Chapter 18
POV: Seraphina Vale
I wandered through the palace corridors, pretending to take a casual stroll while my eyes scanned every corner for a chance to escape. For days I had been roaming, searching for the perfect moment. Today felt different — today might finally be my lucky day.
As I passed the kitchen, I overheard two maids talking in low voices and stopped to eavesdrop, pressing myself against the wall.
"I heard the king will not be around today," one maid whispered.
"I really don't know, but he is going for an important meeting. Also, someone has been stealing from our treasury."
"Oh, that is so bad. I trust in my king. He will surely catch the thief."
I leaned forward slightly to see who was speaking when a hand suddenly touched my shoulder from behind. I nearly screamed.
"Looking for something?" a voice asked.
I spun around and found Nova, Lucien's sister, standing there with an amused expression.
These demons really have a thing for scaring people.
"Oh goodness, why did you do that?" I asked, pressing a hand to my racing heart.
"You were so focused on those two maids. I was calling you, but you did not answer," she replied.
"Oh, I am sorry. I was just… never mind," I said, rubbing my forehead.
"What were you so focused on in their conversation?" Nova asked, tilting her head.
"It is nothing. I was just curious," I lied quickly.
She looked at me suspiciously for a moment.
"What do you want? Do you need something?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"Actually, no. But we could spend some time together," she suggested.
"Hmm, what do you want to do? Play some games?" I offered.
"What about chess?" Nova said with a witty smile.
I nodded and followed her to her room. She brought out the chessboard and arranged the pieces. I took the white side while she took the black.
The room fell quiet as we began. Nova moved her pawn forward. I stared at the board, thinking strategically, then captured her knight.
"You are cautious," she remarked.
"You are predictable," I replied.
A few moves later, I swept my queen across the board and took her bishop. A faint smile touched my lips.
"Check."
Nova froze, staring at the board in shock.
"Wow, you are the only one who can beat me in chess. Even my brother cannot," she said.
"Lucien has never won against you?" I asked.
"He has not. I do not know whether he is pretending," she said, rearranging the pieces.
"That is absurd," I muttered.
"My brother is the devil, but he is very kind. You just need to know him better."
"What else will I want to know about the devil?" I asked dryly.
"Listen, sister-in-law," Nova said, reaching out and holding my hands gently. "I am not supposed to tell you this, but it is best if you know."
She took a breath. "Lucien lost his mother during the first war centuries ago. She was killed by an angel. How would you feel if you lost your mother at such a tender age? His mother died when he was still young, and he has never been the same since. He has always despised angels. But when he found out his mate was an angel — the one he had been longing for — he put all that enmity aside for you."
"If Lucien's mother died centuries ago, how were you born?" I asked, frowning.
"When our mother was stabbed in her room, she was already pregnant with me. Luckily, she used her last power to keep me safe. She placed me in a jar. Lucien took the jar and ran to our father. They kept me for two centuries while I grew inside it, moving me to bigger containers when needed. It took a long time before I became a full baby. When the time came, I cried out, and my father took me from the jar. That was the strongest magic in the book of history," she explained.
"That can really happen. I read about it in one of the Luminara books," I murmured.
"So how old are you?"
"I cannot tell you that," Nova said with a small smile.
We continued talking for a while longer.
"Have you found your mate?" I asked.
"No, but I know he is waiting for me. Lucien waited for you for centuries."
"I do not believe Lucien is my mate. He is just obsessed," I said.
"Angels and demons cannot be together. It has been a curse since the first war."
"What if that can be changed?"
"How? I do not have time for this. I will never love Lucien."
Nova sighed. I felt a small pang of guilt for declining her efforts, but my mind was already made up. I was escaping today.
I left Nova's room and sat on my bed, thinking. My thoughts drifted back to the maids' conversation. Lucien would not be around today, which meant security would be lighter. This was my chance.
I rushed to the wardrobe, scattered the clothes, and found a long black hooded cloak. I picked it up and held it tightly.
"This will cover me as I escape," I whispered.
I put on the cloak and waited by the window. Soon I saw Lucien mounting his horse. He looked up toward my window. I quickly ducked behind the curtains.
When I peered out again, he was already riding away with his guards and the dragon banner flying behind them.
He was gone. Now was my time.
I opened my door and ran toward the kitchen, dodging guards where I could. Luckily, the kitchen was empty. I moved quickly to the back door.
"Lady Nova?" a voice called suddenly.
I froze.
"Do you need something?" the voice asked again.
Was she talking to me or mistaking me for Nova?
"No, I do not need anything. I was just taking a walk outside," I replied, trying to disguise my voice.
I pulled the hood lower to cover my face.
To my relief, she did not press further. "Okay, my lady."
I breathed out when her footsteps faded away.
I continued through the back door and stepped into the garden. The back gate had no guards — they must all be at the front.
