Chapter 33 Bond with Crystal
“There you are, pup!” Crystal snapped, rolling onto her stomach and plopping her head into her cupped pale white hands.
Pup? Evyths asked herself, halting. Shock cascaded down to her limbs.
“She bloody thinks I'm her pup because she's the prince's mate—if that were even the truth?” Evyths debated again. “The disrespect!” she added to herself.
At the same time, Lucian’s confession was alarming and unsettling. How true was his story about his late mother? She wondered.
“What are you thinking about, Evyths? Did the prince say something terrible to you earlier?” Crystal broke the sudden awkward silence with a knowing gaze.
Evyths snapped out of her thoughts, her lips parted, struggling to speak while Crystal watched intently.
“No- not at all, my lady. The prince is kind and generous, if you ask me…” Evyths said, feigning a small smile that Crystal found unnecessary.
“I did not ask, but… I would not press on the matter.” Crystal sat up, folding her legs while her silver hair flowed effortlessly, following the rhythm of her movements.
Evyths swallowed hard, thinking of what to ask the young vampire.
“What shall I do for you… My lady?”
“You can start by unpacking my luggage. It is right there!” Crystal snapped with a sly beam, pointing at the luggage that lay silently on the carpet just adjacent to the large soft bed.
“All right, ma'am!” said Evyths.
Evyths began to unpack Crystal’s luggage, folding the items neatly into the chest and wardrobe.
However, Evyths found a couple of vials with several potions inside, and boxes containing reptiles Evyths had never seen. They were moving, ugly, and dangerous, making Evyths jump out of her own skin.
What fretted Evyths more was a big box like a footstool, which glimmered with blue translucent beams. The item piqued her interest and curiosity.
Evyths could have asked about it, but she remained silent.
It was clear to Evyths that Vakerio and Crystal had a lot in common, like keeping extinct animals as pets or whatever they called them.
“That’s Kael,” Crystal said, jolting Evyths out of her deep thoughts.
“Oh, um, it has a name?” Evyths asked.
“Yes, it does. Place it gently on the shelf, or it will crack, pup!” Crystal ordered, staring intently at Evyths, who was clearly pissed by the word ‘pup’.
To Crystal, she wanted to rile her up to hear what Evyths had to say and to confirm her uncle’s words about Evyths’ defense whenever she felt overruled.
“All right!” Evyths said, masking her annoyance and jealousy, placing the item on the shelf as the girl had insisted.
By the time Evyths was done unpacking and arranging the girl’s clothes, she rose. She turned to Crystal, who was now somewhat dozing off.
“Lady Crystal?” Evyths gently called, her eyes darting to the girl’s silver hair and pale skin.
Her skin was flawless like fresh daisies, and her lips were the color of a strawberry. Was that why the prince called her Strawberry? Evyths thought silently.
Shifting her gaze to the girl’s fingernails, they were long, sharp, and painted red, matching her lips’ color.
“Lady Crystal?” Evyths called out again, her voice lowered this time.
A sudden thought dropped into her mind. There was no way the prince had marked a little girl as his mate. But he was the prince, the soon-to-be king. The possibilities were hiking up.
One fact remained. The girl was pretty. Very unique and pretty, Evyths thought.
When Crystal opened her eyes, she caught Evyths seated beside her, staring deeply at her.
Evyths sprang up instantly, straightening herself.
“My- my lady, I was thinking you should change into something… more comfortable. Your dress is… elaborate and definitely not for indoors.” Evyths said calmly as Crystal sat up, shooting Evyths a small smile.
“All right then, pup. The prince was right. You are very compassionate and thoughtful...” she said as Evyths suppressed her words, accepting that the word ‘pup’ from a little girl would be a part of their conversation henceforth.
Evyths said nothing. Crystal stepped out of bed and stood on the stool, as Evyths untied her dress and then the bodice…
“How long have you lived in the castle?” Crystal asked, her voice hanging in Evyths’ ears.
“A couple of weeks now,” Evyths said.
“I am surprised that a pup hasn't been eaten or sucked dry…” Crystal snapped as Evyths halted and continued undressing the girl.
“What? Are you offended by my words?” Crystal pressed as Evyths halted again.
Crystal spun to face Evyths, catching a glimpse of Evyths’ disappointment.
“You are offended, pup—”
“Okay, my lady, enough.” Evyths let out, pissed. “I am no pup to you, do you understand? I have a name and I would... prefer that you call me by it. Evyths Thorne!” Evyths snapped before she could hide them.
