My Midnight Moonlight Valentine (My Midnight Moonlight Valentine 1)

“You are afraid.” She knew right away. “As one should be when questioning their existence and path. But fear not, whatever the truth is, you will survive it.”

I swallowed and looked around at all their faces, all of them waiting, questioning with their eyes. When my gaze landed back on Theseus, he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.

“This was why we came back, to find out the truth,” he said to me. “Don’t be scared of it. If we are right, we will fix it. If we are wrong, we will sit here, drink, and think some more.”

I smiled and looked at the glass of blood I had yet to drink. Lifting it to my mouth, I threw it back like a shot, gulping down the liquid quickly before using my magic to set it on the floor. I just wanted to make sure it was still working. I tried to ignore all their stares, closing my eyes.

“What happened to us?”

Instead of an answer, I saw her again—me again—in that straitjacket, and my eyes filled with tears.

“Free us,” she demanded again.

“Who did this to us?”

She struggled against the jacket again but did not answer, could not answer. Instead, she called out again, “Free us.”

I reached over, wanting to rip the jacket to shreds, and magic sparked from my fingers. It was not going to burn me this time; I was going to burn it. However, when I grabbed it, it was cold, freezing like ice running through my veins. The ice, the frost, spread worse than the fire, letting go, my eyes snapped open, staring down at the ice on my hand.

“It seems it will not be that simple. But you tried, and that is all that matters,” Sigbjørnørn said as Theseus placed his hands on mine, but I pulled it away, holding it myself.

“Wait, what happened?” Ulrik questioned. “I saw magic. It was red then glowed the brightest blue, after that her hand froze. Did you find out anything?”

I...I...I held my hand to my chest. “She couldn’t answer. Just kept saying free us.”

“Well, we will just have to figure it out together then, little sister.” Melora grinned. “And if anyone enjoys a good mystery, it is Father.”

“He more prefers ruining a mystery, which is why he always guesses the end to the movie and ruins it for us all.” Atarah’s lips made a fine line.

“It’s quite annoying, and all our sons seem to have inherited this trait as well. Between them all, we get to answers by fire or by force.” Rhea looked over to me, her eyes still calm. “I can see them all itching to enter the library now to dig for answers and theories.”

“They will be in there for days trying to come up with their method of attack.” Melora replied, and the rest of them smiled, easing up.

“You all could add input,” Hinrik shot back. “After all, this is a family issue.”

“I much prefer spending time enjoying my new sister and helping her decorate her room or see her use her magic to fly again. You all can figure out that while we relax. Is that not what we deserve, sister?” Atarah winked at me.

“We can visit the hot springs,” Melora added.

“I wish to do that,” Ulrik said like a child, but Melora ignored him, focusing on Atarah.

Slowly, the conversation changed, and it was odd yet strangely comforting. It made the issue with me seem like something minor, something that could be focused on after a trip to a spa or something. And that made me relax. Which I thought was the point.

Seeing Sigbjørn smile, I knew for sure it was the point. They wanted me to relax about everything.

“Before you all get lost in your arguments, your mother wishes to say something.” Sigbjørn’s voice once again silenced the room.

Rhea glared at him, clearly not pleased with his shift in conversation. Nevertheless, she turned to me. “I was merely thinking, it seems I owe you an apology, daughter.”

“Gasp, she admitted it,” Ulrik whispered loudly to Melora, earning him another glare before she focused her grey eyes back on me.

Outstretching her hand, I waited for a second before taking it. However, it wasn’t a handshake. She pulled me into her arms and brushed the back of my head gently. “It is frustrating not to know what is happening to you, but do not fear, you are surrounded by family, now,” she said, hugging me tightly. It took a second before I hugged her back, and then she pulled away with her hands on my shoulder. “Whatever you need, I shall be here.”

“That is kind, but not an apology, Mother,” Theseus said under his breath.

“Do not interrupt me, son,” she hissed back before saying, “I apologize for my behavior. I am very protective of my children, and as my child, now I am protective of you. You will not face this alone.”

That’s all I wanted...not to be alone. “Thank you...all of you.”