LOGINAeliana's POV
"The vial contains a sample of your mother's blood, preserved with magic the day you were born," Mara explained. "It's keyed to your bloodline. If you open it near your parents, it will react, confirming their identity beyond any doubt or deception."
"They knew," I whispered. "They knew I'd become a vessel. Knew what I'd carry. And they've been suffering for twenty years because of it."
"Which is why we're getting them out," Caelan said firmly. I could feel his absolute determination. He meant what he said. "We plan carefully, we coordinate with allies, and we extract your parents from that facility. That's not a question. The only question is how we do it without getting everyone killed."
"There's one more thing you should know," Mara said quietly. "
Aeliana's POV"They were real people," I said quietly as Mara's stories finally wound down. "Not just monarchs or legends. They were people who loved each other, who loved me, who had flaws and quirks and normal moments between the royal duties.""They were exactly that," Mara agreed. "And when we rescue them, when you finally meet them again, you'll see all of that. They might be changed by what they've endured and might need time to heal. But underneath the trauma, they're still the same people who loved you enough to sacrifice everything to keep you safe.""I won't let them down," I said fiercely. "We're going to get them out of that facility. We're going to bring them home. And then..." I paused, not sure how to finish the thought."Then you'll have time to be a family again," Mara finished gently. "Time to learn who they are now, who you've become. Time to build new memories to replace the ones that were stolen."Dawn was breaking outside the windows, painting the sky in shades o
Aeliana's POVMara's expression softened. "Your mother was brilliant, the kind of intelligence that saw connections others missed, that understood magic and politics and warfare with equal clarity. But she was also warm, funny even. She'd make terrible jokes during serious council meetings just to watch the stuffy advisors squirm."Despite everything, I found myself smiling."Your father was a strong person. Not just physically, though he could match any Alpha in combat. But emotionally, he had this way of making everyone around him feel safe, protected, and valued. He never raised his voice, never had to. When he spoke, people listened because they wanted to hear what he had to say."
Aeliana's POVAlpha Sienna answered on the second ring, her young face appearing on the screen with a mixture of surprise and pleasure. "Aeliana! I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon. Is everything alright?""That depends on your definition of alright," I said, offering a small smile. "I need to talk to you about something important. There is something happening in your territory."Her expression shifted to alert concern. "What's going on?"
Aeliana's POV"The allied Alphas are requesting an emergency conference call. Sarah, Thomas, and Marcus Silverstone. They've heard about the Silverwood Guards returning and want to know what's happening." Marcus's expression was carefully neutral. "They're concerned about the implications of having Royal Guards who have pledged loyalty to your mate around and what kind of operation might be brewing."Through the bond, I feel Caelan's flash of irritation. We'd hoped to have more time before needing to brief the allies."How much do they know?" I asked."Just that the Guards arrived and have been in constant tactical meetings with us. They're smart enough to know something significant is being planned." Marcus paused. "They want to be briefed before committing any resources or support.""Set up the call," Caelan decided. "In the conference room, twenty minutes. Bring Liora and David... I want everyone of us present." He looked at me. "You should be there too. If we're asking for their s
Aeliana's POVThe planning session stretched late into the night. By the time we'd mapped out preliminary extraction routes, identified personnel requirements, and established communication protocols, exhaustion was settling into my bones like lead.But sleep felt impossible. My mind kept circling back to the same impossible truth: my parents were alive. Although they are suffering, imprisoned, and dying slowly.Caelan sensed my turmoil through our bond. His hand found mine under the table, squeezing gently. We should rest. Tomorrow brings more planning and more preparations. You need sleep."I need answers," I replied him, watching Mara and Aldric debate the merits of magical versus conventional breach points. Twenty years, Caelan. They've been prisoners for twenty years while I lived a normal life, completely oblivious.That's not your fault. His thumb traced circles on my palm. You were a child. They made choices to protect you, and those choices worked. You survived. That's what t
Aeliana's POV"Six initially." Aldric's expression darkened. "We lost three more over the years, either killed by Council agents or Seeker operatives while searching for the princess. Sera, Lyra, Thomas, and I are what remains of the inner palace guard. We have two others from the outer guard who joined us five years ago after we found them."Through the bond, I felt Caelan's careful attention. He was watching this reunion with the same analytical focus he brought to everything, reading the genuine emotion while still assessing for any signs of deception or manipulation.But there was none. This was real: two groups of people who'd loved the same royal family, who'd survived the same tragedy, finally finding each other after decades of believing the other dead.







