Offered to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter-55. How long

[Ezra]

"Is she the one? The cat you wanted as your healing partner?"

Xanthea peered at me for a few seconds and then lowered her head.

"N-no. I-I mean, I am excited about my new books." She said, forcing a smile onto her face.

I contemplated her for a while and then let out a sigh.

'... Don't try to attribute characteristics of the living to lifeless objects because if they were to come to life, you wouldn't be able to handle it,' her words replayed in my mind. Fine.

Lifeless object, huh? Let's see if I can or cannot handle a lifeless object coming to life.

Years ago, someone asked me this question, and it changed my entire life. Maybe it was time I passed it on to someone else. "Xanthea..."

She lifted her eyes to mine with slight hesitation and fear.

It was infuriating how she revived the parts of me I had buried long ago. How my heart read her pain like I had been doing it for years.

Sharing this question with her would mean sharing all those aching parts of me, both emotionally and psychologically.

I ran my fingers through my hair, taking in a deep breath.

Everything around us went silent. The market blurred away as I was a lot more aware of our heartbeats and breaths. At that moment, it felt like it was just us standing face to face. Holding her gaze, I asked.

"How long... do you plan to continue living like this?"

She drew in her brows as she widened her eyes slightly.

She remained silent and so did I.

Being alone with one's thoughts is always scary, but that was the only way to fix what's broken inside.

One glimpse in her eyes and it was like I could read her soul through and through. Maybe because once I too had a soul just as shattered, just as broken. And the longer I stared into her eyes, the deeper I drowned into the abyss of my past. So I knew how important it was for her to hear this.

"Isn't it tiring being the same all the time just because you are afraid of how others will react to those changes? How long do you plan to be weak, angel?" I asked, feeling a heavy weight press down on my chest.

Normal people develop coping mechanisms, and then people like us develop surviving mechanisms. But it does us more harm than good, closing us from possibilities of life. And then we look for a solution in others, in time. She took in a deep breath, tensing her body as she shut her eyes.

I stepped closer to her and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop myself from caressing her cheek.

"Your life has changed now. And with us as your husbands, it will never be the same again. I know life with us might not be better than your previous one, but hey! It can't get any worse. For better or for worse, we'll be around and no one's worse than us."

Biting her quivering lips, she held back her tears and laughter. She turned around, swiftly wiping off her tears.

I stepped closer to her, wrapping my arm across her heaving chest as I hugged her from behind.

her time to

her voice cracked with the weight of her emotions and I knew she wasn't apologizing to me but herself. "I

a quick gulp,

"It's ok," I said.

the cruelty we inflict upon ourselves

me, angel. Is she the one? The cat you want as your healing partner?" I asked, turning her

"Yes,"

think you are ready to

clenched her fingers into fists by her side

aren't ready for her," I said, lightening

and she strolled beside me, both of us looking around at the other shops, but our attention

than me. Why do you think Raven asked you to stay away from

thought for a while

powers went out of control..." she told me the entire incident that happened in the forests near Helxton and how she almost died because

happened?" I asked, examining

sometimes it's not about taking the fastest and safest path. Difficult paths are often

tread on

her lips in a thin

path's clear,

complete the healer course with another healing

But remember, before protecting anyone else, you must be capable enough to protect yourself. Before changing others, you

forget to visit 00005s.org for the full experience. You won't find the next chapter anywhere

looked at me,

everything, and I don't even have that kind of knowledge... yet. So, how do I... get stronger?"

them. But limitations are

furrowed in confusion. Meanwhile, I silently questioned whether my words were making sense. Or was I

is not around. You see, Raven isn't someone to easily show what's truly on his mind. His words often come out stingy and rude, more like a murder threat. But let's not forget he is a healer at heart. And I can tell, when he asked you to stay away from that cat, forget about his reasons.

race faster as she fidgeted with her

to show him you can handle Zosha and her powers as a mortal without risking your life. All I can do is create an opportunity - open the door for you. But you'll have

looked into my eyes again, and

a plan to cross your limitations. Because... healing partners can change even after college starts," I said, pointing towards the biggest bookstore in the Infernal realm, Grimbooks. "I can buy you stuff that can help you upgrade,

when she smiled, it looked a little more

can I ask you a

"Go on."

in Helxton, so why are you...

at her words. I looked at her with a

with you. Helping you is totally

flush crept up her cheeks, staining them

would I

steps,

I chuckled, following her.

***

models from all weird angles, drawing in attention and chuckles from the