Chapter 49 Blue walls
Horses running filled the environment as they began the journey.
Isabella, like before, was seated behind Lucien. Yesterday's experience still left her sore.
She was sure she'd seen Sam trying to contain his smile as Lucien had helped her to the horse.
Now, they were on their way to the first mission. A lot of time had been spent on the road, and Lucien's speech to his men had indicated that there was no stopping.
“I can see the mountains.” She whispered as Lucien drove.
“Uhn huh.” He grunted. “It's still far. Looks closer than it actually appears.”
Isabella kept herself from groaning. Her legs were hurting. “That's not helpful.” She muttered rolling her eyes.
Lucien smirked. “I know. But that was just a joke. We're not going deep into the mountains. At least not yet.”
“Really?” She wished she could turn around to see the expression on his face. His voice gave no indication as to whether he was being sarcastic or real.
“Yup.” He nodded. “Remember there are certain communities I should visit before we go in.”
“Oh,” she said slowly, the words sinking in. “Is there anything I should know?”
She could feel her grip tightening.
“Nope. You'll be fine.” Lucien whispered as he manoeuvred the horse to a corner.
“I thought…” she glanced at the sudden turn they had just taken.
“This is the road to the blue walls.” He smiled.
“Oh.” She fell silent, lost in her own thought. “Are you sure?” The question came out suddenly.
“Are you nervous?” He deflected, his free hand, stroking hers.
“Err…nervous?” She stammered. “I really don't think nervous is the word.”
“Then?” Lucien nudged.
“I just think they won't like me, you know, the moonlit blood and all? I just wanna know if I'm overthinking it.”
“Yes, you are nervous.” Lucien's voice was soothing. “I can't do anything to allay your fears.” He said seriously.
“These people are scary and will do anything to make you scared of them.”
“Are you scared of them?” Isabella asked, interrupting him.
“Me?” He scoffed. “They should be scared of me.”
“They are ancient powers, Lucien. They are meant to be revered.”
“Still doesn't mean that I should be scared of them.”
Isabella wanted to point out the pride in his voice, but she knew she had more things to worry about. “You say they'll try to make me scared?” She steered the conversation back to its original form.
“Yes, they are naturally intimidating.” Lucien continued.
Isabella sighed in frustration. “How? Are they huge? What makes them intimidating? Gosh, I should have asked earlier, I was so distracted.”
“Yup, you were.” Lucien teased. “You were so concerned with sucking my cock and being fucked with my fingers and my tongue that you forgot…”
“Lucien!” She cried out softly, her face red from embarrassment. She couldn't believe he was being this crude and having fun while she was stressing out.
“What?” He shrugged. “I'm just stating facts, you know.”
“This is more important.” Her voice was pleading. “Please.”
“Fine.” He said flatly. “But this is fun too.”
“Lucien?” Isabella couldn't believe she was pleading with him to concentrate. She loved this playful side of him, but now was not the time.
“Alright, alright.” He accepted, his voice turning serious. “You wanna know why they're called the Northern plains or rather, why they're here despite the distance to the other realms?”
“Why?”
“They have the purest blood.”
Isabella widened her eyes. “The purest blood? I thought they'd gone extinct.”
“That's what the books say,” Lucien said, smiling. “They decided to move out, to preserve the blood.”
Isabella felt like the weight of the world had just been dropped on her shoulders. “This makes it even harder for me. I have the most tainted blood alive.”
“Nah, I'm not sure you have the most tainted blood alive. There are people worse than you.”
“That's not helpful.” Isabella groaned. “You are supposed to console me, not make me more nervous.” Her voice shook.
“I am trying to console you.” Lucien insisted. “You're not the worst to exist.”
“Don't I know that?” She rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Tell that to the people with the purest blood.”
They fell into silence, the hooves from the horses, moving rhythmically.
“Is that…” she trailed, her eyes widening as she looked at the magnificent gate in front of her.
Sam and the others had retreated to the back, leaving her and Lucien at the front.
