Chapter 46 Old Knowledge vs. New Realization
Xander
Once the door closes after Vanessa, I'm ready to bolt out of the door after her, but Elda's voice stops me in my tracks.
"The seal refuses to yield," she says. "So I have little knowledge of what's underneath, but the runes probably recognize it as they respond, even just to the whisper of her name."
I pause and turn back to her. "So you're saying something has to trigger the seal enough to break it?"
"Yes. But do not be too hopeful," she warns. "Whatever was sealed away, may not be what we expect." Then she rises to her feet.
Is she saying Vanessa may be... dangerous?
"Have a restful night, your Highness," she greets, then bows and turns away. Her white robe swishing behind her as she goes.
I leave my office and contemplate checking on Vanessa, but I think otherwise. She need some time alone to herself.
The way she had ripped herself away from me had hurt me in a way I can't even explain, but I understand, she was in a state of shock, just like I still am.
I don't sleep.
Not really, anyway.
Whenever I close my eyes, I see Vanessa's golden eyes burned inside my skull like a brand I can't seem to scrap off.
Even when I blink, the golden shimmers flash in my mind, so beautiful and breathtaking, I would've kissed them if she had let me.
My Firecracker, isn't completely human like we assumed.
The thought coils around my ribs and tighten to the point where I almost can't breathe.
I lift off from the bed to let my wolf out. He has been agitated just like I was, growling and whining all at once.
I'm in the hallway of my wings when I see Max carrying a figure in his arms, her mop of ginger-red hair flowing down his arms in waves.
I dash towards them, a sudden possessiveness taking hold of me.
"What happened?" I growl.
Max tries to shrug but can't because of the woman in his arms.
Vanessa lifts she head up to peek at me, a slow smile blooming on her face and she giggles. "Hey, pretty boy," she drawls.
I sniff the air, but don't perceive any alcohol clinging to her. If she hasn't been drinking, what did she take then?
"Don't look at me man, I don't know. I found her trying to sneak out of the gates, but somehow she starts to collapse," Max rushes out.
She tried to run? Again?
I run a hand through my face, letting out a loud sigh. "Hand her over," I say, reaching out to him.
"Don't worry, her room's right there anyways."
"Max," I call sharply.
His green eyes tinge with fear and he's quick to place her in my waiting arms. Once she's settled in my arms, I relax a little and without another word, we walk together to her room in silence.
By the time I place her on the bed, she's already asleep. I tuck the strands of her hair behind her ears and she almost purrs, which makes me smile a little.
I close the door behind me and Max and I head to the gazebo, the only place I come to when I need to clear my head.
We sit side-by-side in silence for a long time, Max glancing at me a few times but he doesn't say anything.
After a while of fidgeting, I tell him. "Say it," I finally speak.
"Say what? I don't have anything to say," he denies. I've known Max for as long as I can remember and I very well know he's not the type to keep his mouth shut, except a situation demands it. And this one doesn't.
"Max," I groan.
"Fine," he says, blowing a breath out. "What the hell happened today? She looks wrecked as fuck and you don't look anywhere dapper, yourself. What is it, Xanny?" He doesn't joke, neither does he give me his usual smirk, so I know he's being serious this time.
One of the longest sighs escape me once again and I tell him everything that has transpired with Elda and Vanessa at my private office today.
Max whistles and let's out a short huff of laughter. "I've always known there's something different about that woman, but a descendant of the first ever, witch? Now, that's one major upgrade from 'human'."
A breathy laugh escapes me at his words. I can't believe he manages to draw out amusement from me even at this time.
"So, what are you going to do now? What next?" he inquires.
I honestly don't have the right answers for that. I shrug and tilt my head a little, looking up at the twinkling stars, perfectly aligned in the night sky. They remind me of her eyes. "We wait, and probably figure out a way to break the seal, while hoping whatever is underneath, won't make us regret it."
Max hums, but doesn't say anything else for a while.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" I ask.
He shoves me a little with his shoulders. "C'mon, are you starting to doubt your future queen?" he teases. "You've seen Nessa's fire, the way she fights and is never afraid to do what it takes to come out victorious, no matter the dangers involved."
Oh, I definitely haven't forgotten that about her at all. But I feel I should be protecting her still. Even when I know nothing about dealing with runes or portal magic, I still want to shield her from the darkness of it all.
"Yeah, that's my firecracker alright," I reply.
"That's more like it. Let's go. We've got a long way to go tomorrow, Xanny." Then he leaps from where he's seated, and I do the same.
For the first time since the rune was uncovered, since the wards flickered and since the shadows began pressing closer to my borders, one thing becomes painfully clear.
Whatever is coming... It's not here for me, neither is it here for my crown.
It wants her.
And I swear to the Moon Goddess, silently and savagely, that whatever dared to bind her fate, or even twist it, won't survive my wrath.
Not in this lifetime.
And definitely not in any other.