CHAPTER 83: JUST SOLSTICE

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Chapter 83

~Spring’s POV~

Levi’s sword trembled slightly. "Who...?"

I stood slowly.

"The one who died was your beloved Princess who aided your priestess who brewed the cure," I said. "And the one who lived... was your priestess, and since you know, meaning the other survived long enough to pass on the knowledge of the antidote we formed."

His lips parted.

And then, slowly—trembling—he dropped to one knee.

"Princess Solstice... Winter," he whispered, as though the name itself could shatter him. "Moonborn."

I didn’t speak. He raised his head, eyes still wide. "How are you alive?"

I shook my head. "I’ll tell you one day. But not today."

He bowed his head again.

"I need your help, though," I continued. "Contact a contact, I’ll drop by with you. Brew the antidote. Take it to the city... a human needs it by dawn."

He looked up and nodded. "Consider it done."

I turned and walked out, my cloak flaring behind me as he trailed behind.

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Ever since I arrived home, everything had felt strangely quiet.

After stopping by a boutique to pick up a fresh dress and changing into it, I headed back to the Kaine estate.

I didn’t run into anyone on the way in—thankfully. For once, luck decided to be kind, and no one bothered me.

Rhys came about an hour later, just as he promised. Fresh from work and still looking exhausted, he smiled when he saw me.

We were heading to his place together—my little escape from the circus I lived in, called family.

According to the maids, Mum and Rose had returned earlier that afternoon, but had gone back out again not long after.

So, I escaped dramatic greetings and forced confrontations, opting for absence instead.

What surprised me more was what I learned next.

Apparently, when Kaius and Eryx had reviewed the security footage from the night of the party, it confirmed everything: I hadn’t caused any disturbance. It had been Rose and her so-called friends. The footage made it obvious.

And yet... when confronted with the truth, Mum still waved it off. She’d defended Rose, as always.

Saying Rose had already gotten what she deserved, and that it was I who had likely said something inappropriate first.

Of course.

I sighed deeply and leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. I wasn’t surprised. Not anymore.

I could almost understand why Mum clung to Rose the way she did. Guilt made people foolish. Rose hadn’t grown up with her—had been away for years—and now that they were together again, Mum was desperate to fill the gap, to make up for lost time. Also, she did not want Rose to love her foster mother more. To her , she was probably fighting a war, a battle for Rose’s love.

And Rose? Rose knew precisely how to manipulate that.

Not that it mattered much to me anymore, because I wasn’t truly one of them. Spring Kaine wasn’t related by blood or name really.

Spring Kaine was simply their adopted daughter. I was something else entirely.

After packing up my essentials—laptop, chargers, phone, notebooks—I zipped up my bag and headed out. I didn’t say goodbye to anyone. There was no need. Only Rhys waited for me at the gate, leaning against his car, phone in hand.

"I’m ready," I told him.

He glanced up, gave me a small nod, and opened the door for me without a word. I slid into the passenger seat and adjusted my bag on my lap.

I needed this break. A week or two. Maybe more.

A long, quiet escape from that haunted house I was supposed to call home.

Though I couldn’t help but wonder what the others—Kaius, Eryx, even Jace—would say when they found out I’d gone to stay with Rhys. I could already imagine the playful jabs, the mock outrage, the friendly competition. Just like that first day I’d met them all after my... well, arrival in this world.

A faint smile tugged at my lips.

Then I shook the thought away and turned to look out the window when Rhys reopened my door, took my bag and kept it on the back seat before closing my door. He gave me a head shake before walking over to take the driver’s seat.

My attention was on our route as Rhys pulled the car into gear.

Time to disappear for a little while. Time to breathe. Time to be Spring... or maybe, time to just be me.

~Later that night~

My phone buzzed just as I slipped back into my room after dinner with Rhys. I opened the message to see Rhys’s name.

Thank you for the contact. That man... the herbalist—he called me. He’s delivering the antidote personally tomorrow morning and will also visit the patient. I don’t know how you did it, but you saved that boy.

I stared at the screen for a moment. Another message came through.

I don’t know who you are... but please. Tell me your name.

My fingers hovered over the screen.

Then I typed slowly.

Solstice. Just Solstice.

The typing dots paused, then came his reply.

Rhys: Okay... Solstice. Thank you.

I smiled, but it didn’t quite reach my eyes.

Rhys: Umm, can we meet?

My eyes went wide when I saw that my brother wanted to meet his helper. I swallowed, and Jade almost fainted with laughter in my head.

"Looks like your brother may be getting into you."

"Shut it, Jade. Rhys doesn’t know it is me. Besides, I think he is just trying to be friendly and just curious."

"Hmm... it would have been fun if I were right, though. By the way, what are you going to do with your mates?"

"What do you mean?" I asked Jade as I typed a reply to Rhys.

Me: I’m sorry, but no.

Rhys: Come on, I won’t bite—just a dinner to thank you.

Me: I already got my thanks ,and it is good enough for me.

Rhys: Okay then, how about we become online friends? Who knows, I may need your help again.

Me: I’d know when you need it.

Rhys: Speaking of which, how did you know?

Me: Goodnight.

I swallowed, immediately shut the app down and placed my phone on airplane mode when Jade’s voice burst out in my head.

"He’s persistent, I’ll give him that. I wish your mates were all like that."

My eyes went wide. "Hell no. It would be too much."