Semua Bab My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian : Bab 421 - Bab 430

Lyra"We should eat," Odile said, already sliding into the chair beside me.Father cleared his throat behind me. "Lyra, is that any way to greet your old man?"I winced at his deliberately fatherly tone. My mood soured. I turned to see him flashing that same annoying, knowing smile. "What, you can't even spare a hello for your favorite parent? Surely you can't hate me that much."A laugh bubbled up in my throat, bitter and sharp. I swallowed it down with a tight mouth. No use getting dramatic in front of strangers. I crossed to him with measured steps, sank into a shallow curtsy. "My king.""Better," he said, cupping my elbow, pulling me up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm famished."I watched him for a moment, trying not to stare too long. It still didn't feel right, having him here, surrounded by the warmth of this makeshift family. I turned to my mother, who hadn't looked up once since I entered."Mother?" I called.No response. She shoveled food into her mouth with single-minded fo

Lyra"It's been a while since we've had a crowd," I said. "Nice to have some company."Nadia smiled at me like it was an inside joke between us, and for a second, I felt a rush of affection for her. Then doubt crept in, a worm burrowing under my skin. She leaned back in her chair, one arm draped over the back of it. Her other hand played absently with a curl of her hair. It reminded me of how she looked when we were alone together, relaxed and easy. But this morning, in this room full of people, she seemed different. Her smile wasn't quite as warm, her laughter a half-beat off. It was a subtle thing, but I knew her well enough to notice.I started to turn my attention back to the person speaking across from me, Gero or Rennick, I never could tell them apart, when my father spoke up."Lyra," he said, and I snapped my gaze to his. "Why don't you give Odile a tour of the castle later? Nadia looks a little down this morning and could use cheering up." I frowned slightly, unsure what to mak

Sera"Fuck, you're standing!"She stared back at me, a hint of confusion in her unfathomable eyes. I took a slow step closer, not wanting to startle her. Amara stood there, watching me, waiting.Water dripped from my skin onto the stone floor. I could feel the heat of the cavern seeping into my bare soles, warming my feet. Amara's gaze followed a droplet of water as it rolled down my shoulder blade to my breast. I stopped. She looked up at my face again, her head tilted slightly, but she didn't move.I shook my head in disbelief, then broke into a genuine smile. "You need to come here," I told her, my voice soft and warm. "I want you to walk to me. Can you do that?"Her brow furrowed in confusion. I could see the gears turning behind her eyes as she tried to understand. Her attention flickered between my outstretched palm and my face. When she still didn't move, I stretched my arms out to her in invitation.Amara looked at my hands for a long moment before finally taking a tentative s

Sera"I'm coming in."I pushed the door open, already talking mid-sentence: "Mina, I swear you wouldn't believe what just happened..."The living space was empty...But I heard splashing water from the bath area. I looked towards it. Still holding Amara, we walked towards it."Hey Mina, I—""Ah, what the fuck!" Mina yelped, startled; something she had tucked near her ear fell into the churning water. She froze, eyes wide with panic, staring at me like she'd just seen a ghost.The words died in my throat as I caught sight of Mina in the stone bath tub.I stood there, staring, trying to reconcile what I was seeing. Mina looked away, her hands plunging into the tub's depths, fingers splayed open. She searched frantically, still cursing under her breath, at me, at herself.Her eyes went wide. She'd found it. She pulled out a small black object, dripping wet. Her expression was filled with worry as she held it gingerly in front of her face. "No no no... please no..."Still begging, she sto

SeraI made my way to the kitchen, phone in hand, thinking through how to get rice without drawing attention to what I was actually doing.Upon entering the warm, bustling space, I scanned the area. A stout woman was working at a counter, chopping vegetables, while a lanky young man stirred a large pot over the stove. I approached the woman."Greetings, Luna," she said, setting down her knife. "What brings you to the kitchen?""I'm hosting a luncheon for Lord Vane and his family," I improvised. "I need a bowl of raw rice. Do you have enough?""Of course, my lady." She wiped her hands and fetched a bowl and a sack of rice from the pantry. Spooning some into the bowl, she asked, "Anything else I can assist you with?"I gave her a warm smile. "No, that's all. Thank you."She bowed her head. "Enjoy your luncheon, Luna."I took the bowl and headed back out, careful to keep my movements natural and unfettered. Once I was alone in the corridor, I slipped the phone down into the rice, burying