Chapter 20: Lord Vander’s MercyI did not expect that they’d be talking longer than usual and Zaya fell asleep on my lap. My head swiftly moved when I heard the door cracked open. Luem carefully opened the door and a foot got in, but he stopped there. “I need you there, he wanted to have a word with you,” he spoke just enough for me to hear him. “Who’ll look after her?” He looked down at my daughter.“Please,” instead of assuring me that she’d be fine in here. I was caught off guard. I underestimated him way too much; I should know that he knew I could create a barrier to protect our daughter while were out there. I did not say that because I was afraid to leave her here but because I did not want to talk to Lord Vander. He wasn’t senseless at all.I nodded after sighing in defeat. Walking behind him irritates me and my reflexes walked fast so I could be a few steps ahead. We reached at dinning shortly and I sat on the chair across Lord Vander uninvitedly. He was eyeing me li
Chapter 21: The Wedding Ritual“I wanted to start that this wedding will be irrevocable,” he started.“Can’t we just fake it?” “Unfortunately, we can’t.”“So, we have to prove that we are so in love with each other, and our forbidden love happened to be fruitful.” He was talking nonsense at all. “After this, we could prove to Lord Vander that you are her true mother. We can entrust Zaya to him while we are settling this problem. We cannot run around chased by executors with her, we need to keep her safe until the moment that they are ready to accept my daughter. We cannot risk her wellness traveling in various weather conditions, sleeping in the woods, and being in the middle of battles we’ll be facing ahead.”“I knew that something like that would happen, but I was in denial that I would be dragging my daughter to a battlefield. I still believe that as long as she’s with me, she’ll be safer than anywhere. Can you blame a mother like me? If that’s what you are planning then,
Chapter 22: Parted ways“Remember what I told you, Zaya. Never hesitate to break this marble once you’re in danger, okay?” I still couldn’t imagine myself traveling without my daughter. “Okay,” she answered while I couldn’t even rest my nerves thinking she had to be away from me. “I promise that we will not take long. Always take care of yourself.” “I will be okay, mom.” She was telling me that it wasn’t a big deal at all. All I could do was to sigh helplessly. Luem pulled her gently and kissed her forehead. He was murmuring something, and my daughter was nodding obediently. He tapped her head before stepping back. Lord Vander came with a horse making me feel it was a wrong idea from the beginning. I did not care if my daughter could see the complaint on my face. “It will be okay,” I glared at him, and he totally ignored that. “I don’t know how to ride a horse,” “It doesn’t matter, you are riding with me.” He mounted the horse, and I did not waste my time and pulled my
Chapter 23: Their Sweet HomeMy mood hadn’t lifted adding up that he was too hospitable to let us in his barn. The ungrateful man did not even offer a bath, we’ve traveled for a few days without a decent bath. He gave me a glass of water while a goblet of blood to Luem. I wanted to protest but I had no right to act spoiled here. Luem hasn’t let go of my hand until now. “You mean, you want me to tell father that you want to have a peaceful life with your wife.” In my mind, I hope that it was that simple. “We have a bigger problem than that.” I leaned on the chair and let him do the talking. “Have heard about the immortal baby?” “Yeah, I haven’t slept well since that news reached me.” “It was my daughter.” His glass broke looking at Luem. “Let me finish first, she’s not but they thought she was. I wanted to explain to them, but they will not listen to me.” He softly squeezed my hand making me turn to him. “Explain it to him,” “You knew that I and my mother were not okay,
Chapter 24: The Executors When we decided to come down, their family was at the dining table, having a family breakfast. Liane was feeding their son and Kuji was reading a newspaper. They were talking about something casually and her face lit up when she saw us. “Zil, did you have a good shower? Please join us here. Come on,” “Klein, this is your uncle Yzaic and that is you, Aunt Zille. Say hi to them.” The boy was younger than Zaya. I thought they’d been together for a long time. The boy just looked at us and then did not even react.“Kelvin, come on. Don’t test your father’s patience. At least say hi to your uncle and aunty.” Then a boy came who looked teeny but surely younger than he appeared. “And this is my eldest Kelvin,” He was wearing glasses and a little thin. I did not know how to have a friendly interaction, so I smiled awkwardly. “I’m sorry, I hope you don’t get offended. I’m not used to being nice, so I don’t really know how to do it properly.” I confessed whi
Chapter 25: Wild Night in the Wild Traveling without a horse was awfully slow. He could not waste his lightning speed all the time and we had to stop by more than five times a day, especially at daylight. Then he still has to conserve his energy for an emergency escape. My impatient self couldn’t help to pout while walking. We should have pulled the horse with us. Although it was impossible. “Are you sure this is a shortcut?” “Yeah,” I bite my lower lips preventing myself from cursing him since I need him to carry me but what was in front of me was a cliff and it was all rocky at the bottom. Around us was a completely deep forest. The tallest trees I’ve ever seen in my life. “It’s okay,” “No, it’s not.” But I couldn’t help it at all. He looked down and looked back at me with an obvious expression on his face like he was asking me ‘What’s wrong?’ “One wrong move and I’ll die.” “O
