The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 95

Chapter 95: A Mother’s Fury

I was halfway through finishing up Noah’s shoulders, showing off the smuggest of smiles. When I felt someone lingering at the edge of the towel

Gazing up, I saw Elowen standing there while fidgeting and biting her lip like she was debating whether or not to even speak.

“Is something on your mind, Elowen?” I asked with a sincere heart.

She hesitated, and then the words tumbled out, “How can you do that in front of everyone? Doesn’t it ever affect you?”

Even though I somewhat understand what she’s asking, I couldn’t help but have her elaborate even more.

I blinked. “Do what?”

She gestured helplessly with her right hand. "Sitting on the archduke's back and rubbing sunscreen into him like it was just another Tuesday."

My head tilted while also full of amusement. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Elowen flushed but didn’t back down. “It’s shameless! Everyone can see what you’re doing, and it’s not proper!

I grinned. “Sweetheart, what do I care? He’s my husband, and in a way his body is also mine. Why shouldn’t I touch him whenever I feel like it?”

Her mouth opened, but at the same time nothing came out.

“Even back in our original world, I never hid it.” My hand kept moving, not pausing for her question. “I kissed him in public, held his hand at formal events, and even sat in his lap while nobles gasped as if their families had been crucified. I am an archduchess. Shouldn't I be allowed to do as I please?”

Elowen blinked, clearly not expecting such a response.

“That’s why I want to break the whole noble mindset. It’s stifling and dull. What’s the point of love if you can’t show it?”

I glanced down at Noah, who was resting silently beneath me, eyes closed, perfectly content to be used as both a sunscreen canvas and my personal soapbox platform.

“See him?” I asked, nodding to the man beneath me. “He was raised the same way you were, bound by rules and expectations, but he loves this, no longer caring.”

I leaned down and whispered just low enough for Noah to hear, “I think I’ve corrupted another one.”

Noah just smirked without saying anything. His body did shake a bit, obviously enjoying the situation.

Elowen at the same time gave out a weak little laugh.

“I’m serious though, when you’re in love with someone and connect on an emotional level. You just start acting differently no matter how you saw things before. The way nobles think is a disease, and I’m its cure. I want people to act like humans, not whatever the hell they are.”

She was quiet in thoughtful contemplation. Seeing she wasn’t going to interrupt, I continued on.

“Stop measuring your behavior against a rulebook written by dead men centuries ago. Someday, I hope my boldness will rub off on you. Because what’s the point of marrying someone if you don’t even like them?”

Elowen blinked. “But… that’s how it’s always been…”

“It’s always been miserable,” I cut her off. “Arranged matches, where partners are cold, dull, or only in it for political gain? Miss me with that nonsense. I’d rather live alone with ten cats and my daughter than marry a man who doesn’t make me feel anything.”

I gestured to the scene around us.

“Look at what I have because I found love. This is what every man and woman should strive for. Does it really make sense to let your parents choose who you marry when, most of the time; they barely pay attention to you and have no idea what you actually want?”

I glanced down, smirking.

“He’s not just letting me but enjoying it.”

Elowen looked at Noah, who still hadn’t said a word. He then opened one eye and looked right at her.

“She’s right.”

I just laughed.

At the same time the girl in question flushed all over… After some time a smile bloomed on her face. Maybe she is finally starting to understand or is willing to change her ways.

“If you’re feeling all soft and in need of affection,” I added with a grin, turning to Elowen, “go snuggle with Lyra; she’s great at it.”

Elowen glanced down at the stroller, where Lyra was reaching for things off into the distance, being her adorable little self.

“Just look after her for a bit, alright?” I stood up, brushing sand from my legs.

Then I reached for Noah’s hand and gave it a firm tug.

“Time for our fun,” I gave a wink. “Its ocean date time.”

He didn’t resist, of course. Just rose to his feet like he’d been waiting the whole time for me to claim him. As we walked toward the water, I heard Livia mutter under her breath behind me.

“She’s literally a wrecking ball,” Livia exclaimed. “She’ll shatter someone’s entire worldview in three sentences. It’s absurd how easily her words cut through everything.”

I chuckled without turning around. “I heard that.”

“That’s why I said it,” Livia replied flatly, though I could hear the reluctant affection in her tone.

After pulling Noah once again, I just grinned and moved faster towards the waves. This was the first opportunity we could do something like this together, and I wasn’t going to waste it.

He kept pace with me as I pulled us into the shallows; we both had a smile on our face. It was something rare for Noah unless you’re me, hehe.

“Noah, you can swim, right?” These were details that had to be known before we put ourselves into a possibly dangerous situation.

He nodded with a calm certainty, the sea breeze tousling his pink hair. “Well enough.”

“Good,” I grinned. “Then let’s have some fun.”

I leapt into his arms, laughing as he caught me without thinking. His hold was firm and sure; I looped my arms around his neck as if he were the only anchor I would ever need.

“Pick me up high,” I said excitedly. “Spin me!”

He did as asked with his hands at my waist, lifting my body effortlessly into the air as he twirled both of us in a circle. I shrieked with laughter, the ocean sparkling below as I spun.

“Now toss me!”

Noah couldn’t help but pause at that. “Are you sure?”

“Do it!” I shouted gleefully.

So he did… with a good-natured laugh and a practiced heave, flinging me with perfect timing just as a wave crested beneath us.

I flew through the air for a second and hit the water with a splash, plunging in. Kicking off the sea floor, I breached back through the water with a smile and a loud laugh that echoed across the beach.

Noah swam over, that subtle smile on his face, and then he actually splashed water in my direction.

“Oh, it’s so on,” I exclaimed.

For a while, we played just like that. Like a teenage couple would be in the same scenario.

