The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- RAIHANA

-

I swirl the ice around my glass of juice, staring out at the Guardsmen. Rhea... what is her angle? I have been able to find little on them, and I've tried.

I don't know. It's still strange she would ask for something like becoming Enrique's Luna for not finding the Ash Stone. That only benefits her, not the other two. It would also in a way be putting herself as his equal and a guardsman always put their king first and shows respect. That much I know. Liam sits opposite me at the table. He's alert, watching the crowds.

I frown slightly, remembering my moment of weakness earlier...

(FLASHBACK)

"Shall we?" Dalton asks me, offering me his arm. I nod, about to take it when I pause.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Realising that I can't.

Chris was my one and only date for all occasions. The one who would put up with me dressing him, however I wanted. No matter how extravagant or extra I wanted. He didn't complain.

Be reasonable, Raihana. We are putting up a front. This isn't anything more than simple courtesy. I open my mouth to thank him, but no sound comes out. I force a smile and reach up to take his arm instead, but I freeze. "Ms Raihana, is everything alright?" Dalton asks me.

Delsanra and Liam are watching me, concern clear on their face.

"Yes, I just think maybe I should make use of this time whilst everyone is at the ceremony to get other work done." I step back, trying to calm the havoc of emotions within me.

"Ri, what if something goes down, I mean..." Delsanra trails off, but she means our plan if we are able to summon the crawlers at the end of the night. After all, with that much power in one place, they are bound to be lured... "I know, I just-"

"I think we should stick to the original plan," Liam says as he walks over to me. "The two of us will go together. Delsanra, will you allow Alpha Dalton to accompany you?"

She nods and from the appreciative smile she gives him, I can see that they both seem to know what I'm going through. I feel anger and shame rush over me. I'm showing them that I'm hurting. I shouldn't be. I need to be strong. Liam motions towards the waiting car. "Shall we get going?" He doesn't offer me his arm or try to touch me, he's not pretending to escort me. He knows how I'm feeling, and I hate that.

I am High Witch Serafina of House Di Bianco Galdur. A powerful witch with the responsibility of leading the witches of the Coven of England in the inevitable battle to come, yet I am allowing my emotions to cripple me.

Chris wouldn't want that. He would want me to do my best. For me and for him.

(END OF FLASHBACK)

"Kataleya's been gone a while. Should we check up on her?" Liam asks quietly.

I raise an eyebrow at him. Is he really asking that?

I had seen her leave and Enrique had slipped out too, although I didn't see him sneak out, leaving extremely discreetly. I have quite a good idea that they may just be having a little rendezvous.

"No, we shouldn't. She knows how to signal us if she needs us."

"But she's been-"

"Trust me." Dude, this guy is smart in many ways, but he's so clueless, too.

He doesn't look convinced as he keeps glancing at the door. Skyla is already at work sending people Rhea's way, keeping her occupied. Got to give it to Sky to buy her sister time.

It's the end of this night that I am waiting for above anything else. To see if the crawlers appear, and I plan to capture one alive It can't be a coincidence that there's only one witch on this island, and I've tried to look for others using magic. My magic is strong, and so is Delsanra's, yet neither of us felt anything with any of the spells we performed.

Is there a reason behind it? Enrique's ability meant he could call on witches to assist him... yet we are on an island with 1 witch. Almost as if they were forced to leave or gotten rid of. The one in hiding doesn't say much. Delsanra visited her, but she seems to just be scared.

I glance up when I see Enrique saunter back into the hall. The cocky, arrogant smirk on his face is the picture of a man who just got what he wanted. In order to avoid an incomplete reading experience, visit J 0 bnlb.com. I'm happy that Kataleya was able to break down his self-control and got him just where she wanted, but really, I do want to smack that smirk off his face too.

He has caused her so much pain, too. I hope when all is done and sorted; he makes up for this.

He really could be a Rossi with that attitude.

He seems to sense me watching and his attention turns towards me, but he doesn't say anything, simply looking away with that same expression plastered on his face.

Rhea instantly spots him and excuses herself from those around her, hurrying over to him.

I whisper a spell so I can communicate with Liam. 'I need to do something. Cover for me. There's something I need to check out!

'And where are you going? Will you be alright?'

'Yes, I just need the answer to a few questions, and I think I know who to ask.

'I see... are you sure you don't need me to come with you?' Liam asks, a small frown on his face.

