Chapter 49

Jasmine's POV

I was reluctant to leave the ruins of the castle. Now I knew the truth about the two Royal families, we just had to find the traitor. It was impossible that the same person was still alive, but his descendant had to be alive, otherwise I wouldn’t have seen the medallion. Furthermore, we still had to deal with Barbie and my brother, Ares. Suddenly I realized something, maybe the prophecy was about Ares, but it was still incorrect. Ares wasn’t Alexei’s descendant, but Athena’s. So I was totally lost and didn’t know what was true and what was false. It was pointless to look into the records, because everything was destroyed and we wouldn’t be able to link the person I saw to anybody.

“What now? We discovered that the crown rightfully belongs to you, but the former Queen was betrayed and we don’t know who he was. All we have is a medallion.”

“I was thinking about looking into the earliest records. It’s true that we won’t find the person who betrayed the Queen, but maybe we’ll find his descendant because of the medallion. I suspect it’s an heirloom and if I’m right, it’ll appear in the records.”

“I gotta go, my mom just mindlinked me saying that there’s a man who wants to talk to me and he’s pretty persistent.”

“Okay, go. We can take it from here. Thanks for being here for me.” - I said and pecked his lips.

I knew that Dimitri would understand it, but I had no idea why Axel didn't initiate a kiss yet. I would ask him later, but now we had more important things to do than questioning him about why he didn't kiss me. Ever since I opened the gate Ajax had to work double the amount he had to before that. As soon as he took Axel home he took us to the archives. It was possible that because of us nobody else could ask for his services.

“I’m sorry Ajax that you have to work so much because of me. Can anybody else call you for your services?”

“My Queen, don’t apologize. This is my job and at least I’m not bored. As for the others, I believe the aristocrats will survive if I don’t arrive as soon as they wish. They can’t do anything about it anyway. I’d rather spend the day with you and the King than with those people who have sticks up their asses.”

“I’m glad to hear this Ajax and please, call me Jasmine. I believe we’re way past the formalities.”

“As you wish, Jasmine.”

When we arrived Ajax left us alone. There were many documents, but at least we knew we had to look into the people I met. There were the maids, the guards, the poor, the hospital staff, Hector and Cecily and the three girls who helped me. Dimitri started with the people I didn’t really know, only saw them when I was here and I started with those to whom I talked. This would take a while, but I believed that in the end we’d be a step closer to solve everything and get out of this whole mess.

Three hours later we were still nowhere. I suspected Hector or Cecily, but in their records a medallion heirloom wasn’t mentioned at all. I was now helping Dimitri check the people I only saw, but didn’t talk to. After a few more hours we came out of the archives empty handed. Nobody mentioned a medallion and it wasn’t visible on the paintings either, but I was sure I saw it somewhere and that someone had to be a demon. What did we miss? I cursed my memory that it couldn’t store that information better. We wouldn’t know anything until I saw that medallion again, but this time I knew what I was looking for.

“I think we should go back now, Jasmine. We won’t find anything. First we need to clear our heads.”

“You’re right Dimitri. I can’t even think straight now. I know that the traitor is no longer alive and already got his punishment, but I can’t keep my anger towards him at bay. What is the guarantee that his descendant won’t betray us or maybe already did?”

“Don’t stress yourself out. We’ll find that person, I’m sure. You and your ancestors need to get justice for all the actions committed against you in the past.”

Ajax came and teleported us home. I was curious about the person who wanted to see Axel. As we stepped through the front door, dizziness hit me like a truck. It came out of the blue, but Dimitri had quick reflexes and catched me. As the dizziness passed I felt like I was whole. What was happening again? What was this feeling? I took a few deep breaths and made my way towards the living room. I could tell that Dimitri was worried about me, but didn’t say anything. A man was sitting on the sofa with his back towards me. I felt a pull towards him, but he couldn’t be my mate. It was impossible. I already had two mates, one wolf and one demon. He heard the footsteps and turned around. The man looked like me or I looked like him? I recognized him, he was my brother, Ares. We could’ve been twins if it wasn’t for the age difference. He looked older than me. Rationality flew out of the window and I ran towards him and jumped into his arms. In his embrace I felt protected and at home. I had no idea how long I was hugging him, but it felt so good.

“Aryana, my baby sister, I missed you so, so much and now we finally meet.”

“I don’t even know you, but I missed you too. Not wanting to be rude, but what exactly are you doing here? And why the hell did you trapped me inside that barrier you assshole? And couldn’t you find a less creepy location for that?”

“In my defense, I had no idea that we’re on the same side until we bonded. Then I realized my stupidity.”

“What do you mean on the same side? I’ll never be on the same side with Barbie, you can forget about it right now.”

“Who’s Barbie and why would I choose her side instead of my sister? Are you feeling fine?”

“What? You don’t know Barbie and you don’t work with her?”

“Uhm, Aryana, I don’t. Why do you think that?”

“If it’s not you then who the hell is working with that bitch? Did we miss a crucial point again? God damn it! So you weren’t the one who gave the poison to Sybill and you’re not holding our parents captive?”

“I admit I know how to make demon poison, but I didn’t use it on anyone, also I would never hold our parents captive, because they died right after they hid you.”

“No, no! They said my birth parents are alive. No!”

My world was crumbling again. Ever since I got the information that they’re alive I’ve been fantasizing about the moment we met, but yet again I ended up heartbroken. Why would they lie? Was it their plan all along? Did they think I’d run straight to them to save my parents? The sadness turned into infuriation. I’d kill them all with my bare hands for what they did.

“I’ll kill them all. For everything they did. If I find that son of a bitch who’s ancestor betrayed ours I’ll destroy him. He’ll beg for mercy, but he won’t get anything. No mercy, no salvation, only pain and suffering.”

“Jasmine, calm down a little, please. You’ll get sick.”

“Axel, don’t tell me to calm down! How can I calm down? Huh? My birth parents are dead and I’ve been dreaming of meeting them ever since I got the news that they’re alive. Someone betrayed my ancestors and caused so much pain and they’ll get it back a thousandfold. I’ll find out who was the traitor and I’ll find out who’s behind Barbie too. I won’t rest until they’re found and my family's reputation is re-established.”

“Aryana, please, they’re right. Anger won’t do any good, believe me, I’m furious too, but we have to work together. I showed you those pictures, because you’re the only one who can discover the truth. You’re the rightful heir to the throne and you have to take back what’s yours. You don’t realize it, but you're more powerful than anyone else. You easily traveled back in time with the help of the plants, no other demon is capable of doing that. It’s not a coincidence that all the records were destroyed back then. The culprit wanted to cover their tracks, but they didn’t know that our bloodline didn’t end with Nicholas. We have that advantage and we’ll have to make use of it.”