We dunked each other, raced through the surf, and laughed like children. He picked me up again, and I floated in his arms, brushing soaked hair out of my face. I looked down at him.

For all his strength and power, in this moment, he shed every preconceived notion about himself and truly met my level of intensity.

After some time passed, I lay against him as we both floated in the water, catching our breath. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him.

A very long, slow, and deliberate make-out session took place as the sun started setting in the distance. I guess you could say this whole scene was magical.

There was also a chance I was playing it up to make two particular girls jealous on the beach, hehe. I’m not doing it out of malice but to encourage them to find someone themselves.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Livia and Elowen gossiping as they stared.

Noah chuckled against my mouth, pulling back just slightly, lips still brushing mine.

“You really like torturing those two, don’t you?” he murmured.

I giggled, leaning in again. “I’m just trying to rewire their brains, love. They’ve been corrupted by cold traditions and zero affection their whole lives. It’s a public service.”

He kissed me once again, slower this time, and I smiled against him.

Between kisses I murmured, “Why wouldn’t I take full advantage of you right now?”

His grip on my waist tightened slightly, and I saw that flicker of heat in his eyes.

“You’re supposed to be the dominant one,” I teased, giving him a playful smile that probably qualified as illegal in some kingdoms. “Isn’t that your whole thing?”

His voice dropped with some huskiness. “You want to be overpowered in the ocean, Archduchess?”

Shamelessly I whispered, “I want to be wrecked.” Softer, I added, “Safely, of course.”

His aggression amplified, and if I hadn’t been holding on to him, I might’ve gone under right then and there.

Hanging off Noah’s side, I laughed and kissed him as if the rest of the world had melted away. Saltwater still tingled along my legs, hair glued to my cheeks, his skin warm and steady beneath my palms. Each time I leaned in, I kissed him again because I simply couldn’t help myself.

Being near him, feeling him, and loving him was the purest joy I had ever known, and now my daughter could share in it too.

I was all smiles, drenched in salt, sand, and affection.

Something like that obviously couldn’t last, as six men approached us while whistling and shouting.

“Get a room!”

“Mind if I try that piece of ass?”

“She’s mine first; get in line!”

Noah and I turned our heads sharply in their direction.

Those same three idiots were back, doubled in number. Their faces twisted with something dark; they’d clearly picked us out as targets. They swaggered like men who thought they owned the beach.

The greasy-haired leader sneered and jabbed a finger in our direction, as if he could stake a claim on me.

“Should’ve listened earlier, bitch,” he spat. “Now we’re going to beat the shit out of your boy toy, and I’ll make it my mission to wipe that stupid smile right off your face.”

My blood ran cold; rage flared. I’d been smiling only because they were so laughably stupid for trying to corner someone who could single-handedly win a war.

These men were already up shit's creek, and there was no paddle in sight.

They stepped between us, cutting me off from Lyra, and a fury unlike anything I’d felt in this life surged through me.

I saw Livia react quickly, scooping up Lyra into her arms as she grabbed Elowen and tried to create distance from the situation. Lyra then began to fuss, probably sensing danger.

“What about the baby?” I asked, not really wanting to hear the answer, but at the same time I wanted to fully understand their full intentions.

The greasy guy blinked and then laughed. “You mean… that loud-ass baby?” He jerked his chin toward Lyra.

Then, without a shred of hesitation, he added, “Fuck the baby. We’ll just throw it in the water.”

My world stopped. Never before had I felt such a raw need to end a life. He had to come back and provoke me, forcing my hand. You stupid bastards! It had been a long time since I’d ordered someone’s death, but these men were on borrowed time.

Something inside me just snapped at that moment, and I saw red. I wanted nothing more than for these disgusting parasites to die a horrible death.

Even if they threatened me or, god forbid, tried to lunge in my direction, my fury wouldn’t reach this level. Keeping a mom from her cub is never a good idea. Especially when you laugh at the fact you plan to kill that child.

I felt my nails dig into Noah’s arm. He didn’t even move and just accepted it. He was ready to attack at my word; all I had to say was when.

Looking around the beach I only saw two individuals close by; everyone else wasn’t within range to see what was about to happen.

“You know… I tried to give you a chance to save your life earlier, since you didn’t go that far. But now you’ve just stepped on a landmine you should’ve walked away from.” I sighed, but at the same time I bet my face was showing something else.

Bloodlust…

I looked them all in the eyes, one by one, and spoke the last words they’d ever hear.

“But now… you just threatened to kill my little girl.”

I turned to Noah, my voice sharp and cutting…

“Noah, rip these fucking bastards apart; absolutely no mercy.”

He released me, and with a smooth, practiced flick of his wrist, a blade materialized into his hand. It was sleek, black-edged steel that didn’t belong to this world.

The air around him changed. It dropped, heavy and suffocating.

It was over in a matter of seconds. Each one of them was butchered before they even knew what had happened.

Why had they left me no choice? Even so, I felt little pity for them.

The last in line to fall had tried to run and even pull a weapon, but it was all in vain. Blood hit the sand and mixed with the salt and surf, washing away in thin red trickles.

Then… silence.

Six bodies lay in the sand, unmoving.

Noah turned back to me, eyes calm. His sword vanished like mist. I walked toward him without looking away.

Behind us, I heard Livia whisper to Elowen, “I told you she was a wrecking ball.”

Ignoring Livia’s snarky comment, I reached for Noah’s hand, lifted it to my lips, and kissed his knuckles softly.

“Well done,” My voice came out ice cold.

We continued back on our walk towards our camp, where I took Lyra in my arms and held her close. No one, whether it’s in this world or the other, has the right to threaten my daughter.