Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 438

"No means no."

"Then we're not leaving." York and Zachary had made up their minds: they wouldn't leave until they saw Claire. They dug in their heels at the Tempest estate, refusing to budge no matter how many times they were shooed away.

Orion watched the two of them like a hawk, determined not to let them slip past. But he hardly spared a glance for Sean.

Sean gave the trio of troublemakers a cool, disinterested look, then turned and walked out of the mansion without another word.

The grounds behind the house were sprawling and serene-a perfect place to be alone. Sean liked the quiet, so he wandered toward the backyard, his small figure walking with a straight back and a calm, measured pace, as if the noise of the world simply didn't touch him.

Meanwhile, in the garden-

Claire was crouched among the flowers, waiting...and waiting. Half an hour went by, but Orion never came.

Her legs were numb from sitting in the same position for so long.

Did Orion forget about her?

Whatever. She needed to get up and stretch her legs.

crouching for too long; her legs prickled with pins and needles. As soon as she tried to straighten up, her knees buckled, sending her stumbling forward a few steps-until she landed flat on the ground with a soft thud.

and complained, "What took you so long, big brother? I've been waiting for you in

she spoke, Claire tipped her

moment she saw who it

wasn't Orion standing

of her had pale skin that caught the sunlight, glowing softly. His eyes were bright as stars, but cold and distant, as if he kept the world at arm's length. His nose was straight and sharp, his expression severe, lips set in a

was still a child, it was clear he'd

fell over his forehead, fluttering in the light

her, his gaze landing

eyes softened ever so slightly, a

feet, saying nothing for a long moment.

could only see the boy standing in front of

reunion so many times. She just never

striking, stoic man she remembered...but she recognized

life like a ray of light at her darkest hour,

Foster-Sean, just ten

still a child, with

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