Byron and Madeline returned back to Thornbury, they didn't go back to the workshop since it was already dusk, the people trading and selling in the streets were decreasing in numbers, everyone had started going home. During the last four moons people have been disappearing and it was during night time it happened.
No one wanted to be the next victim, so they all scurried to wherever there houses were.
"Dad...what's making people disappear during night time, I find it a bit absurd."
Madeline was very different from other kids, she had started talking when she was just one year old, she learnt everything about embroidery in three days, she saw visions and dreams."Absurd...how."
Byron asked he has been noticing people disappearing too."I saw mister potter in my dreams, he was being allure by a strange creature, I couldn't see it's face but it had an enchanting voice."
Madeline said as she stroked her chin, in all her dreams and visions she could not see their faces except for her mother's."What did the creature do to mister potter.."
Byron asked seems like the four cardinals point had started to revive.The four cardinal points: north, south, east and west, was once ruled by the four great creatures; demons, vampires, elves, and sirens.
The elf people were consider to be Meek and weak, and that was probably why the other cardinal points had gathered to kill them, Byron and Madeline were one of the surviving elves.
Byron real name was Baron which he changed after coming to Thornbury, he was once the great Albericus which means elf ruler, he was the ruler of the high elves, Byron was much stronger than he was eighteen years ago, he had to if he wanted to protect Madeline.
Madeline also had a elf name which was Daena, the empress of the moon elves. Madeline had yet to unlock her elf power, yet again Madeline was still a half angel, was there anything like a elf angel.
"It took him to the sea.."
Madeline answered the song the siren sang began to resurface in her mind."Follow me into the unknown.....I know what you seek....I will give you all the riches this world has to offer...."
Byron quickly held Madeline mouth, they were still outside the house, he quickly pushed her into the house and locked the door.Not noticing the creature in the shadows, "you must never sing that song ever"
Byron warned her sternly, although the sirens could not leave the water that didn't stop them from having allies.Madeline nodded she felt the environment changed a bit when she sang the song.
"It is called a siren."
Siren were very vicious beings, being enchanting was just part of their disguise."Like mermaids....."
Madeline quipped, she read about mermaids in book.Mystical creatures with tails, singing in the sea shore."They are alike, but sirens are more vicious than mermaids, they allure sailors, men, kids, beautiful women."
Byron paused sirens were very vicious, they just allured and kill women more beautiful than them."But the river or even sea is miles away from Thornbury, how would they reach them."
Madeline reasoned from getting called by the king, to men disappearing in the woods, now she was hearing about sirens."Allies! They have allies, they can't leave the water so they make deals with goblins."
Goblins!!Madeline was stupefied, first how did her father know so much, second goblins still existed!.
Byron nodded he knew he had a lot to tell Madeline, but not now he needed for her to be safe first.
Lilith!!
Byron expression darkened he could never forget the demon that killed his wife, his beloved Reyna.
"First let me tell you about the east point and the cardinal points."
Byron went to kitchen to get some water before continuing his story."I was born to a family in the east point or Faklan, my name was baron which means young warrior. At that time I was yet to receive my elf name..."
Elf name!!
Did her father just say he was an elf.
"So...what was your elf name.."
Madeline asked as she took large gulps of water."Albericus..."
Byron said slowly, he was the elf ruler of the high elves, he was the pride and joy of his people, it saddened him that he couldn't protect his people or his wife.
"Ruler of the high elves..."
Madeline said slowly as she looked at her father softly, her father was a king, how did he get reduced to a tailor."Was mother a elf too.."
Madeline asked she was confused about a lot of things, things she needed time to know."No..your mother was an angel..."
Byron felt a lump in his heart, he could do anything to be with his Reyna.Angel!! Elf!!!
Then what was she, and elf angel or elgel."Then what am I...."
"Probably not an elgel.."
Byron joked....as Madeline face reddened in embarrassment how did he know what she was thinking."You see, it just like a rule, you can only become one thing, you can choose to be a elf or an angel."
Byron thought, there had never been anyone who had both powers before."Then who killed my mother.."
Madeline asked the right question at the wrong time."It's getting late, we'll continue the story some other time."
Byron ignored Madeline question, he couldn't bring himself to speak about Reyna.Madeline didn't push it and wished her father a good night before going back to her room.
