How I Married KING Of HELL

A Mother's Resolve

Chapter 33

The night was thick with tension as Emily sat by Aelios's bed, her eyes lingering on his peaceful face. He was her everything, and the thought of Lucien coming for him again sent a chill through her heart. She knew the calm would not last. Lucien's vengeance was inevitable, but tonight she would find strength in the love she had for her son.

Cassius entered the room, his expression serious. "Emily, we can't wait for Lucien to strike first. We need to prepare."

Emily stood, her hands clenched into fists. "I know, Cassius. But I won't risk Aelios. Whatever we do, we need to keep him safe."

Mira joined them, a scroll in her hand, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of hope and fear. "I've been researching," she said, unrolling the ancient parchment on the table. "There's an old protection spell. It's powerful, but it comes with a cost."

Emily's heart sank. "What kind of cost?"

Mira's gaze met hers, solemn and unwavering. "The spell requires a sacrifice—something personal, something irreplaceable. It has to come from the heart, a bond so strong that it can shield Aelios from Lucien's influence. Without it, the spell won't hold."

Emily swallowed hard, her thoughts racing. What could be so precious that it would protect her son from the King of Hell? She thought of all the things she loved: her memories, her sense of self, the life she had once dreamed of before meeting Lucien. But none of that seemed enough.

"There's something else," Cassius said, stepping closer. "We'll need allies—someone powerful enough to stand with us when Lucien returns. He has legions at his command, and we can't fight him alone."

Emily looked between them, her heart heavy with the gravity of what they were about to face. "Where do we find such allies?" she asked.

Mira's expression softened as she laid her hand on the scroll. "The Fae," she whispered. "They're ancient, older than even Lucien. If we can win their favor, they might help us. But they're unpredictable. They don't make alliances easily."

Emily hesitated. She had heard stories of the Fae, of their beauty, their cruelty, and their strange sense of justice. It was a dangerous path, but what other choice did they have? Lucien was relentless, and they needed more than just strength—they needed magic older and more powerful than anything he could control.

"We'll go to the Fae," Emily said, her voice firm. "But first, we do the spell."

Mira nodded, gathering the ingredients they would need. Cassius moved to the window, his gaze distant as if scanning the horizon for the inevitable storm.

Later that night, under the soft glow of candlelight, Emily stood in the center of a protective circle, Aelios nestled safely in his crib. Mira chanted softly, the ancient words filling the room with a strange, otherworldly energy. Emily could feel the power swirling around her, thick and heavy, as if the very air was alive with magic.

She knew what she had to give—the one thing that had bound her to this world since she had met Lucien. Her love for him. It was the bond that had drawn them together, the one thread of light in his darkness. And now, it was the only thing strong enough to protect their son.

With a deep breath, Emily closed her eyes, feeling the weight of her decision settle over her like a shroud. She reached deep within herself, searching for that connection, the love that had once burned so brightly for Lucien. It was still there, buried beneath the pain and betrayal, a fragile ember of the passion they had once shared.

"I give you my heart's bond," Emily whispered, her voice breaking with the weight of her sacrifice. "The love that bound me to Lucien. Take it, and let it protect our son."

As the words left her lips, a soft glow began to form around Aelios, wrapping him in a cocoon of light. The air crackled with energy as the spell took hold, solidifying the protection that would shield him from Lucien's influence. Emily felt a part of herself slip away, the love she had once felt for Lucien fading into the ether, leaving behind only the fierce, unyielding love she had for her son.

The glow around Aelios brightened for a moment before fading, leaving behind a faint shimmer in the air. The spell was complete.

Mira exhaled softly, her hands trembling as she lowered them. "It's done."

Emily collapsed to her knees, the weight of the sacrifice overwhelming her. Cassius was at her side in an instant, steadying her as she tried to catch her breath.

"You did it," he whispered. "Aelios is safe, for now."

Emily nodded, her body shaking with exhaustion. "But it's not over," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Lucien will come for him, and when he does, we'll need the Fae."

The journey ahead would be perilous, but Emily knew one thing for certain: she would fight with every ounce of strength she had to protect her son. She had sacrificed her heart, and now she would sacrifice whatever else it took to keep him safe.

And when Lucien returned, she would be ready.