." A heavy cough cut him off.
"Father, please don't strain yourself. You need to rest," Ava said, stepping up behind my chair.
"Ava, you're here too?" A weak smile touched his lips. "I've been resting for months. Tell me... where is Anya?"
"Dad, she got married today," I reminded him softly. "Anya is Lady Flaccus now. She came to tell you goodbye this morning."
"Oh. Oh, yes," he whispered, his eyes distant. "My little Anya... she's a grown woman now.
"He weakly extended his other hand toward Ava. "Come here, child."
Ava sat on the edge of the mattress beside him.
"I don't have much time left," my father gasped out. "The two of you must watch over the Valerius clan. Lucius?" His gaze shifted back to me, heavier now. "I know I didn't show you the love your mother would have given you if she were alive. But everything I did was because I wanted the best for you and your sister."
He turned his fading eyes back to Ava. "Help Lucius rule well. I pray to Persephone that your union is blessed with many children."
Another fit of coughing shook his chest. "I have always loved you, Lucius. I am proud to call you my son. Love Ava. Protect her..."
Suddenly, his chest went still. His eyes drifted shut, and his hand went limp in mine.
Inside me, I felt an invisible chain snap. Ava burst into loud tears, and the servants rushed back into the room to attend to his body.
"I love you too, Father," I muttered under my breath.
I stood up and walked away from the cries, staring out the varenda into the endless expanse of the night sky. For twenty-two years, his rules had kept me caged.
Now, I am finally free.
