Chapter 13: The Prophecy.

RICCARDO'S POV

“I can't believe you almost died! You had us worried,” Stefano, my nosy cousin, said as he sat on the chair near my bedside.

“Grandma was going to perform a ritual to bring you back from the dead in case you died.”

He touched my arm, worry written all over his face. “I'm glad you're okay.”

“Thank you, Stefan.” I gave him an assuring smile. He could be so dramatic sometimes but I know he cared.

“Soooo… I have questions.” He got up abruptly, his playful nature returning.

I wanted to dissolve into the bed.

“Go on,” I forced myself to say.

“Who’s that lady that was with you yesterday? She’s fucking gorgeous! I’ve never seen someone as beautiful as her.”

“Luana?” I asked uncertainly.

“Luana… So that’s her name.”

He grinned.

“So who is she, Ric?”

Who was she? I didn’t know anymore. A weapon? A servant? A tool? An enemy? Strangely enough, since yesterday, I didn’t feel any hate toward her—but I was still confused.

“She’s… my personal servant.”

I felt bad saying that. Luana was more than a servant to me now.

“Personal servant? Hmmm… okay! I’m going to talk to her.”

My chest tightened.

“She’s a witch, Stefan.”

“So?”

“What do you mean, ‘so’?”

“Come on, Ric. You know I’m not like you guys. Saying demons don’t associate with witches—that’s bullshit.

I’ve got witch friends. I’m not like you.”

He said and left the room.

I knew he didn’t mean it in a bad way, but his last sentence didn’t sit well with me.

I’m not like you.

Of course he isn’t.

I trapped her. Made her use her powers against her own will. Made her help people she despised— she even saved my life. And I still hated her kind.

I hated myself for the way I felt.

LUANA'S POV

“You look tired. Are you sure you slept well last night?” Harry asked.

We were sitting under an apple tree, eating apples.

“Yeah, I did.” I picked up an apple, tossed it into the air, and caught it. “I’ve just been thinking a lot lately.”

“Really? About what?”

“Many things. Why was Raya eating ravens? And what did she mean by ‘The king needs to be killed. Only then can witches and wizards live free’?”

Harry looked down. His expression changed instantly.

“Harry?”

Was he alright?

“It’s because of the prophecy.”

A voice from above startled us both. The man who came to visit the king—his cousin—was hanging upside down from the tree.

“Get down, will you?” Harry said, facepalming.

He dropped down, dusted his clothes, and appeared in front of me.

“Hey, pretty lady! I’m Stefano—and I’ll be the one to tell you what you want to know.”

\~~~~~~~~°°~~~~

“Well? Go on?” Harry said to Stefano.

“Relax, will you? Ugh you're so impatient like always”.

“You're the one that said you're going to tell her”.

“And I will. I'm just building up the moment”. Stefano said with a grin. He was lying down with his eyes closed under the apple tree with his hands behind his head.

“So dramatic”. Harry rolled his eyes.

I couldn't help but giggle.

“You guys act like siblings. You've known each other for a long time right?”

Stefano sat up immediately.

“Yup! Me, him and Ric grew up together. We're pretty much brothers. I'm the funny one, Harry is the smart one and Ric is the serious one”.

Stefano said, wrapping one arm round Harry's neck.

I couldn't help but smile. I wondered what type of childhood they had. I imagined three little boys running around in an open field.

“Now…back to the prophecy” His expression suddenly became serious.

“When Ric was born, the whole kingdom was in chaos. The winds blew violently, thunder rumbled, the ground quaked. An Old wizard appeared at the castle just at the moment of the chaos.

“This child is destined for the destruction of all supernatural beings except demons. His words brought mixed feelings.

On one hand, the demons were happy; on the other, the vampires and werewolves in attendance at his birth ceremony were troubled.

Gramps was the happiest. He trained Ric to be a ruthless, heartless warrior. He wanted only demons to rule and dominate the world.

He wanted to be like his father, the one who ordered the massacre on the witches”.

Stefano paused, then looked at me.

“I'm sorry. My people are…conceited, cruel and damn right stupid. But not all are, like Me, Harry and even Ric."

He smiled.

“I don't know how you got to be here but just know that we won't let the prophecy come to pass. You and your people are going to be safe.”

Harry nodded.

This was too much to process. Why such a prophecy? Does the king want to do it?

“And the Ravens?”

“Wizards and other supernatural beings looked for means to get stronger and defend themselves from demons. Ravens are one of them”.

“That's why Riccardo couldn't see through Raya’s disguise.” Harry said.

“What about the king? Does he want the prophecy to be fulfilled?. I mean, he does hate witches”.

I asked.

They exchanged a glance before Harry spoke.

“Riccardo has carried this burden since childhood. Even if he wanted to befriend another supernatural being outside of demons, his grandfather would never allow it. And the mere thought of forming a bond, only to one day hurt them, would destroy him.”

“He's had it rough. That's why he's so cold”. Stefano said picking up a rock and turning it to different colours in the air.

I kind of felt bad for the king. It wasn't his fault. He must have wanted to have other friends outside demons but couldn't.

Condemned to obey a cruel prophecy, he had gained more enemies than allies. Each one was determined to end his life before he could end theirs.

We sat in silence, the wind brushing strands of hair across our faces. My heart felt uneasy—I didn’t know why. I… wanted to see him.

To tell him it was okay. To talk to him. The mere thought of him made my chest pound against my ribcage.

I stood up abruptly, startling them both.

“I need to see the king”.