'Positive. Besides, it's not a place for your kind. I'm going to take Delsanra if she agrees, which means you and the others need to be on alert.

My words surprise him, but whether he wants to admit it or not, I'm not about to take another werewolf into a place that belongs to witches.

'Raihana, -'

"Oh, there's Kat, keep an eye on her," I say out loud, cutting the connection. I stand up as he does and I walk past him, patting his arm, before I pretend to stumble grabbing onto his jacket.

"Careful there!" he says helping me get my balance but I've already got what I needed. The car keys from his pocket. I keep them out of sight and Liam doesn't seem to have realised I've taken anything from him.

Perfect.

If he learned we were going to go somewhere far, I don't think he'd agree. Plus he's too much of a goody two-shoes.

I can't help but smile as I glance over at Kataleya, who is blushing.

I'm not sure what happened. They entered separately. It doesn't seem like the ceremony is called off, which is obvious from the way Enrique is still standing beside Rhea, but there's a fire in Kataleya's eyes and I'm glad. Maybe they have a plan. I'll consult with her when I return. Skyla is quick by her side, and I glance back at Liam.

"Let them know we'll be back," I say before I look at Delsanra. 'Delsanra,' I say, creating a connection between us.

She instantly looks up and excuses herself from Dalton. Without another word, she makes her way to the exit before me and I follow. I pause at the doors and look back at the twins. They're whispering away and I smile. They have Royce and Liam, Dalton and Savio

too.

I turn away from the glittering lights of the venue and make my way outside to where Delsanra is standing by the steps, her eyes full of curiosity.

"What is it?" she asks.

'I need your help!

She nods, not questioning me.

"Let's take the car Liam and I came in," I say, unlocking the doors.

Delsanra looks at me curiously but says nothing until we are both in the car and I drive away from the packhouse.

"Where are we going to, Ri? This wasn't part of the plan."

"No, it was not, but we don't know much about the Crimson King. We don't know much about the Guardsmen, save what Hugo has told us. And that too only after we pushed him for answers. Who knows what else he's hiding or holding back? We don't even know why this entire island lacks witches. The truth is, we are buried in questions that have no answers," I say as I speed up, zooming down the roads. The skies were clear when we arrived, but a fog has begun to settle.

"That's because no one has the answers we need," Delsanra murmurs.

"No one alive," I correct quietly.

Her heart quickens as she looks at me sharply. Understanding exactly what I plan to do.

The atmosphere becomes tense, the heavy weight of it hanging between us.

"You want to summon a witch of the past." It's a statement, not a question.

"Yeah, I don't think we have the time to let the answers come to us, Delsanra. We need answers and we need them now."

She nods, brushing her hair back. "Do you know the name of any witches? We need full names for me to even reach beyond the grave."

"Not yet, but I know someone who will find those records before we even get to the graveyard," I answer quietly. "Are you ok with this?"

I know she doesn't like to use dark magic, but she is the one who has the ability to reach beyond the grave... Necromancy... A tempting ability for many and I know right now I'm asking her to use it which is unfair, but I have no choice. I would never ask it for personal gain no matter how much I would love to speak to my loved ones again.

"Yes, you're right. We need answers. I'll do it." She sighs. "But we'll need supplies."

"I have everything in the back."

She nods slightly surprised, "How long were you planning this, Ri?"

"It was a backup. I just wanted to make sure I'm prepared for anything, but the Ash Stone is nowhere in sight and unless we know what it is, we can't even try using a search spell."

"That's true. But remember, if this spell gets out of control, you will need to break it." She warns me as I slow the car down when we reach the old abandoned graveyard that once belonged to witches.

"I will. Don't worry, we are stronger than what we were years ago."

"Yeah, we are."

I glance out of the window. I can feel it, the lingering magic of the dead that lie here. I can feel the spells around this place... The trees are thick, and the weeds and grass are overgrown. Clearly, no one comes this way anymore.

I park up, hiding the car in the shadows and we both step out, knowing that we are treading dangerous waters. After all, dark magic is forbidden and a high witch using it - the consequences are extremely dire. But if it ever comes to light, I'll deal with it then. I'm the one asking Delsanra to do this. It's on me. But right now, Kataleya needs us and I'm ready to go to any lengths to help her.

Getting out, I pop open the trunk and take out the bag. I exchange looks with Delsanra before we both walk side by side into the graveyard...