Fleeting Hope

Chapter 15

Damian's POV: 

I was waiting for the next guard change, counting it down to the second. I might have looked to be reading a book in the garden, getting away from my wife. But I was simply taking account for every movement of guards. 

There was a sound of women's shoes walking toward me, making me close my book and look up. Only to find my mother standing before me. "Damian," she looked as if asking for permission to sit beside me. 

"Yes?" I nodded towards the seat. "What brings you here?" 

"I wanted to give you advice," she sighs. "I know this is hard to believe, especially coming from me, but your wife is not quite herself. A mother feels the need to protect her baby, and I regrettable made her feel like she failed." 

"What are you going on about?" I was puzzled by my mother's words. Was she trying to defend Rachel? 

"She is going to be more protective and she might also blame you for what happened. She just feels like it is her fault. But you just need to be there for her," my mother rests her hand on mine. "Please, just take it. For now she needs to vent. She will come around and with time, this will heal." 

"How do you know this?" I didn't doubt her words, but how did she know this? Why did it seem like her advice was coming from experience. 

"Because I was once in your shoes," she sighed. "I was just as much a pawn as you are now. I was only born to birth you, and before I could even properly name you, you were plucked from my arms and taken from me." 

"You lived at the castle for a year before you left," I shake my head, knowing that she was lying. 

"But I was never allowed more than a moment alone with you," she turned to face the roses. "I knew you were meant for great things, but to never be able to hold you, feed you myself, bath you. It pained me so much." 

"Then if you know how it feels, why did you do this to my wife?" I stood up, needing the space. 

"Because we couldn't take her too," she turned to face me once more. "If we could have, we would have taken your wife that night. But she is strong, and would have fought back. She would have never come willingly. We couldn't take the chance of being caught." 

"You should have never even took my daughter," I glared at her for making it seem that she was doing the right thing. Taking a child from their parents is never the right thing. 

"It had to be this way," she shook her head in disappointment. I knew she was hoping I would understand and forgive her one day, but I could never. She might have gave birth to me, but she is a stranger. I could never forgive her let alone give her another chance. 

She abruptly stood up and left, not having anything else to say. I turned back to my task, observing the guards and taking note of anything that could help our escape. It was a unfulfilling task, but the idea of getting my wife and daughter out of here safely made it all worth it. 

Hours later I returned back to my room, finding Raven sleeping in a rocking chair with Emma in her arms. I slowly crept over, taking Emma out of her arms before kissing her forehead. "Wake up, beloved." 

Raven's eyes fluttered open and she smiled as she realized it was me. "Hello," she smiles, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Where is Emma?" She suddenly sits up, alert. 

"Here," I show her Emma, who was sleeping soundly in my arms. 

Raven rose and looked at Emma, signing in relief. I could see how much this messed Raven up, and I hurt to think that this would be our new normal. I hated my mother for making Raven worry like this. I would give anything to make Raven not fear our daughter going missing anymore. 

"Raven," I cupped her face with one of my hands. "Are you alright?" 

She looked at me, reading me like a book. "I am fine." 

"I got more information today, so we are a step closer to getting out of here," I assured her. She visibly sighed in relief, leaning into my hand. 

"To running away from our problems," a small smile curled at her lips. 

"Yes," I kissed her forehead. "To a place where no one can find us. Where we can be safe. Together." 

She leans into me, hugging my waste as she looks down at Emma. "Where she will be safe," she whispered to herself. It was faint, but I could hear the desperation in her voice. I squeezed her tighter, silently hoping for the same thing.