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“What should I do?” I asked, my voice laced with determination, regardless of what could happen to me. The weight of responsibility settled upon my shoulders, and I knew that I had to keep safe those who were dear to me.
“The one about to get married,” she continued. “Do not take your eyes off of her even for a single moment. She is the one the dark forces want.”
“You mean Constantine?” I asked, almost certain that he was behind this.
“There is someone who is desperate to prove themselves worthy to Constantine,” she revealed something I didn’t know. “And they will do anything to gain his approval. Anything.”
The witch’s gaze held mine, her voice steady as she revealed the dangerous path that lay ahead. I listened intently, absorbing every single word she was saying, so I could not onlyreport back to the king, but also take it to heart and be ready to protect Lilith.
“Who is that?” I asked, but I doubted she could be that specific.
Just like I predicted, she just shook her head. “I couldn’t see. But maybe that is for the better. Do not trust anyone but yourself. Question everything and everyone.”
I nodded. The gravity of the situation became clearer. I realized that the battle I had fought against the vampires was merely a glimpse into the larger web of deceit and danger that lurked within the kingdom. It was a battle for power, with Lilith and her sister unconsciously caught in the crossfire.
I got up, feeling that it was time for me to leave. She placed her old, withered hand on my shoulder. “Mark my words. Do not take your eyes off of her even for a single second, because that is enough for something dreadful to happen.”
“I won’t,” I promised. “The castle is closed tightly. No one goes in or out. The guards are set up everywhere. The castle is now the safest place on earth for them.”
She shook her head. “If you truly believe that, then you have not seen the face of real evil. I have. And I know that you cannot hide from it, even in the depths of Hell itself. It will follow you everywhere. It will not stop. So, you should not stop either.”
I nodded again, with even more conviction. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“If you need me again, you know where to find me,” she said, pulling her hand away suddenly, almost as if my skin scorched her.
She didn’t walk out of the cottage to wave me goodbye. Not that I expected her to. As I spurred my horse into a gallop, the wind whipped against my face, carrying with it a sense of urgency and determination. The revelation of the danger befalling the daughters of the king propelled me forward, myheart pounding with each beat, driving me to return to the castle as quickly as possible.
With every passing mile, the urgency intensified. The beauty of the landscape blurred into a mere backdrop as I focused solely on the path ahead. My senses were heightened, attuned to any sign of trouble or treachery that might lie in wait. I knew that I could easily be attacked again, so I had to remain vigilant. With this injury, I would be no match for another group of vampires.
As I rode, memories of my time with Lilith flooded my mind, each moment etched with an intensity that only fueled my resolve to protect her. Even though she belonged to another man, my purpose was evident. I needed to be by her side. I needed to be her protector.
As I approached the familiar surroundings of the castle, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation coursed through my veins. The grandeur of the fortress that had once seemed awe-inspiring now paled in comparison to the weight of responsibility that rested on my shoulders.
I dismounted from my horse, my movements swift and purposeful. With each step towards the castle gates, determination surged within me, pushing aside any traces of weariness or doubt. The time for action had come, and I knew what my duty was.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lilith
It was one of those fun dinners when everyone seemed to be in a good mood. It was almost as if the veil of darkness that had been hanging over the castle had been lifted, if only for a short period of time, so we could all remember what it was like to laugh freely and talk about something other than the fact that we were all in mortal danger.
Even Father was back in his usual, jovial mood, and I couldn’t help but stare in awe and tenderness as I listened to the playful banter between him and some of the castle staff, as they were serving the food. It was a rare moment when we could all relax and actually enjoy each other’s company, without the burden of all the events that had preceded this evening.
Cass, her enthusiasm contagious, shared our adventures up in the attic with everyone. Questions followed, and even Father seemed to have forgotten that we actually had an attic, with so many forgotten treasures that were just waiting to be unearthed.
Amidst these cheerful stories, even Adrian, who was usually serious, softened by the warmth of the company, and upon being asked, he shared stories of his travels and adventures beyond the castle walls. We all listened, mesmerized by his words.
While his last recounting was still ongoing, I looked around at all the smiling faces around me. I felt grateful for moments like these, where all I could think about was the people I cared for. I stopped being a princess, and I was just myself, surrounded by people who were also free to be themselves, if only for this one precious moment. It seemed that the laughter,the genuine smiles, and the shared stories created a bond that strengthened the ties between us all.
The evening continued, desserts were served, and the conversations continued to flow effortlessly. It seemed that no one wanted to retire. Everyone wanted to stay here and prolong this moment indefinitely. The conversations ranged from delightful reminiscences to playful teasing, and through it all, every single voice was heard and valued. I couldn’t remember the last time when we had this at the castle.
When we finally retired to our bedrooms, Cass lingered in the doorway. I looked at her strangely. “Why don’t you sleep in my room tonight?” I asked. “We had such a fun time. I feel like back when we were little girls and we used to stay up all night, just talking about anything that popped to mind.”
Cass smiled, but it was not a smile of agreement. “I’d love to, but I think I’ll still go to my room,” she said softly.
I returned her smile. “Of course, Cass. I understand. We all need our space sometimes.”
Cass’ smile widened, as she approached me and took me by the hand. “You are always so understanding. I do need some time to collect my thoughts.”
