Chapter 330: Unexpected News
I paced my room like a prisoner counting steps.
Each step was filled with anxiety as I wondered if we could make it through this war without Lyla discovering the truth. The weight of the truth – Mother Liora's last words pressed down on me as the day went by, making each breath feel like a struggle.
One hand clutched my robe tight around my chest, and the other was pressed against my temple like it could hold my thoughts together. But they were spilling anyway—memories, guilt, dread—all of it.
It has been calm and quiet for nearly a week now, but the clouds of war were gathering, and for all my ability to see, I didn't know if this was the final war or if there was more. Nothing was clear these days.
What if we didn't survive this? What will happen if Lyla never knew? Would our armies be able to fight the Dark Forces?"
My stomach twisted, and I hated myself for thinking it, but some part of me wanted the truth buried forever. It was safer that way, simpler, and kinder.
The door opened without a knock. Only one person would enter my bedroom with such familiarity.
"Have you told Lyla yet?" Terra asked, her tone making it clear this wasn't a question but an accusation.
"Good morning, Terra. Did you sleep well?" I tried to smile.
"We won't have that luxury to greet each other in the future if the right thing is not done, Miriam. Have you told her?" she repeated again.
I resumed my pacing, avoiding her gaze. "This isn't the right time."
"And when exactly will be the right time, Miriam?" Terra closed the door firmly behind her. "After the Dark One has returned with a new host? After more lives are lost?"
"Maybe we're overthinking this thing."
"Don't do that." Terra's voice cut like a blade. "Don't give me one more excuse, Miriam. You've had days, weeks, months, and years. You grew up with this girl. Did you need Mother Liora to say it before you'd believe it?"
"You think I don't know that?" I snapped, turning to face her. "You think this doesn't bother me every second I look at her?"
"Then why haven't you said anything?"
just killed Nathan," I snapped. "Her childhood friend. Do you think now is the appropriate moment to
I resumed by pacing.
it to her like that…"
should I do you
I snapped. "It's between me and
problem? What is holding you back? The Miriam I know would not hesitate to carry out a duty, no matter
end, he was still the boy she grew up with. The boy she trusted. You didn't see the way she looked at him on the day he was buried – like something in her broke.
her arms. "We don't have the luxury of
She's my child," I insisted, stepping around
Terra countered, her voice was filled with frustration. "You're afraid of how she'll react when she learns you've kept this from her all these
her. "Don't presume to know my motivations! I've carried this burden since before she was
carry, whether you like it or not." Terra's eyes flashed with rare anger. "She's not a
me," I whispered, finally voicing my deepest
truth too late, when lives could have been saved by
edge of my bed, suddenly exhausted. "You don't understand what it's like. Watching your child
want to protect something you love so much," Terra agreed, her tone softening slightly. "But I do understand duty.
"She's pregnant."
her eyes.
Just
"There's no peace for someone like her. Lyla would never know peace as long as the Dark One
from her, swallowing the knot of emotions that had formed
Terra retorted. "And
scared for her. She's trying hard to carry
is different, possesses a high level of intelligence,
too much for her, Terra. She barely sleeps.
more. Yes, she needs to slow down, but with or without the babies, the fates of
any of this. Not the responsibility and
choice? By sending away her one-year-old, knowing she would never see her again? The burden of
have to like it,"
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