The Half Blood Book 3

Lady Breena strolled along a path of moist soil, surrounded by the most vibrant greenery she’d ever seen, her hands protectively cradling her rounded belly.

The sunlight filtered through the towering trees, bathing her in warmth and painting her cheeks a rosy hue.

Even though she was more at home in the chilly winters of her Court, she found herself appreciating this sanctuary that had kept her hidden for so long.

She let out a giggle as she felt her baby move. The end of her pregnancy was near, and soon, she’d be holding her child. Her child...

Her previously bright expression clouded over. Fear was creeping in again, fear for what lay ahead.

A child born in this Kingdom, a product of her and her soulmate’s pure love. But because of this, her innocent baby was seen as a curse to her family.

She didn’t know how to make her terrifying brother understand that her bond with the mortal was unbreakable.

Neither of them could stop their feelings for the other.

But Kieran, the Lord of her Court in the Unseelie land, dismissed her explanations, stating that the child she and the mortal had created had no place there.

Kieran’s temper always made her shrink back, not that he was ever cruel to her, at least not back then. Kieran had an air of authority and pride, much like others of his rank.

His presence commanded silence, his voice incited fear.

Regardless of how charming he might appear to others, his personality overshadowed any physical attractiveness he possessed.

He was fiercely protective of those he cared about, especially Breena. His sister was considered the epitome of beauty in the Unseelie Courts.

Her long, curly black hair, clear green eyes, and perfectly pointed ears were desired by many and envied by others.

And Kieran felt obligated to protect her. But he made one mistake. Breena yearned to explore the world of mortals.

A world filled with beings seen as lowly, uneducated, and subservient. Yet, she felt drawn to it—the desire to discover the unknown, to find what she was missing.

And when she encountered a mortal in a land of towering structures and noise, her heart pounded in her chest, signaling that her search was over.

The mortal, the man who had captured her heart with a single look and smile, and who had touched her soul with a kiss, was the most beautiful of them all.

But her bliss was short-lived when Kieran’s soldiers found her, after numerous failed attempts to bring her back to the fae realm.

Lady Breena was forcibly returned to her Court. Her soulmate was made to forget all about her.

He lived his life unaware that their love had created a child.

She spent the first few months of her pregnancy under the icy gaze of her brother, who constantly reminded her that her child would never be accepted.

But she held onto hope that her brother would change his mind. She knew that harmful rumors were poisoning his thoughts.

She remembered one night, as she walked along the familiar path near the icy sea, when she overheard Airdan, one of her brother’s closest friends.

“Kieran, have you decided what to do about your sister?”

Lady Breena concealed herself behind a wall of dried vines, using an enchantment to create an illusion.

Her brother rarely showed concern. “I know people are talking behind my back. As Lord of the Court, I have responsibilities, but Breena is also my sister. I can’t just cast her out.”

“Riathan suggested that once the baby is born, it should be sent to the mortal world. He’s still pushing for her to be betrothed to him.”

They want to take her baby away. Breena’s hands started to shake.

“I thought his obsession would end when he found out about her pregnancy.”

“We misjudged him. Their union would be the first step towards peace between us and them.”

“I understand, but the thought of Breena tied to him...he won’t want her child.”

Breena was all too familiar with the man they were discussing: Riathan, the Lord of the Court of Tears. His obsession with her had been ongoing for years.

She made the decision to leave right then, out of fear for her unborn child. But she was unaware of the words her brother would utter next.

That night, she and her loyal servant Reeona managed to escape using the golden crystal.

Kieran spent months tirelessly searching for the two of them. But he couldn’t prevent Riathan from discovering their absence.

He was fully aware of Riathan’s intense fixation on his sister. Kieran had made up his mind: he would sever all ties with him.

During those months, they resided in a region of the Fae Kingdom that neither the Seelie nor the Unseelie had claimed.

Now, she found herself meandering through a moist shortcut enveloped by greenery, where the sun’s rays kissed her delicate skin.

She was determined to protect this baby, whether it was mortal or not. It was hers, her flesh and blood, a piece of her soul.

The spell that shielded them from being tracked had served its purpose well.

Deciding to return, Breena treaded carefully to avoid tripping. Nestled among wildflowers, a humble wooden house was home to Reeona.

“I was starting to get worried, my Lady,” Reeona said, finishing up knitting a pair of tiny light green stockings with her magic. She was Breena’s only servant and trusted friend.

With her neck-length sleek hair, a distinguishing trait of her kind, Reeona appeared as youthful as a woman in her thirties.

“There’s no need to worry.” Breena rubbed her back.

“Come, have a seat.” Reeona rose, offering the cushioned chair. “You shouldn’t be on your feet for so long in your condition. Especially not outside, all alone.”

“Let me see them.”