“Magnificent, isn't it?” Lucien's voice beamed with pride.
“That should be an understatement.” Isabella breathed loudly.
“Are you ready?” His hand held hers with all the affection he could muster.
“I don't have a choice, do I?”
“No you don't.” Lucien agreed. “But I think you have nothing to worry about. They'll love you. I love you, so they will.”
Isabella nodded, even though she was not convinced. It was easier for Lucien to say. “Let's go.” She breathed, as Lucien guided the horse into the gate.
“Welcome to the blue walls, Izzy.” His voice held a sing-song tone to them.
Isabella bobbed her head, too tense to utter a word. Her eyes glanced around as she took in her new environment.
Even as she thought of it, it sounded silly to her. It was called the blue walls but everywhere was white.
Even the horses. She gulped as a stable boy helped Lucien lead his horse to the stable.
Poor Diablo. He was the only brown horse in the stable.
“The elders are in the Tower room, Your Majesty.” An elderly man stood in front of the stable as if he had been waiting for Lucien's arrival since forever.
“Thank you.” Lucien nodded, the kingly expression plastered on his face, like he had not just gone through a gruesome ride.
“This way.” He pointed and they followed.
“Don't you think I should change into something more appropriate?” Isabella whispered. “We are going to meet them immediately, I need to look pleasant.”
“You've been on a three-day journey. You look perfect for the part.”
“But you don't.” She protested lightly. “You look…kingly.” She curled her lips in frustration as she said it.
“Kingly?” Lucien smirked.
“And it's not fair.” She continued, whining. “I look like a hot mess and you look like…”
“Well,” he shrugged. “I can agree with you on one thing. You look hot and I'm sure they can see it too.”
Isabella rolled her eyes. Trust Lucien to make it sexual when she just wanted to feel better.
“Trust me, you look good,” Lucien murmured into her ear as they arrived at the door of the tower. “Stay with me.” He said as the door opened, the guard announced them.
If Isabella had been mesmerised by the gates of blue walls, then there was absolutely no adjective to qualify how she felt in the Tower halls.
It was more than beautiful.
Lucien's hands grabbed hers as he led her inside. “Be calm.” He whispered again, realising that her steps were disordered.
“I'm trying.” She whispered, holding his hand tightly as if to keep herself from falling.
Isabella bit her lips as she set her eyes in front of her. She could feel eyes on her body as they walked even though no single person was in sight.
Lucien stopped, bowing slightly. “We are here.”
Isabella was shocked, but only for a moment. She follows suit, curtseying even though it felt extra weird in her cowgirl outfit.
“We've been expecting you.” A soft ethereal female voice spoke. “Welcome, King Lucien Blackthorn.”
Isabella looked around conspicuous, trying to figure out the angle the voice had come from.
But it wasn't necessary, because the woman had appeared.
Sorry, it wasn't a woman. She was young, her face fair like the heavens. Her hair was long and black sweeping the floor.
Soon, the others appeared.
“You still haven't changed.” Lucien turned back to the lady who had appeared first.
“And you too.” She returned, her voice affectionate.
Isabella felt awkward. They looked like they were long-lost friends.
“I've come cause I need your help.” Lucien began, going straight to the point.
“So I've heard. You need our help.” She said slightly, her head cocked to the side.
Isabella could feel her studying her gently as her eyes ran all over her features. She grabbed Lucien's hands tightly for comfort. Hers were cold.
“This is Isabella Thorne.” Lucien stepped forward, taking her with him.
“My mate and the mother of the heir to the throne.”
Isabella’s face flushed. She was at a loss on what to do. Had she curtseyed before? Was she to wave?
“So we've heard.” The lady spoke again, making Isabella wonder if she was their leader. She looked too young.
“I think you also forgot to mention that she is the reason your kingship is in jeopardy.”
“Olivia.” Lucien's voice was stiff. Show some respect. She's about to be my mate.
“Olivia.” That was her name, Isabella swallowed.