Intruded Trails (Van Doren Series #1)

Chapter Fifty-one

Dawning Fire

I lost them.

I lost the only family I knew in this world. The only family I’ve been with even before I could want and decide anything here. This is the second time I lost a family, and I almost lost my child.

My child who didn’t give up inside me after we’ve been through. My child who didn’t give despite my ignorance towards him. Siya lang ang nanatili. Ang anak ko lang ang nanatili sakin sa loob ng napakahabang panahon. He kept his heart beating for me. He kept showing himself in dreams for me. He’s the light in my darkness, the life in my death.

Ipinagtataka ng lahat noon kung paano ko nalampasan ang proseso ng pagiging revereal. I’ve read that one could almost die if it doesn’t have a power to protect its body. Isa lamang akong tao noon. Mahina. But I survived death. And it wasn’t because of me, it was because of his power. Life. Siya ang muling nagpatibok ng puso ko.

So, I was wrong. I am not alone. I was never alone.

Fatima, Zakira’s mother, was the one who managed to follow me. Ang minsan ko ring kinikilala ina ay isa na ngayon sa mga kaaway ko. She sold me, us, the whole Ravenhelm, her own daughter and Epione’s life to the kingdoms who would destroy us. Isang malaking katanungan pa rin sakin kung paano niya nagawa ito. She’s the first to betray me. And many did follow.

Si Khaliel at Farren ay pinag-isa na ng mga bituin sa higit pang inaasahan nila. They are gone, which I did understand why. They need to be somewhere away. Alam na ni Khaliel na hindi kami ang para sa isa’t isa. Maaaring natutunan ko siyang mahalin at kailanma’y hindi ko siya gugustuhing mawala sakin, ngunit ang mga bituin na mismo ang nagtaksil sa amin.

We both met a tragic end. We’re both mated to the ones we don’t want. It is more of a curse than a bond. Him bonded to his sister, and me bonded to King who already had his Queen and princess.

Paminsan-minsan ay iniisip ko rin ang mga sinabi niya. Laurent said he did many things while I’m gone. Ano bang klaseng mga gawain ito? Parte ba dito ang pagkakaroon ng isang reyna at anak para lang makaupo sa isang trono?

Anong klaseng patakaran ito? I would never proclaim this to my kingdom. Ano pa ang silbi ng mga bituin kung may pilian pa ring magaganap? They are wasting the light of the stars. They are wasting their life. Hindi ko… Hindi ko ibinalik sa kanya ang para sa kanya para magkaroon lang ng kahati rito. The crown and throne was one with him, it was his birthright. His and only his own. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit tila iniiwasan niya pa rin ito hanggang ngayon.

Why is he here and not there? Why didn’t he come back for his throne? W-Why is he killing the soldiers he used to fight alongside with for me?

“Power shouldn’t be seen in things, baby.”

Nawala ako sa balanse sa paglipad sa boses niya sa isipan ko. H-Hindi koi to binuksan. How did he…

“Our bond’s power is beyond yours or my power. If you want to keep your thoughts hidden from me, magiging mahirap ito. So just let me read you, my Theana. Hayaan mo akong kilalanin kita para mas madali kong maipaliwanag ang lahat sayo pagkatapos nito. There are gaps in your memories that tortures me so much… Gusto kong magwala dahil sa mga ito. You don’t know how much I’m trying to stop myself from grabbing you, and take you away…”

“Theana, it hurts. It hurts to hear your thoughts, it hurts so much that I just want to have you for me… Baby, believe me. I tried many times to stop this from happening to you. I tried to stop you from coming back and go through the cruelty of this world again. Mas pipiliin kong hindi ka bumalik… I don’t want you to come back because you always to things that changes fates and lives. You always do things that hurts you, baby. And you still manage to do it beautifully...”