Swan of Snowy Trails (Book 2 of Swan Trilogy)

Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Decks of War

Kasalukuyan kaming nasa gazebo, kumakain ng mga pastries, winter melon tea, at ang paborito naming mga éclair upang hintayin ang imbitasyon ni Sasha nang may dumating sa harap ng aming lamesa.

May suot siyang tuxedo at neck tie, nakatali ang kanyang buhok, may shades na nagtatakip sa kanyang mga mata. Nang tinanggal niya iyon, nagulat kaming lahat nang makita namin siya.

"Sasha!"

"Mom!" Agad na tumakbo si Austin palapit kay Sasha atsaka iniyakap ito.

Sumunod din sa kanya ang mga kapatid niya para salubungin ang babae na nagtayo bilang kanilang ina.

"You still call me your 'Mom'? Bakit, Austin?" Tanong ni Sasha pagkakalas niya sa yakap nila.

"Bakit naman hindi? Ikaw ang nag-alaga at nagpalaki sa'min. Dapat lang naituring kitang ina." Sagot ni Austin.

"Austin... I was one of your protective guards. It was my job to take care of you."

"It doesn't matter if it was your job or not. You still risked your own life throughout the years to keep us safe and I am grateful for that."

Iniyakap niya nang mahigpit si Sasha. Kahit hindi man siya ang tunay niyang ina, she was still their mother. Mas matangkad pa sa kanya si Austin kaya sinandal din ni Sasha ang kanyang ulo sa dibdib nito.

"I just got back from my mission. Nabalitaan ako na nabaril si Prince Claudius." Lumapit si Sasha kay Claude atsaka sinapo ang pisngi niya ng kanyang palad. "How are you doing?" Tanong ni Sasha kay Claude.

"Gumagaling na ang bullet wound but it's still a pain in the ass." Claude frowned while looking down.

"Mabuti nang gumagaling ka kaysa nakalibing ka ngayon."

"Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you." Sabi ni Malcolm sa kanya.

"I can't tell you yet." Naglakad si Sasha atsaka sumenyas na sumunod sa kanya. "Follow me."

Pinasakay kami ni Sasha sa itim na puting van na halatang bulletproof at tinted ang bintana. Once the door of the van slid and closed, we started discussing our plan with Sasha.

"If you want to win, you're going to need some help by someone you know." Payo ni Sasha.

"Who?"

"You'll see." Siya ang nagmanaho ng puting van sa harapan. It gets me back to the days noong hinahatid niya pa kami sa eskwelahan. Things have changed. "Sorry it took me this long to come back. Sumunod lang kayo sa'kin kung gusto niyong mabuhay."

We all nodded in sync as she drove off to the road.

***

Nakarating kami sa Lumière la Fleur. The door rang a bell as it swings open and we let ourselves inside. The aroma of coffee, pasta, and croissants lingered in the cool air.

Nakita namin ang may-ari nito at kumaway siya sa amin. If I may recall his name is Marcellus. He's wearing a white shirt, black apron, and slacks. Pinapahid niya ang kanyang kamay ng puting basahan.

"What are your orders?" Tanong ni Marcellus while leaning his elbows against the counter.

"A civil war." Nakangising sagot ni Sasha na nagpagulat sa amin. We exchanged glances while Marcellus laughs it off.

"Coming right up!" He rings a bell then proceeds work behind the counter.

Pinapasok nila kami sa pinto, naglakad sa hagdan paakyat sa second floor ng Lumière la Fleur.  Huminto kami sa harap ng pinto.