By midnight, the palace was silent, but Josephine couldn't sleep.
No matter how hard she tried, Xavi's face kept flashing before her eyes—the anger, the regret, the love. The way his hand had trembled when he raised it. The way he looked broken after.
She sat by the window, the moonlight bathing her pale face in silver. Her long white night gown shimmered faintly as the wind brushed through her hair. Her mind whispered only one name.
Xavi…
The door creaked open.
Two familiar figures stepped in—Xoni and Anesthesia. Their faces were pale, eyes filled with worry.
"Jojo…" Anesthesia's voice trembled.
Josephine turned to them, confusion shadowing her soft glowing eyes. "What is it?" she signed with her hands, though they understood her even without words.
Anesthesia wiped her tears, looking down before she finally spoke.
"Xavi… stabbed himself yesterday night," she whispered.
Josephine's eyes widened in horror.
Xoni stepped forward, his voice low and rough. "He was holding your picture. We tried to stop him, Josephine, but he locked everyone out. He didn't mean to hit you, love… he's been punishing himself ever since."
For a moment, Josephine froze. The world around her felt like it stopped breathing.
Xavi… she whispered in her mind.
Far away, in his dark chamber, Xavi, bleeding and barely conscious, suddenly heard her voice echo through his soul.
Josephine…?
Her name gave him strength for a moment. But his blood painted the floor, and his body trembled.
Josephine stood up, her eyes glowing a deep blue, her heartbeat matching his pain. Without a word, she vanished from the room—her speed faster than any light.
The doors of Xavi's castle rattled as she appeared before them, breathless. She tried the handle. Locked.
Her heart pounded.
"Xavi!" she called out in her mind again, but no response.
With a scream of power, she broke the door down. The wood shattered into pieces that flew into the walls.
Her eyes widened—Xavi lay on the floor, drenched in blood. The same hand he used to hit her before was burned, dark red and blistered. His once-strong body was weak and trembling.
"Xavi…" she whispered silently, dropping to her knees. She lifted his head onto her lap, tears falling down her cheeks.
Slowly, his eyes fluttered open. Through the blur, he saw her face—his angel, his queen.
"J… Josephine…" he whispered hoarsely, his lips trembling. "You… came back to me."
Her glowing eyes softened, filled with heartbreak. She placed her hand on his cheek; a warm blue light flowed from her palm into his wounds. His breathing steadied, the burns slowly fading.
"My angel… is that really you, love?" he murmured, reaching weakly to touch her face.
She nodded, her tears sliding down her fingers as she healed him.
When his body stopped shaking, she used her powers to restore the room—blood vanished, broken glass mended, the bed reformed. She lifted him gently with a wave of her hand and laid him upon the clean sheets.
Sienna and Xantha arrived, freezing at the sight—Josephine sitting beside him, crying softly as she wiped his chest.
Sienna quickly brought herbs, and the men entered to bathe him.
Moments later, Adris entered with Josephine's bags, his tiny face lighting up. Seeing his father breathing again, he giggled softly and clapped his little hands.
"My wish came true! Yayyy!" he cheered, his voice echoing with innocent joy.
Xoni smiled weakly. "Let's give them space," he whispered.
"Come, love, let's go eat," Xantha said, taking Adris's little hand as they left the room quietly.
An hour passed.
The room smelled like Josephine's tea—a soft floral fragrance that filled every corner.
Xavi stirred awake. His fingers brushed against the sheets, and he frowned, confused.
Then he froze—the scent. That smell. Her.
He sat up suddenly, his heart pounding. Was it real? Had she truly returned?
The door opened softly.
Josephine entered, holding a tray with a cup of warm tea. Her eyes met his, and he instantly looked down in shame. He couldn't face her—his angel whom he had hurt.
She walked toward him silently, placed the cup near his lips, and whispered gently in his mind, Drink.
He obeyed, trembling as the warm liquid ran down his throat.
She took his hand and led him to the bathroom. Steam rose as she filled the tub. Xavi hesitated, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
"You don't have to—"
But before he could finish, she pressed a finger to his lips.
He obeyed her quiet command, stepping into the warm water. She washed his wounds, her touch tender yet firm.
When he stood, she dried him carefully, her eyes soft.
He stared at her the whole time like a lost child, his heart breaking with guilt.
"I am very sorry, love…" he whispered in his rough accent, his voice cracking.
Josephine said nothing—she simply leaned in and kissed him deeply, her hands cupping his cheeks.
It was a kiss of forgiveness. A kiss of return.
He melted in her arms, finally letting the pain fade away.
When she laid him back on the bed, exhaustion took over. Xavi fell asleep, his head on her lap, her hand running through his hair as she watched him breathe peacefully for the first time in weeks.
Morning came with soft sunlight.
Josephine had already made breakfast—tea, bread, and honey fruit for Xavi.
Adris sat by the window, his golden curls glowing in the light. His little birthday was in three days, and Josephine was secretly planning a surprise party for him.
When he saw her, Adris waddled toward her on tiny feet, calling, "Mama!"
But then he suddenly stopped—his face went pale, his hand clutching his chest.
"MAMA!!!" he cried again before coughing blood from his small mouth.
Josephine's teacup shattered. She rushed to him, grabbing his face.
Adris!? Adris!? she screamed in her mind, slapping his cheek lightly, tears streaming down her face.
Xavi ran in, panic in his eyes. "Boy!? Boy!? ADRIS!"
Sienna came forward, checked his pulse, and immediately lifted him.
"His powers are too strong," she said urgently. "They're making his heart weak. We need to replace his blood!"
Xavi clenched his fists. "Take mine."
Sienna shook her head firmly. "Not the father's blood! You're too powerful—it will kill him!"
Josephine's breathing quickened. She closed her eyes, her mind connecting across realms.
Kara… she whispered silently.
Far away in her golden throne room, Kara was being fed by Oliver when she froze, hearing the voice in her head.
Josephine? What's wrong?
Josephine's thoughts trembled. It's Adris. He's sick. His powers are breaking his heart. I want to give him my blood—will my power hurt him?
Kara's voice came soft but strong. Not at all, Jojo. In fact, if you give him your blood, he'll become your true son—your blood, your bond. Use the Moon Pendant at nightfall when the full moon rises. It will guide you.
Josephine opened her eyes, tears glistening. Thank you, Kara, she whispered.
She wiped the blood from Adris's lips and kissed his forehead. Then she held him close to her chest, whispering promises in her mind as the sun began to set.
That night, when the full moon rose, its light shone directly on them—mother, child, and destiny waiting to intertwine.