Chapter 64 Flaming lie
...
Evyths placed a hand over Lucian's side, where he had been struck with a silver dagger.
Whispering prayers to the moon goddess.
Was it right? Saving another vampire? Was it betrayal to the goddess and her pack?
Her mind jagged with questions.
She breathed in and out, her eyes darting to the vampire's face.
She had been repeating the process four times. No changes.
The more she tried, the weaker she became.
Evthys pulled away, eyes flickering with frustration. She sat beside the stone coffin instead; her body throbbed with pain.
“What's happening?”
Vance asked. For the first, he asked her a question.
Evyths hesitated, surprised by the king's guard.
“I will handle it,” she breathed weakly.
“Your skin is arid—too arid.”
His eyes had rummaged her skin; the patches were visible, but Evyths had been too engrossed to notice.
She stared down at herself, her fingers trailing her skin.
He was right; they were arid. It was weird.
She stared back at him, almost squinting.
“I didn't know.” She whispered.
Vance remained still. “Allergy. Or major change,” he briefly said.
He looked away.
Evyths' thoughts twirled, wondering if the King's guard was right.
Evthys kneeled again, trying to channel strength over Lucian's body. Her veins glowing faintly.
One. Two. Three. The fourth backfired, her back landing on the hard surface.
Vance materialized next to her.
Evthys was unconscious.
Vance carried her in his arms, vanishing.
He appeared in the castle, in the hallway leading to her bedroom.
Raven and her maids had been on the same pathway, asking the guards if they had seen Evyths return to her room since her arrival.
When Vance noticed Raven from a distance, he attempted to vanish. Raven was fluid and attentive; Evyths' scent reached her nose.
“Not so fast.”
Vance stood still, Evyths in his arms.
“Running from your queen?” Her voice was sharp.
Vance lowered his gaze in case she wanted to cast a spell on him.
Raven caught the gesture, and a smile tugged at her lips. “There are several ways to trap a rat.”
Waving her thin fingers over him, a dark haze formed from the ground, swallowing him.
A temporary paralysis to free Evyths from his grasp. Vance was shaking, his jaws clenching while he averted her dark gaze.
Raven whispered something under her breath calmly. Evyths hung unconscious in the air, carried by dark tendrils.
“She’s mine again.”
Raven laughed, the echoes filling the castle, vanishing with Evyths, while Vance fell to his knees, stiffening.
…
Hours passed, and Evyths' eyes opened. This time, she found herself chained in an animal cage.
Dried skulls and bones scattered across, reeking of bad blood.
Her heart thundered against her chest, cold sweat breaking across her forehead.
What is this place? She muttered silently, her eyes scanning the area.
It was Raven's temple. Burning torches, incense, potions, grimoires, and a scaffold.
Looking left, there was a corpse of a woman, bitten all over. The signs of fangs are evident to Evyths.
She whimpered, her breath heavy.
“I see you're awake now.”
Raven's voice echoed. Evthys looked around once more; there was no sign of Raven.
Raven appeared before the cage, gesturing her index finger at a cage. The chair moved towards her, and she sat.
“Surprised?” Raven's voice was firm while Evyths recoiled in her spot. “I'll tell you a story.”
“A great sorceress traveled to a far capital. She was betrothed to a powerful prince. Everyone was excited. Days before their wedding, the prince brought in a dog from a forbidden land. And guess what?” Raven leaned further a bit.
“He cherished the dog over his betrothed. Months later, he whispers to the dog, ‘I will make you queen.’ The dog wags its tail, flaunts its hair, and walks proudly in hallways—it believed the prince’s fake tales.”
Raven stood, and a gust of wind tossed the chair, crashing it into the wall.
Evyths was startled, covering her ears, shivering against the rods.
“Familiar? It sure is.” Raven said, circling the cage, her feet above the ground. “You are my bane. I curse the moment you were conceived, Evyths.” She paused, staring intently at Evyths. “I hate you.”
A chill crept up Evyths' spine, cold yet dangerous.
Raven continued circling, her lips twitching with unspoken words that cut like a blade.
“You took my prince, my title. Revived the dead, rendered my ancient sorcery… futile.” A sad smile sat on her lips. “And you think I would watch you take what I've built for decades? A werewolf?”
Raven paused, standing behind the cage, where Evyths' back leaned.
“You are wrong.” She whispered, her tone sinister.
“First, you'll watch me destroy your bond. Secondly, I'll destroy the symbol of your bond.” Raven chuckled dryly.
Her nail traced Evyths' arm, cold and sharp.
Evthys felt something warm, perceiving her blood roll down her arm.
Raven stopped the flow with her finger and licked it.
She paused for a second, her fangs peeking visibly. Her breath shook, her brows squinting.
Evthys craned her neck slightly, fear rippling through her.
“That can't be.” Raven muttered. “I won't let it happen.”
Raven vanished immediately.
Evyths froze, her throat tight with words.
What did Raven feel that made her vanish instantly? What just happened? Evthys wondered.
When she attempted to stand, a force pulled her back down.
No shadow. No presence. Just something in the thin air. Invisible yet threatening.
…
Raven appeared in the war room where the other castle officials had gathered.
Earlier, she sent missives to each member. The letter felt urgent, and the officials were curious.
She paced from side to side, her thoughts threatening to spill.
For the second time, she had sensed something different in Evyths. Another heart.
“Your Majesty, keep calm.” One said. “What threatens your peace?”
Raven stopped, tears filled the corners of her eyes, earning their sympathy and curiosity.
“It is heavy on lips,” her voice broke.
They muttered between themselves and stared back at her. Concerned.
“The Duke has dragged the royal name thro
ugh the mud.”
They gasped, shocked.
Lord Viremont's face squeezed. “How, your majesty?”
Raven hesitated, swallowing hard.
“He has impregnated the werewolf.”