Chapter 27

I won’t lie and say I hadn’t suspected there was more to my life’s story. Especially after meeting Navine. Our relationship always seemed too good to be true, too easy—even when I tried to chalk it up to luck.

But when I started learning about Rosaline and Dominick’s issues, I realized there was so much more to everything that had happened. To face whatever was coming, I needed to understand why and how it all happened.

Emelio looked a bit guilty at this point. Lord Jekia wasn’t too pleased with him either, but he managed to keep his cool as he spoke to him.

“I get it if the Higher Powers forced your hand in some of this, but you should have told me. Didn’t I ask you not to keep secrets from me?”

Emelio nodded. “You did, and I’m sorry for not honoring your request. Honestly, I made the choice because of everything that was happening. I couldn’t bear to cause you or your family more pain. I felt the same about Raelina, especially when I realized the danger she was in. If silence could protect her and spare your family more heartache, I was willing to do it.”

Rin chimed in. “You do realize that contradicts all that stuff you always preached about good intentions, right?”

Emelio conceded. “I’ll admit that. But a lot of this was under the orders of the Higher Ones too. They were worried about things getting out of control—maybe even worse than before.”

Navine asked, “Did you know who Raelina’s soul was when you and Jekia found her?”

Emelio shook his head. “Not at first. But the whole event seemed strange. I couldn’t understand why the lycans would target the last Sect of Sun Fae. They never attacked without a reason, even if it was a selfish one. Things didn’t add up. That’s why I decided to visit the Higher Ones to learn more. I thought maybe one of the Sun Fae leaders was involved in something shady, and if so, I wanted to handle it to keep Raelia safe.”

Lord Jekia nodded. “That makes sense. I wondered about it too. But when I questioned those close to the Sun Fae, I found nothing. Then the attack against us happened, and the issue was forgotten.”

Rin’s ears twitched. “It’s like that whole thing buried all of this. Pretty convenient if you ask me.”

Emelio agreed. “It did feel that way, but I assure you it wasn’t planned. The Higher Ones were upset about losing Sage in this world. They like having several powerful alphas around at once. It’s like an insurance policy in case something happens to the current ruling one.”

Navine crossed his arms. “We know how they see us. But back to the topic, you said you went to them to find out why the Sun Fae were targeted. I assume that’s when you learned about Raelina’s situation.”

Emelio nodded. “Yes, but we also found some interesting information in the archives. According to what we found, the lycans were hired to kill the Sun Fae by a more powerful creature. And they knew everything about them because a group of Snakes was spying on them.”

I could see where this was going. “Nanash was part of that group, wasn’t he?” I guessed.

Emelio continued. “It seems so, although he switched sides during the attack. He not only alerted Lord Jekia, but he also led the lycans away from where you were hidden, knowing it would make him a target.”

“So, you wiped Raelina’s memory because you were worried he’d be taken out for his actions?” Lady Lana questioned him.

Emelio nodded. “That was a big part of it, and why he ended up on Navine’s mountain. It was safer for him there. But there was another reason we didn’t want Raelina to remember. We hoped that if she didn’t, the cycle that started so long ago wouldn’t continue.”

“So, you were hoping she and Navine would never cross paths,” Rin concluded.

Jekia snorted. “But you knew Navine had seen her and recognized her soul. Why would you think that would work?”

“Because they tried to make me forget too,” Navine confessed quietly.

I turned to him in surprise. “They did?”

He sighed. “Yes. I wasn’t lying when I said I met Raelina by chance that day. I couldn’t ignore the pull I felt toward her. I didn’t suspect there was more to it until later when I started dreaming about the Sun Fae and their deaths. At first, I thought it was just a reminder, but after the Golem incident, I realized there was more to it and that my memory had been sealed too.”

Emelio confirmed this. “Yes, but I didn’t do it. Lumae did. She was worried things would escalate if you kept knowing who Raelina was, especially with the one causing all this trouble. But I think she knew you and Raelina would meet again and break those seals. She just wanted to protect you both during Raelina’s childhood.”

“Good intentions, but we know where those can lead,” Lord Jekia pointed out.

I was getting more worried for Nanash. If Emelio was hinting at Dominick, he could be in danger. Dominick had shown he could get into Navine’s palace easily.

“We should probably go home. Nanash might not be safe alone,” I suggested.

“Why? I wouldn’t think anyone could get into Navine’s home that easily,” Rin questioned.

Navine understood my worry, placing a hand on my shoulder. “She’s worried because we both know Dominick is likely behind all this, including the Sun Fae attack and using the Snakes to spy on them.”

Emelio nodded solemnly. “He’s always in the background, but his name keeps showing up in the records, including his communication with the Snake clan leader before the attack. Lumae told me she thinks he found out about Rosaline’s reincarnation being born into the Fae sect, and he was using the Snakes to find out who she is now.”

“Then why the fuck aren’t they letting us deal with him?! If they know he’s involved, why let him keep doing this?!” Rin exploded.

