▪︎Author▪︎

Silva woke up to the sound of a piano. Opening his eyes, he saw the room lit up by the sun coming through a small crack between the curtains. The pale walls, unlike his room in Alfea, conveyed a sense of calm.

The music continued to play through the house. Curious to know where it was coming from, he got up and stretched out and went to the bathroom to splash water on his face. Leaving the room, he walked through the halls until he reached the stairs. Arriving on the first floor, he followed the melody to an open white door. The room was spacious and well lit by large open windows. A soft, sweet breeze danced through the room. There was no furniture. Just a big black piano and a golden harp a little deeper in the room.

At the piano, Verena sat with Cassian on her lap, who watched in awe as his mother's hands played the notes.

Silva felt his mouth open in surprise, impressed by the delicacy of Verena's fingers on the keys. Leaning against the frame, he felt peace wash over him. She continued to play without turning to him. He knew she had noticed his presence but decided to ignore it.

When she was done, she placed a kiss on Cassian's head and finally turned to Silva.

"Good morning, Daddy" Cassian smiled happily.

"Good morning big boy. Did you sleep well?" Silva returned the smile.

Identical smiles. Verena thought, her heart racing.

"Mom slept with me. So yes."

"Cass, go wake up Uncle Nicolai and Dorian for you to set the table for breakfast" Verena set him down gently.

Before running around the house, Cassian made Silva bend down for a hug and a good morning kiss.

Without looking at the man's face, Verena turned her attention to the piano, placing the velvet cloth over the keys and closing it.

"I didn't know you played," Silva said, trying to sound friendly, but failed letting the anger and judgment show in his voice.

Verena's body went rigid and her heart sank.

"You can add that to the list of things I didn't tell you" she sighed still with her back to him. "It never came up to tell you. And I never stopped to see if there was a piano at school so..." she shrugged.

"How did you learn?"

"My father played and so did my mother. But her favorite was the harp. When they saw my interest, they taught me."

A painful, uncomfortable silence grew between them.

"I remembered them" Verena whispered "Their faces, their names. I remembered so much yesterday"

"What's their names?"  Silva asked

"Dabria and Cassian"

"Cassian?"

"When Cass was born, that name just came to me. Now I know why" Verena laughed humorlessly "I'll be gone for a while. I'll keep in touch with them by phone and mentally with Cass..."

"Stop. Stop" He interrupted shaking his head "What do you mean gone? Where are you going?"

"The memories that I recovered, take me to a place" She explained slowly, turning to him again "I need to go there. Alone"

"That simple?" Silva straightened up, his voice getting louder, "You're just going to walk away, and leave Cassian?"

Verena had her eyebrows raised and her mouth open. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and walked over to him.

"A, he has you and his uncles and aunts. B, again, I'm going to keep in mental contact with him. All the time until I get back. C, you're mad at me, and you're taking the opportunity to pick a fight with me." Contrary to the swirl of emotions that almost choked her, she managed to keep her voice calm "How about you prepare a list of arguments and insults, and you can throw it all in my face when I get back"

Silva stood like a statue, digesting everything he heard. She was right, he wants to fight. Fight with her.

Going to the front door, which was open, he saw Cassian and the others saying goodbye to her. Cassian, to everyone's surprise, wasn't crying. He was sad, but he was calm. And he seemed to understand everything that was happening and why.

"Verena?" they all turned to see Lilura standing next to them, with two suitcases and a backpack.

Silva remembered her. From the night he met Verena.

"Lilura" Alina and Maia screamed running to hug her.

"Aunt Lura" Cassian pointed excitedly.

"Welcome back" Verena smiled "Can you guys take her things inside please? I want to talk to her and Octavian"

Her friends agreed and did as she asked.

"It's time to get ready for your training love" Verena said bending down in front of Cassian "Your father will soon meet you to help you"

They hugged each other goodbye. With a sad sigh, Cassian entered the house with his head down.

"Cass has a mental and magic training routine. Nicolai will explain everything to you. And I want you to help him with his fight training while I'm away" Verena said looking at Silva who nodded.

"Do you know when you'll be back?" She denied "We have to talk when you do" Silva crossed his arms looking her in the eyes

"Talk or argue?" she replied annoyed "Or maybe I silently listening just like yesterday. Make the list I told you about"

"Celeste.."

"Cassian is waiting for you" she interrupted making him take a deep breath.

Lilara and Octavian looked at each other uncomfortable at the heavy atmosphere between the two who faced each other. With another sigh, Silva turned his back and entered.

▪︎ Verena ▪︎

"Are things really bad?" Lilura asked hesitantly.

"Awful" I mutter leaning against the car "Did you bring what you're going to need?"

The redhead agreed. Now closer and more carefully, I analyze her face.

"What did you see this time?"

"I didn't see it. I heard it."

"Okay, what did you hear?"

"You will die by your father's hand. And the choice will be yours. In death, you will find everything you sought. Everything you lost. To regain your balance, you must be reborn."

I try to understand her words. The memories I recovered, Lilura's visions, Bloom and everything around me seemed like a big messy jigsaw puzzle with several pieces missing.

"Give me your hand" I ask extending mine. My friends already knowing me well, knew what I wanted.

"I don't think it's a good idea Verena," Octavian tried to say.  But I shut him up with a look.

Apprehensively, Lilura took my hand and closed her eyes. I try to be as gentle as possible and absorb a small part of her powers.

Flashes of her visions cloud my mind. In the background, I can hear my voice screaming in pain.

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