She took a bath in the little pool constructed in her room, she laid down on the bed, wide awake deep in thoughts.
She saw flashes and images of a silhouette, it had platinum blonde hair, green like emerald eyes, pale pink lips, it looked like her.
Madeline entered a dream like state, this was usually how she saw her visions.
The silhouette she saw was her, she was in a coffin..."help me...help me.....I don't want to be here... I can't see ....I can't see...I can't breathe...."
The screaming became so loud that Madeline had to cover her ears. Being in the state made Madeline vulnerable as she didn't know what was going on in reality."What a weird creature...I was beginning to wondered by Merka sent me here."
The creature stroked its sharp claws, it's eyes glowing menacingly."Really a pity to kill such a beautiful thing..."
The creature stroked bent down to finish Madeline off, but unexpectedly stopped by Damien."How dare you stop me...."
The creature immediately stopped thinking when it saw the person who stopped it."K...king...m..master Damien....master I didn't know she was yours...I would...not have...Ah!!!!!"
The demon screamed in pain, he did not know the woman knew the master he would have never taken the job."So you're the one taking the men from Thornbury, since when did demons work for sirens."
Damien said mockingly as he stared at the little demon, it should be about fifteen to sixteen years old."I..I..master she tricked me...I didn't want to...she only said I should bring handsome men for her."
The little demon begged his hand had begun withering like a dead tree."What is your name and what division are you from.."
Damien asked as he let go of the little demons hands."Ravine...from the mowbury division.... master I really didn't know what she was doing to those men."
Ravine begged he wanted nothing but to her escape from this man clutches."I suppose I should let you go...but first tell me the siren that sent you...."
Ravine paled the siren didn't tell him her name, how was he going to Damien her name."I really don't know her name master, but they call her the princess Merka."
Damien expression darkened, she was also the one who tried to drug him.
"Oh really now..perhaps I'll pay her a little visit."
Ravine bowed and ran away like he had been given amnesty.Damien glanced at Madeline lowly, what was she that made the three cardinal point destroy the east point one hundred years ago.
Damien vanished when Madeline stirred, she was still in the vision.
She was no longer in the graveyard but in a house, "we have to leave we can't stay here any longer."
Madeline looked closely and saw her father, very much younger than he is now.
And next to him was her mother!, alive and well holding a ten years old girl.
It was her! Madeline was confused, her father said he mother died when she was a baby, so how come her mother was her holding the ten year old her.
"Baron we can't abandon your people, Madeline's people, we have to protect them."
Reyna said he was the ruler of the high elves, how could he leave his people."It's Madeline they want, and they would not stop if she not dead...."
Dead!! Madeline brows furrowed, why were they trying to kill her.
"We have already erased her memories, they will not attack her if she doesn't remember anything."
Reyna held Madeline tightly, this was her only daughter she wanted no harm to befall her."That was what I thought but they want her dead, memories or no memories."
Barron stated solemnly, why did such curse befall on his daughter, he wanted nothing more than to see her happy and safe.Safe from the evil trying to kill her.
Madeline wanted to tell them that she was safe and everything was fine, but she was transported to another vision, she was older here about sixteen.
"Father I don't like coffins, please don't let me stay here..."
