Bloody Curse | Book Two of Blood Trilogy

Chapter 53

Violet

The soft patters of my chilldren's feet walking beside me crunched against the dry leaves layered along the ground. Their hands were wrapped safely inside the two of mine and I squeezed them occasionally during our walk to the cliff.

Asher was trailing the three of us, while mother walked beside him with her arm tucked under his. Her head hung low and she did not lift her gaze once.

The gentle cries coming from Cameron, who was walking at the very beginning of the line could even be heard at the end, since each being was grieving amongst their own minds.

When we approached the burial site, there happened to be all the guards surrounding the powerful flames in a ring. All men were dressed in black, as was everybody coming in to gather around at this second.

I stared past the line of men and glanced off the edge of the cliff to see the sun slowly setting. The sky had been etched with a light mix of pink and yellow. Some orange had been smeared across the canvas and I couldn't help but admire the beautiful view that Derek would've enjoyed deeply alongside Cameron.

Our family wrapped around the blazing fire. Asher stepped forward and the flames flickered against his saddened features. His fallen eyes followed wherever Caleb and Aidan stepped.

Aidan led the three of them, Caleb was the last, and in between them was Derek's body laying peacefully wrapped in a black cloth. The body was carried with care in both the hands of the captain and Asher's little brother.

Cameron approached his mate with quivering lips. Tears garnered at the corner of my eyes. I turned Alexia and Zayden so they faced into the sides of my body to avoid the pain that had been etched across each family member.

I stared at Jilly from across the fire and her eyes were glued to her husband's gentle moves. He laid Derek down gently then Aidan followed his exact unspoken orders.

Hazel was sound asleep in Jill's arms. Her expressions were at peace while the entire vampire kingdom mourned over the sacrifice of a fallen guard.

"I will see you, baby. And when I do, I promise that we will never be separated again. I will fight for us to be together again." Cameron whispered with his hands placed upon his mate's wrapped head. He bent forward to lay a soft kiss on his mate's forehead. "Sleep well, darling. I will see you when the sun will be shining again." He stepped back then glanced up at Caleb with a firm nod. 

His eyes were glistening with a thick layer of tears as he stared into the blazing flames where Derek had just been put into. The fire engulfed his laying body and swallowed in the legacy that he had left with us. The imprint that he left us will never be forgotten for as long as we shall live.

One by one, the crowd of guards thinned until there was nobody but my family, mother, Caleb's family, and Cameron. The sun had already set but Derek's fire was lighting the night brightly for us. I felt his presence with us and wished him a safe journey to a fresh paradise.  

Asher's warm hand rested firmly against my lower back, so I turned to face him and listened to what he had to say with the volume of his eyes. The darkness of his orbs lit up with the flickering embers of the fire. 

He squatted down to our children's height then scooped them up, one in each arm, and kissed them both on the cheeks. 

"Do you want to stay out here and enjoy this beautiful night with me?" He asked them both. Their small heads nodded in excitement. "That's good. We can enjoy one last night with Uncle Derek." He whispered then turned to stroll away with our children still in his hold. 

I stared at them when they approached closer to the castle walls and walked around to the front where the gate was. When they were out of my line of sight, I turned back around to find Jilly standing beside me. Her arms were crossed and she was staring into the fire that was still alive was flames. 

"How are you?" I asked and stared into the fire with her. 

"I could be better," she paused but continued staring in front, "I just wish that Cam can carry on with life well enough without his mate." I nodded beside her but I'm not sure whether she saw my reaction or not. Caleb was standing with Aidan and Cameron on the other side. The father held Hazel closely to his chest. Her tiny body clashed with his well-built one, yet he treated her with such gentleness and care; he rocked from side to side for assurance that his little Hazel would be sound asleep. 

Jilly sighed beside me so I turned to face her but her arms were still crossed and she was still staring into the fire. 

"Did it happen quickly?" I knew exactly what she was asking about. She was referring to Derek's last breath. 

"Yes, it happened quickly." I replied. I closed my eyes and embraced the warmth of the fire like it was a hug given from Derek. "Nobody had a chance to save him. I wish I could." I whispered then opened my eyes to glance at the side of her face. 

"I can't imagine how Cameron must be feeling." She stated and stared at our best friend, who stood standing still like a statue, mesmerized by the flames that Derek seemed to be keeping ablaze. 

"I just hope that we're enough for him. I don't even want to begin what it feels like to have lost a mate." I exclaimed back and sighed. I glanced down at my feet and shuffled a bit. "I think I'm going to return back home. I'll see you there when you get back." I said then trailed  to where Asher and mother had walked just minutes before. 

I peered over my shoulder to see Caleb and Aidan walking up to where Jillian stood and they left not much longer after me. Cameron was left alone with his mate. He was left in the dark while Derek lit the night for him. 

I strolled past the gate and walked around the castle side to a fountain. Asher was sitting along the rim of the fountain while he watched Alexia and Zayden run freely across the grass. Their faces had wide smiles and I remembered just how much I missed spending my time outside with the fountains and garden due to the Shadows. I missed how much my children used to run around all day with Aidan. So I walked over to my husband and sat down next to him. He instantly wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in closer for a kiss on the forehead. 

"I love you, lovebug." He whispered into my ear then kissed my cheek. I cuddled closer into his side as he rubbed his hand up and down my arm. 

"I love you too, honey." I paused then glanced up at him, totally mesmerized with the dark shade of his eyes, with our children's laughs faded in the background. 

"Please promise me that you'll never leave me." I stated while staring deeply in love with his eyes. 

"I promise, darling."