Gabriel hugged Carlos warmly and patted his back. "Co to us soon. I’ll be waiting for you," he said, pulling away.
"Of course! You’ll be heading to Aurevalis soon, right?" Carlos suggested, seizing a practical opportunity. "Why don’t we both go together there? There’s still ti before the next moon event is scheduled to occur, and it’s a long journey."
"Alright. Then, I’ll be waiting for you," Gabriel agreed readily, liking the idea of company. "However, I don’t want to trouble you, Carlos. You’ve already done so much for and have taken too much trouble protecting my family."
"Alie is my family, and so you are," Carlos affird sincerely, dismissing Gabriel’s concern about being a trouble. "Now, you should go up. Alie and Noah are waiting for you," he added, urging him toward the jet.
Gabriel humd his acknowledgnt and waved at him before taking the staircase into the private jet.
He ca to Alie’s side and took Noah from her arms; the child was soundly asleep. Alie looked outside from the small window, waving at Carlos, keeping a small smile on her face until the jet began to taxi.
Within a few hours, the private jet had landed in their territory. The night had already fallen by now. As they descended from the jet, Karn rushed forward, and opened the door of the waiting car.
"You didn’t have to do this," Gabriel said gently, getting into the back seat, holding a sleeping Noah closely against his chest. Alie got in quickly after him, pulling the door shut, while Karn sat in the front passenger seat next to the driver.
Once everyone was settled, the car drove off toward the palace.
Almost an hour later, the car pulled up in front of the royal entrance. "Karn, I’ll see you tomorrow. Go ho in the sa car and get so rest," Gabriel told him, exiting from his side. Alie was already standing outside, adjusting her shoulder bag when she offered, "I can carry Noah. You must be tired from holding him all that ti."
"Not at all," Gabriel said. He gently draped his arm over her shoulder, keeping the sleeping Noah securely tucked against his chest, and they both went inside. Crossing the massive main hall, they didn’t find anyone there and went straight up toward their private chamber.
Gabriel lowered Noah gently into the crib. "Noah is too tired it seems. That’s why he’s still asleep, no?"
"Yeah. I’ve ssaged Carlos that we were in the palace," Alie replied, tidying the bedding. "You should go see your parents and put their minds at ease."
"Lester must have inford them about our arrival," Gabriel replied. "I’ll freshen up first. I feel strangely hot," he murmured, rubbing the back of his neck, and went into the washroom.
"Your Highness, I’ve brought water for you," Ashna announced from outside the chamber door.
"Co in," Alie said.
Ashna pushed the door open and walked in with the tray. "Welco back, Your Highness," she said with a warm smile.
"How have you been, Ashna?" Alie took the glass of water and drank thirstily from it.
"I’ve been well," Ashna replied, taking the empty glass back from her. "I’ll bring the dinner for you and Prince Gabriel as soon as you are ready."
"Sure," Alie nodded and watched Ashna leave.
"Alie! Alie!"
She heard Katelyn calling her na loudly from the corridor. Quickly, she walked out of the bedroom, asking her to lower her voice. "Noah is asleep."
"Oh. Sorry," Katelyn apologized imdiately, lowering her voice to a whisper before hugging her friend tightly. "I missed you so much. I am happy you all returned safely. I have so much to tell you!" She pulled away and without waiting for Alie’s response, revealed her thrilling news.
"I love Sage! I have confessed to him, and I even told my parents. Soon, I’ll get married to him. He even proposed to !" She showed off the beautiful diamond ring she had on her fourth finger.
"Oh my god, Kate! This ring looks beautiful on your hand! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you," Alie exclaid, genuinely sharing in her friend’s joy.
"Thanks, Alie! I was dying to tell you all of this personally. Now, I feel so light," Katelyn said, chuckling happily. "But how did everything go at Carlos’ place? How is his grandmother?"
The smile vanished instantly from Alie’s face, replaced by profound sadness. "Grandma passed away, Kate." She felt a tight knot forming in her heart as she said those words. Tears welled up in her eyes within seconds. "It was impossible to save her. She was weak because of her existing ailnt, and to help and Gabriel, she sacrificed her health by exerting herself."
"What? What do you an sacrificed her health?" Katelyn asked, confused and instantly concerned by the heavy implication.
"Only a very powerful witch could help us by going to the past and making us see what exactly happened, the source of the conflict that explains why Ophelia is after our lives," Alie explained. "So, Grandma perford the ritual and sent us to the past using her magical powers through a deep, induced sleep."
"So, did you two find out what happened in the past?" Katelyn pressed, eyes wide.
"Yes," Alie nodded grimly. "Ophelia’s daughter tried to kill , and to save , Gabriel killed her." She took a shuddering breath. "From that mont, Ophelia turned completely vengeful. We didn’t do it purposefully. Anaya was behind all of all of that, she kidnapped , tried to kill , and separate from Gabriel. In turn, she lost her life."
Alie continued, detailing the consequences. "Ophelia then bound and Gabriel with curses, so that we could never be together. She made sure we would stay separated in every next birth we would take, forever denying us happiness. But it couldn’t happen," she explained, gesturing to their present life.
"That bloody witch! I swear if I find her, I’ll kill her for both of you!" Katelyn’s fury heightened, her voice rising in protective anger.
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