Madeline begged her father, eyes watering, it was cold and dark there."I'm sorry Maddie, it's for your safety...." Barron closed his eyes as he couldn't bear to see his only daughter getting buried alive.Despite her screams and pleading, she was kept in the coffin for one hundred years.Because she kept in the coffin for so long, she had reverted back to a baby and brought back to Thornbury with Byron.Madeline woke up around noon, she looked a bit pale as yesterday's vision took a turn on her.She was one hundred and eighteen years old, and she was actually buried alive.Madeline was so confused and she did not know who to talk to.She stroked the bracelet in her wrist, she didn't see it in the vision, so her father must have given it to her after he removed her from the coffin."Maddie come down for breakfast.."Madeline took a quick bath and went downstairs, she had no appetite so she ate very little.Byron sighed he wanted to tell her but he couldn't not now, what she went through those years was unbearable."I wish I could tell you everything
Madeline did not stray farther into the market but instead went back to the workshop, the silk was all she needed.She already had an idea of what to do with the silk, she placed all the material on the table and began sewing.Byron watched Madeline silently he prayed in his heart that they had forgotten about Madeline and by they he meant the four cardinal points.Four hours later Madeline placed her finish product in the mannequin in her room, the dress reeked of perfection. She outdone herself, Madeline stretched she was dead tired, she didn't even take a bath and just laid on the bed tiredly.******** Three moons later it was officially The fall moon ball, the whole of Rutherford was bustling everyone were on their toes trying to look their best, the workshop was practically empty as people had gathered early in the morning just to buy clothes.Byron stretched as Madeline bade goodbye to the last customer." you should go get ready....it's almost time for the ball." Byron a
Madeline walked to a corner and just watched other people dancing, she didn't stray far just stood at a corner in the ballroom.Come to me sweet Madeline....follow me.....Madeline looked around, she felt something was drawing her to follow it....Yes it's me....I'm that voice....follow me Madeline.....Madeline legs started walked towards the south wing, the most dangerous part in the castle.Yes yes that's it....come to me...I can tell you about your mother....Callous frowned slightly, why was Madeline going to the south wing."Madeline don't go there...no one is allowed to enter the south wing without the king's permission...." Callous said as he observed Madeline, she just stood still not doing anything.... before walking again.Callous frowned and quickly went to find Damien, there was something wrong with Madeline.Don't mind him...he just doesn't like you....I like you will you be my friend.....Madeline walked deeper into the south wing, it was darkness and cold.....faint
"Ah.....my head....." Madeline rubbed her head slightly as she got up from the bed.Wait...Wasn't she at the ball how did she....where was she....she knew she wasn't home....Madeline gasped was she died.Madeline bit her tongue.....she heaved a sighed of relieved she was still alive.Madeline looked around the room was much bigger than hers, and even more exquisite."Good morning milady....would you like to have your bath first or breakfast." Theodora Madeline personal maid who was assigned by Damien.Madeline look around was she talking to her."Em are you talking to me...." The maid nodded as she bowed slightly,"I am Theodora...Dora for short, I'm your personal maid..." Theodora answered politely....it seems that this young miss was going to be the king's bride."Theodora....I like it...it suits your personality." Madeline said with a smile as she walked closer to Theodora, her smooth and beautiful face coming to full view.Theodora blushed slightly none of the
Madeline felt a weight like mount tai crushing her, if he really left why didn't he tell her that he was safe and had nothing to worry about."Don't be too worried you father is a strong man, one of the strongest men I've seen.”Damien consoled but he knew Byron wouldn't come back for a long time.Madeline calmed down a bit as she gave herself a little pep talk."I still have to manage the workshop." Even if her father want around she couldn't leave the workshop behind.''Oh you don't know both the workshop and your house was burnt down." Damien laughed he was quite happy that Byron burnt them down, it made the job of owing her easier.Burnt down!!!!What was going, she had a feeling that it was all her father's doing, but why."Why did he do all this don't tell me it's for my protection. Because I am sick of everyone tell me it's for my protection...."Madeline frowned feeling tears in her eyes, her desire to grow stronger increase.Damien felt the air around them turn colder."Ac
Madeline took her bath me and wore a light blue nightgown. "milady you're not going to wear the dress." Madeline shook her head, she wasn't going to a party, was it not dinner in Damien's room. "No need it's just dinner." Theodora nodded and retreated to her room, a little place before Madeline's room. Madeline walked towards Damien's room,it was dark and the hallway was brightly lit but it did not stop Madeline from having goosebumps. She walked into the room hurriedly wanting to escape that chilling hallway. "You're afraid..." Damien muttered as soon as Madeline entered the room. "How did you know...." Madeline was surprise but she did not deny that she was afraid. "I can feel the pace of your heartbeat, if it beats too fast it either you're in love or you're afraid ."Damien laughed with the way she entered the room just now, it definitely wasn't love. "I'm still trying to get used to the castle, that hallway was way too creepy like I'm being watched." Damien sat uprig