Crystal was silent, plastering a thick frown that did not complement her light features.
Evyths sighed lightly, “Please forgive me, my lady! I did not mean to—”
“You sure did, Evyths. Shall I report to the prince that you have… mistreated me? And I must tell you, I am very dramatic and a good actor. I would wail until the prince tears you into equal halves…” Crystal said, about to leave as Evyths grabbed her wrist gently while Crystal caught Evyths’ blank expression.
Not that Evyths was scared of being reported; she did not want unnecessary attention from the prince or his officials.
“There would be no need for that, my lady. I deeply apologize for my… words if they were mean!” said Evyths.
“Very well, pup!” Crystal flashed a cunning smile at Evyths.
Evyths kept her words to herself, focusing on her duty.
…
By now, Crystal had changed into a light, silky nightgown. When Evyths asked why she had chosen nightwear, Crystal chuckled.
“It is time to rest,” Crystal simply said as Evyths’ eyes darted to the window. The day was still bright and breezy.
Evyths stared back at Crystal and slightly nodded.
“I know you must have been worn out from your travels. You will need all the rest in the world,” said Evyths.
She shoved the sheets over Crystal’s chest as she attempted to leave, but Crystal stopped her.
“Leaving already?”
“Yes, but not far away. I would be… close by if you need anything…”
“I would be left alone, and the prince is occupied with royal duties,” Crystal said, her gray gaze softening, and Evyths reconsidered her choices.
She sat next to the girl, beaming at her. She looked innocent and wise. Evyths had questions to ask Crystal, yet she contemplated.
“Do you miss your pack?”
Evyths sighed heavily, her gaze shifting pensively. “I do miss the greenery and food sometimes!” Evyths said with a weak smile.
“I know. My mother was a great hunter. She used to be friends with a Luna in Davendale. But… the Luna died in a raid about two and a half decades ago,” Crystal rolled on her side, turning fully to Evyths with curiosity.
“Was? Your mother is late?” Evyths asked, loosening more. Her green gaze pierced Crystal calmly.
The breeze blew. The curtains swayed as though they listened to their conversation.
“Yes, she died in a war, fighting beasts and dragons. I have not seen her, but I can imagine what she looked like. I have seen drawings of her, and… she once appeared to me when I had the first hunt that Prince D’Arcy took me…”
“Oh no, that is sad. My condolences, my lady. Your mother seems to be a warrior,” Evyths calmly said, rubbing Crystal’s arm slightly.
Crystal smiled, her sharp fangs peeking out.
“I wish I had met her in person,” she added.
“If you ask me, she lives in you. She is you. You are a fragment of your mother…”
“The prince tells me that too,” Crystal’s smile broadened.
“And you are… pretty and wise, and I know that you spar and hunt so well…” Evyths admitted, tucking a strand behind her hair.
“And you, do you have parents, or are omegas not allowed to have one?” Crystal’s words made Evyths chuckle.
“They are dead. It is a sad, long story to be told some other time. I am very interested to know more about you, Lady Crystal…” Evyths finally confessed.
“Ask away while I'm being nice!” snapped Crystal, but Evyths was unmoved.
“All right, my lady. Who is your mother, and what is her relationship to the royal family? With the look of things, you are definitely the prince’s favorite. I have never seen him that… happy and relaxed. He is usually frosty and… quite unfriendly,” Evyths explained almost dramatically, making Crystal laugh it off.
Crystal played with a handful of strands of her hair and continued.
“My mother is the prince’s sister—”
“Wait?” Evyths’ eyes widened a bit as she instantly pieced things together. “That is your mother?” she asked to clarify.
Crystal nodded, “Yes. Kaya is my mother. I'm the prince’s only niece, that is why he spoils me a lot…” Her radiant smile flared gracefully with pride.
“That is… beautiful,” Evyths admitted, her thoughts stirring back to the moments she had heard the prince speak about Kaya to himself. No wonder he was very attached to Crystal. He loved Crystal just like he had loved his sister. And still does.
“That is to say, you are the prince’s mate?” Evyths forcefully let out to clear her speculations, ones that had haunted her all through.
“That is gross!” Crystal dramatically wagged her tongue. “Where did you get that from? I cannot be mated to my uncle,” a streak of disappointment laced Crystal’s face for the first time throughout their conversation.
Evyths was swamped in guilt and shame, but amidst that, one thing was clear; the prince was not mated to anyone.
All he had said was a pure lie, but then, why had he chosen to distance himself from her? What was truly her crime?