Chapter 67 Dead sorceress?
Elena couldn't speak again first and when she eventually did, she said; “He would not believe me.”
“You haven't tried—”
“He hates me.” She said bitterly. Her voice cracked. “He hates me.”
“All these years I've carried guilt. I brought deception into my life. I could have just… waited a bit longer.” Elena continued, her tears streaming unstoppably.
As if it were the only way that she would feel relieved.
Evyths didn't interfere, she didn't try to stop her or offer sympathy.
The queen needed more time.
“I was too ambitious to wait. Lorena died thinking that I stole what wasn't hers in the very beginning. I ruined my life. I ruined the lives of others. If I hadn't promised Raven's father marriage to Valerio, Raven wouldn't be here now…” She paused.
“You didn't know,”
“Yes, but I should have been patient.” Elena said. “Now I can't stand Valerio's hateful gaze. He wouldn't care to listen.”
She swallowed hard, her gaze too soft to be firm.
“Do you think that this would make Raven retreat?” Evthys asked, struggling to rise, her feet tied to chains.
Elena shook her head. “No. But Valerio would understand the truth. The council would forgive me. Ravencroft would accept me again.”
Elena’s tone carried desperation that Evthys had never heard before.
Evyths tightened her grip around the bars. “Yes. That's a good reason.” She said.
No matter what she tried to do, Raven was always five steps ahead. Her eyes darted to wall then what seemed like a prayer place.
“Have you tried escaping?” Evyths asked.
Elena didn't expect that question although Evthys had given her a flicker or hope now.
“No. I did not have a reason to.”
Evthys stared intently at the ancient symbols on the wall again. “But can you?”
Elena scoffed. “Raven is a sorcereress. Trying means a death wish…”
Evthys started to think deeply again. If she couldn't escape Raven's temple, certainly Elena could.
Her gaze traveled back to the Queen. “If Valerio is immune to dark sorcery, there's a high chance that… you are slightly resistant.”
“You think?” The Queen's eyes ogled.
“Yes, your majesty.” Evthys' voice was sharp. “The Duke was resistant not immune. You've mated with King Bathory, there was a bond created. You could be resistant too…”
Never for once had Elena ever thought of that. Evthys was right, there was a high chance that she was resistant given the past ceremonial rituals and blood ties with the Belmont's bloodline.
“You're right,” she said after a careful thought. “I could… stall her until you've escaped—”
“No, your majesty.” Evthys declined softly. “It won't work. Raven would understand that we've discussed and… she'll try something worse.”
“So… what do you suggest?”
“I think you should escape first,"
"And leave you here?"
Evthys blinked. "Yes. Find the Duke Octavio and King Valerio and discuss. That way, Queen Raven would think that… we have no motive.” Said Evthys.
“It's believable.” She added.
Elena nodded, looking beyond the chains hooked to the thick walls.
“What will you do?”
“I don't know yet. I must think of something. Preferably when she's here and unaware…”
Elena began to think quietly.
Evthys nodded, she sat back down in the corner, kicking the dried bones in her way.
Silence fell.
After everything, she could only wonder if Valerio was okay.
She could still remember the look of surprise in his eyes when he first saw her in the crypts.
The familiarity was clearer, she could feel the sound of his heart beat thumping in her veins.
Steady.
His touch on her skin? Cold. His gaze? Soft.
If only he would get better sooner, he would have come looking for her. He always did.
Raven walked in, a tight frown seated on her face. She darted her gaze to Evthys and looked away.
She dropped on the chair next to the where she made portions.
Her long fingers slowly drumming on the table.
Elena was quiet, so was Evthys.
Seconds later, Raven knelt before the alter, whispering ancient words under her breath.
Meanwhile, Evthys noticed the veins on her arms and legs—they were glowing crimson.
Crimson light pulsed beneath Evyths' skin.
Her eyes widened, her heart beating faster and scared that Raven might just see her.
Evthys tried to shield herself either her dresses but the light glowed through the fabric.
Little by little, Evthys' felt a throbbing pain building within her.
It was sharp, piercing and strange.
The more she felt the pain, the more Raven whispered chants to herself.
Was Raven casting a spell on her? Evthys wondered.
Raven's whispers became loud, her arms spread. A dark haze formed in each corner, responding to her cry.
The temple was rumbled, chums of sand and stones dropped, Evthys' cage shook harshly.
Pain exploded in Evthys' stomach, she screamed. .
She held it, her body shivering.
On the other hand, Elena whispered some things to herself.
The chains rattled. Once. Twice. On the third pull, the snapped.
She fell to her knees, weak.
She was freed for the first time in months. Raven was too engulfed in her enchantments to notice.
The more Evthys screamed holding her stomach, the more Raven intensified her magic.
Elena split her gaze between Evthys and Raven, there was a safe proximity.
Evthys' scream struck her heart, she felt sympathy for the werewolf who has revealed the truth and offered her hope again.
She wanted to save her from Raven.
Elena understood that Raven was trying to harm Evthys to miscarry if she were pregnant by chance.
She couldn't do it naturally, she only needed a spell to destroy what she believed was an abomination. A threat. A future that couldn't carry.
Elena dragged herself closer to Evthys, giving her an assuring look before moving to Raven.
Instantly, Elena stretched an arm, her eyes reddening, with yhe last strength of her, Elena lunged.
The sorceress crashed into the stone wall.
Her shoulder snapped into Raven.
Very hard. Painful. Unaware.
Then, Elena vanished into the shadows of the temple.
Evthys’ pain diminished.
Rumbles halted. The dark haze disappeared.
Raven's ritual was tampered, her efforts rendered useless and ineffective.
A surge of power backfired through Raven's, body, making her tremble.
Before she could realize what had happened,
Raven collapsed.
The crimson glow on Evyths' skin only grew brighter.