Chapter 89: The Mission Started
Lirian took a deep breath, trying to calm down the mess inside her chest.
"Wife." The word felt weird.
She glanced at him, his stern face was set like carved stone as he directed the soldiers preparing for departure.
Gabriel caught her looking at him, lowering his eyebrows a little.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Are you sure you’re ready for this?"
Her mouth was dry, but she nodded. "I... I’ll be fine. We don’t have a choice, do we?"
"No, we don’t." There was an undertone of worry that he couldn’t quite hide.
"But if anything feels wrong, you let me know. No matter what the plan says."
"You have my word," she replied, though she knew in her heart she wouldn’t back out.
If anyone was going to end Meylo’s reign, it had to be her.
Lirian wasn’t naive; she understood that she was the bait, the one person Meylo couldn’t resist luring into his trap.
Gabriel pressed his lips together.
He was about to say something else when Pedro squawked loudly from her shoulder, interrupting the moment.
"Danger! Danger! Meylo!"
Lirian rolled her eyes, but a smile appeared on her lips.
"Pedro, Meylo isn’t here yet. You’re supposed to warn us when he’s close, not give us a heart attack."
Pedro tilted his head, "Just practicing! You’ll thank me later."
Kael appeared at her side, his heavy boots clanked against the stone floor.
He leaned on his sword with casual ease, but there was some edginess in his tone.
"If Pedro’s warning is anything like his timing, we’re doomed." He grinned, trying to lighten the tension.
"I resent that!" Pedro squawked, flapping his wings. "I’m a professional!"
Lirian sighed, shaking her head.
"Enough, both of you. We don’t have time for this."
Kael straightened his shoulders and back.
"Fair enough. But for what it’s worth, Lirian, I think you’re braver than all of us. Walking into this mess headfirst... I wouldn’t blame you if you turned back."
She met his eyes...
"Thank you, Kael. But I’m not turning back. I can’t."
Kael nodded, before he stepped away to check on the rest of the group.
Lirian’s stomach churned as she watched the soldiers loading weapons and supplies.
Raphael’s commanding voice carried over the commotion, issuing instructions that left no room for doubt.
He was relentless, focused entirely on the mission ahead.
Lucius stayed near the edge of the staging area, like a shadow that refused to leave her side.
Lirian could feel his eyes on her, burning with disapproval and something darker she didn’t want to name.
She avoided his glare, focusing instead on Gabriel, who seemed to sense her unease.
"He’ll get over it," Gabriel said quietly, his hand brushed hers again.
It was such a small gesture, but it sent some comfort through her.
"I doubt it," she murmured, glancing at Lucius.
"He’s not angry because he cares. He’s angry because he’s losing control."
Gabriel’s jaw tightened.
"If he ever tries to hurt you again, he’ll lose more than control."
Her heart twisted at the intensity in his tone.
She wanted to believe him, to trust that he could protect her from the man who had caused her so much pain.
But Lucius was cunning, and his reach extended further than most dared to acknowledge.
Before she could respond, Raphael walked over.
"We’re ready to move. Lirian, you’ll be with Gabriel and me. We’ll keep you at the center of the formation."
She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Understood."
Lucius stepped forward again.
"This is a mistake."
Raphael didn’t even flinch. "Your objections have been noted. And overruled."
The older man’s eyes narrowed. "You’ll regret this."
"If we succeed, there will be nothing to regret," Raphael replied back in an icy tone.
He turned to Lirian, softening his muscles a little.
"Stay close. If anything goes wrong, we’ll adapt. The priority is keeping you safe."
Lirian forced herself to nod, even as her palms grew clammy.
She hated being treated like a fragile object, but she understood the stakes.
Meylo wouldn’t hesitate to use her against them if he could.
The group began to move.
Pedro fluttered above them, scanning the darkness.
"All clear so far!" he called down, his voice sounded oddly cheerful given the circumstances.
Gabriel kept one pace beside Lirian, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his sword.
She could feel his tension, the way his muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap.
"You’re too quiet," he said after a while, glancing at her. "What’s on your mind?"
She hesitated, unsure how to put her drowning thoughts into words.
"Everything. This plan, Meylo, my father... you."
He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
She nodded.
"You’re risking so much for me. I don’t know if I deserve it."
Gabriel stopped walking, turning to face her fully.
The rest of the group moved ahead, giving them a moment of privacy.
"Lirian," he said, sounding commanding but gentle.
"You deserve more than you’ve been given. More than what that man has put you through. If this is what it takes to make sure you’re free of him, of Meylo, of everything holding you back... then it’s worth it."
Her throat tightened, tears threatened to spill.
She wanted to believe him, but the scars on her soul felt too deep to heal.
"Thank you," she managed to reply in a cracking tone.
Gabriel’s eyes blinked slowly, and for a moment, their mission faded.
But only for a moment.
"Let’s keep moving," he said, offering her a small smile. "We have a long night ahead."
As they caught up with the others, Lirian’s shoulders and back hardened.
"Lirian..." Pedro landed on her again.
"Yes, Pedro?"
"Don’t forget that Queen Elira gave you that power for a reason...to save Gabriel..." He whispered.
"I know, Pedro...I know..."
"It will be very dangerous, but you need to watch out for Meylo’s tricks, and make sure Gabriel stays alive...because if he dies in this life...Lirian...you will die too..."
He was talking slowly, allowing Lirian to take everything in.
"I won’t die, and neither will Gabriel."