And Then There Were Four novel Chapter 212

Chapter 212: Coming to Terms

The next two days played out as they should have. My brother finally returned to normal and Trixie had the mate back she had longed for her entire life. Seeing them together and back to how they were supposed to have been was a touching sight. I was glad that they had each other, and for once, I could see that Trixie was beginning to look like her normal self, which also pleased me.

The only thing I didn't care for was the fact that no matter how much I tried to find a way to help Damian, it wasn't going to happen. Instead, I watched him grow sicker by the minute, trying to spend whatever time he could with his granddaughter. While hoping and praying that things wouldn't have to end the way they were.

Standing by the back door of the main house, I looked out across the grassy field, watching Damian, who I had never truly been close with, play with my niece. Even my mother, who stood nearby laughing cheerfully with James as she too watched them, seemed to act as if Damian wasn't dying.

As if everything was normal.

I didn't understand how they could be so calm about everything, while I stood here in fear of what the future was going to hold.

“He looks good right now, doesn't he?" Talon replied as he came to my side, wrapping an arm around my shoulder as he pulled me close, kissing the top of my head.

“I don't understand how you can all be so calm about everything. He's dying and everyone just acts like it's a normal day."

“Would you rather us be moping around and mourning the fact that he was going to be passing instead of letting him enjoy the last days that he has?" he asked me, causing me to pull away and look at him with confusion.

He had a point, but no matter how much he was right about what he was saying, I couldn't help but feel regret. Regret that I was so hard on him when I was growing up. Regret that I pushed him away, and acted as if he was weak for doing what he did all those years ago. He gave up being Alpha, and I had always looked at him differently for that.

Even though, when I was growing up, I didn't know the truth.

Truth that I now understand… though it was too late to fix how I acted in the past.

“It just isn't fair," I said softly, my eyes brimming with tears as I glanced back at Damian, “He is still so young, he shouldn't be dying."

“Do not let yourself be full of regret, Cassie. He has lived his life and he understands that with every gift there are consequences. Fate gave him a second chance of life, and it's obvious that fate now believes he is needed elsewhere. Who knows, perhaps he is needed with you in Asgard."

Turning back to Talon, I furrowed my brows in confusion. “What are you talking about?"

Instead of replying, he simply shrugged his shoulders and gave me a wide grin. “I recently had a conversation with Silas and Finn…" he said, pausing for a moment before carrying on. “Your time here has come to an end, and when you leave tonight to go back to Asgard, you will be taking him with you."

“What?" I gasped, shaking my head in disbelief. “No… it isn't his time. It doesn't work like that. I can't just take him with me—"

“Yes, you can. I've already cleared it with Silas, and it will be happening. Damian has suffered too long with his illness. It's time for him to find peace, Cassie. He is needed in Asgard with you. And if fate did not want that to happen, he wouldn't allow it. So, all we can do is wait and see what fate deems to be possible."

“I don't think that I'm ready to go, though. I don't think I'll ever be ready to go back," I whispered under my breath. “If I go back, there's no telling if I will ever see you again."

Talon chuckled as he stared at me. “Well, of course we'll see each other again. This isn't the end, Cassie. We will all end up in Asgard with you, just at different times. Remember, time there moves slower. You never know when we will show up, but I'm sure when we do, you will be there to welcome us with open arms."

I knew what my father was saying was true. Even if deep down I didn't want to accept the fact that he was right. I had missed out so much on my time with my family having gone to Asgard that the thought of them dying broke a part of me.

“Daddy, I don't know if I can do this… I don't know if I can be the person they want me to be."

For the first time in a long time, I cried harder than I ever had. Talon wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to his chest as he smoothed down my hair, hushing me like I had when I was a child. “It's okay, Castor. You're so much stronger than you realize. It's why I trained you as hard as I did, I knew this day would come."

“What are you talking about? How could you know I would be where I am?" I sniffled as I buried my face against his chest, taking in the earthy smell of my father. A scent that I never wanted to forget. If I was ever to be a daddy's girl, I was glad Talon filled the role of my father.

He was the one I had bonded to the most.

“Sweetheart, I know that I have always come off as harsh, blunt, and a little unorthodox for most. However, before you were born, I had a dream that showed me what you would become. Now, I wasn't one to believe in those kinds of things, but over time, I realized that it was the fate's way of showing me what I needed to do. It was fates way of showing me what I needed to live for."

Pulling away from him slightly, I looked up into his eyes with confusion, and saw his own tears lingering on the corners of his eyes. “What do you mean you needed to live for?"

“That doesn't matter…" He chuckled, wiping his face. “The point is that you were always meant to be who you are, and I'm so proud to have been able to be a part of your life, Cassie. One day, when I arrive in Asgard, you will have to show me everything you have worked so hard to accomplish."