Page 205 of His Sunshine Baby

“I’m not leaving the White Moon clan, Danny; I’m leaving Silver City.”

My best friend stares at me, speechless. I take a deep breath. It’s like I’m feeling better now that I’ve come to that conclusion.

“Danny, it’s the only way. The White Moon pack won’t accept my child, and Nathaniel isn’t going to help me. With Nora in a coma, I can’t do anything but leave. As soon as she’s born, this baby will become a target. I don’t want that.”

“But…”

He stumbles on his words, unable to come up with something. I exchange a glance with Sylviana over his shoulder. I don’t know how far ahead the witch had planned, but I know she saw it coming. She knew it would come to this.

I put my hair back, trying to get my ideas in order. I need to stop crying and think rationally. The truth hurts, but it’s right there in front of me. I have to leave.

I turn to Sylviana, holding Daniel’s hand.

“I just want to see Nora before I go.”

“Wait! Elena, you want to leave now?” asks Danny, shocked.

“Daniel, every second I stay in the same city as Nathaniel, I feel worse. My father isn’t here anymore either. With Nora in a coma, you’re the only one I have left here…”

“… But! What about Clark, and Chris, and Boyan…”

I smile and hug him once more.

“It’s okay, Danny. Clark is just making up excuses to not banish me yet, and I know Chris will understand. You can explain to Boyan and your family, too.”

“What will you do! If you leave here alone, you…”

“She won’t be alone,” says Sylviana. “I will go with her, at least until I’m sure the baby is born safely. Elena will need my help and protection to settle somewhere the Dark Witch won’t find her too.”

I nod. I feel a bit better knowing our witch will help me. I need to ask Reagan too but I’m pretty sure my mentor will follow me anyway. I go to my room and grab a backpack. Daniel is crying, but he helps me gather some clothes and necessities.

“I can’t believe it. This is so unfair.”

He keeps mumbling and sobbing, but I don’t have the heart to answer him. It only takes a few minutes for me to get all my things. I leave a lot here, but I have no idea when I’ll be back, honestly. It may only be a few months, but it could be years. I take a deep breath.

I look around our apartment one last time before Daniel closes the door, and that’s it.

This is so crazy, yet I’m feeling a lot better as we walk through the city, leaving the White Moon clan’s borders to head to the Black General Hospital. It’s the middle of the night, and I doubt Nate will be there.

Sylviana and Daniel wait for me outside. I silently walk up to Nora’s room.

Just as I’m about to walk in, a shadow suddenly comes out. I hold my breath. Damian Black. The King looks at me, his eyes even darker than usual. Damn, he looks healthy but so sad. We exchange looks, and I’m very uneasy. Should I say something? I didn’t think he’d be here at night too. But without a word, he steps aside and walks away. Is this okay?

Something strange happened here. Her bed is surrounded by roses, and I suspect Sylviana is no stranger to this eerie setting. My cousin looks like the modern version of Sleeping Beauty, lying in her hospital bed surrounded by roses as white as her new, strange hair. A huge brown wolf is sleeping at the foot of her bed, and Liam Black is snoring in the chair across the room.

I sit next to her on the bed and take her hand to caress it softly.

“I’m so sorry, Nora,” I whisper. “I wish you were here. I wish I could tell you goodbye in person. I… I hope you’ll be back soon. They all miss you. I’ll miss you the most. Do you know how much you’re loved, Nora? He is coming every day to see you… Liam and Bobo too. Everyone loves you. They are all waiting for you… I hope you will be back soon. I’m so sorry we have to part this way. I hope you’ll understand, Nora. We will see each other again, I promise. … Forgive me.”

I feel like crying again, but this is only a goodbye, not a farewell. I know I’ll see her again. I know they will take good care of her. I stay a bit longer, holding her hand until I’ve calmed down. If only I could borrow a bit of your strength, Nora.

I place a long kiss on her forehead, taking one last good look at her. The next time I see her, she’ll be awake, bright and happy. I really pray for it.

When I leave the room, still teary, I meet Damian Black outside again. But this time, he stands in front of me in the corridor.

“I’m sorry, I have to go…” I stutter.

“Take this.”

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