The Crown's Fire - Chapter 93

Chapter 93: I Remember
“Are you aware of this?” Stephan questioned Dana as soon as they found themselves alone inside the carriage. Their journey back to the Capital City, headed inside Ebodia’s castle walls, had begun. However, Dana and her husband remained in shock following Ezekiel’s revelation until now.

“I had a hunch since I noticed how clingy he’s been with Tarah. He was exceedingly strict in his protection around her, to the point where they even shared a tent in the encampment. But then I considered that he might just be exercising extra caution after what happened to Seer Beirut, not to mention what I heard about Tarah’s vision regarding Devon’s attempt to harm her,” Dana explained with a deep sigh.

“Last night, I confronted him about why he placed Tarah in his bedchamber, and that’s when I realized something was amiss. I thought I should discuss this with you and with him today after we settled back since we were both tired last night… Who would have thought our son would spill the tea like this directly? He surely takes after you,” Dana continued, torn by the situation.

She was glad her son had found a woman he loved, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but worry, considering that Tarah was their kingdom’s new seer. Those two would face numerous trials if they pursued this relationship.

“We should support him in this, shouldn’t we? His situation right now is almost identical to ours before… All I want is for him to be happy and find a good woman like how I found you,” Stephan commented.

Dana smiled, a blush appearing on her face as she looked at the hand her husband held tightly. He was correct; Ezekiel’s situation mirrored theirs from before. A forbidden love between an angel like her and a human-like her husband. She had been tasked to protect him, but instead, she fell in love with him. It was forbidden for her kind to love humans, yet she defied that decree to fight for their love.

“We have no right to stop him from pursuing what his heart desires, but I’m genuinely worried because of the potential consequences… We both know there are repercussions when someone defies heavenly ordination,” she murmured with a heavy sigh.

She had once endured intense anxiety for Mineah, who bore the curse among her siblings due to Dana’s actions. Even now, that burden weighed heavily on her heart. Mineah’s life remained in jeopardy because of the chaos awakened within her. If that curse wasn’t broken soon, it could not only end Mineah’s life but also bring destruction to those around her, the people her daughter cared about the most.

“I trust Ezekiel, Dana, so I will let him handle this affair. I’ve been with him as he grew up, and I know our son’s capabilities well. He is responsible, intelligent, and decisive. I’m genuinely proud of how he grew up to be a strong man. I am confident in entrusting the throne to him without hesitation because I know he would excel even beyond me in ruling our people,” Stephan firmly stated.

Dana felt Stephan’s arms around her as he pulled her closer to him. “Let’s trust our children to handle their affairs and help to the best of our abilities. Trials like this are part of life, and what’s important is that we always have their backs and remind them they’re not alone in their fights,” Stephan hummed with a sigh, gently kissing her head.

“Stephan, I’m losing my divine power. I know it’s not that bad since I’m basically turning into a mortal. My only worry is that I’m no longer as powerful as before to help in times of great need, especially if our children will need it,” Dana informed her husband.

Stephan moved and turned her to face him, wearing the roguish smile she always adored. She guessed it was one of the reasons why she fell for him. Stephan always had this bubbly aura around him, even in times of trouble. He remained calm and collected.

“Isn’t it a good thing that I’m not the only one who’ll age in the process and whose skin will become saggy? We’ll be growing old together, my love. The heavens have been good to us since you’ve lived your life in repentance. You redeemed yourself here on earth, my love, despite breaking the law before,” Stephan reminded her with a wink as he gently leaned to kiss the tip of her nose.

“Also, our children have your angel’s blood in them. You said it yourself that unlike yours as a fallen angel whose divine powers would not replenish, theirs were different, right? They might not have the power of a full angel, but having half of it is good enough since it’s something that replenishes, like how our human’s immunity is built,” Stephan pointed out, recalling what she had told him before.

For years, Dana had conducted studies and experiments on her own children’s blood because of the looming curses that could befall them. A curse that was bound to happen to her future children as one of her punishments for breaking the rules of the heavens as one of its watchers on earth.

Fallen angels could lose their immortality and divine powers if overused. Curses were bound to their bloodline, but heaven was gracious enough to let those curses be broken by the descendant unfortunate enough to harbor them.

Dana had spent her time studying the blood of her children and comparing its abilities with ordinary human blood. It was then she discovered that unlike her, the divine blood in them merged well with their human blood. Like the immune system in their bodies, their divine energy never depleted because it could replenish whenever used.

It truly was an advantage, easing her slightly from the heavy burden she carried, knowing she was responsible for the curse that could befall her future generations.

“But still, I’m worried about Ezekiel. We’re unsure of what could happen if he pursues a relationship with his Seer,” Dana muttered with a sigh. Right then, Stephan pulled her once more into his warm embrace.

“I’m sure everything will be alright. Besides, we both know that heaven will not give us something we can’t overcome. It’s just a matter of how we all handle and deal with it,” Stephan encouraged, his arm tightening around Dana’s shoulders in a reassuring gesture.

Dana simply stared out the window of the carriage. Unknowingly, she drew something with her pointed finger on the misted surface of the closed transparent window. Suddenly, Dana remembered something…

“That mark… I remember it now. It’s the mark after a successful Tophet Bloodchain Spell!!!” she uttered with wide eyes, her voice trembling with realization.