159 Hopeful
Lucian
We had showered, dressed, and slipped into the easy comfort of domestic silence. But there was an underlying tension coiling in my chest-one that I hadn’t yet voiced. The trip to Neev and Goldenpeak was weighing on my mind, but I didn’t want to sour the mood too soon. Not when I wanted to spend the entire day with her.
Mara was the first to speak as she combed through her damp hair, her voice casual yet focused.
“I finished reviewing Darian’s proposal this morning while you were still asleep,” she said, glancing at me over her shoulder. “His concept is solid-clean, forward-thinking. He’s passionate, and honestly, it shows. The application could really take off. Everything’s going digital now, and if we don’t ride the wave, we’ll drown.”
I smiled faintly and nodded. I had already made up my mind to fund Darian’s venture, but hearing her say it made something warm settle in my chest. Her faith in him, in us-this future we were all trying to build-meant everything.
“I’m glad you feel that way,” I said. “I was going to support him regardless, but it’s good to know you believe in it too.”
Her eyes softened. “He deserves a chance.”
I nodded again, then braced myself.
“Mara,” I began carefully, “I’ll be leaving tomorrow with Denis and Darian.”
She paused, hair brush mid-air. Her eyes immediately sharpened with concern.
“To where?” she asked. I knew her thoughts had gone straight to Mistwood.
“Goldenpeak and Neev,” I replied, watching the tension bleed from her shoulders.
She relaxed a little. “The doctor said we shouldn’t visit Richard for another three months.”
“I know,” I said gently, “but I’m not going to see Richard-at least not directly. I’ll stop by the home briefly, but that’s not the
reason for the trip.”
Her brows drew together as she listened.
“I’m going to see someone named Katya,” I explained. “She was a housemaid-served my parents during a vacation in Neev. Apparently, she ingested the same poison my mother did… but in smaller doses. It didn’t kill her, but it paralysed her
and damaged her speech.”
Mara slowly sank onto the edge of the bed, her expression caught between shock and disbelief.
“Lucian…” she whispered. “Why didn’t your father tell you about her?”
I exhaled heavily and sat beside her.
“Exactly why I want to keep this trip from him. If he knows I’m going to Neev, he’ll assume I’m visiting Richard-and he
might interfere. I need the truth, Mara. If Katya can still communicate-even just a little-it could mean everything.”
I reached for her hand and held it tightly.
“After that, we’ll head to Goldenpeak to get Darian’s grandparents. Denis is coming along, so I told him Keisha could stay here. That way she wouldn’t be alone.”
She went quiet.
“You’re not taking me?” she asked, her voice low and wounded.
159 Hopeful
I swallowed hard. I knew this part would hurt.
“I thought we’d go to Goldenpeak together,” she said again, a fragile edge creeping into her tone.
I turned to face her fully and cupped her cheek with one hand.
“Mara… you’re carrying our child. This stage is crucial, and those territories are unpredictable. Just because my family governs the island doesn’t mean we’re welcomed everywhere with open arms. If something were to happen to you or the baby, I-” My voice broke. “I wouldn’t survive it. Please, stay here. For me. So I can move with focus and certainty, knowing you’re safe.”
She stared at me, then nodded slowly, though the disappointment still lingered in her eyes.
“I get it,” she said quietly. “But I don’t want Keisha in my house. She can visit, but she’s not staying. I need my space, and Tiffany’s already living here.”
That was more than fair.
“I’ll handle it,” I assured her. “She’ll stay at home. You won’t have to share your space.”
She sighed, brushing her hair behind her ear.
“Is that why you’re taking me out today?” she asked, tilting her head.
I gave her a sheepish smile and nodded.
“Yes.”
Her lips twitched. “Where are we going?”
“The park or the cliff?” I asked, already linking Jennifer in the background to prepare snacks and drinks for the outing. I wanted the day to be perfect-unhurried, simple, and ours.
Mara didn’t even hesitate. “Easy choice, Lucian. The cliff. That’s our sanctuary.”
I leaned in and kissed her, grateful that-for once-she didn’t give me a hard time about sneaking off before a trip. The clif had always been our escape. Sacred. Untouchable.
“How long will you be gone?” she asked, brushing a piece of lint off my shoulder, her tone casual but laced with quiet
concern.
“Five days?” I replied, though it sounded more like a question than an answer.
Her brow arched, and she sighed.
“Lucian… your father is officially handing over the position next week. I can cover for you-say you went to see Richard-
but you know he won’t be pleased if you miss the ceremony. Not that it’s crucial; your atyaAlpha Mark is already active.
But I think your father wants the moment for the showmanship of it.”
Damn. I had completely forgotten. We’d made our travel plans last night, and I’d been so focused on Neev and
Goldenpeak that the ceremony had slipped my mind.
I winced a little. “Then I guess we’re spending three days instead.”
She chuckled. “Smart choice, Alpha.”
It took Jennifer nearly ninety minutes to prepare everything for the picnic, but by then, we were more than ready. As we walked through the packhouse, Darian and Tiffany’s closed door echoed faint thumps-clearly making up for lost time- while in the living room, Jennifer rocked a sleeping Emma in her arms.
“Tell my brother I’ve taken my wife for a picnic when he finally crawls out of that room,” I said with a grin.
150 Hopeful
Ponts
Jennifer smirked knowingly, clearly used to the Nighthorns’ disregard for volume or timing. Between Mara and me, and
now Darian and Tiffany, it must have felt like living in a love-fuelled thunderstorm.
The picnic went better than I’d hoped. We talked, laughed, ate far too many chocolate pastries, and laid on the soft
blanket watching the clouds shift above the cliffside. It was calm. Healing. It was the kind of day I’d tuck into my memory
and revisit when the world got too loud.
