Chapter 387 A new charm

Chapter 387: Chapter 387 A new charm

Talia’s POV

After I finished with Elena, I left the healer’s wing and walked to our room.

I walked through the quiet hallways, and I passed by the rooms of my pack. The stronghold was settling in for the night, and the torches flickered low in their brackets. When I reached our room, I opened the door and stepped inside.

The room was quiet, Kaelen was not back, and the fire had burned low. I walked to the bathroom, and I filled the tub with warm water, then I sank into the heat.

I felt the water lap against my skin, and I felt the warmth seeping into my tired muscles. I closed my eyes, and I let myself rest, just for a moment.

When I climbed out, I dried myself and dressed in simple clothes. I braided my hair back, and I looked at myself in the mirror. I saw the exhaustion in my eyes, but I also saw the determination.

I sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, and I looked out the window. The night was dark, and the stars were hidden behind clouds. I could see the fires of the camps flickering in the distance, and I could hear the distant murmur of voices.

I thought about my mother. She had been through so much, and she had been so strong. But I knew that the coming battle would be hard for her. She had lost so much already, and I did not want her to lose anything else.

I looked out the window again. "I should go to her.” I whispered to myself. “I need to see how she is doing, and I need to make sure she is holding up well, especially with the coming battle.”

I stood, and I walked out the door.

The hallway was quiet, and the torches flickered low. I walked to my mother’s room, and I paused at the door.

I could see the light flickering beneath the door, and I knew she was awake.

I knocked softly. "Mother?" I called out.

Her voice came from inside. "Come in, Talia."

I opened the door, and I saw my mother sitting by the fire.

She was holding something in her hands. And when I moved closer, I saw that it was a necklace, but it was not the glamour charm. It was different.

The chain was silver, and the pendant was a small stone that glowed faintly in the firelight. I could see the carvings on the stone, and I recognized the Silvertongue symbols etched into its surface.

I had seen those symbols before, in my mother’s journal, in the ruins of Luminara, and in the old books I had studied in the library. They were protection symbols, ancient and powerful, and they glowed faintly with a light that seemed to come from within.

"Mother," I said, and I walked to her. "What is that?"

She looked up at me, and I saw the tears in her eyes. "It is a protection charm. I made it for you."

I sat down beside her, and I took the necklace from her hands. It was warm against my skin, and I could feel the power humming beneath the surface.

"It will protect you," my mother said. "From Malachai, from his magic, and from anything that tries to hurt you."

I looked at my mother, and I felt the tears burning in my eyes.

"Why now?" I asked. "Why not before?"

She reached for my hand, and I felt the warmth of her fingers against mine. "Because I did not know if I would have the strength to make it before. But I have been working on it for weeks, every night while you slept. And now it is ready."

I thought about my mother sitting alone in her room, night after night, pouring her magic into a stone. She had been so weak when we rescued her, and so fragile. And yet, she had found the strength again to make this for me.

I looked at the necklace, and I felt the power humming beneath the surface. "Will it be enough?"

My mother shook her head. "I do not know. But it is all that I can give you."

She paused, and I saw the fear in her tired eyes. "Wear it, Talia. Please."

I looked at my mother, and I felt the love swelling in my chest.

"I will wear it," I said. "I promise."

I lifted the necklace, and I clasped it around my neck. The pendant settled against my chest, and I felt the warmth spread through my body.

It was not heavy, but it felt like it was. It felt like my mother’s love, and her fear, and her hope, all wrapped into a small stone that rested against my heart.

It was different from the glamour charm, because it was not hiding me this time, it was protecting me.

My mother smiled, and I saw the tears streaming down her face. "Thank you, Talia."

I pulled her into my arms, and I felt her warmth against me. "Thank you, Mother. For everything."

She held me tight. "Be careful, my daughter. And be brave."

I nodded, and I pressed my face into her shoulder. "I will. I promise."

I pulled back, and I looked at my mother. She was tired, and I could see the weight of the coming battle in her eyes.

"Mother," I said, and my voice was soft. "I just came to check on you. I wanted to make sure you are holding up."

She smiled, and I saw the love in her eyes. "I am holding up, Talia. Because I have you."

I squeezed her hand. "I have to go back to the room. Kaelen might be back, and he will be looking for me."

She nodded. "Go. Be with your mate."

I leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I love you, Mother."

"I love you too, Talia." She replied.

I walked to the door, and I opened it, then I stepped into the hallway.

The hallway was quiet, and the torches flickered low in their brackets. I could hear the distant sounds of the stronghold settling in for the night. I passed by the rooms of my pack, and I could hear the soft sounds of sleep coming from behind the closed doors.

I walked to our room, and I paused at the door, as I could hear Kaelen moving inside.

Kaelen had returned, and he was waiting for me, and he looked up when I entered.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed, and I could see the exhaustion in his gray eyes. But he was still the Alpha, and he was still strong.

"Are you okay?" Kaelen asked.

I nodded, and I touched the pendant. "I am. My mother gave me something."

I walked to him, and I showed him the necklace. "It is a protection charm." I explained to him.

Kaelen looked at it, and I saw the understanding in his gray eyes. "She loves you so much." He said.

I nodded, and I felt the tears burning in my eyes. "I know." I replied.

He reached for me, and he pulled me into his arms. I pressed my face into his chest, and I let myself breathe.