Hellbound Heart

Chapter 323 Alicia

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Special shoutout to @MonsterUnderTheBed and @Lilli_Fiona! Thank you so very much for the supergifts!

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Zeke froze once again upon seeing her. His Alicia.

She was on the bed, sleeping so peacefully. So still and calm. If he had not identified the very light up and down movements of her chest, it would seem as though she was already…

With a slow and deliberate movement, he began to approach her. Each step was measured, his gaze never leaving her face as if he were afraid that if he looked away, she might disappear from his sight completely. 

Once he stood by the bedside, he stared down at her. Her once-silvery hair was now stark white, and even her thick lashes had lost all their color. Her lips, once rosy and full, were now pale and wan. He swallowed hard, his throat tight with emotion as he sat down slowly beside her, never taking his eyes off her face. He reached out a trembling hand and gently brushed a lock of hair away from her face, his fingertips lingering against her skin. The touch was gentle, almost reverent, as if he were afraid that any extra force he exerted might break and shatter her to pieces. 

And then he simply sat there, his eyes fixed on hers until he took Alicia's slim and pale hand in his own. With all the care and gentleness in the world, he brought her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss against her skin.

And then he dropped his head and buried his face in her hand. His large hands cupped behind hers, supporting her hand and the weight of his own head.

The sight of him just sitting there without saying a word made everyone watching feel a painful tug in their hearts. They all know how strong and powerful a being like Zeke was. But now watching this great and mighty man bent over in quietness and subdued by the frail looking woman on the bed, caused an upheaval in the emotions of those onlookers. Abi quietly stepped out while Sebastian also moved aside and leaned against the wall instead. They just could not continue looking on without being more affected by the scene. 

Elle bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling. Because for some reason, the sight of Ezekiel doing that instead of waking Alicia up sent a devastating message to them all. That Alicia was indeed in grave danger right now and that… Zeke was not trying to wake her up because he knew she was never waking up again. 

Elle tried to shake that thought and feeling so hard. Refusing to accept it. That it would not come to be a fact. Because Alicia was alive!

After what felt like an eternity, Azy walked towards his parents. 

The boy had a look of something impossibly fierce and strong emotion in his gaze as he stood before his father. 

"I…" he started, pulling Zeke's attention to him. "I believe I am not only sucking Mom's power but her life essence too. Every time I… every time my power bursts out of control, she weakens. And this time, I feel so powerful, too powerful that I could barely contain that power in me without your help. In return, mom turned out this way." 

The boy's eyes watered even as he tried his hardest to stay calm. "I'm afraid… dad… that the next time that this happens… she'll… she will…" Azy's voice broke and he could not continue.

Zeke's hand landed on the boy's head. 

"I will never let that happen, Azriel." Zeke said. "Never." 

The boy's eyes slowly widened. Hope gleamed in his large eyes as he looked up at his father. He allowed that expectation to flare within his chest.

"You mean… there's a way to stop this from continuing… You can help mom return to her usual self, too, right, dad?" 

Zeke nodded at his son and then turned to look at his wife. "Though, you might not like… the method." 

Azy straightened. "I don't care about the method, dad. I trust you. And as long as mom is able to be saved, I am fine with anything. Even if the only way is for me to go with you and leave mom and never to see her again, I'll do it! I will do anything for her!" 

Zeke was surprised at his son's declaration. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 

"You're indeed my one and only son." He uttered, looking proud. "But I'm not going to let you come with me. That's something I would never allow to happen, Azy. And I am sure your mother would agree with me on that." As he said that, his thumb rubbed a few soothing circles into Alicia's hand that was still grasped in his own.

Azy looked at his father with questions brimming from his eyes but he knew better than to ask anymore. Zeke turned his gaze back to Alicia once again. 

When Azy too stared at his mother and saw the changes in her, he clenched his fists as his jaws tightened. His mother seemed to have deteriorated more in such a very short time.

As if Zeke understood what the boy was feeling just by one look at him, he spoke up. "Don't worry, she'll be fine."

Azy nodded this time, looking at his father like he was the only one he could put all his trust on. He had no other belief right now than his father. Growing up, his mother, aunt Abi, uncle Alex, and many others have continuously regaled him with the tales of how mighty and awesome his father is. So now, he would place all his trust and hopes in this man who he called 'dad'.

At that moment, a sudden commotion from outside the house made Azy look out the window. Zeke simply glanced when Azy rushed towards the window. 

"I'll go take a look, dad. Please stay with mom." The boy said and before Zeke could speak, he disappeared before him. 

Zeke could not help the smile that tugged across his lips.

When his gaze fell back to Alicia, that proud smile slowly faded.

"You've raised him so well…" he said, his voice trailing off as he reached out to pick up strands of Alicia's long hair. He brought them to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against the silky strands. "As expected of you…" he added, his voice catching a little as he spoke her name. "Alicia."

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A/N: Next mass update is next week Sunday gmt+8 timezone. Thanks again for all your patience guys! Love ya'll.