Chapter 234 The River 1

Chapter 234: Chapter 234 The River 1

Talia’s POV

Kaelen had not left my side all night.

I could feel his eyes on me, watching, and waiting. Even in my sleep, I sensed his presence, with the warmth of his hand in mine, and the steady rhythm of his breathing. He had made a promise to protect me, and I knew he would keep it.

When I finally stirred, the morning light was filtering through the canvas of the cart, pale and thin, and I opened my eyes to the sound of birds calling in the distance.

My body was still heavy, and my muscles ached, but the hollow emptiness in my chest had faded to a dull ache.

I blinked against the light, and I saw Kaelen sitting beside me. He was watching me, with his gray eyes soft and worried.

"Good morning," I said, my voice hoarse.

"Good morning," he replied. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face. "How are you feeling today?"

I took a moment to assess myself. "I’m tired," I admitted. "But I feel better than yesterday."

"That is good," he said. "I was worried about you."

I reached up and touched his cheek. "I know, and I am sorry."

"Do not apologize," he said. "You did what you had to do."

I sat up slowly, and I felt the stiffness in my muscles. The cart was not comfortable, and I had slept in the same position for too long.

Piper appeared beside the cart, her face bright with relief. "Talia! You are awake."

"I am awake," I said, smiling weakly.

She reached out and took my hand. "How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Water? Food?"

"I am fine, Piper," I said. "I just need a moment."

She squeezed my hand. "Take all the time you need."

Kaelen helped me down from the cart, and I felt my legs wobble beneath me. He kept his hand on my back, steadying me.

"Easy," he said. "Do not push yourself."

"I am fine," I replied. But my voice came out weaker than I intended, and I knew he did not believe me.

Jax walked over, stretching his arms above his head. "The sleeping beauty awakens," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "I am not a sleeping beauty, Jax."

"You were out cold," he said. "I think you snored."

"I do not snore," I said.

Kaelen shook his head. "She does not snore."

Jax grinned. "You would say that, because you are her mate."

Silas walked past, carrying a bundle of supplies. "Jax, leave her alone. She just woke up."

"I am just teasing," Jax said. "It is good to see you awake, Luna. You had us worried for a bit."

"Thank you, Jax," I said. "I am sorry for worrying everyone."

Piper handed me a piece of bread. "Eat," she said. "You need your strength."

I took it, and I forced myself to take a bite. The bread was dry, but I chewed slowly and swallowed it.

"Thank you," I said.

Cain stood at the edge of the camp, with his eyes scanning the trees. He did not say anything, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. He was still on guard, just like he always did.

Kaelen looked at me. "Are you ready to ride?"

I nodded. "Yes I am."

We mounted our horses and continued the journey.

The landscape changed as we traveled, with the trees becoming thinner and the ground becoming rockier. The air felt different, drier and more open.

I rode beside Kaelen, and I felt the weight of the silence between us.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I am thinking," I said.

"About what?" he asked, looking at my face.

"About my mother," I admitted. "About what we are going to find when we get there, and about whether she will even be alive."

He reached over and took my hand. "She is alive," he said. "I know it."

"How do you know?" I asked.

He was quiet for a moment. "Because I can feel it, the same way I feel you. She is out there, and she is waiting for you."

I looked at him, and I felt the tears prick at my eyes. "I hope you are right."

"I am right," he said. "Trust me."

I looked at him, and I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that my mother was still alive, that she was still fighting, and that she was still waiting for me. But the fear was still there, cold and heavy in my chest.

"What if she is not?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if we get there and she is already gone? And what if I have been hoping for nothing?"

Kaelen reached over and took my hand again. "Then we will mourn her," he said. "We will honor her, and we will make sure that whoever took her pays for what they did."

I looked at him, and I felt the tears prick at my eyes. "I do not know if I can do that. I do not know if I can survive losing her again."

He squeezed my hand. "You will not have to. Because she is alive, and we are going to find her."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

He looked at me, and his gray eyes were steady. "I have never been more sure of anything in my life."

I squeezed his hand. "I do trust you."

Jax rode up beside us. "Are you two going to be overly romantic all day, or are we going to find some excitement?"

Kaelen glared at him. "Jax."

"I am just saying," Jax said. "It is a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I am stuck listening to you two whisper sweet nothings to each other."

Piper laughed. "Jax, leave them alone."

"I am not the one being overly romantic," Jax said. "I am just pointing it out."

Silas shook his head. "Jax, you are impossible."