Chapter 403 Seraphina’s Stubbornness

Chapter 403: Chapter 403 Seraphina’s Stubbornness

Talia’s POV

I pushed the door open and saw that Aldric was sitting in his armchair by the window.

He was dressed in simple clothes, and the skin on his hands was papery and thin. His fingers shook as he reached for me, and his eyes were still sharp, but the light in them was dimmer than it had been.

He saw me, and he smiled.

"Talia," he said. "It is time."

I nodded. "It is time, Grandfather."

He reached out and took my hand. His grip was weak, but it was steady.

"I will be here when you return," he said. "I will have a fire waiting. And a story."

I laughed. "I will hold you to that."

He laughed. It was a soft sound, but it was warm.

"I remember the first time I saw you," he said. "You were standing in the great hall, and you looked like a stiff wind would knock you over. But your eyes? Your eyes were on fire."

I smiled. "I was terrified."

"You were brave," he corrected. "There is a difference."

I leaned down and kissed his cheek. His skin was warm, and he smelled of old books and woodsmoke.

"I love you, Grandfather," I said.

His eyes glistened. "I love you too, child. Make me proud."

His voice was soft, but his words were strong.

I nodded. "I will."

He nodded. He did not speak, because he did not need to.

I walked to the door, but I paused, and I looked back.

"I will see you soon, Grandfather," I said.

"You will," he replied. "I will be here."

I nodded. I could not speak as my throat was too tight.

Then I walked out.

Kaelen and I walked out into the courtyard. It was full of wolves, warriors, healers, elders, and young wolves. Everyone was moving, preparing, and waiting.

I saw my mother, Seraphina, standing near the gate.

She was dressed for war.

She wore leather armor with a sword hung at her hip. Her hair was braided back, just like mine. Her jaw was set, and her eyes blazed. She stood with her feet apart and her hands clenched, like she was already on the battlefield.

She was not the woman I had rescued from the silver cage. She was not the fragile, pale creature who had collapsed in my arms. She was a warrior.

I stopped walking. My chest tightened, and my breath caught because I felt like I had been punched.

I walked to her and Kaelen followed.

"Mother," I said. "What are you doing?"

Seraphina looked at me. "I am coming with you."

I shook my head. "No. You are not."

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed. "I am not asking for permission, Talia. I am telling you. I am coming."

I took a breath because I had to stay calm to make her understand.

"Mother, you have been in a cage for fifteen years and your body is still healing. You cannot fight."

Seraphina’s jaw tightened. "I have been in a cage for fifteen years. That is exactly why I am coming. Malachai took everything from me. He took my home, he took my people, and he separated me from my daughter. I will not let him take anything else."

She spoke without hesitation, and her voice did not waver. Her eyes locked onto mine, and she did not blink.

I stepped closer and lowered my voice. "Mother, I need you to stay, and I need you to be here when I come back. I cannot do this if I am worrying about you."

Seraphina’s eyes filled with tears, but she did not back down.

"You think I will be a burden?" she asked.

My eyes widened and I quickly shook my head. "No, mother. I think you are my mother. I think I have spent fifteen years trying to find you, and I cannot lose you again."

Seraphina’s voice cracked. "You will not lose me, Talia. I am strong."

I reached for her hands, and held them tight.

"I know you are strong. You survived fifteen years in a silver cage. You are the strongest person I know. But strength is not just about fighting. Sometimes strength is about letting others fight for you."

Seraphina shook her head. "I cannot just stand by and watch. I cannot let you go into danger alone."

I took a breath to steady my head. I had to tell her the truth.

"Mother, I have nightmares. Every night. I dream about you in that cage, about the silver bars, and I dream about the day I found you, and I was so afraid I was too late."

Seraphina’s face softened.

"I cannot go into battle knowing you are in danger," I continued. "I cannot fight if I am worried about you. Please, Mother. Stay. Stay safe. Let me do this for you."

Seraphina was quiet, but I could see the war in her eyes. I could see the need to fight, the need to protect, and the need to be strong.

Then Kaelen stepped forward.

"Seraphina," he said. His voice was gentle, but it was firm. "Talia is right. You have fought enough, and you have suffered enough. Let us fight for you now."

Seraphina looked at him. Her eyes were still hard, but something in them shifted.

"You are asking me to stay behind," she said.

Kaelen nodded. "I am asking you to trust us. I am asking you to let us protect you for once. You have spent fifteen years protecting yourself. Let us do it now."