The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 163

Chapter 163

Ciro takes a step forward.

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“We’re friends of Celine, Your Highness. We came to help. My name is Ciro Behzadi. I am the king of the First Vampires, and they are our warriors.”

Bastian studies the dark-haired man with long hair for several seconds. He doesn’t seem impressed by his title or the army accompanying him. His gaze moves from Ciro to the rest of those present just as Johan and Vladimir join the group.

Morthem remains nearby, calm as always, while everyone else stays silent.

“We’ll introduce ourselves briefly. This is Morthem, prince of the new fairy kingdom. You already know him. This is Vladimir, a hybrid, half vampire and half warlock. His brother, Johan, the first naturally born tribybrid.”

Bastian doesn’t look directly at Johan, but he nods at each introduction. He doesn’t seem to care who they are, where they come from, or what titles they hold. His eyes move across the hall again and again, searching among all those faces for one person.

“Where is the demon?”

“I’m here.”

Zharzel’s voice comes from the entrance with an energy that seems almost absurd after everything that has just happened. He could even be said to sound happy.

“And I brought your wife.”

The soldiers step aside, opening a path through the middle of the hall. Zharzel walks between them carrying Celine in his arms.

Bastian stops breathing for a moment.

She’s asleep.

Her cheeks have a rosy color that contrasts with the fear everyone has been carrying since she disappeared. Her breathing is calm, and her skin looks healthy. Her belly is still just as swollen as it was when she disappeared from her bed, as though no time had passed for her during the journey.

She’s wearing a clean, light-colored dress, and her white hair falls softly over her shoulders, perfectly arranged, without a trace of the blood that covered her body the last time they saw her.

Bastian runs toward Zharzel.

The demon doesn’t try to stop him. He hands Celine over, and Bastian takes her into his arms with a desperation he can’t hide. He pulls her against his chest and lowers his face to her hair, closing his eyes for a moment as he makes sure for himself that she’s alive.

Johan tries to reach him, but his brother grabs him by the arm, stopping him and shaking his head.

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The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

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“She needs a moment with him,” he whispers, only for Johan to hear.

Frustrated, Johan nods and steps back.

“Thank you.”

Zharzel smiles and watches him for a few seconds before returning to the group.

“You’re lucky, Bastian Thorn. He asked me to tell you one thing. ‘If you don’t take care of her, if you don’t make her happy for the rest of your life, he will come and kill you. He will take your wife and make her the queen of his underworld.””

Zharzel’s smile widens slightly as he finishes the message. Then he turns around and returns to the group, leaving Bastian with Celine in his arms and the entire hall in expectant silence.

“With her here and safe, we can go out and restore order to the kingdom,” Silas suggests, approaching his grandson. He reaches out and gently caresses Celine’s cheek, watching her peaceful face as she sleeps in Bastian’s arms. “They’re becoming stronger and more brazen.”

“She isn’t safe in this castle. They’ve been attacking it since we arrived. How much longer do you think it can hold?”

Ciro’s voice rings out loud and clear across the hall. His words cause the conversations to gradually die down, and for a few seconds, the only sounds are the rain pounding against the windows and the distant echo of explosions. Some of those present exchange glances and begin murmuring in agreement with the vampire king. No one can deny the obvious: the castle is under attack, and Celine has just become one of the main

targets.

“I’m not separating from my mate again. My son could be born at any moment,” Bastian complains, turning on his heels to carry her toward a clean chamber.

His arms tighten carefully around Celine’s body, as though he fears someone might take her away from him again. He doesn’t seem willing to listen to any proposal that involves taking her away, but even Bastian knows he can’t protect her if he remains trapped inside a room, watching every breath his mate takes while the kingdom crumbles around him.

“Let Vlad take Celine to Avalon, with my family. She’ll be safe in my castle and well cared for. My kingdom is safe.”

Killian, who has remained silent until now, meets Bastian’s dark gaze.

“Your kingdom?”

“You weren’t paying attention when I introduced myself and told you that I’m the king of Avalon, an island outside the human world where vampires and other races live together in peace.”

Bastian lets out a long sigh. He looks at Celine’s sleeping face and then lowers his gaze to her belly. He doesn’t want to separate from his wife again, especially now that he knows his son could be born at any moment. After waking up and finding her wounded, losing her through a portal, and getting her back a few minutes later, the thought of letting her leave again makes his stomach twist.

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