XXXIV: Vega

-Arkyn-

I can hear the blood rushing in my ears and take a step back from my mother; if she said anything else, it’s lost on me because I’m halfway to my father’s study. I throw open the door and stalk inside with a shattered heart, looking at the man who has always been my rock.

He looks up from his laptop when I barge in, then he frowns. “Arkyn?”

“Pappa, I…” I start off with my heart in my throat, not knowing what else to say. My mother just said his beast is dying and that, in turn, it is spreading to my father. My father is dying.

My mother rushes in behind me and I see his eyes flicker to her, then back to me and he breathes out. He gets to his feet and walks over to his entertainment area. Gesturing to the leather sofas, he starts pouring us each a glass of bourbon, then he looks up at my mother.

“Can you please give us some privacy, min elskling?” He asks her, and she nods, but before leaving the office, she gives both of us a kiss on the cheek.

After she leaves, he pi