The Necromancers

Chapter nine

For several beats none of us said a word. It was as if we were both afraid of addressing the elephant in the room. But as curious as I was, I was also angry and hurt. If she'd been alive all this while, why did she never reach out to me until now?

"I'm sorry about Glenda. Although I wasn't really fond of her, what happened to her was really sad." Alessi spoke quietly. It was true, she had never been fond of my ma. Hardly anyone was fond of my ma, Alessi hated her, which was surprising because she loved me so much and hated my ma. In my books that's not how it works. But I never questioned her. I still would never question her about her choices.

"I don't want to talk about her." It brought nothing but pain to me, but I wasn't ready to accept that yet.

"Astoria I know you're upset with me but I had to move away. My life and my knowledge was in great danger and finding you out would mean putting you in harms way too." Alessi pleaded with me.

"We could have fought together you know. I wouldn't mind killing creatures if it meant keeping you safe."

"It wasn't that easy. I was stuck at a place for months and when I finally got out I was hit with the bitter truth of the world. When finally someone extended their hands for my help, I look it greedily and paid the price. I still have a lot to pay them with for that I need-"

What the fuck?

"Stop talking in half sentences and riddles. I don't understand a thing that you're talking about." Either she had gone nuts or I was stupid to overlook the hidden meaning behind all of her words.

"I'm sorry. Its just that a lot has happened and I have no idea how to tell you all about it because to be honest, I am just as confused as you are right now. This is not how things were supposed to happen. And I know I have to tell you a lot but shall we do it after you return from your trip?" Alessi begged me softly.

I nodded my head and looked around at the bags, perhaps that's how she figured out that I was going to go on a trip. The queen wouldn't have spread the news around. Out of everything she seems to be, she for one doesn't look like a gossiper. Ophelia wouldn't tell everyone about my little trip and even if she would, why will the people at the palace take notice of an orphan going out to visit than focus on those creatures lurking in the dark?

After a while of helping me with my luggage, the two of them left me to my devices. I even took my dinner in my room. There was simply no reason for me to go down and make petty conversations. I still didn't know how to feel about Drystan not being the killer. My feeling of loathe for him were quite intense and genuine and now that I don't have that with me, I guess I feel nothing towards him and yet, there I was lying on my bed, tossing and turning while still thinking about him.

There was a lot on my mind and sleep was far away from me, but I remember ma telling me that no matter what our eyes need rest. We are supposed to just rest with our eyes closed, even if we do not sleep. That was what I did.

I had a lot to do tomorrow onwards and I can't wait for tomorrow but at the same time I didn't feel like stepping into a new phase. I wasn't giving up. No. It's just that I wanted to stay hidden from the world for a little while longer and then see how things went further away from there. But I needed answers or else the mystery of it all would kill me.

"Good morning Astoria." Drystan wished me as I was getting my luggage loaded in the car that the queen gracefully provided for me. It was too early for me to be leaving but I wanted to begin the day and my journey.

"Good morning." I mumbled grumpily. He was one person I wasn't fond of yet. And that made me feel guilty because he was probably an innocent person. I was fucked up at this point and there was nothing I could do about it until I found all of my answers. Until I solved the mystery behind my ma's death, I was stuck. There was no other way for me to have my closure.

"I see you are ready to go." He hummed lowly. "About yesterday, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it in that way. Everything came out wrong and my intention was not to hurt you."

I nodded, of course I knew that. I had just overreacted. It was the knowledge that he didn't kill my ma and fact that I didn't know how to behave around him. I was a mess and I embarrassed myself by yelling at him. He shouldn't apologize, I should. "I'm sorry too. I was being absurd."

"Don't apologize for speaking up what's on your mind."

"Well then you shouldn't apologize too."

"Fair enough." Drystan smile a small smile at me. This was the longest he had ever held a conversation with anyone. I've always heard about how he never talks much about how he is not a people's person but here he was, initiating a conversation with someone who is absolutely not a big fan of his. "Do you want me to come along?"

"Excuse me?" I reeled back. What is the future king of Angus thinking by offering me such a thing?

"I mean...uh...me or someone else who you're comfortable with?" He scratched the back of his neck and looked down for a brief second. His cheeks tainted the faintest pink and holy Beathan, am I still dreaming? The prince blushed. He blushed in front me.

"No!" I shrieked out. Why god why? Subtly clearing my throat, "There's no need for any of it. I can manage and its only for a month. Less than a month actually."

"You-"

"Miss, we are ready to leave." The driver told me politely. She was a nice middle aged lady, yet young looking because of our immortality, who was humble and knew my first destination like the back of her hand. "Good morning Prince Drystan."

"Good morning." He nodded at her and then looked back at me. "If you are not returning by two weeks Astoria, believe me I'm going to have a whole search party ready to find you and bring you home."

Despite the warmth that spread over my body like wildfire, I steeled my expressions and looked him dead in the eyes. "I do not have a home anymore Prince."

"You do have a home Astoria and the day you realize, it will be the most beautiful day of your life. I can promise you that." He quirked his lips, not a smile but at least the effort was there. "Also, you can call me by my name."

"I choose not to." With that I got in beside the lady and drove away to my new adventure.