Triton's Oath - His Hybrid Princess

18 - Clearing the mind

Triton

Seeing Ava in pain and crying like that has affected me more than I imagined. Her screams of agony will forever haunt me. I couldn’t stop the pain, though I wanted to. Ava had to feel it for the magic of the locket to work.

She told me she loved me. Ava didn’t hate me; she loved me, and I couldn’t stop myself from telling her the same in return.

Ava passed out in my arms, her energy depleted. Her mother asked that I take Ava back to the chambers we stayed in previously. I didn’t want to leave her alone, but Blaze asked that I return to speak with Ava’s family.

That was a barrel of laughs!

There were so many of them that I couldn’t even begin to count them all. Many of them spoke all at once, throwing questions and accusations. I understood their fears. The past isn’t always easy to let go of when terrible things happen.

However, Ivy’s mother and father asked everyone to calm down. Ivy’s father then explained how Ivy had forgiven me. Ivy was the one hurt by my actions, and if she could move on from it, then no one else has the right to hold it against me. Aurora and Levi had moved on, and Mark held his hand out to me. I shook it because I had no reason not to. Mark said there was no reason to hold grudges when Ava loves me, and regardless of what anyone thinks of me, it won’t change how Ava sees me.

I appreciated everyone putting Ava first. It doesn’t matter if they all secretly loath me; it won’t change anything. I don’t care if they hate me with a passion so fierce it burns the very heart of them. As long as they speak to me respectfully in front of Ava, that’s all that matters.

I left them with the intention of returning to Ava. However, I needed some air. There were too many Lycans and Dragons in one place.

I stand in the middle of the forest with my eyes closed. I wonder what it will be like to meet Ava’s Lycan and Dragon. I bet they’re beautiful beyond compare, just as Ava is.

I breathe deeply. The air is fresh, and the moon casts a silver glow upon the quiet woods, piercing through the thick canopy of leaves. I stand still among the ancient trees, their massive trunks stretching high into the night sky like silent sentinels, the only sound being the occasional twig snapping underfoot.

I’m not used to being on land; the sea is my home. But I’m not immune to the beauty of the Earth, and even more so now because it reminds me of Ava.

I open my eyes and search the shadows for any sign of movement. My alert and sensitive ears twitch at the faintest rustle of leaves. The night is calm, yet I feel a gentle breeze caressing my skin, carrying the scent of distant flowers and the whispers of the trees. One can never be too careful. There is almost always something lurking in the wings, ready to attack without warning.

In my heart, the profound love I have for Ava, a love so vast it often leaves me breathless, is all I feel. I have lived many lifetimes and seen countless seasons come and go, but never have I felt such a deep connection to another soul. Ava is a creature of the land, yet she has captured the essence of my being in a way that transcends the boundaries of our worlds. Her laughter is a melody that dances through my thoughts, and her touch is a balm that soothes my weary spirit.

I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the night air. I close my eyes again and let the memories of our short time together wash over me. The way Ava’s eyes sparkle when she speaks of her dreams, the feel of her hand in mine, and the sweet taste of her kiss. These moments play like a gentle melody in my mind, each note resonating through my body, filling me with a joy that is both familiar and new.

My love for Ava is not just a feeling; it’s a part of me, as much as my Mer-form is a part of my essence. I cherish this bond, which has changed me in ways I never thought possible.

Suddenly, the tranquility of the woods is shattered by the unexpected sound of someone approaching. The crunch of leaves grows louder, and the shadows grow denser as the figure of a man emerges from the gloom.

My hand instinctively reaches out, ready to end the person if they’re a threat. But as the figure grows closer, I recognize the unmistakable presence of my uncle, Hades, Lord of the Underworld. The God’s eyes, piercing and wise, search mine, and a knowing smile curls at the corners of his lips.

“Triton, my dear nephew,” Hades’s voice is like the rumble of distant thunder, powerful and soothing simultaneously.

