Divided

New Beginning

A/N: Hi... so I had really bad allergies last week so I didn't upload because I wanted to take it easy. I had the chapter prepared but I wanted to check for any grammar issues. Again, English is not my first language and I don't want to put my work out there just for it to not be good. Thank you.

Third POV

Everyone stands solemnly at the edge of the grave, the heavy weight of grief settling over the gathered group. The air feels thick with sorrow, the scent of the world mingling with the faint aroma of fresh flowers. Caterina, her heart shattered, is at the forefront, tears streaking down her face as she gazes at her mother's casket.

"I'm so sorry, Mom," Caterina chokes out, her voice trembling as her fingers brushes the cold, polished wood of the casket. Her hand lingers there, as if hoping to feel some trace of her mother's warmth, but only coldness greets her touch.

Xander stands by her side, a steady presence in the storm of her sorrow. He gently places a hand on her back, rubbing it in soothing circles. "I'll try my best to be okay," she whispers, the words barely audible, as if saying them out loud could make the loss real in a way she isn't prepared for.

Xander offers her a soft but firm nudge. "Come. They need to lower the casket," he says, his voice low but insistent. He guides her back, away from the grave, while two royal guards approach, their movements precise and respectful as they prepare to lower the casket into its final resting place.

Ajia and Tzan step forward, their expressions solemn. With a silent nod to each other, they toss handfuls of delicate flowers onto the casket, each bloom a silent offering, each petal a piece of their own grief. They both murmur quiet chants—words lost to time but deeply meaningful, honoring the spirit of the departed. The whispers of their prayer mingle with the rustle of the flowers, filling the air with an ancient, sacred energy.

Celeste steps forward then, her regal presence both comforting and heavy with the weight of leadership. She looks at Caterina, her eyes soft with empathy but firm with the knowledge of what must be done. "Your mother will now be resting in our world. Mother Moon will take care of her," she says, her voice filled with reverence. As she speaks, she gently releases a handful of flowers, their petals falling in a soft, fragrant cascade onto the casket.

Alistair, standing just behind her, follows suit, offering his own tribute to Caterina's mom. The petals float down like soft whispers of farewell, creating a sea of color over the casket as the last rays of the sunbathe the scene in a gentle, golden light. The ceremony is quiet now, save for the soft rustling of the leaves and the faintest echo of chants still hanging in the air. Time seems to slow, the grief shared among them all, and for a moment, nothing but the solemn silence remains.

-Three weeks later

Snow begins to gently fall over the Tribrid Kingdom, transforming the landscape into a soft, winter wonderland.

"It's snowing!" Ajia shouts, her voice full of excitement as she runs through the grand halls of the castle, her footsteps echoing on the cold stone floors.

Athan, standing by one of the doorways, smirks with his usual cocky attitude. "No. It's raining," he replies, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ajia abruptly halts, turning to face him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She rolls her eyes dramatically, a familiar expression of frustration. "Can't you go back to the Vampire Kingdom? Why are you even here?"

Athan shrugs nonchalantly, his cheeky grin never leaving his face. "I'm off today, and I came to see Alistair," he says with a playful tone, as if that somehow justifies his presence.

"Mhm," Ajia mutters under her breath, unimpressed. She shakes her head, already growing tired of his antics, before sprinting off in the direction of Caterina's bedroom.

The castle is quiet, saved for the distant whispers of wind outside. Ajia knows this place like the back of her hand. As she approaches the door to Caterina's room, she stops and listens for a moment. She hears the soft murmur of a voice from within.

"Come in."

Ajia opens the door, stepping inside. The room is warm, a gentle contrast to the cold, but there's an open window on the far side, the chill of the air pouring in. Caterina stands near the window, her silhouette framed against the glass as she watches the snowflakes drift from the sky, each one delicate and unique.

Ajia steps closer, the weight of the situation hanging in the air between them. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to this," Caterina says quietly, her voice filled with a quiet sorrow as her eyes trace the falling snow.

"I'm sorry, Caterina," Ajia responds, her words laced with regret. Even now, the guilt lingers, though she tries to push it away. It's not easy to let go of something that feels like her fault.

Caterina turns slowly, her expression a mix of sorrow and acceptance. "No, this wasn't your fault," she says softly, her eyes locking with Ajia's, as if trying to reassure her that there's no blame to place.

As she speaks, a single snowflake floats delicately through the open window, drifting toward her like a fleeting thought. The cold air swirls around it, but Caterina watches it, her new vampire vision allowing her to see every intricate detail of the tiny crystal before it lands gently in her outstretched hand. Her fingers curl around it, but the snowflake melts almost instantly, vanishing as if it had never existed.

"I feel like I have nothing left in my world anymore," she says after a pause, her voice barely above a whisper. "No family, no friends, I have nothing over there," she adds, her eyes distant as she stares down at the space where the snowflake had been.

Ajia stays silent, unsure of what to say, knowing that words might not be enough. She watches as Caterina's gaze shifts back out the window, her eyes reflecting the storm of thoughts and emotions swirling inside her.

"Now, I'm a vampire," Caterina continues, almost as if speaking to herself. "I used to not fit in... and now I do."

Her voice falters for just a moment, but she quickly hides it, looking away from Ajia and into the snowstorm outside. It's as if she's trying to make sense of the person she's become, her new life still too unfamiliar to fully accept.

"Good thing you have a set of friends and a group of supernaturals that will take care of you," Ajia says, her voice warm as she stands there with a soft smile, trying to lift the heaviness from the room.

Caterina's gaze softens, her expression a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. She steps forward, her movements slow, as if unsure of how to bridge the gap between them. "Thank you, Ajia," she says quietly, her voice laced with sincerity.

Before Ajia can respond, Caterina closes the space between them and wraps her arms around her in a hug. The suddenness of it catches Ajia off guard. Her eyes widen for a split second, but she quickly exhales, allowing herself to melt into the embrace. The warmth of the moment contrasts with the cold air drifting in through the open window, and for a moment, the world outside fades away.

Ajia hesitates for only a moment before she wraps her arms around Caterina in return, offering a comforting squeeze. Neither of them says anything, but the gesture speaks volumes. It's a quiet acknowledgment that they're not alone in this, that even in the midst of their struggles, they have each other.

Thank you so much for reading♡♡♡