Eclipse 76
Chapter 76
Freda’s POV
From the moment Damien had mentioned freeing my father from
prison, I’d been brought back to reality. The blissful ignorance I’d
been living in was washed away. This had put everything I’d been
planning into the first phase. All my pretense to make sure Damien
believed I was ready to be queen was falling into place. I didn’t want to let my guard down by getting too attached to him like last night, or
else my escape wasn’t going to happen.
As I waited in the study room, I took several deep breaths while I
waited for Damien to finish speaking with my father.
He was lean. My father was never a lean man. Half a chunk of his flesh was missing due to his time in captivity. He’d been fed well–I was aware of that–but as a man with pride, I doubted he’d eaten
anything offered to him.
“Freda.” I heard my name being called as the sound of the voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see my father walking toward me, and I smiled. I was happy he was no longer confined to
chains or kept in the dungeon.
“You look rather unwell, Father.”
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Chapter 76
“You look grown,” he said, staring at me sadly. His eyes held regret
and something else I couldn’t read.
“Well…” was all I gave as a reply. Of course I looked grown–I was
already doing grown–up things. My mind drifted back to all the
moments of pleasure I’d experienced over the past day. I never would
have guessed I had such a high libido. I shook my head and focused
my attention on my father. We were alone now, so we could talk.
“I hope you haven’t forgotten what you desire,” he said.
I shook my head. Freedom was what I desired. There was no way I was
forgetting that ever.
“I haven’t, Father. My decision to leave still stands.” I said with a
smile, but he didn’t smile back. I wondered why.
“You seem comfortable here. You seem rather happy. You have this
different look to you. Whatever it is, I hope you remember they are
not our friends.” He said sternly.
I could do nothing but nod. If only he knew how good Damien was to
- me. The thought of Damien made my heart sink as I began to ponder
his reaction when I finally escaped. Would he miss me? Would he
search for me? As I asked these questions, my heartbeat increased.
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Chapter 76
“What troubles you?”
“Nothing troubles me.”
He sighed. “It’s all over your face. You’re just like your mother. You
always have a tell when troubled.”
I smiled. It had been so long since I’d seen her.
“About Mother-
“Ah
yes. When I get back to town, I shall make arrangements with a
few people–ones in strategic positions on that day to help carry out
the plan. I’ll also leave you with information every day during our
time here for the coronation arrangements.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Your mother is the best person to stay with. I’ll make sure you’re
both reunited. The human realm is far enough to be away from this
monster. You’ll realize your true self with people who are like you.”
That was all I wanted. Freedom to be with people who were like me.
“Okay. Be safe on your journey back to the kingdom.”
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Chapter 76
I didn’t know how I was feeling. The whole plan to escape didn’t seem
like something I wanted anymore. Damien had been good to me. I had
the book–life I’d always wanted–but it was at the wrong time, wrong
setting. Everything was wrong. Our meeting, my cravings and desires
toward him—all wrong. This wasn’t how I wanted to settle. I was yet
to see the world, explore, live the dream life I wanted. I could not
settle. I would not settle.
“I will. I’m most worried about you.” His eyes shone with tenderness-
one of those rare moments my father openly expressed emotion.
“They’ve been good to me. I’m well, I promise.” I reassured him. There
was no need to lie because it was the truth. I’d taken a liking to
Damien’s uncle. He was an old man at heart and a good
conversationalist. If this weren’t such a dire situation, I would have
loved to introduce him to my father. Perhaps he could bring my father
out of all his sour moods.
“I’m going to get you out of here. I promise.”
With that, he signaled to the guards who were in charge of seeing him
out. As they got closer, I realized I didn’t want him to go. If he left the
castle, I was completely on my own.
“Wait. Let me see you outside.”
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Chapter 76
The guard shook his head. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but the king
instructed me to see him out.”
“It’s fine. I shall return soon. I’ll come with your mother and siblings.
I know they miss you.”
When those words left his lips, I rolled my eyes. We both knew that
was utter rubbish. There was no way his Luna or her children missed
- me. I was sure they’d thrown a ball when they heard the news of
Damien being my mate.
“Goodbye, Father.” I said with a single wave.
He didn’t look back, but I heard him say his goodbye before the castle
door shut.
I turned around gently and made my way toward the chambers. I
wondered if Damien was there. Would he complain about how much
time I’d spent talking with my father? Was he waiting for me? These
questions filled my head.
I stood outside the door for a few minutes before I finally decided to
push it open. I didn’t see him, but I heard water running in the
bathroom. A sense of something I’d never felt washed over me. I
frowned, trying to figure out what it was when the bathroom door
opened.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
