Chapter 50 #3
“Now Cedric, I understand she is your daughter, but we will punish her. I never like these challenges. Such a waste of life,” she says, shaking her head before looking at my father.
I can’t tear my eyes from him. It’s like looking at a ghost. I look like him.
I always thought I looked like my mother but with him in front of me, I’m not so sure.
We have the same hair color, the same full lips, he is a bit of a hippy which I didn’t picture, even in the memories I had of him, he was always clean and well shaven and dressed clean.
Not in a dyed shirt and board shorts. His feet are bare but his gaze softens as he takes me in and I can tell without a doubt he loves me even if he wasn’t there when I needed him or that I could fully remember.
Tarina came forward, pulling my attention to her. “So, what about the challenge?” she asks, and the rest of the council members walk over too, also wondering.
"Will you be taking your position back?” the Irish man asks, looking at my father. My father nod, and they look relieved.
“What about Christopher’s next in line?” Tobias asks.
“No, I reckon it is time for a change. Let the people vote who gets the head of the table,” Percy says, stepping out from behind my father. I forgot he was even there. They all nod in agreement.
“Well, it is decided. Josiah, welcome aboard. I will give you early congratulations as we all know you have the people on your side and after this mess, I don’t see anyone stepping up to challenge you for the spot.”
Josiah nods but adds nothing. Everyone’s eyes dart to Bianca, who shrinks under their intense gaze.
“Imogen, you can choose what happens to your sister,” Josiah says, and everyone looks at me waiting. My father’s eyes dart to hers, worried.
“She can share the same Fate Josiah had after he killed Alaric. Then I don’t care what you do with her,” I tell them. Bianca screams and fights against the vines trapping her. Our father walks over to her and rubs her cheek.
“You did the crime, now you must accept the punishment,” he tells her, and she drops her head ashamed before nodding, a sob leaving her lips.
“It’s only a month of whipping and having organs pulled, Bianca. You will live, unfortunately. And to add to that you will become my servant until we can trust you again,” Josiah sneers, and I know he will give her hell, as his eyes flare. Bianca pales, and I have to hold in my laugh.
I let the vines drop and wobble slightly.
Theo grabs my elbow to steady me. I hadn’t realized how much energy and power I was burning just by keeping her trapped until I let the magic go.
A wave of exhaustion washes over me, and darkness pushes against me.
Guards haul Bianca away, kicking and screaming.
“We will get out of your hair, go home, Imogen. You did well today. I know this won’t be the last time I will see you,” Mara says dismissing everyone before leaving with the rest of the council.
That only left Josiah, Tobias, Theo, and my father standing in the quad with me.
I look between my father and Josiah, who seemed to be having a Mexican standoff.
The silence is awkward. What do you say to the man who took your memories of him away?
“Dad, for the sake of Imogen, can you please take it up with Cedric later? As much as I want to skin him alive, he is still her father,” Theo says, touching his father’s shoulder gently.
Josiah takes a deep breath before sighing.
His eyes move to me, and he comes over and hugs me tightly. I return his hug.
“Take the car. I need to sort some things here. You are lucky your daughter is mates with my sons and the mother of my grandchild,” he tells my father before turning to face his sons. “Your mother is going to have a heart attack when she finds out,” he says looking at Theo and Tobias.
“Bianca said I had an adorable grandson,” my father says, looking thoughtful. Tobias growls low and I elbow him. My father smirks at my actions.
“You can meet him, just let me get my head around the fact you are alive first,” I tell him.
“Here, put your number in here; I will call you once everything settles down. I really want to meet this grandson of mine and let you get to know me better, Imogen. I never planned for any of this. I loved your mother, still do, and I know Bianca has hurt you, but I promise she isn’t all bad.
Hopefully, one day you will get to know the better side of her,” he says, passing me his phone.
I doubt I will ever feel differently about Bianca, but I type my number into his phone, anyway. Today has been a strange day.
Handing his phone back, he touches my shoulder, squeezing softly. “I better head in and I am sure your father has some choice words he wants to deliver to me,” he says, nodding to Tobias and Theo.
“What now?” asks Theo, watching as my father leaves.
“We go home,” I tell him, walking to the portal needing this day to be over with. I just want to go home and see my precious boy.