Madeline sat in the gigantic bed, Damien's room gave off a dark and quiet vibe."You can choose to sleep here for the night." Damien wrapped Madeline in his arms and drew her deeper into the bed.Madeline's face reddened as she tried to escape Damien's hold, she had never been in a man's embrace before it was oddly cozy and comfortable."I think I'll sleep in my room, we are unmarried.." Damien chuckled since when did he followed the rules."Madeline do you finally agree to marry me, we can get married now." Madeline blushed her father did say she should listen to Damien."Yes.....you did save my life...." Madeline answered as she got up from the bed, it was already late and she needed her sleep."I'll walk you, it is unsafe for you to go there alone." Damien stated as he got up from the bed also, one of the rules in the castle was no never walk alone in the castle at night."But my room is just a corridor away." Madeline protested she wasn't a weakling, she cou
Damien expression was grim, as he stared at the black sky, callous also had a grim expression as he stood quietly in a corner."Didn't we send the changelings back last month, why do I sense that they are back now." Callous shook his head he had know idea, why the changelings came back so early."Damien I suggest we consult, lady Xenia." Lady Xenia was Damien personally consultant, she was a seer and palm reader."Hmm....I will, Madeline is just getting used to the castle I don't want her to get frightened when she sees too many abnormal things.." Callous was surprised Damien was worrying about somebody, apart from his own mother Damien never cared about anybody not even his father." I will prepare the items, you should get some sleep." Damien nodded as callous disappeared from the room, Damien expression was still grim, was it just the changelings coming back to the castle.*************************Ding!! Dong!! Ding!!!Madeline was too tired to even lift her body,
"I didn't want to disturb you...I usually get sick at this period I'll be fine in no time.."Madeline sighed and sat on the side on the bed, giving Theodora a serious look she was her friend even if she had a splinter she should at least still tell her."Alright is there anything I can do to help...have you taken your medicine or eaten lunch.."Dora nodded and sat up on the bed, she smiled at Madeline warmly she was the first person to visit her ever since she had fallen in."That's good..I'll stay here and keep you company.."Dora shook her head if Madeline stayed here for too long Damien would arrive andd gd would begin to look for her again."I believe his majesty would be back soon..you should go wait for him.."Madeline thought about what Dora said and nodded, she left after telling Dora to call her if she needed anything.During Middady the Elven council arrived in the castle, Callous rushed to Madeline to tell her about recent development.Madeline was a bit anxious Damien wasn
Vladimir expression was grim elf he could accept but angel, he did not wish for his grandson to associate with her not less marry her."Grandfather she's not all bad she's actually very innocent..."Vladimir couldn't believe his eyes, Damien actually spoke up for this creature."You actually want to marry this creature..""Yes"Damien said with a serious expression on his face, Madeline was his he couldn't accept the fact of giving her to someone else. She could only be his to love and bear his children.Love! Yes he actually had some feelings for the girl, she had grown on him over the last few months.He actually didn't mind spending the rest of his life with her."Never! I don't give my consent to his association.."After that Vladimir walked upstairs refusing to give Damien any face.Damien sighed as he stood up preparing to leave, when he saw the butler's apologetic look."I will try my best to convince him young master, you know the master is old and he needs time to accept som
Madeline didn’t sleep that night and only meditated connecting herself with natureEven Damien’s presence was not able to bring her back to the human world.“Your highness there’s nothing you can do, she does not want to come back..”Damien frowned and turned to look at Tanith.“And why’s that..”Tanith told Damien of the coming of the high elves, and how Madeline said she wanted to prepare.“Humph! Merely high elves, with me around she doesn’t need to lift a finger..”“She also said this..”Damien watched Madeline for a while, before turning to Tanith.“Watch her..if anything happens to her..consider yourself dead..”Tanith gulped and nodded swiftly sitting by Madeline’s side.Damien nodded and left the room, very quickly Callous appear by his side.“You’re highness..”“The high elves are on their way, prepare the south wing for us..”Callous nodded and disappeared as soon as he came.Damien sat on the throne, deep in thought.High elves?What were their motives for come, as far as he
