"My Lady, someone is asking for you?" Eva informed. "It is a man. He is waiting outside."
Angelica frowned. A man? It couldn't be Sir Shaw because Eva knew him. "Did he not tell you who he is?"She looked confused. "I… I didn't ask.""It is alright. I will go see him."Who could it be, she wondered.When she went outside, she found a man on his horse. He wore a black cloak that covered his face. When Angelica neared, he removed the cap, surprising her."Your Majesty?"He smiled. "Angelica."She looked around, but he was all alone. What was happening?"Are you busy?" He asked."No, Your Majesty.""Would you mind spending some time with me?"The question surprised her. She hadn't seen him for a month and thought that he was angry with her the last time they spoke. She didn't understand why he kept showing interest in her. The last thing she needed was to like someone and become disappointed. He was easy to like and feel safe with.Angelica thought of denying his request before her feelings grew stronger.The king reached his hand out just before she could open her mouth and politely decline his request. Now she felt like she had no choice but to accept his invitation. Taking his hand, he pulled her up and she climbed the horse to sit on the back."Hold on." He said.Hesitantly, she wrapped her arms around him and they rode away. Angelica had always dreamed of going on an adventure and this felt like it. The King rode through the woods at such speed that she enjoyed the wind whipping her hair back and seeing the trees fly by. Not knowing where he was taking her also made the ride more exciting. Who would believe her if she told them that the king came in disguise and rode away with her?The king took them to a place where the woodland met the river. He helped her get down from the horse and then tied it to a tree. Angelica looked ahead at the river, surrounded by a dash of trees. She listened to the sound of rushing water following a curving path over rocks.Angelica wanted to dip her hand into the river and feel it flow through her fingers. Without realizing it, she went ahead and did what her heart desired. She enjoyed the feel of cold water on her skin.The king sat on a rock nearby the river and watched her satisfy her curiosity."I am guessing you like rivers, Your Majesty.""I do." He said, shifting his gaze to the water. He wore a sadder expression than usual.Angelica removed her hand from the water and sat on a rock, facing him."Something seems to bother you," she began.He looked back at her with a faint smile. "It is part of being a king." He said.It was understandable, but she felt that there was something else bothering him than his Royal duties."Do you wish you were not King?" She asked."I wish I was free." He said, his eyes becoming distant as if dreaming of the freedom he spoke about.He seemed unhappy with being a King. Maybe that was why he was here with her, to escape his duties for a moment. To escape his fate that the red-haired woman in her dream had predicted.Angelica wanted to ask him about her dream, but he could get the wrong idea if she told him. She decided to keep it to herself for now."Thank you for talking to my father about Sir Shaw.""I am glad I could help. Maybe you should think about getting married? I believe it would be beneficial for you to marry someone who can protect you and provide for you. You won't be under your father's care forever." He told her.He was right, but she wondered why he suddenly spoke to her about marriage and if he had no plan to marry her, then why did he spend time with her?"Your Majesty, am I not of your liking?" She asked.Afraid of seeing his expression, she looked down at her hands. Her heart began to beat in her ears and she waited for him to reply for what seemed like an eternity.Angelica couldn't see herself with any other man. So far, he was the only one she liked and felt comfortable around. Even safe and understood. If she had to marry someone, then he was the only one she could consider.She looked up to see his sad eyes. "Why not, Your Majesty?"He rubbed his neck. "I used to know a woman. She looked like you and had your strong spirit. Our fate ended badly. I am afraid the same thing is being repeated. Things won't end well between you and me, Angelica." He looked remorseful.Who was the woman and how did it end badly? He was being secretive and not telling her the whole story. Angelica tried not to push for more and looked desperate. He had just indirectly denied making her his wife.The king stood up, "I know I am misleading you. I should take you back home." He said with regret.Things got tense between them after that. They rode back in silence and when they arrived at her home; he didn't say much. He just wished her goodbye. The way his gaze lingered on her before he rode away felt like he was saying farewell forever.Angelica felt like he was running away, afraid that things would end badly between them, so he wanted to end it sooner. But why did he believe things were being repeated? Could it be the woman in her dream? Could her dreams, just like her brother's, mean something more?She hoped not.Disappointed, she walked back into her home. Now that the king wasn't an option anymore, she would have to marry someone she didn't even like. Someone who wouldn't look at her or speak to her the way the king did. Someone she might not even feel comfortable with. If she didn't start looking soon, she would have to marry anyone willing to marry her at her age. She couldn't get older than this without getting married.Skender arrived in time and joined them in the backyard together with Blayze, Mazzon and Vitale before the Arch arrived. Rayven could feel the tension in the air when everyone gathered. No one was pleased that the Arch would come and they wouldn't have visited if Skender had done his job. Blayze was already showing his bitterness toward Skender. Mazzon kept to himself, and Acheron and Lazarus stayed quiet. Vitale sat on the floor, looking exhausted. He didn't know if it was the thought of the Arch coming alone that exhausted him or if there was something else. "Well, well, you have already gathered, my Lords." Lucrezia appeared from thin air with her two wingmen on each side, startling a few of them. Her aura sucked all the existing air whenever she arrived. Today she wore a long-sleeved green dress that complimented her green eyes and a crown of black thorns sat on top of her head. Her dark hair cascaded down to her waist in elegant waves and her sun kissed skin glowed in the eveni