Chapter 26: The Flooded with Blood “What do you mean got separated!” My mood flared learning that my daughter was not in his house. “Zille,” Luem tried to stop me from walking to Lord Vander. “What were you thinking!” “As I was saying, Zille. We were gathering something to eat. And I suddenly couldn’t find her.” I pointed my finger at him. “No explanation could lessen your mistake in my eyes, Vander. I failed to find my daughter within this day, starts praying!” I got some branch around and flew as fast as I could. I started tracing the part that should have herbs. “ZIL!” I heard Luem calling my name, “Let’s find her together, don’t get too far! Calm down, we’ll find her.” No one will calm down. “ZAYA!” I started calling her name. I shouldn’t have to trust my daughter to anyone. “ZAYA!” I had to stop and use my magic to find her. I closed my eyes and looked at every part of the
Chapter 27: The Coven of WitchesLuem’s POV“Only a witch, can help her,” Lord Vander spoke.I knew no witch to help us, and we had to leave this place soon before more executors came and hunted us. I looked at my daughter and smiled at her.“Mom will be okay,” I could hear her heartbeat and feel her pulse. “Can you climb on my back?” She obediently did and I carried her mom.“Where are you going now?” asked Lord Vander.“Somewhere else.” I could not trust him still. Maybe my wife was right, I should not trust easily. They found this place sooner than expected. Lord Vander never revealed his place to anyone and even jumped from one place to another place.I started running with no certain place in mind. All I wanted was to bring my family to a safe place even just at night. “Dad, what is happening?”“Not now, my love.” Even when I was at my fastest, I could feel someone following me. The night I could fully define fright now that I am carrying two important someone in my life. Until i
Chapter 37: In the RunDays passed but it was alarmingly peaceful. We were traveling happily; I was worried that we might have laid back and lowered our guard. My gut says we should be more careful but I didn’t want to cut the moment. It was a treasure for me to see my family this happy. While on the run, I felt something chasing us. I turned to Luem and he already noticed it. Kiel ran and moved to the planned formation. He had to run between me and Luem while carrying Zaya. The look on my daughter’s face was enough for me to know that she was scared and knew everything around her, even without us discussing it. I looked at Kiel and he nodded. I cast an illusion to confuse the pursuer. We did shake them off, but another troop was in the run too. We ran different ways at the same time. I cast another illusion to cover Kiel as he escapes and activate his camouflage. I was already alone and stopped when I had to recover my breath. Yet they were wise to attack me before I c
Chapter 36: The Fortress of Eternal Diamond “Your coven is very beautiful, mom.” We were standing on the terrace looking at the whole coven below us. “Indeed, my love.” “Why did you have to leave this place?” my little girl asked.“There are certain things a little brat like me could not handle back then and chose to run like a coward. I was a baby and did not realize that this place is worth fighting for.” I could lie flawlessly, but not to my daughter, who knew me well. “You were lost,” I smiled when she said that. “Maybe,” “And angry,” I nodded. “I can feel that there is something big coming, Mom.” I shouldn’t lie but I could not tell her either. “I’m scared.” “What do you mean?” “I can hear every footstep, the hush of the wind, the flow of the river, the drop of the water, even the flopping wings of the birds moving in a hurry. Dusk is coming this way too fast.” Shiver kissed my nerves by just listening to my daughter say things that shouldn’t be spoken by a chi
Chapter 35: A Scorching FightZille’s PovHe was killing ruthlessly by himself when I saw him fighting in the woods. He was not feeling it when I spoke to him afterward When my daughter came with Kiel from her hiding place, I hugged her. “How are you, my love? Are you hurt?” I asked and checked her all over. My little girl shook her head, and I was proud that she was okay. I looked at Kiel behind her who just crossed his arms. “I’m fine mom, Uncle Kiel was great at hiding.” She cheerfully answered. A few meters away, there was her father sulking like a baby. Like I would go after him. “We must find somewhere to stay, it’s getting dark,” I said, and she nodded. We started walking without asking Luem to come with us. Let him vent out his steams somewhere. I am not dealing with him. “Dad, let’s go.” My daughter called him. He quietly followed while Kiel was leading the way. It was already dark, and we could not find somewhere hidden. “We don’t have time to find a place, le
