No Limits

Chapter Three

It took her a minute to gather her wits. But once Seraphina had done so, she spun around on her heel and walked farther into the castle keep.

Stone walls protected her from the ripping cold wind. Raking her tangled hair away from her face, she tied it back with a scrunchie. Jumping out of sheer fright, she spun to face the loud clanging noise that was behind her. The clashing and groaning of metal hinges moving after years of stillness and inclimate weather.

Her eyes widened in realization as the gates behind her came to a close with a loud bang. It felt like the world was coming crashing down on her. This was a paranormal activity at one of the higher levels she had ever experienced.

Hearing trumpets, Seraphina spun to face the entrance to the castle. Standing on the stone steps that led to the grand foyer, stood someone dressed in fur-lined robes. Beside him, stood a young boy, looked no older than eight. Willowy, he looked strong like a toy soldier.

The boy looked as though he was facing a foe. Fear in his eyes and taunt muscles, though he stood tall. The man, of whom Seraphina deemed the king, had a slight upward curl to his lips.

Standing on the ground in two perfectly straight lines were sixteen men holding trumpets, creating a path for her. Seraphina heard the rustling of heavy clothes behind her. Quickly turning around, hand on her swollen belly, she faced an old woman. Laugh lines crinkled the creases of her eyes and around her stern frowning mouth. Almost like her lips hadn't moved in a long time.

Alongside the elderly woman, stood a small girl fiddling with the blonde ends of her long hair. The little girl bit her lip as she looked up at the king and boy. Nerves were dancing in her hazel eyes, almost matching the young boy's.

The old woman, dressed prim and proper with a small tiara on her head, stepped through Seraphina to walk up to the man-made pathway with the little girl in tow. The ladies bowed out of respect to the king, as the king bowed his head as the boy bowed at the waist. When they all stood up, shoulders back and spinal cords straight, the king grinned widely as he gestured to the boy. "Lady Agnes, it is a pleasure to meet you at last." Laying a hand on the boy's shoulder. "This is my son, Prince Elias. Crowned heir of the Aedon Legacy." The king shifted his gaze to the young girl. "And whom might this young beauty be?"

Lady Agnes rested a clenched hand on the little girl's shoulder. "This is Princess Charlotte of the French Court. Last of a long line of royalty."

The king laid a gentle hand on the young prince's small back and gently guided him forward. The boy took one look back at his father before taking steady steps down the stairs to stand in front of the princess.

Seraphina cautiously stepped forward as the prince offered his hand to the little girl. For a moment, the princess looked at it, almost at a loss of what to do with it. Shaking herself out of her daze, she laid a small and gentle hand on his. Elias bowed again at the waist and brought her hands up to his lips for a quick peck.

Seraphina could see that the girl wasn't comfortable with the boy being so close. Charlotte shivered as Elias stood straight and gave her a small, comforting smile. So small, that Seraphina could have missed it had she not been so close to the two children. Charlotte smiled a small smile back at him.

"Come, let us talk over our agreement," the king gestured for the arriving party to follow him inside. "Elias, watch over dear Princess Charlotte, will you?"

The prince nodded stiffly as his father offered an arm to the scowling Lady. Lady Agnes took the king's arm and let him lead her into the castle.
The stone building seemed more beautiful and newer than when Seraphina had last seen it mere minutes ago. The sun shown on the people more than it did on her. No, not people, memories, or rather, imprints. These flashes of the past were a story to be told.

From the corner of her eye, she saw something in the shadows of the castle. But when she had turned her head, it was gone. Turning back to the imprint, she saw the children grinning before turning to run up the steps and into the dark castle walls.

Just as Seraphina went to follow, something caught her eye again. Only this time, it came from where the figure was moments before. It glinted in the wintery sunlight as it grew closer to her at a rapid pace. Leaning backward to avoid the object, she fell on her rear.

When she sat up, she grumbled about bruises before she saw a dagger on the ground. Not much longer than an open-faced palm, it had bent at the tip. Looking up, lifted herself off the cold ground, and looked closer at the wall. The smallest of chips was in the stone wall. Running her hand over where she assumed the dagger hit, she stole her finger away with a hiss. Looking down at her hand, she saw blood beading over an open wound. Seraphina's eyes widened and she took in a shaky breath. Whipping her head around to where the knife had come from, nothing was there.

She meticulously scanned the courtyard for any danger. Seeing nothing, even from her peripheral vision, she ran after the children.