Fleeting Hope

Chapter 7

Raven's POV:

The carriage pulled to a stop and the driver climbed down and opened the door for us. Damian stepped out first, holding out his hand to help me down. Wearing the gown that I am, I used him to prevent me from tripping.

"What a surprise," I heard an unfamiliar (yet female) voice. I turned to look at the top of the stairs and saw a woman with dark hair and eyes that matched Damian's. "It only took my son two decades to come to visit me."

"Mother," Damian stood up straighter and bowed his head slightly.

"And who is this?" She turns to me.

"This is my wife," Damian said as he held out his arm for me. We walked up the steps, coming to great Damian's mother. "As you have already heard."

"I am Talia, but you can call me mother if you would like," Damian's mother held out her hand to shake.

"Thanks," I put on a fake smile and shake her hand. "It is nice to finally meet Damian's mother. I was so sorry that you weren't at our wedding."

"It was a quick wedding," she shrugged. "I just didn't have the chance to steal away to come. But I do have a wedding gift that you might like," she smiled and gestured for us to enter the palace. "Come inside."

Damian led me inside and I followed close, making sure that we didn't get separated.

"Since this is your first stay, shall we have a tour?" Talia asked as she came to stand beside Damian.

"We have time for that later, mother," Damian turned. "But I believe you know why we are here."

"Oh come on," Talia rolled her eyes. "Indulge me in a tour."

"Alright," I step in, agreeing to the stupid tour.

"Right this way then," Talia orders, taking lead. She walks briskly down the main hallway and stops short in front of a large two-door room. "This room shall be yours during the duration of the stay. Want to take a look."

"Alright," Damian sighs, annoyance clear in his tone.

Talia dramatically opens the door for us, then steps back so we can get a look at the room. It is a deep green with gold trim and accents. It is most defiantly Damian's room because the green is the same color as the royal colors he wears to court.

"Do you like it?" Talia asks, pointing her question to Damian.

"It is very nice," Damian nodded, but I could hear by the tone of his voice that it was all too much for him. So I place my hand in his to give him some encouragement.

"I had it changed to your liking a couple of years ago, so it isn't modern, but we can change whatever you would like. And of course, your bride is able to add her touch where she sees fit," Talia turned to me and smiled.

"Damian, the door on the left is your office. Do check it out and tell me if there is anything you need to change." Talia opens the door and gestures for Damian to walk in. I was about to follow when she grabbed my arm. "I am just going to show Raven her special room."

"Alright," Damian agrees before turning to me and nodding.

Talia closes the door so Damian can look around his office. Then she turns to me and says, "come with me."

I follow her over to another room. "I know what it feels like to lose a piece of you, so I can't separate you any longer." She opens the door and I see a baby cradle in the corner of the room.

"Emma!" I run over and see her peacefully wrapped up and sleeping. I pick her up in my arms and swaddle her carefully to my body. "Baby, mommy's here." I brush a finger across her cheek and she opens her eyes and smiles. "Emma, darling."

Tears start to threaten my eyes and I lean in and kiss Emma's forehead. I rock back and forth to soothe her, looking at only her face.

"I am sorry we had to take her," Talia burst my bubble and reminds me where I am.

"Why did you do it?" I turned to look at her.

"Believe it or not, it was for her safety," Talia came over, but before she could touch Emma's head, I moved further away from her. "I didn't mean to scare you, but Emma's safety came first. If I had the time, I would have taken you with me, but things had to happen quickly."

"What do you mean?" I ask, shaking my head.

"I will tell you later, for now, please just spend time with your daughter. I know the pain of losing your child. It pained me greatly to lose Damian," Talia took a step back.

"You didn't lose him, you left him," I snapped, my tone becoming defensive.

"Your love for my son is admirable, but I wouldn't test your luck," Talia walked over to the door and turn back to look at me once more. "I can be your greatest ally or your worst enemy." And with that, she walked out.

I looked back down at my daughter, smiling.

Finally, the part of me that felt missing all these weeks feels full again. I start to walk out, heading to Damian's study. I knock on the door, careful to not startle Emma as I do. "Come in," Damian's voice calls from the other room.

I walk in and see Damian looking at the bookshelf. He seems lost in thought as he says, "she knows all of my favorite books."

"Damian," I say, unable to keep the smile off my face.

"I didn't tell her, so I don't know how she knows, but they are all here." Damian pulls a book off the shelf and looks over it.

"Damian," I repeat, knowing that Damian is in his own head and not thinking at the moment.

"I just don't understand," Damian shakes his head as he places the book back in its place.

"Damian, will you just turn around and see your daughter?" I say, frustrated.

Damian turns around and his face instantly melts with warmth and love as his eyes fall on Emma. He rushes over and takes her out of my arms, holding her close. "Emma," he kisses her head. "Is she harmed?"

"Not that I can see," I shake my head and look at her, brushing some of the baby hairs on her head. "Your mother showed me to the nursery. She said she kidnapped our daughter for her safety, but I am not sure I believe her."

"We will get to the bottom of that later. Now we need to get out of here," Damian starts walking to the door.

"Not so fast," Talia steps in the doorway, stopping us.

"Mother," Damian stops in his tracks and quickly hands Emma over to me before standing protectively between us. "We are leaving."

"You are not," she shakes her head. "Sorry, but you can't leave. At least Emma must stay. And besides, you have just gotten here. Why leave so soon?"

"And who is going to stop me?" Damian practically growls. 

"Emma leaving would mean her life is in danger. She is safer here than she is with even you." She comes forward and takes a seat at Damian's desk. "Emma is more special than you can imagine. So is her mother."

"What are you talking about?" I ask, confused.

"Darling, I know about your powers," Talia looks bored. "Emma will inheart that from you, and the two of you will be the most powerful beings in the world. But that also means that your lives will always be in danger. You two have been played all this time, and I won't let my granddaughter walk into that same trap."

"What trap?" Damian places his hand on his sword.

"The trap your father and Raven's father set," Talia sat forward.