Chapter 196 Telling Piper 2

Chapter 196: Chapter 196 Telling Piper 2

Talia’s POV

Kaelen sat beside me, watching me eat.

"You are staring," I said.

"I am making sure you eat," he replied.

I smiled and took another bite.

The food was good, and the company was even better. I could not help but feel grateful for this moment, even with everything that was weighing on my mind.

When I finished, Kaelen stood up. "I am going to train. Will you be okay?"

I nodded. "I am going to find Piper."

He kissed my forehead and walked to the door.

I watched him go, and I felt a pang of loneliness, but I knew he would be back. He always came back.

He looked back once, and I smiled at him, then he was gone.

After finishing my breakfast, I walked to the kitchen.

The sound of pots clanging and voices chatting drifted toward me, and I felt a sense of comfort wash over me. This was where life happened, and where the pack came together.

The room was warm and busy, and the smell of fresh bread filled the air.

I watched the servants as they moved with practiced ease, with their hands busy kneading dough, and chopping vegetables. Then I began to wonder how many of them had stories like Piper’s, and how many had lost everything and found a new beginning in the walls of this pack house.

When I entered, the cooks and servants stopped what they were doing and bowed.

I had gotten used to the respect, but it still made me uncomfortable sometimes, because I was not used to people bowing to me.

Stephanie stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Luna," she said. "How may I help you?"

I smiled. "I am looking for Nora."

Stephanie nodded and called for Nora. A moment later, Nora appeared, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Luna," she said. "What brings you here?"

"I am looking for Piper," I said. "Is she here?"

Nora shook her head. "She is at my quarters. She was not feeling well this morning."

My heart dropped. "Is she okay?"

"She said she just needed to rest," Nora said. "I think she has been worried about you."

I nodded. “Thank you, Nora.” Then I turned to leave.

I could feel Nora’s eyes on me as I walked away, and I knew she was worried. She always worried about me.

I walked to Nora’s quarters and knocked on the door.

My heart was pounding, and I did not know why. I had known Piper for years, but this felt different. This felt like I was about to change everything.

Piper opened it, and her face lit up when she saw me. "Talia! What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you," I said.

She stepped aside, and I walked inside. The room was small but cozy, and I could see Piper’s things neatly arranged in the corner.

I sat on the edge of the bed, and Piper sat beside me.

"What is wrong?" she asked. "You look like you have seen a ghost."

I took a breath. "Piper, I need to tell you something."

Her smile faded, and I could see the worry in her eyes. I felt a pang of guilt, because I had not meant to scare her, I just needed to tell her the truth.

"What is it?" Piper asked.

I told her everything; about my mother being alive, about Malachai, about the Ashen Lands, and about the map and the promise I had made.

Piper’s eyes went wide.

I could see the shock in her eyes, and the disbelief. It was the same look I had worn when Grandfather Aldric had told me.

Her hand flew to her mouth. "Your mother is alive?" she whispered.

I nodded. "She has been a prisoner all these years, and I am going to find her, and bring her back."

Piper’s eyes filled with tears, and she threw her arms around me and hugged me tight.

"We are going to find her," she said.

Her voice was fierce, and I could see the determination in her eyes. I knew at that moment, that she was not going to let me face this alone.

"Together." I said.

I hugged her back, and I felt the tears prick at my eyes, because i was not alone. With Piper, I had never actually been alone.

She had walked through the dangerous paths for days, just to warn me about Vivienne.

She had slept on cold ground, and dodged patrols, and risked being torn apart by rogues, and now she was telling me she would do it all over again, not because she had to, but because that was simply who she was.

"Piper," I said, pulling back. "There is something else."

She wiped her eyes. "What?"

"Kaelen has offered you a room on the first floor of the pack house. You can stay here, in Blackmoor Valley, forever, and you do not have to go back to Cresswood."

Piper stared at me, and her mouth dropped open.

"What?" she whispered.

"You are my best friend," I said. "You are the only family I have, and I want you close to me."

Piper burst into tears and hugged me again. "I do not know what to say."

"Say you will stay," I said.

She pulled back and smiled through her tears. "I will stay."

I smiled and hugged her again.

I had people who loved me, people who believed in me, and people who would fight beside me. And that made all the difference.

I had a promise to fulfill, that I would find my mother. And I would make sure to bring her home, no matter what it took.