Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1134 - 45 : A Tearful Crimson Family Reunion

Chapter 1134: Chapter 45 : A Tearful Crimson Family Reunion

*Daphne*

It took days to finally make it home. We were able to wash up and get clean clothes from a kind elderly woman along the way.

The closer we got to the castle, the more anxious I became. Even when we were a mere few miles away, I couldn’t allow myself to get excited. Eva was still out there, hungry for revenge, eager to watch my blood pour out onto the floor in front of her feet.

“We’re nearly there,” Rion said suddenly.

I nodded, though I was well aware that we were close to my beloved home. My eyes immediately filled with tears when the mighty towers came into view, seeming to burst through the thick trees. I resisted the urge to sprint toward the comforting mass of stone, glass, and steel. The castle looked gorgeous in the bright morning light, the breathtaking pink and orange glow reflecting off the stained glass windows.

We had traveled all night in order to make it back. Rion had suggested we stop for the night, but I couldn’t bear to stop when we were this close to my family, to Mother and Father.

And to Rhys.

Rion understood my eagerness and respected it. He knew what it was like to be separated from family, to long to see loved ones again. He was also anxious to get me home so that I would be safe.

My nerves grew as we hurried through the grounds, through the intricate rose garden and the outdoor recreational areas. How would Mother and Father react to Rion? I looked down at the humble dress I was wearing and thought about the state of my hair, wondering what they would think of me in this condition. I wondered also what had occurred during my long absence. Were my parents aware of the danger they were in? How was Rhys?

So many questions and fears filled me by the time we entered the courtyard. I wasn’t too surprised when Mother and Father burst through the door leading into it, their eyes wide with shock.

As I locked eyes with my parents, the emotions all poured out of me and a sob flew from my throat. Mother reached me first, her slim arms immediately engulfing me. She pressed me to her chest and I realized that she was crying as well.

“Thank the Goddess,” she murmured tearfully into my hair.

“I’m home,” I told her soothingly even though I was crying as well, letting myself be smothered as if I were a small child again.

So many emotions swam around in my chest as my father joined our embrace, holding both me and Mother close to him. He bent to press a kiss to the top of my head, caressing the side of my face with his large hand. “Daphne,” he breathed, his deep rumbling voice thick with relief. “We feared the worst. Thank the Goddess you’ve returned to us.”

I tenderly pressed my palm against the hand Father had against my cheek, looking up to give him a tearful smile. My parents returned my smile gazing at me with an overwhelming amount of love and relief.

Father froze as he lifted his eyes to stare over my head. I could tell from his hardened expression that he noticed Rion standing awkwardly several feet away. Mother stiffened when she noticed Father’s grave expression and followed his gaze, her eyes widening when she too noticed Rion.

Panic ran through me as I watched their expressions turn to ones of suspicion as they narrowed their eyes at him. I had to admit that he did look suspicious in his dark clothing and his gruff appearance.

Rion’s angular but handsome face was grave as well, and even I could detect the guilt swimming in them.

Father straightened, rising to his full height. His whole countenance darkened as he stepped between my mother and me, and Rion, who straightened as well. I stood up and mother grabbed my wrist, her grip restraining. I felt the blood leave my face as I watched my father take a threatening step forward.

“Wait!” I shouted, pulling my arm out of my mother’s grasp so I could step between Father and Rion. I gave my father a pleading look. “Please, Father. Let me explain!”

“Daphne!” my mother shouted, her voice panicked. “Get away from him!”

I ignored her, keeping my eyes locked on Father’s. I gestured to Rion, whose eyes had lowered to the ground. “Rion is not our enemy. He protected me from Eva Stormfall and her followers and helped me escape from her lair. He brought me back here, brought me back safely to you!”

Mother had straightened as well to stand next to Father. She gripped his arm, her wide blue eyes fearful, but also guarded as she stared at Rion.

Father didn’t look any more relaxed. He lifted his chin. “Orion Stormfall, son of Dark Witch Hestia.”

It wasn’t a question, but Rion answered as if it was anyway, his head held high but his eyes still on the ground. “That is correct, Your Majesty.”

I felt my heart drop to the pit of my stomach when Father waved a couple of guards forward. “Take him away in chains.”

“No!” I cried, but Mother grabbed a hold of me, pulling me back. I watched helplessly as a couple of our tough Royal Guard warriors dashed forward and apprehended Rion roughly, binding his hands and feet in thick metal chains.

Rion didn’t fight them. His eyes widened briefly with fear, but then his mouth tightened in resignation and he lowered his head as he was grabbed roughly and efficiently bound.