Oh pain, what have I doneTo make you my companion Having you around is no funI want you goneRayven opened his eyes slowly, the lights greeting him with their warmth. But right now, all he wanted was to feel cold. To feel numb. Why did he wake up? He wished he had never opened his eyes again. Skender sat next to the bed in a chair and Acheron on a coach in the corner. He was falling asleep when he saw that Rayven had woken up. Skender loomed over him with a worried expression. "Rayven, you worried me." He said, breathing out in relief.Acheron came to his side as well. "What did she do to you?" Rayven saw anger in Acheron's eyes. The man never showed anger unless he was hungry. Opening his mouth, Rayven tried to speak despite his extremely dry mouth and throat. The words cut through him, causing him to grimace in pain, but he could barely be heard. Acheron hurried away to bring him water. Pushing himself up with his arms, Rayven tried to sit, but almost cursed when his healing
29"William, ;come here!" Rayven ordered when all the boys left their training. ;William came to him, keeping his head down. ;"What has happened to you?" he asked. ;Today, he wasn't as focused as he used to be. ;William looked up at him. "I didn't sleep well." ;"Seems like reading isn't helping anymore.""I have read all the books at home. I have nothing left to read. My sister will buy me a book today," he explained. ;"Take this," he said, giving him the book in his hands. "Make sure to come well prepared tomorrow." ;William looked at the book in his hands. The Monster Is Me. Then he looked up at him again. "What are you, My Lord?" he asked straight. ;"What do you think I am?" Rayven asked. ;"I am not sure," William replied. ;Interesting, Rayven thought. So he could sense that he wasn't human. Rayven wondered how he would react if he told him the truth. Most people didn't believe when the truth was told blatantly. ;"I am what most people call a demon." ;"Not evil? Just dem
Angelica paced back and forth in her room feeling anxious while her brother followed her with his gaze until he became dizzy and gave up. "Why didn't you tell me first?" She scolded. "I am sorry. I thought it was the right opportunity." He said. She stopped pacing and looked at him. "Why did you tell him?" she asked curiously. She thought he liked the King the most. "He is honest. If I tell him, I will know his intentions. He won't pretend to be kind and then betray me." Angelica didn't know him as much as her brother knew him, so she trusted his intuition. "What about the King?" "I can't know for sure if I can trust him." William replied. If the King was a charmer, then it would be hard to know what he was thinking if William told him. She was proud of her clever brother. When they went to bed at night, William was reading Lord Rayven's book. The one that had caught her and his attention in the bookstore. He had refused to lend it to her, but he gave it to William. He definit
"My Lord, thank you for giving me your book. I enjoyed it greatly and finished reading it at once. I believe the book is special to you so I thought of giving it back." William held out the book he had given to him. Rayven had regretted all of his actions last night, but he mostly regretted that he gave away his book when he remembered what he had written in it. Without hesitance he took it back from William. Spending time with this boy was messing with his mind, so he left him this time before William could leave. Rayven went to his chamber so he could be alone, but found Blayze waiting for him. Rayven gave him a questioning look. "Have you asked Skender if he found a solution on how to deal with Lord Davis or will your punishment go to waste?" Rayven sighed as he sat down on the bed. "He was willing to take the punishment to save him, so I am sure he is thinking of a way." "Are you sure?" Blayze asked skeptically. Skender was known to be negligent. Maybe he wasn't doing his j
Rayven was walking through the market, causing heads to turn and eyes to widen in fascination. Women would nudge each other with their elbows whenever he walked by, giggle or try to catch his attention. He was taller than most men, but he carried his length with elegance, just like the rest of his attire. His skin changes tones depending on season and on this summer day, his sun-kissed skin had a healthy glow and his dark hair looked more well kept than the wealthiest woman in town. He was aware of everyone's glances, but his obsidian eyes didn't wander amongst the woman. Instead, they turned to gaze at the woman by his side, who had her arm through his. She looked up at him with a smile, and he smiled back at her. Rayven didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed that he woke up from this beautiful dream. It had been a long time since he hadn't had a nightmare. In his dream, his scars were gone, and he had a lovely woman by his side. He seeme
Why did she have to come here at this time? Her eyes burned like blue flames into his. "Release him at once." She said. And so he did. The man almost fell down but stayed hidden behind the counter. Rayven was in shock. Did he just obey her orders? Pretending like he did no such thing, he adjusted himself while Angelica went to help the seller get up on his feet. "Are you alright, Sir?" "Yes. Thank you, My Lady." Turning to him, she gave him a stern look. Rayven ignored her and picked up his books before walking past her maid, who looked like she had seen a ghost. When he was outside the shop, he went to his horse that was tied to a tree nearby. "Lord Rayven." He almost groaned. Why was she following him? He kept pretending as if she didn't exist and began to pack his books into the bag that hung from the saddle. She was quiet for a moment that he had to glance her way to see what she was doing. Her cheeks were slightly flushed and he could hear her heart beat a little faster
"You can kill him." Skender finally gave his approval to kill Lord Davis. He called Lazarus and Acheron to his room and appointed them to do it discreetly. Perhaps the problem could still be solved if more words didn't reach the public yet. Lazarus could see that Skender was torn about his decision but there was no other way than killing Lord Davis at this moment, since he was planning to attack the castle tonight. "We will take care of it," Acheron said, giving him a pat on the shoulder. Lazarus gave him a nod, and they both left Skender behind. They walked into the darkness of the night, moving toward the camp where Lord Davis and his men were preparing for their mission. "It has been some time since we were sent on a mission." Acheron said. "I miss it," Lazarus replied, feeling excitement pump in his veins.But these were humans, and they would probably be done in no time. Lazarus wished they were facing other creatures. "I wished Skender would cause more mishaps so we would