When Zeph woke the next morning, the soft rustling of his blankets and the dim light of dawn filtering through the curtains greeted him. His senses slowly sharpened, and he became aware of a warm presence nearby.
Selena, his mother, was slumped in a sitting position next to his cradle, her arms draped protectively over the edge. Her head rested on her crossed arms, and the lines of exhaustion were etched deeply into her face, even in her sleep. It was obvious to Zeph that she hadn't slept all night.
He felt a flicker of something akin to guilt—but it was quickly overridden by irritation. They left a child alone to face that monster, he thought bitterly, his mind flashing back to the creature that had almost taken his life.
Anger simmered beneath his skin, but Zeph knew better than to let his true emotions show. He had to play the part of an innocent baby, after all. With a calculated move, he let out a soft baby noise, a small coo designed to wake his mother without causing alarm.
Selena stirred slowly, blinking groggily as she lifted her head. Her eyes met Zeph's, and despite the weariness that clung to her, a relieved smile broke across her face. The tension she'd been carrying for hours seemed to melt away at the sight of him awake and full of energy. She reached into the cradle, her touch gentle as she scooped him into her arms.
"You had me so worried, Zeph," she whispered, her voice soft and trembling. "I thought I lost you."
Her words should have warmed him, should have made him feel safe, but instead, they only fueled the anger roiling inside him. You thought you lost me? Zeph seethed internally. That's because you left me alone to face something you couldn't even begin to understand.
The memory of the near-death experience was fresh, and it shook him in ways he hadn't anticipated. He had come so close to being consumed, and it had made him reconsider if staying with this family—these mortals—was even worth the risk.
But outwardly, he played the part of the cheerful infant, suppressing his dark thoughts with a fake giggle. Selena smiled even more brightly at the sound, her relief palpable as she cradled him against her chest, humming softly.
Her worry was misplaced; she thought he was still just a baby, ignorant of the dangers around him. She had no idea of the storm brewing in his mind, the calculations, the cold logic. He was already rethinking whether remaining in this vulnerable state with them was the right decision.
As Selena cooed softly at him, the door creaked open, and Elara entered the room. She had been watching them for some time, standing in the shadows, hesitant to intrude. Now, she stepped forward, her face wrought with guilt.
Zeph felt a fresh wave of anger as her presence reminded him of her failure. She had promised to protect him. She had sworn to keep him safe. And yet, when it mattered most, she hadn't been there.
Elara knelt down beside Selena and Zeph, her head bowed low in shame. "I have failed in my duty, Prince," she said softly, her voice breaking as she spoke. "I promised to protect you, and I have broken that promise. Please, forgive me."
Tears began to stream down her brown cheeks, and she made no effort to wipe them away. They dripped silently onto the carpet below, each drop stoking the fury in Zeph's chest.
Forgive you? Zeph thought, his mind darkening with resentment. You couldn't even protect me long enough for me to walk. You're worthless, just like the rest of them. All of you are incapable of safeguarding my life.
The disgust and anger swirled in his thoughts, but he knew better than to let those feelings slip through his infant facade. Instead, he forced another giggle, lifting his small arms toward Elara as if to comfort her.
Selena, misinterpreting his gesture, smiled warmly and spoke to Elara. "Rise, Elara. I think Zeph has already forgiven you. He knows you are not the one to blame. As his mother, it was my duty to keep him safe."
Zeph's inner fury only grew at her words. Blame? he thought with disdain. This isn't about blame. It's about trust, about competence. And you both have proven to be utterly inadequate. He watched as Elara slowly lifted her head, her tear-streaked face full of sorrow and regret.
"No, Mistress," Elara said, her voice thick with emotion. "Please, don't say that. I swore to protect Prince Zephyron, even if it cost me my life. I have failed you, I have failed him. Please, punish me as you see fit."
Selena's face softened with sympathy as she reached out to gently touch Elara's shoulder. "You haven't failed anyone, Elara. Zeph is still here, still safe, and he still needs protection. You are the only one I trust to keep him safe when I cannot."
Zeph almost laughed at the absurdity of their exchange. Protection? The word felt like a mockery to him now. He had almost been devoured by a creature from the depths of hell, and they were talking about trust and forgiveness. He had barely survived by his own wit and strength, and now they were acting as if things were back to normal, as if they had control over the situation. It was infuriating.
If he weren't so determined to maintain his act as a baby, he would have picked up the cradle and smashed it over both their heads. But instead, he lay still, his little hands reaching out in apparent affection, while his mind swirled with contempt. He was done with this charade, done with their weakness and incompetence.
As the two women continued their exchange, Zeph felt his patience wearing thin. Their words blurred together in a haze of frustration and irritation. He couldn't be bothered with their dramatics anymore, their misguided sense of duty and loyalty.
If he were older, if he had full control of his abilities, he wouldn't be in this situation in the first place. But for now, he had to endure, to play along with their delusions.
Without a word, Zeph closed his eyes, tuning out the voices of his mother and Elara. He needed clarity, and he knew where to find it. Reaching inward, he called upon Lucian, the other half of his soul—the one who could provide answers, the one who could help him deal with the frustrations of living among mortals who were so far beneath him.
As his consciousness drifted, the sounds of Selena's comforting words and Elara's sobs faded away. The anger still simmered within him, but in Lucian's presence, he would find the guidance and knowledge to make sure he would never feel vulnerable again.