Chapter 8: The Woman Who Returned From the Veil

The Bloodspring exploded with silver light.

Justin could no longer see anything.

All he could hear was Gracie's voice.

"Justin..."

He reached toward her.

"I'm here."

A tremendous force struck his chest and sent him flying across the sanctuary.

He crashed against the stone wall.

The healer rushed toward him.

"My Lord!"

Justin pushed himself up.

His eyes immediately searched for Gracie.

The silver light had disappeared.

For one terrifying second, he thought he had lost her again.

Then he heard a faint cough.

Justin froze.

Gracie was sitting beside the Bloodspring.

Her hair was soaked, her face was pale, and the silver Progenitor's mark glowed over her heart.

But she was alive.

Justin took one step toward her.

"Gracie..."

She slowly raised her eyes.

There was no warmth in her expression.

Only exhaustion and pain.

"Don't come closer."

Justin stopped immediately.

"Alright."

Gracie placed a trembling hand over her stomach.

Her eyes filled with tears.

"Where is my baby?"

Justin's face collapsed.

He couldn't answer.

Gracie understood from his silence.

Her lips trembled.

"She's gone, isn't she?"

"I'm sorry."

Gracie closed her eyes.

A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"I knew it."

Justin wanted to reach for her, but he forced himself to remain where he was.

He had no right to touch her.

The healer suddenly spoke.

"Lady Gracie, the Progenitor's blessing has chosen you."

Gracie looked at him coldly.

"I don't want it."

Everyone froze.

"I don't want your blessing," she continued. "I wanted my child."

The healer lowered his head.

"I understand."

Justin stepped forward slightly.

"Gracie, I know nothing I say can make this right."

She looked at him.

"You're right."

His heart broke.

"But there is something you should know," Justin continued.

"Your child wasn't sacrificed for nothing."

Gracie's expression hardened.

"Don't use my baby's death to justify what you did."

"I'm not."

Justin shook his head.

"I'm telling you the truth. Your child was the true heir. The Progenitor's blessing was always meant for her."

Gracie stared at him.

"And you found this out after she died."

"Yes."

"How convenient."

Justin lowered his gaze.

"I know."

A sudden cry came from the other side of the chamber.

Isolde was holding her baby.

The infant was alive, but the golden glow around him had completely vanished.

Isolde stared at Gracie with pure hatred.

"You should have stayed dead."

Justin immediately turned toward her.

"Enough."

Isolde laughed bitterly.

"Now you defend her? After everything we've been through?"

"There is nothing between us anymore."

Isolde's face went white.

"Justin..."

"You lied to me."

His voice was cold.

"You allowed me to believe Gracie was manipulating me. You knew the prophecy and still helped steal the blessing."

Isolde shook her head.

"I only wanted my child to have a chance."

"And Gracie's child didn't deserve one?"

Isolde couldn't answer.

Morwen stepped forward.

"Justin, this has gone far enough."

Justin turned toward his mother.

"No, Mother. It hasn't gone nearly far enough."

His eyes hardened.

"You used your mind magic against my mate."

"You locked her away."

"You denied her medical care."

"And because of you, my child died."

Morwen's expression finally cracked.

"I did it for the clan."

"The clan doesn't need monsters to survive."

He raised his hand.

"Take my mother into custody."

The guards hesitated.

Morwen stared at her son in disbelief.

"You would imprison your own mother for a wolf?"

Justin looked toward Gracie.

"For the woman I failed to protect."

The guards stepped forward.

Morwen struggled, but they dragged her away.

Isolde suddenly tried to run.

Two guards caught her immediately.

"Justin! Please!"

She screamed.

"You can't abandon me!"

Justin didn't look back.

"Take her to the council chamber. She will answer for the blood ritual."

When the chamber finally fell silent, Justin turned toward Gracie.

"I know you don't forgive me."

"I don't."

"I know you may never love me again."

Gracie remained silent.

"But I will spend the rest of my life making sure no one ever hurts you again."

Gracie looked at him for a long moment.

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

"Then I won't promise."

Justin took a slow breath.

"I'll prove it."

Gracie looked away.

She was alive.

But the woman who had once loved Justin without hesitation was gone.

And Justin knew that bringing her back from the Veil had been the easy part.

Winning back her trust would be far harder.