Ileus: The Dark Prince

Chapter 688  Heartbeat, Glee and Excitement

As if garnering courage, Kaia stayed frozen in the warm touch of her husband. She didn't know whether she needed that touch or he needed it, but it helped. With no words spoken, the two walked in the direction where Ara was sitting. And as they neared, they both smelled their son on her. Heart speeding like a boulder hurling down a steep slope, they couldn't walk further. They both continued to stare at Ara for God-knows how long.

Olivia watched her parents move to Ara and then stop. She didn't want to go with them because she didn't want to influence their decision, and whatever decision they took, she was going to be okay with it. She just wanted to give both of them a chance to know that a part of Luke still lived. They had stopped, probably because of a tsunami of thoughts swirling in their minds. She felt tears stung her eyes. No parent should have a fate like hers. Inadvertently, her hand slid to her stomach. She lowered her gaze and rubbed herself gently over there. "I love you both a lot and so does your father," she whispered to them. When she looked up, she saw the priestess smiling at her.

"I think the General is one of the most dedicated men when it comes to his family. He would never let any harm come their way," she remarked, her lips curled in a lovely smile.

Olivia's cheeks became slightly pink. "He is," she replied, her voice just barely above a whisper.

"When is your baby shower?" the priestess asked. "I would love to conduct the ceremony and ask for blessings from gods for your children."

Olivia's heart warmed. "I will consult with my husband and let you know."

The priestess nodded and her gaze flicked back to Kaia and Vaarin. They were now walking slowly, cautiously towards Ara.

Ara was still weaving the garlands. She was way too immersed in her thoughts. Every flower she picked up was as if she was choosing it after much contemplation. The utter devotion in her actions couldn't go unnoticed by Kaia and Vaarin. But when they neared her, she stopped. Her brows scrunched, she looked up. Her eyes darted wildly as if she wanted to locate something and then when they met Kaia's, she stiffened. The needle in her hand remained half sewn in the jasmine flower she held. Her eyes flared wide open and her lips parted. After what seemed like eternity, she leaned towards a girl who was sitting close to her and chatting with the other, and whispered something to her. The girl nodded with a smile and Ara got up from her place. She walked to the marble corridor on the left and looked at Kaia and Vaarin for them to follow her. And they followed her.

Ara didn't go very far. She just went to the far end of the corridor that opened in a garden filled with lilies, its lush grass rippling softly as a cool breeze passed over it. Birch trees lined the garden's periphery. She sat on the steps and looked back. Kaia and Vaarin were standing at a distance, watching her with anticipation in their eyes. "Please come and sit," she said, motioning her hand towards a small landing on the left of the steps. When they came to sit, she said wryly, "I could smell Luke from both of you." There was a surprise in her eyes and a lot of questions.

Kaia tried to form words, but all she managed was a shaky breath. It was Vaarin who spoke first, "How did you know Luke?"

Ara chuckled. "Don't you already know that?"

"I do, but I want to hear it from you," he replied, his voice steady.

"I loved him…" she replied, as she looked beyond the garden over the hills in far distance. She started speaking about him and wound up the whole thing as briefly as possible. She ended up saying, "I am carrying his baby." She caressed her tummy gently. Then she shot a glare at Vaarin. "I know that you killed him."

"Then you should know why I killed him," Vaarin replied without cowering.

Ara closed her eyes. She braced her arms back and rested her palms on the cool marble floor. Tipping her head up she closed her eyes. "I know… but it doesn't matter now…"

"Ara…" Kaia's soft voice came like a much needed break from the tension.

Ara opened her eyes and tilted her head to see Kaia.

"I know that the child is yours to whatever you please, but I have a question," said Kaia. She knew that there was no point in formalities. Too much had passed without them knowing it, and yet it was a lot to be ignored.

"Ask away," Ara replied. There was not a hint of impatience in her demeanor.

Kaia didn't waste a second. "Do you wish to stay in this temple or would you like to come to the Whiteclaw pack with us?" Ara's eyebrows shot up. "I mean we are willing to take you under our wings if you like."

Ara chuckled. She shook her head. "Never. I have to serve my goddess till the last day of my life."

Her statement shook Kaia and Vaarin. Anastasia's effect was simply too strong on people she wanted to follow her. It was like she had this maddening power, and the knowledge was overwhelming. What could Anastasia not do if she wanted to? Kaia shook her momentary thoughts out and said, "In that case would you raise your babe in the temple?"

Ara's lips curled up in a smile. "Don't you think I know that you want Luke's child?" She straightened up a little. "But I don't trust you with my baby." Her voice became a little shaky. "You killed his father…"

"I killed him out of necessity, Ara," Vaarin said and then looked away. There was no point in making a rebel understand his actions. "And I don't regret it," he added.

Ara didn't speak for a long time. And she spoke, there was determination in her voice. "While I don't think that raising a fatherless child in the temple is a nice idea for the fear that he would always be called a bastard, I am unsure whether I should hand over the baby to you or not."

Kaia's heart stuttered and then stopped. "He?"

Ara nodded. "Yes, it's a boy."

And whatever air was there in her lungs, punched out. Kaia felt the ground slipping beneath her.

Ara continued, "Unless you make a vow to the Lore." She looked at Vaarin, narrowing her eyes slightly out of doubt.

Vaarin's shoulders became taut with tension.

"You have to vow that you will never kill my son."

He sucked in a sharp breath. "I vow to the Lore that I will never kill your son." Air charged in front of him as the vow became effective and sealed.

It didn't take a second for Vaarin to say those words if it meant that Ara would hand over the baby to them, willingly. In fact, he was impressed by her decision. She had known that they had come for the baby. There was no pretension and he liked it. The girl may have been a total bitch in the past, but something happened over the last few days that had changed her life.

Ara sagged with relief. "Thank you," she murmured. She got up from her place and smoothed out the creases of the white gown she was wearing. "I will send you the message when the baby is born." Her throat bobbed up out of pain. She turned and quickly left them, wiping her cheeks.

Kaia and Vaarin stared after her till she disappeared. "She agreed," Kaia said as she relaxed, a smile pulling her lips up. She hadn't thought that it would be this easy or this difficult to convince Ara. She rubbed her fingers over her husband's arms and said, "Thank you."

"What for?" he asked and stood up. He helped Kaia to stand up.

"For taking the vow."

"You know I would have done that in a heartbeat," he chuckled as his eyes shone bright. "I can never miss a chance to see my grandson's face. It's like having Luke all over again!"

Kaia laughed. She could sense Vaarin's child-like glee and excitement. She got on her toes and pressed a kiss on his cheek. "Me too."