The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 123

VALERIA

I walked out accompanied by Aldric, his hand on my waist, pulling me protectively against his side.

Outside, voices could be heard. I didn't know whose they were; they seemed to be coming from the courtyard.

I looked up at the tall ceiling beam. Even though this was the best house in town, it still felt dark and oppressive.

The green striped wallpaper on the walls gave off a dizzying and claustrophobic effect.

Turning a corner, we arrived at another hallway with bedroom doors on one side. Quinn was standing in front of one of them.

"Quinn, why aren’t you resting? Are you okay? How's Celine?" I quickly stepped forward.

I know Aldric doesn’t like my closeness with this Lycan, but we've been through too many life-or-death situations together.

To me, Quinn and Celine are like comrades-in-arms, my friends, and I feel nothing else for him.

"I'm better, and Celine is resting. I'm really glad nothing happened to you; that’s what matters most," he says with a nod.

He looks exhausted and haggard, with dark circles under his eyes. He doesn’t seem to have rested at all, and his expression is filled with worry. Is he lying to me about Celine’s condition?

"Love, your mother is resting in this room. I think she’ll want to see you alone," Aldric speaks from behind me before I can question Quinn.

I turn around when he strokes my back.

"Baby, take it easy, okay?" he says softly, caressing my neck.

"The pup is fine, but the sorceress told me she’s a bit stressed. You can’t keep putting yourself at risk. Even though she’s a strong baby, we need to take care of her, understand?"

I nod, promising that I will. I’m getting too nervous with all these precautions. What am I going to find in there?

My somewhat rigid hand reaches for the doorknob, and I slowly open the door.

"She’s been longing to see you. You are her reason to live now, Valeria," Quinn's whisper reaches me before I step inside.

I glance at him, a bit puzzled.

Why does he look so anxious, as if Gabrielle is too important to him?

Without overthinking it, I finally step into the dimly lit room and close the door behind me.

The strong scent of medicinal herbs assaults my nose, making me wrinkle it slightly.

The heavy curtains are closed, and the little light that enters seeps through a few slits in the window.

Step by step, I walk toward an old canopy bed, also draped with those white curtains, closed. Through the darkness, I can barely make out the silhouette of someone lying on plush pillows.

As I get closer and my eyes adjust to the dim light, my breath catches in my chest.

I can’t see her body because she’s covered up to her chest, but her hands, resting outside the quilt, are wrapped in white bandages, just like her neck.

Her face shocks me the most—she has a bandage around her eyes, covering her vision, and from its edges, horrible red burns spread across almost all the skin on her cheeks and forehead.

"Ga… brielle," I say, holding back tears as I carefully sit on the edge of the mattress.

I don’t even want to touch her. I’m afraid of hurting her with just a touch.

"My child, you’re finally awake," her voice comes out in a whisper, tired.

“The door was weak with the power of the Selenias out of place, and then it exploded because of that damn bastard,” she explains in a whisper that resonates through the dimly lit room.

“I had to pour all my magic into sealing it again, but still, I'm not sure how long it will hold. It's not the same as the spell the Goddess created.”

“I can give you back the magic you gave me. I can return it so you can heal,” I sit up slightly, touching the pendant where I can feel my inner energy slowly recovering.

“No, no, my little raven, she has chosen you. She has bonded with you of her own free will. It's the only gift I could give you, and I’m so glad I did,” she stops me.

“Valeria, I have already lived my life. I won’t die, I won’t, because I must protect the door. But as long as all my power is there, I can’t heal myself. I’m practically just an ordinary person now, with nothing special.”

“Then we must find another way to seal that prison so you can recover,” I can’t give up on this. It’s so unfair that she has to keep sacrificing herself for everyone.

“My time should have passed long ago, my child,” she whispers with a sigh.

“All my sisters gave their lives to keep the heart’s power beating. I believe I’m the only one who has managed to survive. Maybe it has to do with the wish the Goddess granted me during my trial.”

She tells me, and I remember the moment I almost died. The Goddess rewarded me with a long and numerous lineage.

“I begged her to let me meet you one more time.” She smiles slightly. Seeing her beautiful face so ruined fills me with sorrow. I clench my teeth, my lips trembling as I hold back my sobs.

“At least I’m grateful I get to see you for a few seconds, the beautiful woman my Valeria has become. Those horrible scars, daughter… it’s time to let them go. Valeria, leave the past behind and live happily with your baby and your mate, as I couldn’t. As long as I have a single breath left, I will keep the evil away from my family.”

She confesses, and I touch her tears with the tips of my fingers.

"No, Gabrielle, things won’t be like this, this time. I can’t let you keep sacrificing yourself for everyone. We have to find a way to contain that prisoner—or even better, end him once and for all."

"No Selenia will sacrifice herself anymore in the name of the Goddess’s mistakes."