Chapter 34: Werewolves Ambush Zaya’s POVIt has been two days and my mother has not returned. My father was growing increasingly anxious, and I found it difficult to approach him. He would often stand with his arms crossed, gazing at the door, and would inquire about my well-being in a somber tone. His speech became sparse as he delved into profound contemplation.He never left after he knew Mom was not here. However, Uncle Kiel had been teaching me how to enhance my ability when Dad would zone out. Then he suddenly stood up from his seat and looked above us. Uncle Kiel seemed alarmed too. I focused on my ears, and I did hear footsteps. Fast, faint, and swift. Mom should fly on a broomstick. Then suddenly it went quiet. Dad looked at Uncle Kiel and Uncle picked me up. Enemies. I should fight too. Then, the door was pushed open. Dad jumped on the big wolf and rode on it. His hands were around its neck, and I heard its bones crack and then fall. Dad swiftly moved to anothe
Chapter 33: Silent Cries Zaya’s POV I watched my mother leave and close the door behind her. And I dropped the act of toughing it out. I glanced at Uncle Kiel who did not care at all. I slowly walked back to the room, “I want to sleep for more, Uncle Kiel.” I said and closed the door. As soon as I locked the door, tears started pooling around my eyes. What have I done? I don’t get it at all. My mom has suffered enough, my parents fought for me. Aunt Hella died, and I never heard from my family back on the farm. Why did we have to fight? Maybe we could just surrender, and I could die for everyone. I felt sad but I did not want to cry. Whenever Mom was not looking, I felt my knees weakening, and scared. I sat on the floor and hug knees. I should not be scared, I should not feel lonely, and Mom and Dad will make things better. Eventually, everything should be fine. I had to wipe my face again and again, but my tears were t
Chapter 32: Reclaimed Crown"Leave the Coven now," I whispered, and I heard no objection. I always wanted to fight her and defeat her. Only if I had defeated her sooner, I wouldn't be facing her now. Fighting her this time was different, I had nothing to lose before but now I have my daughter and she knows it."I knew that this day would come," I felt her presence behind me, but I chose to remain unmoved."Did you also know that this will be the end of your reign?""How bold," I felt her walk around me and stopped in front. She always had that confident smile, then crossed arms. "You know what, Zil. You are no different to me.""Sadly, yeah." Did she think I'd desperately deny that fact?"What is the point of defeating me?""Power." I could see her breathing heavily, despite the visible smile on her face I knew she wanted to crash me from where I stood."I cannot believe you think you can defeat me; you are not the strongest Wicca anymore. You married a Vampire.""Is that why you did
Chapter 31: Memories in TearsZil’s POV 18 years ago It was raining cats and dogs when I noticed my mother leaving again. She put on her cape and left the room. I followed her until I saw her open the golden door. No one was allowed to enter that door. It was the coven law made by our grandmother. Our elders said that a powerful creature was hidden inside that kept the mountain alive and magical. For decades, because of the creatures hidden inside there, we never need to travel to other places to gather everything we need to live. Mother easily opened the door. A certain enchantment that I did not recognize. Every word was embedded in my head. The question of what that meant was left unanswered. Days passed and Mom hadn’t returned. Then weeks, and months, I patiently waited. One morning she returned as if she was not unseen for a few months. “Mom, I saw you in the woods at the secret mountain. You opened t
Chapter 30: To Reclaim the Crown Two days have passed, and I haven’t made up my mind yet. No one expected that I’d get this desperate. I never wanted power before, power came to me when I moved. Now, I am chasing it. I want it back, my crown, my power, I want it back. I hate the fact that I was being me again when I was little. Trying to protect the things that were impossible to protect. When I exited the room, I saw Kiel. He was sitting where he would usually sit and seemed in deep thought. “Can I have a word?” “You don’t trust me, as far as I remember.” “You offered shelter for a few days, so I should reconsider,” he does have a cold aura, but I’ve met more dangerous men before and I could say that he’s still a baby. “If you’re going to ask a favor, I am not your husband to boss around. Go get your husband to do what you want to do.” He rejected me within ten seconds, I could say he had
Chapter 29: The Tainted Coven Luem POV Dark red blood in a goblet, and the cold quiet night. All I could do was watch the door of the room where my wife and daughter were resting. “Not planning to move even an inch?” My brother said and sat somewhere close to me. “You need anything?” “You’re not even losing gaze from that door,” concluded Kiel. “What is it?” “Nothing, you’ve changed a lot. Do not deny that you were the head of executors. Father really had an eye on you. Yzaic, you are the next king, and everyone knows it, even you. You’ve claimed it before. You were never scared. Seeing you submit to a woman, especially to a witch, and looking like a puppy being ordered. I could hardly recognize you.” I know. “Yeah,” “And you let her do that to you?” “Being able to hold her is a prestige alone, Kiel.” When I loo