Madeline quietly left the room, with burning cheeks. She dashed to her room and fell on the bed.Tanith appearing by her side.."You like him don't you.."Madeline immediately shook her head, love was a big word. Damien he was a monster, someone that could not be controlled. Madeline shivered she only felt like he had his eyes on her every second."Oh..then you like the tailor.."Tanith sniggered purposely add fuel to the fire she had lit up."I don't like him, don't say such word in the future.."Damien was too possessive who knows what he'd do to her.Tanith chuckled and kept quiet, finally putting on a serious expression."I received word from my watchers, that the high elves would like to have a word with you.."Madeline looked at Tanith, the high elves why would they want to see her."Why wound they want to see me.."Tanith shook her head, she also did not know why. But if they wanted to see Madeline no one could stop them."I also do not know, either way we have no choice but to
Madeline frowned annoyed and only casted a fleeting glance at Damien, who chuckled seeing her reaction.“If you excuse me, I’ll like to meet Dora now..”Saying this Madeline didn’t bother to wait for Damien’s permission and directly walked out of the room.At the hallway she met Theodora there, who proposed they take a stroll around the castle grounds.“Milady let me choose you the best view ever..”Theodora said getting on the horse, beside her was Madeline and at her left was Gavin, who followed for safety.He stayed behind them so as not to get involved in their conversations, and only spoke when he was asked a question.They didn’t ride for a very long time and quickly got to the edge of a cliff, and they were just in time as they sun began setting, Theodora was right it was truly the best view.Madeline took a deep breath enjoy the smooth valley air, she sat down and decided to make a design. She as pretty fast and she was done in know time.“We better head time, the dusk as arri
The next day, the throne room had already been cleaned up, and no one would ever think that an intense battle actually happened here.Madeline woke up to Dora's soft knocks on the door, and as per usual she came in holding a glass of warm milk, and next the tray of bath equipments."Good morning milady, did you sleep well last night.." Theodora said softly, as she placed the trays on the table, Madeline nodded as she got up from the bed. Yawning slowly..she responded quietly.."My night was great Dora, how was yours.."Theodora smiled ... the lady was the only one who asked about her well being, if she were to died..the lady would probably be the only to notice her death."Fine milady..it was a bit noisy..though.." Madeline stroked her chin, it's been some time since she last saw Garrick and the others for a while now."After this..please call Garrick and Meara for me..I'd like to have a little chat with them.."Theodora nodded and left the room, she headed straight to the mysteri
"Now issak give your strength to Damien, then we can finish this fight once and for all..." Issak nodded and transferred part of his powers just like Meliaka to Damien, like a stream it flowed down to Damien.Stopping momentarily, Damien touched his chest, he was sensing a power that was not his, in fact it was hundred times stronger than his, his silver eyes glowed brightly, turning crimson instantly. This made Elian who was smiling happily to stop, he could feel Damien's power had increase and it was far more stronger than his.They knew gods too, just what kind of saving grace was this, it was like whatever others worked hard to get, they got it easily."Hehe....an interesting phenomenon..just happened and I'll like to try it out..." Once again, the fight had began it was even faster than the previous one, as Damien through more and more vicious attacks at Elian, each one landing on important places.Hehe....Elian wiped the blood off his lips, his clothes were dyed crimson
Elian rushed up to Damien, his expression twisted awfully, as he threw three consecutive punches.Two which Damien dodged and the last one hitting him below his waist, it was extremely excruciating as Damien took three steps backwards his hands clutching below his waist."Ah never experienced the power of a god...then I'll show what it is to be a god..." Elian spread his palms, a white ball bursting out of it, it grew bigger and rounder as Elian played with the growing ball in his hands.Damien removed his hand, it was tainted with blood, he frowned slightly Elian's punches were extremely vicious and aimed for the important parts. If he wanted to defeat him, then he'll have to be sharp and quick."Damien..I'm going to kill you...because you don't know how much I've wanted to kill you..." Elian hatred for Damien wasn't deep rooted anymore, he hated Damien to the core, was Damien the only handsome man in the world, was it because he was a king, he was handsome too, why couldn't he
"So what if I am...." Madeline raised her chin up..staring directly into Elian's eyes, she showed no fear even though she felt fear."Then you will be by my side..you will be Death's new bride..." Damien propped a brow...Death's new bride, he hadn't even married Madeline, yet some bozo was actually claiming what belonged to him..in his presence.The nerve of some people, this made him want to kill Elian more and more, him dying my his hands would ease the anger."Don't you know even Death's afraid of me...you've got some nerve.." Was she a toy or some treasure that you could claim as you like, she was living, breathing woman..and she was not anybody's treasure to claim."See..she's mine, she knows she's mine, you don't even have the right to be around her..she's mine to hold, to kiss, to love, to claim..she belongs to me..Damien Lafayette and you're not worthy of becoming her suitor.."Elian clenched his fists, his eyes turned red instantly..they were insulting him openly, say