I yanked my arm away from my mother and rushed forward, grabbing Father’s arm. “Father, please don’t do this!” I cried desperately. “Please! You can’t do this after everything he’s done to save me! He has more than redeemed himself.”

The age lines around Father’s mouth and eyes were suddenly extremely pronounced as he regarded me with a stern expression. “That’s enough, Daphne. The only reason you needed saving was because of him. Orion Stormfall is dangerous. You cannot expect me to allow him to roam around freely after what he did.”

I cried out as Rion was dragged away. He spared me a quick glance that I couldn’t quite read–it looked almost apologetic. His gray eyes were grim, but I read just a tad bit of warning in them as well. Did he not want me to argue on his behalf?

That was just too bad.

I turned back to face my parents. “Mother, Father, please. We’re going to need his help if we are going to stop his sister. With each passing moment, she gains more followers and grows even more powerful.”

Father’s face looked like it could be carved out of stone. His stern eyes held a lot of warning in them, but I just glowered up at him, showing that I wouldn’t yield to him. My mother, forever the peacekeeper in our home, stepped forward and put a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Daphne,” she said, her melodic voice both gentle and firm. She caressed my cheek and her wide blue eyes watered slightly. “Can you imagine how worried we were? I barely slept at all since you were taken. I’m sorry, but we aren’t going to risk anything happening to you. This young man will not be allowed to wander our grounds after what he’s done.”

I felt my own eyes watering as helplessness stirred within me. “As long as Eva is free, I am at risk,” I said as calmly as I could, but the panic was rising quickly. “The best course of action will require Rion’s assistance.”

I was proud of myself for keeping my voice level. I knew crying and begging would do little good.

“That is quite enough, Daphne,” my father said firmly. “You will respect our decision as your king and queen, and as your parents.”

I knew I was skating on thin ice, but I had to keep trying, for Rion’s sake, and for, really, all of our sakes. I widened my eyes, looking at Father pleadingly, hoping to soften his hard exterior. “Father, I understand your side and am appreciative of your efforts toward protecting me,” I said slowly, choosing each word carefully. “But trust me when I say that Eva will not rest until she gets what she wants.”

“Enough!” Father snapped. “I won’t hear another word about it, Daphne!”

I shrunk back. He rarely raised his voice at me this way. I knew I had pushed him over the edge, but he left me little choice.

Father’s expression softened at the look on my face. He approached me slowly and raised a hand to cup my cheek. “I won’t lose you again,” he said roughly. “I implore you not to fear the Dark Witch’s daughter any longer. You are home, and you are safe. Rest assured that we are putting our best efforts toward fortifying our borders.”

I opened my mouth immediately to start arguing once again, even though it would risk earning yet another rebuke if it meant another chance at saving Rion.

Mother sensed my coming argument and quickly stepped in in an attempt to reassure me. “We are well aware of the Dark Witch’s daughter, Daphne,” she assured me softly. She set her hands on my shoulders, gripping me firmly as if hoping to feel her rock-solid presence would placate me. “Let us worry about Eva. As your father said, you are safe now.”

I finally ducked my head when I looked between their stern faces, realizing that I wasn’t going to be convincing them at this very moment. I gritted my teeth, realizing that I would need to be patient.

“Your Majesty!”

We turned as a couple of Royal Guard warriors approached hurriedly, their expressions grim.

“Status report,” my father barked once they were within earshot.

The larger one straightened once in front of my father. “A couple of our scouts just reported that the followers of the Dark Witch’s daughter are aggressively scouring the forest in search of Princess Daphne.” The guards were careful not to glance at me.

Father’s eyes were wide with rage. “Double our fortification efforts!” he ordered. “I want more soldiers heavily posted along our borders!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” the Guard members chorused before rushing off to do just that.

Although it should have brought me great relief that our castle borders would be more heavily guarded, fear still gripped me like an unyielding vice, having already experienced the magnitude of Eva’s power.

Mother took my arm and started to guide me into the castle. “Come, Daphne,” she said. “You should get out of those clothes and have a nice, relaxing bath. You must be exhausted!”

I nodded numbly, allowing my mother to pull me along. Father rushed off to see to the fortification efforts. I watched his stiff back as he strode purposefully ahead of us into the castle.

I wished they would take my warnings seriously. I had no doubt that Eva would mercilessly attack our kingdom until her diabolical plan came to fruition. I had a bad feeling that my parents had no grasp on just how dangerous Eva was. There was no doubt that my parents were powerful, but could they face off against a lunatic driven by revenge and dark magic?

I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, feeling unable to act now that Rion was imprisoned. My parents would likely be watching me closely as well because of the threat of Eva’s followers.

All I could do was hope that somehow, Eva would be stopped before it was too late.