“Because they don’t like the conflict among the Northern Lands’ alphas,” Lord Jekia answered gravely.

Navine agreed. “It’s all about the hierarchy. After Jekia became ruler, the other alphas fell in line behind him in case anything happened to him. Sage was the original successor, followed by me, the Onyx Dragon Niles, and then the Prism Dragon, Dominick.”

“And if there’s chaos among these five alphas, it threatens the system,” Lady Lana concluded.

“Exactly.”

“But Rayne and I are adults now! Shouldn’t that count for something?!” Rin argued.

“It does, but you’re still much younger than them. That affects your strength and skill level,” Emelio reminded him.

Before Rin could respond, Lord Jekia spoke. “Don’t take it as an insult. You and Rayne are great alphas. Your biggest challenge now is gaining the wisdom to handle whatever comes your way.”

“I guess,” Rin conceded reluctantly.

Emelio lowered his gaze to me, his voice sincere. “I’m really sorry, Raelina. I know it must seem harsh that we’ve kept you in the dark about all this, but both Lumae and I wanted to shield you this time.”

“I guess it’s because you know what happened to Rosaline when she got caught in the alpha feud,” I ventured.

“It’s not just that. It’s the fact that every life you’ve lived since Rosaline’s has ended in tragedy,” he revealed.

Navine’s ears perked up at this. “What are you saying?”

Emelio was straightforward. “Just what I said. When we examined Raelina’s soul volume, we found that each of her lives has ended tragically. What’s more intriguing is that the Prism Dragon seems to have been present in each of those lives.”

Navine muttered under her breath. “So he’s tracking her soul too. He’s even more twisted than I thought.”

I was utterly lost. “I don’t get it. Why would he keep pursuing me? Is this all because Rosaline chose Navine over him?”

Emelio tried to explain. “I think it’s his nature. From what I know about Dragon Dominick, he thrives on cruelty and manipulation. That’s one of the main reasons the Higher Ones didn’t let him vie for the ruling position here. I’d even say they’d personally eliminate him if there were no other option.”

Rin chimed in. “Sounds like a psychopathic alpha to me.”

Emelio agreed. “Psychopathic, narcissistic, manipulative; all these words fit him. I’m sure that’s why you and your siblings were kept away from him, right, Jekia?”

Lord Jekia sighed deeply. “Yes, although I feel a bit more secure now that you three are grown.”

He looked at me, his eyes softening. “But you understand, Navine, that this has been one of my biggest worries about Raelina. We’ve seen her life threatened multiple times, and remembering everything will probably put her in even more danger.”

“I get it, but I’m not scared of him, Lord Jekia,” I declared. “He might’ve gotten the better of me these past few times, but I’m starting to understand his tactics, and I know I’m not as weak as I used to be.”

Navine cautioned me. “That may be true, but don’t underestimate the risks.”

I stood my ground. “I’m not, and I won’t let him win this time. This cycle ends with me.”

Emelio smiled, amused. “Maybe it can, especially since this recent incident might be backfiring on the Dragon. But I think it’s best if I take you two back now. I’ve been keeping an eye on things, and the Snake should be okay, but let’s not push our luck.”

Navine and I agreed, not wanting to take any risks. Plus, I was eager to see Nanash. I wanted to apologize for what happened after I ate the fruit and tell him that I forgave him for what happened long ago and that I didn’t blame him.

He had tried to warn me and saved my life. He was still my friend, even after all this time.

Lady Lana hugged me warmly, just like she used to when I was a child. “Please stay safe, Raelina, and don’t hesitate to visit us. We love having you around.”

“I will, and I’m sure Navine won’t mind me visiting you occasionally,” I assured her.

Navine nodded in agreement. “Not at all.”

Rin turned to Navine. “Speaking of which, I did promise Raelina she could meet Aurora soon. It’s been a while since she’s visited me and my siblings. Maybe we’ll drop by soon.”

Lord Jekia cautioned him. “Don’t impose, Rin. You three can visit Raelina when the time is right.”

Navine held my hand, reassuring Jekia. “It’s okay, Jekia. I’m sure Raelina and I can arrange that visit. For now, let’s head back. I don’t want to take any risks.”

“All right then.” Lord Jekia’s gaze was gentle as he gave my head a comforting pat. “Take good care of yourself, kiddo.”

“I promise I will. I can’t thank you enough for everything.”

I was genuinely filled with gratitude for all that Lord Jekia and his family had done and continued to do for me.

I was equally thankful for all the good that had come my way, despite the heart-wrenching loss I’d suffered. I was convinced that the bonds of friendship I’d formed and the love I shared with Navine would be my saving grace, helping me break free from the vicious cycle I’d been trapped in for far too long.

I was resolute in my decision that Dominick would face the consequences of his actions this time around.

Then, I could finally live the blissful life I’d always dreamed of with the one I was sure I was meant to be with.