Forbidden Flames (on hold)

Chapter 21

"Lucifer!!" Lucia exclaimed.

She ran to him and hugged him tightly. Tears made their way to her eyes.

"Where were you? Why didn't you come to me?" She asked but he didn't say anything.

She looked at him and held his hands. She examined his face and saw bruises all over her face.

Her trembling hands reached his cheek and She caressed his hand. "What happened to you?" She asked.

"Lucia, I am fine"

"No, you are not. Come inside. Elaina..."

"Shh... I am here for you, to meet you." He held her hand and made their way outside.

They both sat on the wood placed on the grass outside. The cold place couldn't bother the lovers. Lucia placed her head on his lap. He caressed her hair.

Lucia noticed that the lock was lightening in the dark. She didn't think about it much because all her attention was caught by Lucifer.

"Why are not talking to me? I missed you so much. Do you know Marcel...."

He cut her words and said

"I am here to meet you, Lucia. You are tired, take a rest. You have to find me right" He said and Lucia closed her eyes.

Everything went black. All she knew was she was standing in a dark room with no light, no air, and no voice. She walked ahead and saw a man whose hands were tied with two poles.

Her steps stopped when she saw his bruised face but was not seen.

"Lucia, Lucia, Lucia..." She heard a voice and her eyes shut opened.

She panicked but was calmed down by Eliana.

"Are you okay?'' She asked.

"It happens, Lucia. You'll see visions. It all happened because of the locket you wear on your neck." The old lady said.

"Who was the man in my dream? This is getting more complicated." Lucia said standing up from the wood.

"We will find Lucifer" Eliana got saddened seeing her sister as a friend in this kind of situation.

"Elaina you know, I met Lucifer H..he had cuts all over his face. He was looking pale. Where is Lucifer" She started crying. Eliana whipped her tears.

"Lucia you have to find the truth. You can't be weak. Be brave. You are going to meet with many obstacles in your way. You are a brave girl. You came here facing all the problems and I know you'll face all these problems too. You have to do it for Lucifer, for yourself, for this whole kingdom." The old lady said.

Lucia nodded. She will find Lucifer.

"Eliana, please go back to the palace. I don't want to put you in danger."

"No Lucia, what are you talking about? I can't leave you."

"You have to. You did so much for me and now this is the beginning of my journey. I know what to do."

"But where are you going?"

"I don't know. I have non-ending questions and only one person can give me the answers."

"Who?"

"Leopard," Lucia replied

She said and called Cruella. Cruella appeared from the woods. Lucia ordered her to take Eliana's palace safely.

After a while, Cruella came alone. Lucia knew that Eliana reached the palace safely and rest she could manage.

Lucia bid goodbye to the Old lady and made her way to the west of the jungle. She saw many different species of animals and birds which she never saw in her world.

The sun's rays touched the ground, everything was visible in the jungle. Lucia was still riding on the horse.

She looked left and right but saw no one. She thought it was just her illusion. She again paced her horse and ran faster than before.

After some time, Lucia got tired and stopped to take a rest. She sat under a huge tree. The weather was cloudy and it started raining.

Cruella and Lucia were sitting under a tree. Lucia closed her eyes and took deep breaths. Lucia dozed off. When she opened her eyes, she screamed.

"What's this?" She put her hand on her mouth not to make any more noise. Suddenly, out is nowhere, a black girl with black hair appeared in front of Lucia.

Lucia saw many snakes dead in front of her. She looked at them and then at the black girl.

"Who are you?" Lucia asked

"Cruella, milady"

"What? You are a girl?"

"Yes milady, I was cursed by vampires. Last night, that old last broke the curse and I again became a horse-human."

"Why do they curse you?"

"Horse humans and vampires are a foe. One day, a vampire entered my land. I was a kid then. I saw her changing from a vampire to a human. I followed her. There, I saw her making a mixture of horse-human bones with vampire bones. Unintentionally, I screamed because the view in front of her was very scary. To save myself from her, I fought with her. She poured her magic tube on me to prevent me from telling her secret to others and turned me into a horse forever, fortunately, her secret was revealed but my curse was still unbroken."

"How did the old lady know about you?"

"She is a witch and She knew how to break this curse. She gave me her magical herb which turned me into a human."

"How did you find Lucifer?"

"Prince Lucifer found me in the woods when he was minor. I was injured badly because I was thrown out from my land. Even my family cut contact with me. I was forced to leave my land. That night, I was lost in the woods. I thought that was my last night but when I opened my eyes the next day, a little boy was treating my damage and he saved me from dying. If I was left isolated there, I could have died. So, I promised myself to protect him at all costs. I lost my hope of turning into a human again. I am here always with Prince Lucifer from that day but he doesn't know my real identity."

"No doubt he cared about you so much because you are his childhood friend." Lucia smiled.

"I am not with Prince Lucifer now but I am glad I am with you and I'll protect you because he loves you and those who are special to Prince Lucifer, are special to me."

Lucia smiled at the little girl. "How old are you?" Lucia asked.

"58 years old. Horses can live longer than anyone else."

"What?"