Reeona handed her the stockings, just big enough for a pair of tiny feet. Breena smiled. “Green?” she questioned.

“The girl will have your eyes.”

“Did you see her face?” Breena’s face brightened. Although Reeona wasn’t a seer, she had the rare ability to see the faces of the unborn. “Tell me more.”

Reeona patted her hand, a comforting gesture. “Why ruin the surprise? You’ll find out soon enough.”

Lady Breena caressed her belly once more. Her daughter would have her eyes. Would she also have her father’s hair? Dark and wavy? Or his smile? Or his love for music?

Thinking of him, who couldn’t remember her now, her heart clenched. Not a day, a night, a moment passed that she didn’t long for him.

She often wished she had sought him out, but she was afraid something terrible would happen to him. She feared her brother’s wrath and Riathan’s brutality.

After a peaceful evening, they both retired to bed. The night air was slightly chilly. The ward’s spells were reinforced, concealing them from those who were searching for her.

Hours had passed since Breena had closed her eyes. Deep in her sleep, a pain began to spread throughout her body.

Slowly, the physical pain focused in her stomach, jolting her awake when the discomfort became so real that she started to scream.

Reeona, alarmed, found her in bed. “She’s coming,” Breena declared. Her face was a mask of intense pain: the pain of her bones shifting, making way for birth.

Reeona glanced between her legs. “When I say so, you start pushing.”

And she clutched her friend’s hand tightly. “The wards...” a scream escaped her lips. Between gasps, she repeated, “The wards are going to weaken.”

“That doesn’t matter right now.” Reeona conjured a pot of hot water and clean cotton handkerchiefs. “Push now.” And so Breena began to do so.

Her loyal servant instructed her to breathe, push, breathe again, and so forth. The baby was taking a long time to come out.

“I can’t...” Breena sobbed.

“Don’t give up. Think of your daughter. She’s suffering inside you.”

“I can’t, Reeona.” Tears streamed down her face. Amidst all the pain, she felt her protective magic waning.

“Breathe, Breena.” It was the first time her servant had addressed her informally. “The baby needs to come out. Now. I can feel her. She’s growing weak.”

Lady Breena mustered all her strength, pushing with the intensity of her screams. Her voice echoed through the trees, shaking the earth, leaving them exposed.

“Just a bit more. I can see her!” Reeona shouted. Amidst the despair, pain, and tears, a tiny, piercing cry finally broke through.

“She’s beautiful,” Reeona said, her smile radiant as she cleaned the tiny body before placing the baby in her mother’s arms. Breena’s face lit up with a blissful smile as she studied every detail of her daughter.

Her eyes were closed, her mouth so small, her peaceful expression taking in her mother’s scent. Breena paused at her daughter’s ears. They were round, not pointed like hers. The baby had the features of a mortal.

A heavy, dark presence filled the room. Reeona, who had just finished tending to Breena, stopped and looked around. Then she turned to her mistress.

The room grew darker, the air turning cold. Out of a swirl of black smoke, the one they feared most appeared.

Reeona stood by her mistress. Riathan’s face was stern, his gaze fixed on the small bundle sleeping peacefully in Breena’s arms.

“Riathan...” Breena said.

But he remained silent. Not when he saw the product of a forbidden love, between a mortal and a fae.

The woman holding her daughter had been his deepest desire for years, hoping that one day her feelings for him would change.

But his plans were shattered when she met her soulmate. Riathan felt betrayed by her, and most of all by Kieran, who had once promised his sister to him.

Riathan slowly moved towards them.

“No, please don’t,” Breena pleaded.

Reeona was about to defend her mistress, but Riathan stopped her with a simple wave of his hand. He let her experience the pain.

Images of heartbreak filled her mind, causing her to collapse in tears. Reeona lay on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Breena, though weak, tried to attack him, but it was futile. Riathan took the baby from her arms, pulling her away.

“Please don’t.” Breena resisted until he, with a bit more force, managed to take her away.

He looked at the sleeping baby with disdain, touching her little ears. His eyes hardened even more, the child...she...had carried inside...

“There’s no place for you in this world.” His words made Breena’s heart skip a beat.

“Riathan, please, don’t hurt her. She’s innocent.”

His gray eyes were now on her. Riathan was about to destroy the impurity that had been born, regardless of the endless tears it would cause the innocent face.

Seeing what he was about to do, Breena, in a desperate attempt, entered Reeona’s mind, waking her from her suffering and stopping her tears. Fear now consumed her.

Breena attacked Riathan, causing him to stumble, trying to make him face his deepest fears. But he was a Lord for a reason, after all.

She knew she couldn’t defeat him, but in that one moment when the Lord stumbled, Reeona swooped in, rescuing the crying baby.

“Take her and run!” Breena threw the crystal at her. Without a second thought, Reeona fled.

Unaware of the fate that awaited her mistress.