The Husband With many Identities

Ch 20 - The Familiar Aura

The village had almost emptied.

Nearly everyone had gone to Lyra's house.

The narrow streets were quiet again, with only a few villagers lingering near their homes. Their phones, crystal-link communicators, and small video recorders were still capturing the commotion from a distance.

Akeel walked toward his family's house.

His thoughts were heavy.

Two days ago, his only concern had been returning to Havenrock and marrying Lyra.

Then he had been forced into a marriage with Danaya.

The Energy Court had delayed the dissolution for thirty days.

And now Lyra had been revealed as the missing heir of the Valcrest family.

Too much had happened in too little time.

Akeel turned onto another narrow street.

Then he stopped.

His expression changed.

Someone was nearby.

He could feel an aura.

A familiar one.

Akeel slowly turned his head.

The energy was faint at first.

Then it became clearer.

He knew that aura.

His mind immediately returned to the Valcrest estate.

Danaya.

Akeel frowned.

That was impossible.

Why would Danaya be here?

He had left her in the city only hours ago.

She had no reason to follow him to Havenrock.

Yet the aura was unmistakable.

Akeel followed it.

Several villagers stood farther down the road.

A woman stood among them.

She wore simple clothes, nothing that would draw attention.

But Akeel recognized her immediately.

Danaya.

His wife.

The woman he had planned to divorce.

The woman who should still have been in the city.

Akeel stopped several steps away.

Danaya looked at him.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Akeel's eyes narrowed.

"Danaya?" he asked.

She did not answer.

Instead, she glanced around at the nearly empty street.

Then something strange happened.

The ground beneath her feet trembled.

Akeel's expression changed.

"Danaya?" he called again.

Before he could move, the earth beneath her opened.

She sank into it without falling.

There was no struggle.

No scream.

Her body simply descended into the ground as if the earth had accepted her.

Akeel rushed forward.

But by the time he reached the spot, Danaya was gone.

The ground had already closed.

There was no hole.

No trace of her.

Akeel stared at the empty road.

His mind raced.

A power that allowed someone to move through the earth?

He had never seen Danaya use such an ability.

Before he could investigate, another sensation reached him.

Then another.

Akeel slowly turned.

Several familiar auras were approaching from the next street.

He knew them.

He had felt those energies countless times throughout his life.

His father's.

His mother's.

His brother's.

Akeel's expression changed again.

His family was coming.

He had barely taken a few steps when three familiar figures appeared at the end of the street.

His father, Bram Corvain, carried several bags filled with local specialties.

Beside him walked his mother, Hester Corvain, carrying another collection of gifts.

They looked as though they had been preparing to visit someone important.

His brother, Marius Corvain, walked beside them.

Marius looked as though he were heading to a grand celebration. He wore a brand-new outfit, and his freshly styled hair framed his face. His posture was confident as he walked beside their parents.

The three of them had been laughing together.

Then they saw Akeel.

Their expressions changed immediately.

The laughter stopped.

Hester's face hardened first.

She stared at him with open irritation.

"Why are you back, Akeel?" she asked.

Akeel looked at his mother.

He knew that tone.

His family had never been good at hiding their favoritism.

Still, he remained calm.

He glanced at the bags in his parents' hands.

Then he looked at Marius.

"Mom, did you forget?" Akeel asked. "I'm getting married to Lyra."