The group was ready to leave.
Solmere was still alive with festival energy as they departed—music, laughter, crowds that would have followed them if they could. Many wanted to witness the weddings. To celebrate with them. To be part of something that already felt legendary.
But this was not a celebration journey.
This was a search.
And no one else needed to walk into that.
The caravan was loaded quickly. The Grimsteeds—massive, shadow-forged and tireless—pulled them forward with unnatural strength. No normal escort could have kept pace even if they tried.
The desert awaited.
The journey was not simple.
It became a game of fragments.
A name here.
A rumor there.
A sighting days old.
Nine towns in total.
Nine times Zee walked in with hope in her chest and left with nothing but another direction.
Her clan was nomadic.
Elusive.
And intentionally difficult to track.
They worshipped a goddess of power and freedom—at least, that was what they claimed. In truth, their belief was far more rigid.
Power was to be shared.
Earned.
Distributed.
And when necessary…
Taken.
Through sacrifice.
Time.
Effort.
Desire.
And sometimes…
Life.
Zee had once belonged to that world.
Now she walked back toward it.
Not as prey.
Not as sacrifice.
But as someone seeking something far more dangerous—
Closure.
After a week of travel, they finally found a lead that felt real.
A desert spring.
Ancient.
Magical.
A place nomadic clans often passed through.
They arrived at dusk.
And they saw them.
A full camp.
Not temporary.
Not passing through.
Settled.
At least for now.
Zee's breath caught.
"They're here…" she whispered.
They approached carefully.
No weapons drawn.
No armor displayed.
Just presence.
Questions were asked.
Measured.
Careful.
And slowly—
Recognition.
Permission.
They were allowed inside.
Jax had already decided they would enter regardless.
But it mattered to Zee.
So he let it happen her way.
At the center of the camp stood a structure—larger than the rest, reinforced, symbolic.
Authority lived there.
As they approached, two figures stepped forward.
A man.
Tall.
Rigid.
Eyes sharp with judgment rather than curiosity.
And beside him—
A woman.
Quieter.
Still.
But watching everything.
Zee stopped.
"…father."
Her voice wasn't steady.
Not yet.
The man didn't react with warmth.
Didn't step forward.
Didn't soften.
"Why have you returned?"
It wasn't a question.
It was a challenge.
Zee froze.
For all her power.
For everything she had become—
This was different.
This was not an enemy.
This was the past.
Jax stepped forward.
Without hesitation.
Without force.
He took her hand and gently pulled her beside him.
Not behind.
Beside.
"I came to speak with you," Jax said calmly. "I love your daughter. I intend to marry her. I thought it right to ask for your blessing."
The man didn't even blink.
"What she does is no concern of ours."
A pause.
"She is no longer of this clan."
The words landed harder than any blow.
"She is no longer my daughter."
The air shifted.
Even the Vixens felt it.
Jax didn't react immediately.
He didn't argue.
Didn't raise his voice.
He thought.
"…can you tell me why?"
"Our ways are not yours to question."
"I'm not questioning your ways," Jax said evenly. "I'm asking so she can understand."
The man's gaze shifted briefly toward Zee.
Cold.
Measured.
"She abandoned us."
Zee flinched.
Just slightly.
Jax noticed.
"I know she left," Jax said. "But leaving and abandoning are not the same."
"She was chosen," the man continued. "Her power was meant to be shared among us."
Nyxian's voice cut in.
Sharp.
"You mean she was supposed to die."
Silence.
The man didn't deny it.
"Yes."
The word hung there.
Unapologetic.
Certain.
Zee's hands trembled.
Jax's grip tightened slightly.
"You expected your daughter to die," Jax said quietly, "and call that loyalty."
"She chose herself," the man snapped, finally showing emotion. "She chose selfishness over duty. Because of that, we have suffered."
His voice rose now.
Directed fully at Zee.
"All hardship since her departure is because of her."
The accusation hit like a wave.
Jax stepped forward slightly—
But stopped.
Because Zee moved first.
Her voice shook.
At first.
"I was afraid," she said.
A breath.
"But I'm not anymore."
She lifted her head.
Met his eyes.
"I found purpose outside of you."
Stronger now.
"I found people who don't see me as something to be used."
Another step forward.
"I found love."
Her voice steadied.
"I am valued. I am protected. I am happy."
A pause.
"If that makes me selfish… then I accept that."
The camp was silent now.
Listening.
"My name will soon be Darquebane."
The words carried weight.
Finality.
"And when that happens… I will have no ties to you."
Her father didn't move.
Didn't react.
But her mother—
Her hand rose to her chest.
Subtle.
But real.
Zee's voice softened.
Just slightly.
"One day… I may have a family."
A breath.
"And if I do…"
Her voice broke.
Just a little.
"They will never know you."
That landed.
Even her father felt that.
Though he didn't show it.
Jax stepped forward then.
Not as a speaker.
As a wall.
He placed himself just slightly ahead of Zee.
Not blocking her.
Protecting her.
"I came here out of respect," Jax said.
He bowed his head.
"I was taught to seek a father's blessing."
He lifted his eyes.
"But I will not ask again."
A pause.
"You do not deserve that place in her life."
The words were calm.
But final.
"I hope your clan finds whatever it is you believe you've lost."
Then he turned.
Zee didn't hesitate.
She walked with him.
Back straight.
Head high.
Every step away—
A choice.
Every step—
A separation.
They reached the caravan.
Just before she stepped inside—
She heard it.
Her father's voice.
Low.
Dismissive.
"Selfish girl."
She paused.
For half a second.
Then stepped inside.
And didn't look back.