John took a long breath, he wasn't ready to tell his father the news. Just when they finally got back together and were creating the family they always wished for Ethan to die.

He died for a good cause, and John deeply down knew he wouldn't be able to fight the protector. When banshees existed only 1 out of 100 banshees had a protector. They had the powers of banshees but more intensified and the only way to fight them was to burn their body and at the same time ripe their hearts off which would be a proper suicide.

John felt so shaken and sad for the situation he was in that he could barely believe that happened, he felt like it was too sad to be real and he wished with all himself he would wake up from that nightmare.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a nightmare but it was the brutal truth.

Roselyn, on the other hand, was still shaken and confused, she didn't know what a protector was nor she barely knew why she got wings. The only thing she was sure about was that she has to be there for John.

She held his hand and stayed quiet as they both slowly walked toward the castle..

Her mouth was dried and her heart was aching seeing John so bewildered by what happened, if she knew how to absorb John's sadness or how to make him feel better she would do so.

John barely spoke a word, he had his gaze set on the ground but he was staring blankly as thousands of memories crossed his mind, the voice of his brother echoed in his mind so loudly that he began to feel dizzy.

Yet that was nothing compared to what he was getting into, telling his father his son was dead would shatter his heart into pieces even more.

John traveled his gaze to scrutinize the door of the castle, his heart ached and his breath shortened. A long breath he took to gather the courage he had in his body.

"Are you sure…?

" Roselyn murmured, he leaned her hand closer to his shoulder willing to caress him but her hand never touched his body. She retreated his hand reconsidering her idea concerned her gesture would make even harder his effort to hold the sadness.

John didn't answer Roselyn's question, he only blinked few times to drive the tears away and after taking a second long breath he pulled the door.

William was waiting for them with a bouquet on the time and different times of wine, probably to celebrate. When he saw John a huge cheered smile appeared on his face and little creases formed around the corner of his eyes as he narrowed his eyes in a wide joyful smile, probably thinking they made it.

But when William saw Roselyn closing the door behind them and not anyone walking in beside them he recognized John's sad gaze and his heart skip a breath as a shover of sadness ran down his spine.

"No…

" William murmured in a voice so low that it was almost unhearable.

"No!

" He then said anger and louder.

John swallowed down the lump in his throat and he clenched his fists to suppress the sadness and the tears that filled his eyes blurring his vision.

William's became paler and he let himself fall onto the sofa and he held his head in his hands, he shook it, his hands were shaking and from his eyes fell tears of desperation.

John walked closer to his father, at each step he took his heart shrank a bit more and he could feel an emptiness in his chest that was aching so badly staring at his father crying.

"I am sorry…

" John only said, he couldn't resist anymore and he began to cry as well, he sat near to his father and hugged him.

"There was..

" John's voice broke as he choked for the sadness and he had to clear his voice to speak again,

"there was a protector. He had to sacrifice his life in order to allow us to win the battle. He killed her and they burned together to death.

"

John shut his eyes close for some instants to drive the image of his brother's death out of his sight because only remembering it was killing him inside.

William's gaze got sadder, he opened his mouth slightly, his lips were trembling and his voice rang so miserably. His blue eyes shining turned of a lighter fade and it was like he could barely speak.

"He must have suffered a lot,

" William observed, making John nod and took a long breath.

John swallowed once again, the persistent lump in his throat gave him a sore throat and his eyes were burning. He headed him the letter William wrote for him and then rested his hand over his father's hand.

"This is from him. He had been planned his death. Read him when you feel like.

" John leaned closer to his father's ear to whisper and then placed a kind kiss on his cheek.

William hinted the most forceful and sad smile as he nodded,

"I want to be left alone.

" He said as he headed the letter and gazed at it.

John nodded, although leaving him alone was making him feel sad and worried he had to respect his father's choice.

"I and Roselyn will be in our room to give you some privacy. If you need anything we are there.

" John finally said gesturing with his head to Roselyn who walked closer to William to smile at him kindly.

Then John took Roselyn's hand and they both walked into their room.

After few minutes that William stared at the letter, hesitating whether to open it, he finally unfolded it.

He took a long breath as his hand went to grip around his chest as if that gesture would help him to recover from the sadness he was in.

He caressed the letter and a tear fall on the sheet's corner.

'Dear father…