“Since when have I been your dear nephew? I thought that honor went to Heracles?”

Hades chuckles. “You know he prefers Hercules.”

“You know I don’t give a damn,” I smirk.

“I can feel your happiness from the very depths of the Underworld, Triton. I assume everything is going well with your mate. Has the locket been opened?”

“Yes, things are going well. The locket was opened, and Ava has her memories and the mate bond back.”

“Where is she now?”

“Sleeping. It took a lot out of her. I needed some air, so I came out here.”

Hades makes his way toward me.

I have nothing against my uncle; he’s always been good to me, even if I didn’t deserve it. I have often wondered if Hades would take a mate and have children of his own. But it never came to fruition. Perhaps one day, Hades will be as lucky as I am.

“You seem very different suddenly, Triton. More relaxed than I have ever known.”

I smile. “Uncle, I have never felt so alive, so complete. Ava... she is everything I never knew I needed.”

Hades’s smile grows wider, and his eyes twinkle with what might have been pride or perhaps amusement. “Ah, young love. It has a way of bringing even the mightiest of us to our knees.” He steps closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “I am truly happy for you, Triton. But beware, for love is a powerful force, and with great power comes great responsibility.”

The words hang in the air like an unspoken warning, and I feel a flicker of concern in my heart. I know that Hades is not one to speak lightly of such matters, but I brush it aside.

After all, what could possibly come between me and Ava?

We have overcome so much already.

“Thank you for your concern, Uncle. But I’m sure Ava and I will be just fine. Nothing will ever happen to my mate because I will protect her with my very life.”

Our conversation is cut short by a disturbance in the underbrush, a sudden movement that sends a shiver down my spine. I spin around, ready to attack, only to find a young deer, its eyes wide with fear, staring back at me.

Hades chuckles softly, the sound echoing through the trees. “You see, even the creatures of the night are drawn to the warmth of your affection toward Ava. That is why you must be cautious.”

The deer darts away, and I turn back to my uncle. “I have faith in our bond. Nothing can tear us apart.”

Hades’s expression grows serious. “Remember, Triton, the Gods are not infallible. Our hearts, too, can be tested. Do not let your guard down, for love is as much a battlefield as any war you’ve ever faced. There is no such thing as one hundred percent immortal. There are ways to kill even the oldest living being. There will always be someone who will exploit your weakness to end you, even if you believe you have none.”

With that, the Lord of the Underworld vanishes as suddenly as he appeared, leaving me alone once more with my thoughts. I know Hades spoke from experience, but my love for Ava is a beacon that could never be extinguished.

“Triton!” My name being screamed has my eyes widening and my body on high alert. “Triton!” There it is again.

“Ava!”

I teleport to our chambers, frantic with worry that something could be wrong. But I don’t see Ava anywhere. She’s not in bed, and she doesn’t answer when I call her name.

“Triton,” I turn in time to see one of Ava’s sisters running into the room – Alice, I think.

“What is it? What’s your name?”

She rolls her eyes. “Alice.”

Right, just as I thought. I could be forgiven for not knowing the difference when she and Alivia are identical.

“It’s Ava,” Alice pants, her eyes wide with fear. “She’s... she’s sleepwalking, and she’s screaming for you. No one can get near her to help.”

“Damnit,” I hiss while pushing past Alice in my haste to get to Ava.

The castle is bustling with energy. People everywhere are whispering about my mate. I snarl, causing many to look away in shame.

The moon casts long shadows through the narrow windows, dancing on the ancient tapestries that line the corridor walls. My heavy footsteps echo down the hallway as I sprint towards the East Wing. My thoughts race ahead of me, conjuring images of Ava, lost and vulnerable in the dark labyrinth of the castle.

“Ava!” I shout, my voice echoing off the cold stone walls. Only silence replies, thick and oppressive, as if the air is holding its breath in anticipation of what will come.

