The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 261

Gift 1 2

Gift 1-2

Iva’s eyes burned.

“You’re the only family I have,” she said softly. “Even if it’s not blood.”

Lori’s eyes glistened. “You’re my family too. Always.”

They hugged one more time, and then Lori was gone.

Iva was alone again.

Claim

The night before the ceremony was the hardest.

Iva had been sent to bed early-tradition demanded it. She was to rest, to prepare, to wake with a clear mind and a calm heart for the most important day of her life.

She hated it.

She hated being separated from Caleb. Hated the cold, empty bed that felt wrong without him in it. Hated the ancient traditions that kept them apart when all she wanted was to fall asleep in his arms.

But she understood.

Tradition was tradition.

She was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, when her phone buzzed.

Caleb:*I need to speak with you. Before you’re confined until tomorrow. Meet me in a guest bedroom. The one at the end of the east wing.*

Iva’s heart leaped.

She slipped out of bed, pulled on a robe, and padded through the silent corridors. The castle was dark, lit only by discrete lights that cast dancing shadows on the ancient stone walls.

She found the room.

Pushed open the door.

Caleb stood by the window, his back to her, his silhouette sharp against the moonlight. He turned when she entered, and his expression-tender, loving, full of something she couldn’t name-made her breath catch.

He crossed the room in three quick strides and pulled her into his arms.

“I know it’s been hard,” he murmured against her hair. “The preparations. The pressure. The distance between us.”

Iva pressed her face into his chest.

“It’s worth it,” she said. “All of it. Because at the end, I get to be yours. Officially. In front of everyone.”

1.3

< Gift 1 2

Caleb pulled back just enough to look at her,

He kissed her forehead. Soft. Reverent.

“The crowning ceremony is a special moment,” he said. “It’s meant to be shared with family.”

Iva’s heart swelled.

“You are my family,” she said.

Caleb’s eyes softened.

“I know.” He cupped her face in his hands. “But I also know you’re missing your own.”

Iva’s throat tightened.

She tried to laugh, to wave it away, to hide the emotion that threatened to spill over.

“I miss Mom,” she admitted. “But it is what it is.”

Caleb’s thumbs brushed her cheeks.

“Regarding this… I have a gift for you.”

Iva shook her head. “I don’t need anything. Just you.”

“I know.” He smiled. “But I hoped you would like this.”

He stepped back. Walked to the door. Opened it.

And, moments later, a woman stepped into the room

Iva froze.

Claim

The woman was small, with kind eyes that shimmered with tears and a face that Iva had dreamed about every night for years.

“M…mom?”

Her mother’s hands flew to her mouth.

Iva’s legs almost gave out.

She would have fallen if Caleb hadn’t caught her, steadying her, holding her upright.

“Mom?” The word came out as a whisper. Broken. Disbelieving.

Her mother nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Iva. My baby.”

Iva screamed.

She launched herself forward, across the room, into her mother’s arms. They collapsed together, sobbing, holding each other like they would never let go.

23

< Gift 2

don’t understand,” Iva gasped between sobs. “How-”

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