Chapter 31 CHAPTER 31
Chapter 31 CHAPTER 31
SERA'S POV
Lightning struck across the sky, its shadow striking a line I traced in my room. No matter how much I tried, the sound of the storm kept me tossing and turning in bed. Althea was correct, a storm did come.
I got up, sighing. No matter how much I tried, sleep refused to come and I looked outside the sky covered by thick clouds. I grabbed a silk robe, throwing it across my nightmare as I decided maybe a walk was what I needed.
The robe felt so soft in my hand, and I remembered when all I had was a gown that scratched me with every step, leaving red marks against my thighs. The rough clothes that my sellers had preferred did nothing but cause me discomfort yet, in a blink of an eye, it all seemed far away now.
I wouldn't forget it. Vampires could hoard as much wealth as they pleased, and afford luxuries and balls while Humans were left to starve and die, the little we had stolen away.
Two guards are by my door when I step out. I didn't bother greeting them, walking when I noticed someone was following me.
I turned sharply, staring at the two men. “I don't think I need the both of you,” I said, raising a brow. “Just get some rest.”
Laughter bubbles in my chest. “Sorry, I sound silly right? You're vampires, of course rest is a thought you never have.”.
None of them crack a smile.
I shook my head. “I think you guys should do whatever the hell you want, except follow me,” I said, embarrassed.
I turned into a dimly lit hallway I did not recognize, walking through it. Thunder cracked through the air and everywhere was cold. A squirrel ran past, startling me.
I turned around slightly, relief flooding me when I saw the two guards behind me. They were far enough, yet still close.
I sighed, continuing till I got to the junction that led to each wing.
I bit my lips. Don't do it, Sera, a voice whispered in my head.
Fuck it.
I turned East, walking towards Caspian’s wing. Any information he could give, any hint as to finding my sister, that was all I wanted. Just something that could give me, even the slightest bit of hope. He should be calm enough now, at least to tell me if he found her.
Plus, if he tried anything, I would be outside so I could run fast.
Yeah, run fast against a vampire King. A girl could dream.
I was halfway down the hall when I stopped. “Did you hear that?”
The sound of something crashing reached me again, followed by a loud clang. Someone screamed, the words incomprehensible, and then, there was something crashing again.
“Should I go back?” I whispered.
“Maybe if you stayed here, you'll be used to the noise.”
I gasped, grabbing the front of my robe as I turned. Felix was standing there, a cheeky smile on his face. “Felix,” I cried. “You scared me.”
I looked over his shoulders. The two guards that were following me seemed to be gone. “Clearly the guards here are not adequate, letting someone sneak in on me like that.”
“I told them to take the night off,” he chuckled, walking to my side. “I took over your guarding.”
Oh. “I told them to let me be, but they didn't,” I complained.
“They follow orders only from higher authority and since I am known and trusted, they left your safety in my arms,” he explained.
“Right,” I muttered beneath my breath. Felix joined me, whistling out loud.
“Where are you going, wandering so late at night?”
“Nowhere in particular,” I lied.
“That's very unwise. This castle is full of vampires, and it's night, their favourite time.”
“Well,” I shrugged. “It's not like any of them can harm me. Afterall, I am kind of important now, am I not?”I wiggled my brows.
Felix burst into a soft laugh. “I can see power is finally getting to your head,” he grinned.
I smiled at him, kicking a rock. “Why are you awake?” I asked. “Does it have to do with vampires not sleeping, or you just couldn't?”
“Both,” he replied. “Why did you come to see Caspian? That night?”
Nice evasion, but I don't call him out on it. “I am looking for someone and I thought he would have the most connections, seeing he's a king. Plus, he is much nicer than the other two.”
“Do not let yourself get fooled by occasional kindness, Sera,” Felix said. His voice dropped, sounding more hollow, all the joy in it gone. “Everyone in here is a monster, including myself.”
A slight chill brushed me at his words and suddenly, the hallways were not well lit. Felix continued walking even as I stopped, unable to move. He was still dangerous, capable of killing me and here I was, thinking he was my friend, walking in a dark path with him.
“Sera? Huh?” Felix turned back. “Why did you stop?”
Whatever he sees makes him shake his head. “Oh no, I can never harm you, Sera. You're my friend. Plus, it would be very stupid of me, risking my life like that when I still lived here.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“I was just trying to let you know to not let your guard down. There are so many vampires, outside of this place that want to harm you, for what you are. They don't respect boundaries and they will need to be kicked to their place more often than normal.”
I nodded, swallowing my fear. “Noted. It's nice to know I can trust you though,” I said, walking to meet him.
“Well, that'll be entirely on you,” he grinned.
I studied Felix through the corner of my eyes. Even now when there was no need, he was still smiling, a little hop to his gait. “Can you tell me how exactly you become Caspian’s jester?”
“Yes I can,” he replied, “but that will be another time. We're back.”
Back where? I was shocked, we were walking down the wing, how were we standing in front of my room door. “How?”
“You need to rest,”Felix cut me off. “Tomorrow is another new day. More training.”
“Yeah, I am useless, plus I don't really feel sleepy. I slept the entire afternoon away.”
He smiled. “Well, you should still rest. Now that you can because things are only going to get harder.”
His eyes met mine. “You don't have to worry, you'll fall asleep this time, because you are tired.”
Right… I was tired. “Thank you, Felix,”I yawned, opening my room door. My eyelids felt heavy as I slipped into my dark room. “Good night.”
I slammed on the bed, passing out before I hit the pillow.