Chapter 371 The thought

Chapter 371: Chapter 371 The thought

Talia’s POV

My mother looked at me, and I saw the concern in her eyes. "You have been training all day, Talia."

I could see the worry in her eyes, the same worry that had been there since the day we returned from the Ashen Lands. She was afraid for me, afraid that I was pushing myself too hard, and afraid that I would break. I wanted to tell her not to worry, but I knew it would be a lie.

"You need to rest," she said.

I shook my head. "I cannot rest. There is too much at stake."

She stood, and she walked to me. I felt her hand on my face, and I felt the warmth of her touch. "You are pushing yourself too hard, my daughter."

I leaned into her touch, and I felt the tears burning in my eyes. "I have to be ready, Mother. I have to be strong enough."

She nodded, and I saw the understanding in her eyes. "Then I will help you."

We stood in the center of the room.

The afternoon light was fading, casting long shadows across the floor. I could hear the distant sounds of the pack house settling in for the evening. The world was quieting down, but I was still fighting. I would always be fighting.

And I felt the magic stirring in my chest. I opened my mouth, and I spoke the words she had taught me.

"Sha’kala mor’eth," I whispered. "Vas’kala sil’verath."

The air around me shimmered, and I felt the power surging through my veins. I spoke again, louder this time, and I felt the magic flowing through me.

"Good," my mother said. "Again. Stronger."

I took a breath, and I pushed harder. "Sha’kala mor’eth! Vas’kala sil’verath!"

The light exploded from my hands, bright and golden. I felt the warmth spreading through my body, and I felt the power surging through my veins.

"Again," my mother said.

We practiced until my throat was raw and my voice was cracking. I could feel the exhaustion pulling at me, but I did not stop. I could not stop.

"Enough," my mother said, and I saw the pride in her eyes. "You are ready, Talia."

I nodded, and I felt the tears burning in my eyes. "Thank you, Mother."

She pulled me into her arms, and I felt her warmth against me. "You are stronger than you know, Talia. Stronger than you ever imagined."

I pressed my face into her shoulder, and I let myself cry.

Later that evening, I sat in the dining hall with the pack. The table was filled with food.

I could smell the roasted meat and the fresh bread, and I felt my stomach grumble. I had not realized how hungry I was until I saw the food. It was a reminder that I was still human, still alive, and still fighting.

And I could hear the voices of my pack around me. Jax was joking with Piper, and Silas was nodding along. While Cain was silent, as always.

I picked up my spoon, and I forced myself to eat. The soup was warm, and it soothed my throat. I took another bite, and another, because I needed to eat. I needed to keep my strength up.

"You look exhausted, Luna," Jax said, and I saw the concern in his eyes. "When was the last time you slept?"

I shook my head. "I do not remember."

Piper reached for my hand, and I felt her fingers wrapping around mine. I felt the warmth of her hand in mine, and I felt the strength of her grip. She had been my anchor for so many years, and I did not know what I would do without her. She was family, in every way that mattered.

"Talia, you need to rest. You cannot keep going like this." Piper said.

I looked at her, and I felt the tears burning in my eyes. "I know, Piper. I know." I smiled through my heavy heart.

After dinner, and after getting to my room, I walked to the bathroom, and I filled the tub with warm water. Then I sank into the heat.

I felt the water lap against my skin, and I felt the warmth seeping into my tired muscles. I closed my eyes, and I let myself float. The world was quiet, and for a moment, I was at peace.

I felt the tension leaving my body, then I closed my eyes, and I let myself rest, just for a moment.

When I climbed out, I felt the exhaustion pulling at me. I dressed in my nightclothes, and I walked to the bed. Kaelen was already there, and I felt his arms around me as soon as I climbed in.

"Talia," he said, and his voice was soft. "You need to rest."

I nodded, and I pressed my face into his chest. "I know, Kaelen. I know."

He held me tighter, and I felt the warmth of his body against mine. "Sleep, Talia. I will be right here."

I nodded, then I closed my eyes, and I let myself drift.

But in the quiet moments, when I was alone with my thoughts, a darker thought kept creeping into my mind. A thought that I did not want to acknowledge.

I could run.

I could take my mother and disappear, and no one would blame me. By the way, I was the last Silvertongue, and I had a duty to survive. If I fell in battle, our bloodline would end. Everything my mother had sacrificed, and everything my ancestors had fought for, would be lost forever.

I opened my eyes, and I felt the tears burning in them. "Kaelen," I whispered. "Are you awake?"

He stirred beside me, and I felt his hand finding mine in the darkness. "I am awake, Talia. What is wrong?"

I took a breath, and I forced myself to say the words. "I have been thinking about running. About taking my mother and leaving."

I felt him tense beside me, and I heard the sharpness in his voice. "Talia, you cannot be serious."

I looked at him, and I smiled through the ache that I could feel in my chest. "I do not know if I am serious, Kaelen. I do not even know what I am. I just know that I am a bit tired."

Kaelen looked at me, and I saw the concern in his gray eyes. "Talia..."

I reached for his hand, and I squeezed it. "Do not worry about me, Kaelen. I am just thinking too much. You know how I get."

He looked at me, and I saw the doubt in his eyes. "Are you sure that is all it is?"

I smiled, and I leaned into him. "I am sure.” I said. “Now let us sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."

Kaelen nodded, then he held me tighter, and I felt his warmth against me. "If you say so, Talia."

I pressed my face into his chest, and I let myself breathe. The fear was still there, but I would deal with it tomorrow.

Because I was not ready to face it tonight.