Chapter 39: Chapter Thirty-nine: Strange playfulness.
Minutes had passed away and Damien was still feeding her from the bowl. It had become dreadfully silent and only the occasional clatter of the utensils could be heard.
He raised another spoonful to her lips, but before she could take it, a knock was heard on the door.
"The King summons you, Prince Damien. It is urgent."
An annoyed frown instantly washed over his face.
He was gravely annoyed. Why was it when he was finally enjoying his time that this would happen? His hand froze mid-air, and his eyes shone with restrained irritation. He set the spoon down with a quiet clink and looked up to Elena still on his laps.
"I suppose duty always finds a way to ruin every quiet moment," he muttered under his breath.
She looked up at him still red in the face.
"You’re leaving?" she asked softly. She didn’t know why but she felt a little bit sad about his departure.
"I have no choice," he replied, turning slightly toward the door. Then he paused and turned back, his eyes narrowing with faint amusement. "Do you want me to send a maid to finish feeding you? Or should I just continue?"
Elena blinked, surprised. When did he get this bold with her? "No... no... I-I can manage."
Damien lifted a brow faintly. "Good. I didn’t want to share anyway."
Her lips parted in confusion. For a moment, she wondered if he was joking. Since when did the cold, distant prince turn this... playful?
He bent down slightly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Don’t wander off. I’ll be back soon."
And with that, he disappeared in a swirl of dark mist, leaving behind only a faint trail of his strong scent.
Afternoon came sooner than expected with its light filtering through the opened curtains. The palace was unusually quiet. Even the sound of the servants could not be heard.
Elena lay still for a long while, staring blankly at the ceiling. She felt her body heavy with exhaustion yet resting brought her no peace. Her mind was restless and her heart unsettled. Everything was just so boring! Her mind went back to her maid friends back at Calithar’s palace and her heart ached softly. Oh how she missed their laughters and funny jokes and... him.
Elena set her lips into a thin line as the thought of him settled in her mind.
’He’d probably be looking for me now’ she muttered to herself, feeling a strong pang of sadness overwhelm her.
She slowly sat up sluggishly from the remains of her fever. She looked around her room. No one. No one to even talk to
A tired sigh escaped her lips. "I can’t just stay here forever."
She swung her legs off the bed, ignoring the weakness in her knees, and reached for the door. The air felt colder today but the sun was out so brilliantly, perfect for a walk
When she stepped outside her room. She is about to descend the stairs when a middle-aged woman and some younger girls approached her hurriedly.
"My lady, you shouldn’t be up yet!" she cried with her eyes wide in alarm.
Were they actually waiting outside her door or just standing there? She thought looking confusedly at them. Elena ignored them and continued on her way downstairs.
"You’re still unwell, my lady!" another added, wringing her hands anxiously as they followed her downstairs, constantly stretching out their arms in case she fell.
Elena soon reached the end and was about to open the door when more of them came to stand in her way. She gave a faint smile and spoke to them in a hoarse, weak voice. "I’m just going downstairs for some air. I’ll be fine."
The maids glanced at each other nervously. They remembered all too well what had happened the last time the prince was angry and they didn’t want that to happen again.
One maid stepped forward, trembling greatly. "Please, my lady, if something happens to you, His Highness will—"
"I said I’ll be fine." she replied gently but firm. She was tired of feeling trapped, tired of being treated like a fragile doll.
"I’m going upstairs first to get my shawl," she said, turning towards the stairs. "When I return, everywhere better be cleared. I need silence."
The maids froze, exchanging terrified glances as she proceeded up the stairs. Two maids rushed up with her, to help her if she suddenly grows weak and faints.
"Should we... stop her?" one whispered anxiously as they watched her go.
"How?" another hissed. "If we touch her, and she gets hurt, we’ll all be dead!"
"But if she goes out and the prince finds out—"
"Either way, we’re doomed."
Their whispers grew frantic, each one feeling strongly at odds.
Elena returned moments later with a soft fabric of her shawl wrapped around her shoulders. The color had returned slightly to her cheeks, though she was still visibly weak.
When she stepped into the parlor, leading outside again, the maids immediately dropped to their knees.
Even the guards pleaded with her because they were afraid to touch her so as not to incite the prince’s wrath. She was just so frail and weak, they didn’t want to hurt her again and make the prince even angrier.
"My lady, please don’t—please, we beg you," one of them cried out.
Elena looked at them shocked. What was wrong with these people? Her heart softened at the sight of them. She remembered Damien’s wrath: how he’d nearly whipped them severely and guilt twisted inside her. She began to wonder what would have happened if she hadn’t stopped him. The thought alone terrified her. Why should he punish someone so terribly because of her?
"Alright then," she said softly. "You’ve done nothing wrong."
She turned around to head back to her ’room prison’ with slumped shoulders when the main door swung open and a familiar voice spoke.
"She’s with me."
Every head turned instantly. Prince Severin stood by the arched doorway with his signature hardened face.
The maids immediately bowed their heads to the ground.
"Your Highness!"
Elena blinked in surprise. "Your highness? You—wh-what are you doing here?"
"Your husband sent me to check up on you," he said, stepping closer with boredom written all over his face. "He said I should sure you didn’t faint again on the stairs."
Elena managed a small laugh as an embarrassed blush colored her face bright pink. "I apologize for the inconvenience, your highness."
