October and April (Bk 2 Of The Valhireya Series)-rewriting

Twenty five

Cade

"So what do we do now?" I ask her rubbing my forehead. I am fully replenished and somehow my head seems to be exploding. All this chaos around me is messing up with my body as well as my mind. I can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes I am taken back to that dream. All I see is Viktor on top of her as she screams and cries. I don't know if she realizes how badly this affects me as well. He hurt her! He scarred her soul forever and that burns me on the inside. It's not jealousy! It rage! Pure rage for what he did to her!

"I don't know! I was hoping to find answers here, instead all I did was cause immense pain to my parents and aunt." She says and I feel anger resurfacing.

"How can you say that, Ida? It's not you who is causing them pain! It's him! He did this to you! Don't put this on yourself because you didn't do anything wrong!" I finish saying all these things in one breath as I look deep into her eyes. I want her to understand me! I want her to stop blaming herself!

"I... You..." she tries to speak and then frowns and looks away. Her lower lip trembles as tears gather in her eyes. She takes a deep breath and then looks back into my eyes. Tears are still pooling in hers but she holds them back.

"I think I know how to kill him!" She says and my eyes widden with surprise. Hell yeah!

"Tell me!" I take her hands in mine as we both sit down on the small couch in the room.

"The only limitation me and Vitkor have is that we can only morphe into a creature at a time." She says and I frown in confusion.

"Meaning?" I ask her to get more insight.

"Meaning I can become a succubus and only that. I can't become a succubus and keep vampire features, for example. Or be a pixie and also a mermaid at the same time." She tells me and things become a little clearer.

"So, we could be able to kill him!" I tell her with a hint of hope in my soul.

"Yes! If we force him into a form that is vulnerable, we could kill him." She tells me and I smile for the first time today. She gives me a small smile back and then squeezes my hands gently.

"We need to anticipate his every move. If it gets to a battle, he will throw everything he has at us." I tell her and her smile disappears.

"We need water. If he is forced to change into a mermaid, then a bullet or spear or anything through his chest and he is dead. Water is only way. He can't turn into anything that would allow him to breathe under water and still be immortal."

"How about an oceanid?" I ask her and she smiles at me.

"Oceanids are only females, you silly!" She says half laughing at my ignorance.

"But if we are also in the water, then it will be very clear to kill him." I tell her.

"It just happens that I know a very powerful sorceress that can help me master the elementals." She tells me with a sense of pride in her voice.

King Luca and Queen Rhea walk back into the room, followed by her aunt Luna, Ava and Jan. Ida stands up snd hugs her mother, taking in a deep breath as she tries to keep her composure. The queen's hands wrap around her as tears run down her cheeks and I can't help but feel a sting of pain in my soul for never having such a relationship with my parents.

"Have you decided what to do?" The queen asks as she releases Ida from her hold. She looks resigned. She already knows that Viktor will not stop.

"It is best if you don't know any details." I dare to interrupt their conversation. "Your Highness!" I add as I realize I spoke out of my place.

"From what I hear, you are the Heir of Hell and my daughter's husband. Why don't we skip the official names?" She asks me with kindness and grace in her voice.

"I am not sure I will be able to do that. But I will try!" I tell her and she gives me a smile.

"Mother, is Aurora here? Or do you know how to reach her?" Idalia asks her mother and I see a smile appearing on Luna's lips. She read into our minds. She knows what we want to do.

"I will give her a phone call. I am sure she can join us immediately." She answers and then takes her husband's hand.

"Father?" Idalia looks at him with pleading eyes.

"Does this mean that you accept the throne?" He asks her and she holds her breath for a second before answering.

"Yes, father. After everything is over, I will take over the throne when you decide it is time to." She tells him but his face remains the same. He looks at me and frowns.

"So how will this work? Will you two have a long distance relationship?" He asks me, taking me a bit offguard with his straightforwardness.

"Jan will take over Hell when my father decides to step down." I tell him and look at Jan who has lost all colour all of the sudden.

"I beg your pardon?" Jan asks confused.

"I was going to ask you later. I am sorry if you feel pressured, but it's the only way me and Ida can be together. I can't raise our daughter in Hell, Jan. I am sorry, but no. I can't put our daughter through everything you and I went through!" I tell him and he shakes his head in approval.

"You don't need to say more! I don't want that for Claire either." He says, making the king finally let out a deep sigh.

"Now, how about we go find that granddaughter of mine?" King Luca asks and we all smile and follow him out of the room.

One question remains in my head: who is Aurora?