Chapter 45 The Great Escape

Chapter 45 The Great Escape
The voices of my sister’s sympathizers were loud outside the Temple walls.  Just overnight, she managed to spread intimate photos of Castiel and me for everyone to see.  

“Strip that wench of her powers!”

“Seat Medea Locke on the throne! Who knows what that Hestia bitch would do! She even has a Divine Link with Lady Medea’s Vassal!”

“She’s stealing Vassals, and now His Eminence too? What a slut!”

“Enchantress! We don’t need you or your powers!”

A lone rock flew, followed by countless others.  Due to the magic protecting the Temple, it did not shatter the glass window.  

I bit on my fingernails as I moved away from the windowsill, letting out a deep breath as I buried my face in my hands.  

Mother… what am I going to do?

Mother didn’t answer.  I sighed as I pulled out my phone, trying to dial Kieran’s number.  My finger hovered on the last digit before deciding against it.  

I knew he would get mad.  After all, I risked my safety once again for Augustus, even dragging Castiel into this mess.  

Good thing I had sent Lind to escort Malik and Aina back to their hometown.  He might get dragged into this too…

I began packing my things.  After all, I can’t stay here.  Who knows what my sister and my father would do just to force me out of the competition?  

I should’ve thought about this.  I shouldn’t have—

“Hestia,” Castiel called as he stepped into my room, his pristine robe in disarray.  “ Why are you packing your things? You’re safer here—”

“I’ve inconvenienced you long enough,” I quietly said as I dumped all of my remaining things into a burlap bag, not even bothering to organize them.  “I can’t let you lose your position because of me too, Castiel…”

I stopped myself from meeting his gentle eyes as I focused on organizing my things.  I know he would try to convince me to stay.  But …

Mother, I can’t let him lose everything.

I’ve known Castiel since we were five.  His greatest dream was to become the High Priest of our kingdom.  To become the golden child of the de Illuminas clan.  

I’m all aware of all the sleepless nights he spent studying and fortifying his magic and wolf, Bright, to pass all his tests with flying colors.  

Castiel had always been kind and attentive to me.  How could I repay that kindness with a scandal that would destroy his reputation and make him lose his dream?

“Hestia,” Castiel’s stern voice reverberated within the walls of the room. He cupped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.  “All I want right now is you.  I looked for you for over a year.  Those endless nights, the anxiety gnawing me every time an intel came, everything, Hestia… I wouldn’t trade that for this damned position.  Mother knows… I’d rather pledge as your Vassal than to sit on this lonely seat while I watch you run to someone else.”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat.  I sighed as I leaned my head against his chest.  “Castiel, don’t sacrifice everything you have for me…”

He gently brushed my hair with his fingers.  The Divine Link between our wrists glowed bright, reminding me of his words.  

“I’ll find a way to fix this,” he whispered to my ear.  “After all, I was the one who initiated things.  You were simply under the effects of an aphrodisiac.”

My knuckles almost turned white as I felt utterly useless.  I’ve overheard the members of the Council earlier as they spoke to him.  

They reminded him of his celibacy vow.  His position.  And his supposed neutrality during the trials.  

Regardless if he’s my mate or not, Castiel wasn’t allowed to love freely.  After all, he had already sworn to devote his life to Mother.  

“You shouldn’t shoulder everything.  I’ll ask Mother’s help.  After all, she fated you to me! We—”

Castiel’s gentle kiss on my forehead shut me down.  The commotion outside grew louder.  He gently smiled.  “Just prepare for the next trial and win it for me.  That’s all I ask.”

His scepter burned bright as he hit the end of it on the floor.  A blue field of light engulfed me.  Castiel threw my burlap bag to me.  “I love you, Hestia.” 

He didn’t give me any time to respond.  As the field around me swirled faster and stronger, a strong force knocked me to the ground.  

When I opened my eyes, I was already out of the Capital walls.  Undetected.  

I ducked into a nearby bush as I heard two voices pass by.  Augustus’s subordinates.  The ones stationed on the Northern wall.  

“Did you see the Alpha’s condition last night? He seemed… laced with aphrodisiac.”

“Yeah… I saw him with Lady Hestia, too.  She seemed distraught and kept on pounding his chest.”

“Huh… what if the Lady’s under the effects of aphrodisiac too? That’s why she and the High Priest…”

“Shush, Alpha Heron’s people might hear you.  I heard they paid a massive sum to the people in one of the broadcasting stations to release those photos.”

The other one scoffed.  “Damn, isn’t the Lady his daughter too? Lady Medea’s been sleeping around with the members of the High Council before she was named the last remaining candidate, so why is Lady Hestia being hammered like that just for being—”

“Man, just shut it.  We might lose our jobs.” 

As soon as I heard the Northern gates shut, I sneaked into the woods, contemplating what I should do.  

I don’t have anyone else to contact in the Capital.  After all, both Castiel and Augustus would be under Father’s surveillance…

And my Father would definitely intercept every message.  

Kieran’s in the settlement.  I shouldn’t bother him with my problem when he clearly warned me before he left not to help Augustus.

Curses, curses, curses!

“Are you a damsel in distress now, my darling trouble?”

My head whipped as I heard that voice.  The Stranger sat on a branch of a massive oak tree, peeling an apple with his dagger.  

How convenient…

“What are you doing here?”  It was a stupid question.  After all, I was aware that he might be spying around for Alfonso Vergara.

The Stranger chuckled.  “I saw the photos.  Maybe I should form a Divine Link with you too, my darling mate…”

I glared at him as I slung my bag over my shoulder.  “Leave me alone.  I’m in deep shit as it is, and I don’t need another problem.”

He shrugged.  “Well, I’ve already warned you before, didn’t I? Be careful when drinking or eating anything.”

The Stranger hopped off the tree branch.  He straightened his coat as he walked towards me, grabbing my bag.  I pulled it back.  “What are you doing?”

“Escorting you.” 

“I don’t need help.” 

A smirk spread across his lips.  “Yes, you do.  And I’ll be putting this on your tab.  As I said, my services aren’t free, my dear trouble.” 

Before I could cast a spell, the Stranger had already used his Red magic to bind my hands.  “Behave, Hestia.  Or you’ll be a headline once again.  A traitor, this time.”