He looked at her with the same expression and gestured toward the courtyard. "Come. Some air might do you good."
Severin strode out the door with Elena right behind him.
The palace garden was bathed in the soft sunlight. Flowers in full bloom swayed gently under the autumn breeze. Elena inhaled deeply, feeling the scent of wet soil and jasmine calm her nerves. Finally she could breathe again.
But as they walked further down the stone path, she began to feel... strange.
It was faint, barely noticeable at first but a pull deep in her chest, like an invisible thread kept tugging at her heart. She stopped mid-step, furrowing her brows in confusion. What was she hearing?
"What’s wrong?" Severin asked, tilting his head.
Elena looked around and her heartbeat quickened. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
She turned toward the garden just beyond the large courtyard The whisper came again this time soft, almost melodic.
"Elena..."
Her breath hitched. She knew that voice but from where?
"Calithar?" she whispered under her breath.
A faint smile curved Severin’s lips. "Who did you say?"
Elena blinked, realizing she had spoken aloud. "Nothing. I... I thought I heard someone."
The sound came again as a low hum this time, beckoning her forward, calling her name over and over. It was as if the garden itself was whispering for her to enter.
"Elena... come to me..."
Her feet began to move on their own, drawn by the voice.
Severin — or whoever he was — followed closely behind with eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
They walked towards the garden and walked continuously till they reached the entrance.
Elena hesitated, glancing at Severin. "Should we... continue?"
He gave her a straight look . "Of course. If you wish."
She took a step forward and the whisper grew louder, deeper, almost desperate.
"Elena... hurry..."
Then, before she could move again, a sharp pain shot through her chest. She stumbled back, clutching her heart.
Severin’s expression changed instantly. His smile vanished and his eyes darkened.
In an instant, his form began to shimmer, twisting like smoke. His features melted away replaced by something horrifying.
The illusion shattered.
Before her was not Prince Severin any longer, but a woman with long black hair and a small mole under her left eye. Her eyes gleamed with malice.
Elena gasped, stumbling backward. "Who—what are you?"
The woman’s lips curled. "Your beloved Calithar sends his regards, princess."
Instantly, the woman raised a hand and conjured a glowing portal to life in front of her. The portal was a swirling vortex of silver and blue light and it spun wildly in the air. Its pull was strong, pulling the wind around it violent.
Elena screamed as the witch lunged forward, grabbing her arm.
"Come, my lady," she hissed. "He awaits you beyond."
Elena struggled fiercely, but her strength was fading fast.
"Let me go!" she cried, kicking and clawing at the woman but she was just too strong.
The witch only laughed, dragging her closer to the portal. The light had already consumed half their bodies.
"Get away from me, you monster!" Elena cried, desperately trying to free herself.
The witch kicked her knee hard and brought her down to the floor. Just as she was about to pull her completely in, a blur of black tore through the clearing and afist collided with the witch’s face, sending her crashing into a nearby tree. The sound of the impact echoed like thunder and the bark of the tree bent inside until it finally broke away.
Elena fell backward, gasping for air as she clutched her trembling body. She blinked rapidly, moving backwards quickly away from the portal when her vision cleared and she saw him.
Damien.
His hair was disheveled, his eyes burning red with fury. His long, grey coat billowed behind him as he took a step toward the witch, his aura flaring dangerously.
He grabbed her by the neck, squeezing her upwards until she came face to face with him. The witch smiled devilishly, revealing her white set of crooked teeth.
"You dare touch what’s mine?" he growled daringly at her
The witch spat out blood and it landed a few inches from his shoe "You’re too late, vampire. He’ll have her—"
Before she could finish, she withdrew herself from his grip by turning to a snake and throwing herself backward into the portal which vanished into thin air upon her entrance. The swirling light snapped shut, leaving behind only silence.
Elena remained frozen on the ground, shaking violently. Her heart pounded wildly as the realization of what just happened hitting her all at once.
Damien turned and approched her with a mixture of concern and anger on his face.
He took long strides toward her and yelled at her in a low growl. "What were you thinking?!"
Elena flinched at the intensity of his tone.
"I told you not to leave your room!" he barked, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Do you have any idea what could’ve happened to you?!"
"I—I that was prince-" she stammered but could barely form any meaningful sentence
Damien’s jaw tightened as he looked at her. She had turned even paler and looked even weaker than when he had left her. He wanted to shout at her again, but the sight of her trembling pale lips and body silenced him.
"I should really put you on a leash shouldn’t I?" he asked sarcastically as he looked at her bewildered face but Elena was still too stunned to reply, if she even heard him...
Damien exhaled sharply, lowering his head. This wasn’t good.
"Damn it," he cursed with a hiss causing Elena to jerk up suddenly. Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms.
Damien said nothing but he just held her, tightening his grip as though afraid she would vanish if he let go.
Her weak and trembling hands, slowly clutched the fabric of his shirt as he turned around and headed towards the palace. He wanted to jump, to get her away from there as soon as possible but decided not to so as not to frighten her all the more.
Neither of them spoke the whole way back.
When Damien finally spoke, his voice was rough and almost broken.
"Don’t ever scare me like that again."
Elena felt her heart skip and her body relaxed against his, exhaustion pulling her down as she snuggled into his chest.
This man...what exactly were they becoming?