Conquest of Magic

Part 40

We both made it back to Forks Land safely. Standing in the garden outside my room, we aimed to slip inside unnoticed by anyone. I glanced around and saw a commotion in the castle. The maids were running around, and the soldiers were getting ready like they were going to war. I gulped.

I signalled for Sophia to follow me, and we quietly made our way towards the entrance.

With each step, my heart sank further, a sinking feeling overtaking me as chaos unravelled within the castle walls. I realized that the news of my disappearance had spread like wildfire. I knew I couldn't escape facing the consequences of my actions.

Among the chaos, I heard the unmistakable sound of familiar footsteps approaching. My mouth went dry, and I swallowed hard as my gaze landed on Stanley, striding towards me. An overwhelming sense of fear washed over me and made me hide in the garden. I couldn't quite comprehend why I felt compelled to hide, but deep down, I knew that Stanley will be angry, and I was not ready to face his wraith.

Just as I was about to hide behind a tree, a sharp voice sliced through the air, calling out my name from behind. "Kristen?" Stanley's voice reverberated, causing me to freeze in my tracks. I gulped, my pulse quickening. Oh god, I muttered under my breath and turned my head slowly to face him.

Meeting his furious gaze sent a chill down her spine. I looked down at my feet when he stopped at a foot's distance. I didn't dare look him in the eyes.

He spoke a moment later, and I didn't miss the dark, unhappy tone in his voice. "Where did you go?" His voice came out as a low, dark growl that didn't hide how dissatisfied he was with me at that moment. I frowned and pressed my hand flat against my stomach, thinking that would help the unpleasantness settle there. He was upset with me.

"I am sorry; I can explain," I said in a barely audible voice. "What made you leave without informing anyone? Do you have any idea how many people are searching for you right now? I couldn't even detect where you were." He said in a high tone while clutching my shoulder tightly.

"I am sorry." My voice was soft and unsure as I blinked up at him, but he kept those beautiful eyes looking away.

"I am really mad at you." He said in a tone that made me feel like he was disappointed in me.

My heart dropped painfully in my chest, and I sucked in a ragged breath. " I saw a vision, my friends were in danger, and there was no time to alert anyone; that's why I decided to go myself. I wanted to make sure my friends were okay." I said.

He grunted before finally bringing those spell-binding eyes back to mine. Our gazes locked again as his body loomed over my smaller one.

"So you did not even feel like telling me before going to human land yourself?" He growled again, and his eyes started to glow.

We stood there quietly for a while, both of us gazing at each other. It felt like years before his eyes softened and his hand slowly reached up to my hair. "Tell me why you had to go alone. Do you not trust me?"

His voice was soft as his fingers played gently with a stand of my hair, his eyes following the action, but I knew he was silently demanding the answer. I wanted to close my eyes when he brushed his hand softly along my jaw, but I couldn't. His eyes wouldn't let me.

"I am sorry, Stanley. I was not thinking straight. When I saw my friends getting hurt, I couldn't think of anything else."

"You knew it was a trap, right?" He asked in a soft tone. I sighed. "Yes. It was, and I learned my lesson." I admitted my mistake.

"What happened?" He asked, taking my hand in his.

"I just wanted to make sure my friends were okay, I thought to just go see them and return within a few minutes. William was there. I tried to protect them from him, but I found out that it was his witches who disguised themselves as my friends to trap me. I fought the witch who helped William abduct me. Sophia helped me, and we managed to escape." I said, looking at her. His gaze followed mine, and he looked at the girl who emerged from behind the tree. She looked scared and trembled a bit, but she never lifted her gaze to look at him.