I opened the gate and slipped outside the castle walls.
The breeze touched my skin, cool and unfamiliar after so many days inside. Freedom tasted sweet for a moment.
I sprinted into the woods, running without direction. My legs carried me deeper until I stumbled upon a dark, hollow cave. A lit torch hung at the entrance. I grabbed it and stepped inside bravely.
I need to get as far away from that castle as possible.
The cave seemed endless. The air grew colder and heavier with every step. Suddenly, something black passed by me.
"Who is there?" I called.
No response.
I kept moving when a faint whisper echoed: "Save me…"
"Huh? Who is there?" I asked louder, raising the torch.
Still no answer.
As I moved forward, a large shadow appeared ahead. I had never seen such creatures — their bodies were pitch black with eyes that had no pupils.
"Save me…" they whispered again.
More of them appeared, multiplying in the darkness.
Fear gripped me. I dropped the torch. The flame quenched instantly, plunging everything into blackness.
I let out a piercing scream. "Ahhhhhh!"
I turned and ran back toward the entrance, but one of the creatures blocked my path. Its white eyes glowed, and its black form floated silently.
"Don't touch me!" I shouted, trapped and defenseless.
In pure panic, his name tore from my throat. "Lucien!"
The shadows closed in. I fell to the ground, heart racing, hands trembling.
One of them reached out with long, scary hands. I closed my eyes in defeat, waiting for the strike.
"Ah!" I heard a pained grunt.
I opened my eyes. Shiny blue eyes met mine in the darkness.
He swept me into his arms and sprinted through the woods at incredible speed.
He took the strike for me.
I could still hear the faint whispers of the shadows behind us.
I knew he was going to be livid.
He stopped at the palace gate and set me down. "Thank you—" I began, but before I could finish, he collapsed.
I saw blood spreading across his back.
"Lucien!" I screamed.
POV: Lucien Draegor
After leaving the castle, the ride to the capital city felt exhausting. We finally stopped at the demon high court and entered the grand hall.
The nobles were already seated. They stood immediately when they saw me.
"All hail King Lucien!" they chorused, bowing low.
I sat at the head of the long table, fingers tapping impatiently on the wood. Outside, the roaring sound of waves mixed with the distant screeches of dragons stretching across the sky.
"I hope you all know why we are here," I said.
They nodded. "Yes, my king."
"I heard someone has been stealing from our treasury, causing the capital city to suffer financially," I continued, clenching my fist.
The maids served tea. I took a sip.
"My king, we cannot ignore this. You put a vampire as our treasury keeper," Thorne said, glancing at Nikolai.
"Nikolai has been the treasury keeper for years. He is one of us, even if we are different species," I defended.
"We do not know who has been stealing. Is our security that weak? Can the king no longer handle the kingdom?" one noble dared to say.
I slammed my fist on the table. "How dare you question my ruling?" I growled.
"Sorry, my king. It was a slip of the tongue."
"The next time you question my ruling, I will have your tongue for it," I warned.
Suddenly, Nikolai drew his sword and slit the noble's throat in one swift motion. The head rolled onto the ground with a sickening sound.
I stood up instantly. "Nikolai, what the hell!" I yelled.
Everyone gasped in shock.
"He can keep his tongue," Nikolai said calmly, sheathing his sword. "Don't bother yourself, King. He was of no use anyway. Let us focus on finding the thief."
I sat back down, jaw tight. "Nikolai, make sure security at the treasury is tightened. Thorne, you will accompany Nikolai to guard it. This meeting is adjourned."
I rose and left the hall.
"Clean that up," I ordered a guard as I mounted my horse.
"Yes, my king."
The ride back to the palace was much faster. When I arrived, a sudden sharp pain spun through my head.
I entered the castle and immediately noticed I could not scent her.
"Freckles…" I muttered.
I ran to her room — empty. I searched the entire castle, my head still spinning.
What is wrong with me?
"Freckles!" I called, bumping into Nova.
"Nova, have you seen my wife?" I asked urgently.
"We were playing games earlier. I do not know where she could be," she replied.
I held my head, the pain worsening.
"Lucien, are you okay?" Nova asked.
"Freckles, where are you?" I whispered.
Then I heard a distant scream coming from the direction of the Ashen Abyss.
Seraphina was in danger.
I rushed outside and let the shadows take control, speeding through the bushes. When I reached the abyss, I could hear Seraphina's rapid, terrified breathing.
What was she doing there?
I ran inside. The sight that greeted me made my blood boil.
She was about to be attacked by an Abyssari.
I leaped in front of her, taking the strike meant for her. Pain exploded across my back.
I groaned, swept Freckles into my arms, and took off at full speed.
Back at the palace gate, I set her down. Anger and pain surged through me.
Then a sudden, violent pang hit my head, and everything went black.