Chapter 232 The Cost of power 2

Chapter 232: Chapter 232 The Cost of power 2

Talia’s POV

“Do not say that, Talia. You just saved us from blood shed over there, and that was the smartest thing. You will be fine, baby. I am here with you.” He led me to the cart that carried our supplies.

I did not have the strength to fight him, even if I had wanted to. I just let him guide me, with my feet dragging against the ground.

When Kaelen noticed that my feet were dragging on the ground, he carried me up, the rest of the way to the cart.

I felt his arms lift me, and I let myself sink into his chest. I was too tired to be embarrassed, and too tired to care about anything except the warmth of his body against mine.

And I did not argue, because I did not have the strength. "I am sorry," I said, my voice cracking with exhaustion. "I am sorry I am so weak, and I am sorry you have to carry me, and I am sorry I keep putting all of you in danger because I cannot control this thing inside me." I climbed in and lay down on the pile of blankets.

“Stop saying all that, Talia. I am your mate, remember?” Kaelen kissed my forehead.

I nodded slowly, still barely able to speak.

The cart was not comfortable, but I did not care. I could feel the rough wood beneath me, and I could hear the creak of the wheels as Kaelen settled me down. But I did not open my eyes, because I was too far gone.

The blankets I was covered with were thin, and the wood was hard beneath me, but it did not matter. All I wanted was to close my eyes and rest, and hope to see my mother soon.

I closed my eyes, and I felt the warmth of the power fading. It was still there, but it was quiet now.

Slowly sleep took over my heavy eyelids, and I slept.

As I slept, I dreamed of my mother.

She was standing in a field of wildflowers, with her dress billowing in the wind. The sun was warm on her face, and she was smiling.

I saw her face, young and beautiful, just as I remembered her. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and her eyes were bright and warm.

"Talia," she called. "Talia."

I reached out to her.

I could feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, and I could hear her laughter echoing in the wind. It felt so real, and so close.

My hand stretching through the darkness. She was so close, and I could almost touch her.

"Mother," I whispered. "I have been looking for you for so long," I cried out, reaching for her through the dream. "I have traveled so far and I have been so scared, and I need you to tell me that I am going to find you, and that you are still alive and waiting for me.”

But she began to fade.

The field disappeared, and the darkness crept in around us. I tried to hold onto her, but she was slipping away.

Her face grew blurry, and her voice grew distant. I tried to hold onto her, but she slipped through my fingers like water.

"Mother!" I called again.

But she was gone.

I opened my eyes, and I was alone in the dark.

I blinked against the darkness, trying to remember where I was. The dream was already fading, slipping away like water through my fingers.

The cart was still, and I could hear the soft sounds of the camp around me. The fire crackled in the distance.

I could hear Jax and Silas talking, their voices low and serious. They were keeping watch, making sure we were safe.

And I could hear the low murmur of voices.

"Do you think she is alright?" I heard Piper whisper, her voice thick with worry. "She has never been this weak before, and I am scared that she pushed herself too far this time and we are going to lose her.”

I lay there for a long time.

My body was still heavy, and I could feel the exhaustion pulling at me. But my mind was racing, replaying the dream over and over.

I stared up at the sky. The stars were scattered across the darkness like tiny diamonds, and I wondered if my mother was looking up at the same sky.

I hoped she was. I hoped she was still alive, still fighting, and still waiting for me. I just hoped she knew I was coming.

"I keep thinking about what my mother had written in her journal to me," I whispered into the darkness, not sure if I was talking to myself or to someone out there listening. "She said power has a cost, and I am starting to understand what she meant, because every time I use it, I feel like I am losing a little more of myself.”

Her words echoed in my mind, and I could feel the truth of them settling into my bones. I had always known it would come with a price, but I had not realized how high it would be.

I closed my eyes, and I let the darkness take me again.

"But I made a promise," I said, my voice barely a breath against the night air. "I promised I would find you, Mother, and I am not going to let a little exhaustion stop me, no matter how much this power takes from me, because you are worth every single cost.”ℴℴ𝘮