My eyes search room after room, desperation mounting. Ava’s sleepwalking is a sign of her distress, a manifestation of the traumatic memories that haunt her waking hours. Memories of the time we were torn apart clearly plague her mind. My heart wrenches at the thought of Ava stumbling through the halls alone, reliving those moments of despair.

Where the hell is Ava’s family?

Have they split up to look for her?

They better be!

I step out into the corridor, my eyes narrowing as I listen intently. The castle is a sprawling maze of towers and secret passages, and the screams could be coming from anywhere. Alice, her own fear etched into her features, runs up beside me.

“Where did you last see her?” I demand.

Alice points down the hall, her voice trembling. “She was heading towards the West Wing.”

“And you couldn’t have told me that before!?”

“Don’t yell at me!” She shouts. “You didn’t give me a chance to say anything. You took off, and in case you hadn’t noticed, you have longer legs than me!”

“And you’re a Lycan. Aren’t you supposed to be fast?” I fire back.

“And if I was human, I wouldn’t have caught up with you at all. Now, shut up! Get to my sister because she looked so lost, so scared.”

I nod because we don’t need to be petty; I need to get to Ava. We dash through the castle, the echo of our footsteps a grim symphony in the quiet night. The candles in the wall sconces cast a flickering glow that danced and leapfrogged ahead of us, throwing monstrous shadows on the walls.

As we approach the West Wing, the screams grow louder, more insistent. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I know we’re close. I push open the heavy oak door, the hinges groaning in protest, and we step into the abyss of the wing. It’s surprisingly modern here, not as I would have imagined.

Ava’s parents lock eyes with me momentarily before Rain begs me to help Ava. I look at my mate, spinning in a circle while screaming and pulling her hair.

“Ava!” I call out to her, hoping she will hear me.

Her head snaps towards me, but she doesn’t seem to see me. Instead, Ava turns and flees deeper into the wing, her bare feet slipping on the ancient stone.

I take off running after my mate. Alice, Rain, and Blaze follow. Ava runs through passageways and doors, never stopping. We make it to a library filled with books, but I can’t see Ava anywhere.

“Triton!” Alice’s voice is a sharp hiss in the stillness. She points to a figure in the corner, barely visible in the flickering candlelight. Blaze flicks on the overhead lights, and there is Ava, huddled against a bookshelf, her eyes squeezed shut as if trying to block out the horrors surrounding her.

I rush to her side, dropping to my knees. I gently wrap my arms around her, feeling her body convulse with fear. “Ava, it’s me,” I murmur, my voice soft and steady. “You’re safe. I’m here.”

Ava’s eyes snap open, and they are filled with terror for a moment. Then, like a storm cloud passing over the moon, recognition floods her features, and she collapses into my embrace, sobbing. I hold her tightly, my heart aching at the feel of her trembling body.

“You’re okay,” I whisper, stroking her hair. “I’m here, my love.”

Ava clings to me. “Don’t leave me.”

I kiss her head. “I will never leave you, Ava.”

“Too much inside my head.” She mumbles. “Can’t… Sleep…” But she is asleep, clinging to me like her life depends upon it.

I lift Ava in my arms and get to my feet. “She’ll be okay now,” I tell her parents and Alice.

“She was so afraid.” Rain sniffs.

Blaze nods. “She’ll be alright now.”

I nod and flash out of the room. Once we’re back in our chambers, I lie Ava on the bed, strip to my underwear, and climb in beside her. Ava instantly pulls herself into my arms, making me smile.

Ava has much to overcome, and it won’t always be easy. But I will always be by her side, her rock, whenever she needs one.

I don’t know how long I’m expected to stay in Lykos, but I hope not much longer. I need to return to Atlantis, and I want Ava with me when I go. I’ll have my mother arrange Ava’s and my wedding because I want to marry this woman according to the tradition of my people. I’ll ask her tomorrow.

Yes, that’s what I’ll do.