Care?
That was ridiculous!
Soon enough, Veris would accuse him of loving her.
Such madness.
Ikrus wanted to stand against that statement but it was true that he cared about her.
Only that the way Veris had said it made it seem like it was much more than what the bond they shared had necessitated.
By the Moon, such foolery!
“Not enough to sway logic and reasoning if that is what you are asking for.” He calmly corrected him. “The little one,” he said in reference to Arlo, “will still stay here and I will stay here too, till it is time to go to the North Border. I will send her a letter to explain the situation and what my presence would signify on the day she sees me. She should have all the peace she needs.”
Since Ikrus was himself once again, Veris had undone his chains. He provided him with some writing materials and soon enough, the letter was ready. It wasn't easy to find a messenger to deliver the message.
Although, it was always easy to find a messenger to deliver letters in the Temple, not many served Veris.
Veris had to call unto one of the very few who was loyal to him to deliver the letter.
“Make haste with it,” Veris said and the messenger nodded, leaving his sight. Veris turned away, too, and went back to his room.
As the messenger was heading to the door of the Temple, he suddenly fell, hitting the ground, unconscious. Someone from behind pulled him into the dark part of the hallway, taking the letter from him and leaving him there.
Footsteps were heard, along with some voices, as some people came in the direction of where the attack had just happened. The attacker hid immediately as their gossip echoed in the hallways.
“The Hunt will begin soon. I just know it!” A Moon Guardian in training said.
“I hope we will get to watch the warriors before they leave for the Hunt…” she giggled. “without their furs.”
“Clean and pure minds!” One snapped. “The Moon Goddess will not allow anything less.”
“You are the only one that wants to be selected, Remi,” The one that was scolded scoffed.
Their voices kept getting distant, till they were finally gone.
With the letter, the attacker escaped from there but he wasn't done yet.
Skillfully, he made his way into a dark room that fortunately for him, wasn't locked.
Only one candle provided light in the room, revealing sleeping Ula, who was seated on a rocking chair with her hand holding Arlo over her baby, their regular breaths filling the silence of the room.
The attacker stepped forward with care and when he stood behind Ula, he pressed his hand over her mouth, sealing her screams away.
____
____
[The Dragons’ Realm]
The cover of the stone coffin shifted open, Alaris and Belladonna stumbling out of it.
They took a quick look around.
They were back here, the place where it all began.
Upon the realization that they made it out of that dreaded Garden alive, their gaze landed on each other. A smile crossed their lips and they pulled each other into an embrace, pressing their foreheads against one another.
Victory was theirs after all.
How many days had they spent in Gaya’s Garden? How much time had passed? Had everything remained the same during their absence?
They wondered but they didn't have time for this!
The first step of their victory would only be complete when they make it out of here.
They remembered the only obstacle they might have.
The door had been slammed shut before they had been dragged into the stone coffin; however, when they checked, it was open.
Luke someone had left it open for them.
Strange.
Very strange.
Did someone know they were here?
This wasn't the time for questions, though, so they made their escape.
Leaving the room was easy, but leaving the Castle wasn't.
They sneaked into the hallway, making use of the darkness and the lack of guards in the part of this castle to their advantage. However, the high of their victory from Gaya’s Garden, which had shielded Belladonna's mind from the injury she had sustained in their adventure, was starting to wake.
Alaris moved faster than she did and while she tried to catch up, she stumbled and fell. Belladonna tried to get up immediately, her eyes searching for Alaris whom she had lost quickly in the shadow.
He was nowhere.
He was gone.
She was alone.
Argh.
Her ankles hurt as she tried to get up, bringing her back to the ground.
“Are you alright?” A voice said behind her and her heart skipped a beat.
He moved and stood in front of her, before going on a knee, a smile stretching across his face.
“You, again.”
It was the man she had met in that special room on the night of the Masquerade Ball.
By Ignas, no.
____
((If you are looking for a light-hearted reverse harem, then check out my book “The Alien King’s Captive”. Thank you.))