Theodore gazed at Lexi before him and couldn't help but feel pain. Somehow he knew he'd let his lover down. If only he could rewind the past, then he'd still be happy with her. Though he was immortal, some things were out of his control.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice that he still loved to hear, "Theo, we can't go back to the past. I only wish you forget about me. Your appearance will only bring doom to little Tyra."
Though it was the truth, Theodore refused to accept it. If he left today won't it be the last time he saw them? Unfortunately, his premonitions were true but he wasn't aware of it.
"I won't leave. Lexi, I still love you, please, just don't push me away, ok? I won't be able to handle it," Theo choked.
Never had he thought that one day he'd plead for love in front of a female. Not just any female but this one was of a mortal race, the enemy. A relationship between a mortal and an immortal was a curse and it had to be put to an end.
Under the moonlight, Lexi observed the face of the man she'd loved so much but at that moment, she couldn't find it in her heart to reciprocate his love.
"You know what Theodore, I just want a quiet life. A life where I can live peacefully with Tyra," Lexi admitted.
Clenching his fist, Theodore felt his heart being torn apart. She doesn't want him? No, she no longer needs him in her life. What went wrong? Did I not love her enough? He thought so hard that he felt suffocated.
A dull sheen flushed into his eyes as he whispered to himself, "Lexi, why? Why can't we be just like this?"
Though he seemed to be mumbling to himself, their compromised position enabled Lexi to hear him. Just before she could answer, Lexi felt a drop of water land on her hand.
Lexi, "..."
For a moment, she couldn't utter a single word. Had she just made the grand wizard, Theodore shed a tear?! Somewhere in her heart, she had the urge to reach out to him and coax him.
On the other hand, her brain protested so hard that she found herself doing nothing but staring at him dazedly. Even the once strong love could fade with time, it was denoted.
"Lexi, you no longer need me right? Right?" Theodore probed only to be responded by silence.
Her silence meant a yes to him. Yes, she no longer needed him. But he still needs her. Theodore wanted to make up for his past mistakes, oh! so they were. He wanted to be there for his daughter if at least not for her, Lexi.
Countless women were willing to marry him by hook or crook back in the fire realm but he only wanted her. If that's the case, then he'll grant her wish. Theodore firmly made a decision.
After a few seconds of their brief silence, Theodore spoke, "Fine, Lexi if that's what you want. I'll grant your wish and never appear in your sight. However, mark my words, you'll always be the one."
With that, a brief flash of light appeared as he vanished, leaving the darkness that he'd found. A moment after his disappearance, Lexi who had her back resting on the bed sobbed bitterly.
However, she did it silently not to wake her daughter. She let the pillow be her company after all there was no one to accompany her. She cried out her tears until there were no left and as if the heavens pitied her, they sent her to slumber land.
Unknown to her, the secret that she'd been trying to protect all along had been long revealed. Outside the middle-sized room with a long thick curtain that acted as a barrier stood a male silhouette.
One couldn't make out his thoughts but he bore a pained look. Raphael knew Lexi bore no feelings for him however, never had he thought that the person she loved was none other than the fire wizard, Theodore. She was in love with an enemy.
Raphael said nothing and disappeared from his spot. Though he could feel her pain and sorrow through their mate bond, he was sad that the person in her heart wasn't him. It deeply hurt him but he had nothing to do about it.
"I hope you have no other secrets, Lexi," he mumbled as he disappeared towards the forest for the night shift.
Meanwhile...
In the fire palace, the first fire wizard, Theodore's father sat on his throne. There seemed to be a meeting as the hall was filled with several men.
"M'lord, I suggest we strike early. I hear some mortals have begun ascending to the heavenly realm," spoke one of the men, dressed in a golden robe.
He bore a malicious look as he spoke, Lord Darius from the Sapphire lands was among the strongest men in the fire realm. To get noticed by the fire wizard lord, he conquered a couple of small kingdoms on the mortal lands.
Everyone around him felt his obvious malice however, they didn't dare to say anything. For the fire realm, only the grand wizard was most respected.
Also being a member of the fire realm court was a privilege as one was in direct contact with the grand wizard. The grand wizard hearing this could not help but be interested.
Though he already had this in mind but because of his eldest son, he didn't dare to strike. Now that someone had appeared and was willing to do the dirty work for him, why not take a chance?
However, all these thoughts were kept in his mind. In front of his subordinates, he had to maintain the image of a fair and diplomatic governor.
Caressing his red long beard, feigning thought, he said, "I'll see to it. We need not show our cards unless we know what the enemy wants."
Deep down in their mind, he already had a plan brewing. It's only a matter of time before everything will be in place. A small shadow of a smile flashed upon his face as he dismissed his subordinates from the palace court.