Chapter 5 The Last Petal Of lily!!!

Author’s Point Of View :

"I can read your heart as easily as I read your eyes. I saw you looking at them when we passed that shop in the mall last week."

Astraeus’s eyes went wide.

"But there isn't a shop like that anywhere near City R let alone this small village of City R!"

Orion pecked his cheek affectionately.

"If my little Prince wants something, the world will move to give it to him. Distance doesn't matter."

"I love you, Brother Orion."

Astraeus whispered, his voice thick with love.

"I love you too, My Angel."

Orion swept the boy up into his arms and carried him toward the backstage area. After dropping him off with his friends, Orion made his way to the audience, where his parents, Alaric and Elara, were waiting.

"Did you give him his present?"

Alaric asked with a knowing smirk as Orion took his seat.

"Yes, Dad."

Orion replied, already bracing himself for the lecture he knew was coming from his mother. He counted down in his head. One, two, three…

"Orion!"

Elara started, shooting him an angry glare.

"I don't understand the need for new shoes. He already has more than twenty pairs of imported shoes in his closet, half of which you bought against my wishes!"

Orion gulped, flashing her a cheeky, innocent smile.

"Mom, these were limited editions. He didn't have this specific colorway."

"That is not an excuse."

She snapped, though her eyes softened slightly at his persistence. Orion turned to his father, shooting him a look that clearly said: ‘You betrayed me! Why did you tell her?’

Seeing this, Alaric offered a silent, apologetic shrug, mouthing a "Sorry" back.

Orion turned back to his mother, his voice becoming serious and sincere.

"Mom, he wanted them. I can't stand to see him disappointed. I will give him everything he ever wishes for."

"You are spoiling him, Orion."

She warned, though she was smiling now.

"You should have seen his face, Mom."

Orion said softly, his voice full of devotion.

"I would do anything to keep that smile on his face. Anything."

Elara patted her son’s hand.

"I can see that in your eyes. You two are inseparable."

A few minutes later, the lights dimmed, and Astraeus took the stage. He was magnificent. Orion recorded every second, his heart swelling with pride. When the program finished, Astraeus didn't even wait for the curtains to fully close before he was running off the stage.

"Big Brother!"

He flew into Orion’s arms.

"How was I? Was I good?"

Orion pretended to think, making Astraeus’s face fall into a sad pout. Then, he laughed.

"You were excellent, Astra. You nailed it."

The family gathered around, Alaric and Elara showering the boy with kisses and praise.

"All the love for your brother, but what about us?"

Alaric teased, pouting. Astraeus giggled and pecked his father's forehead.

"You were fantastic, my little Angel."

"Momma is so proud of you."

Elara added, hugging him tight. Alaric checked his watch.

"It’s getting late. We should head back."

"But it's dark."

Elara said, a flicker of motherly intuition making her voice go small.

"Is it safe to drive through the forest at night with the children?"

"Don't worry, love."

Alaric assured her.

"It’s only a thirty-five-kilometer drive to the City H airport from city R. We’ll be on a plane to City D before you know it."

They headed to the parking lot. Astraeus, ever the butterfly, saw a patch of white lilies and dashed away to try and pluck one.

"Astra, get in the car!"

Alaric called, but the boy was too busy jumping, trying to reach a tall flower.

"Orion, please get him."

Elara sighed. Orion nodded and walked over.

"Baby..."

Astraeus ignored him, focused on the flower. Orion didn't argue. He simply stepped in and scooped his brother up in a bridal carry.

"Brother Orion!"

Astraeus whined, flinching at first then pouting as he was carried toward the car.

"We’re late, you little whinny kitten."

Orion teased. Before placing him in his seat, Orion reached out, plucked the white Lily Astraeus had been eyeing, and tucked it into his hand. Astraeus’s frown vanished instantly. He clutched the flower, a wide smile returning to his face. The family settled into the car, leaving the lights of the auditorium behind as they drove into the dark, silent forest toward City H airport.

The car cut through the dense, suffocating greenery of the forest. Inside, Astraeus sat nestled between his mother, Elara , and his brother, Orion. Up front, his father, Helios, sat beside the driver. Astraeus watched the trees blur past, his eyes heavy with sleep, until a flash of white in the underbrush caught his attention.

"Dada! Dada, stop the car!"

He cried, his eyes twinkling like fallen stars. Orion shifted, concerned.

"What is it, Astra?"

"Brother Orion, rabbit!!"

Alaric chuckled from the front seat, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I know your brother is a bit of a rabbit, Astra, but is that really a reason to stop the car?"

"Dad!"

Orion whined, his face flushing. Astraeus giggled.

"No, Dada! A real rabbit! I want to see it, please? You know I love them!"

He turned his best "puppy-dog eyes" on his father. Alaric's expression turned serious as he looked at the dark, winding road.

"No, Angel. We aren't stopping in the middle of a deep forest for a rabbit. It’s too risky."

Astraeus turned to Orion, his last hope.

"Brother, please?"

Orion sighed, wrapping a protective arm around Astraeus’s slight shoulders.

"Dad is right, Astra. It’s dangerous. Sometimes, thieves use animals as a 'trap.' They put them in the road to make people stop, and then they strike. It’s a trick."

Astraeus shivered, suddenly scared.

"Really?"

"Really."

Orion whispered, pulling the boy onto his lap to comfort him.

"It’s too dangerous here."

Astraeus nodded, placing a thoughtful finger on his chin before returning to the window. But just a few minutes later, the car came to a jarring, screeching halt.

"What happened?"

Alaric demanded.

"Sir, I think we have a puncture."

The driver replied, sounding stressed.

"We have a flight in two hours!"

Alaric checked his watch, his brow furrowed.

"Fix it, quickly. We can't stay here."

The driver stepped out into the damp night air. The silence of the forest was absolute, until a deep, guttural growl vibrated through the metal of the car. Astraeus whimpered, clutching Orion’s suit jacket.

"Alaric, what was that?"

Elara asked, her voice trembling. Before anyone could answer, a second growl ripped through the air, followed by heavy, padding footsteps. The driver scrambled back toward the door, his face pale with terror, but he was too slow. From the shadows, a massive Black Panther launched itself with supernatural speed, its claws tearing through the air. In a horrific spray of crimson, the driver was silenced forever.

Elara screamed, a sound of pure horror. Astraeus began to sob, his small body shaking uncontrollably. The panther lingered for a heartbeat, its golden eyes reflecting the car’s headlights, before dragging the body into the darkness.

"Stay inside!"