The Elven King's Consort

Chapter 52: Deceit

I couldn't help but race around the room quickly, throwing whatever I thought was important into a medium-sized bag. Cesteil parted ways to speak to Demetri; he informed the lycan that we would return to the enchanted forest for a short time. But I am upset that we must notify the king of our every move. I would have just gone without the two of them if I had known this would happen. However, the only reason I didn't do so was because Cesteil deserved to know why the fairy queen and the heart of the enchanted forest gave me all this magic.

My fingers tingled as my excitement grew, and my heart raced loud and fast. I had so many expectations. Would she be healed enough to see me? Will all my questions be answered? I wanted to scream out everything all at once. Why did the tree choose me? Did I even deserve to handle such responsibility? Because Demetris' words still stung like a fresh bite from an insect.
I stopped midway, taking in the mess I had created. Clothing was scattered about erratically. Letters and penmanship misplaced and spilled over from my bumping and fumbling. Thankfully, I caught most of it in time before it fell to the lightly wooded floorboards. A stain like that would never get out. On the mattress, an array of weapons lay spread out, and I pondered how much or how little I should be taking.

What if we get ambushed again, but this time within the forest? After we escaped, did the forest become healthy and beautiful again, or did it remain the same, uninhabitable deadscape? Stepping back and rubbing the bottom of my chin in frustration, I turned away for a moment and breathed in and out, trying to calm myself. I wanted all this to work this time. So many things had happened so far, and I felt like we kept crawling into a deeper, endless, dark, tight, and suffocating hole, a destination no longer known; we've become so lost. The goal was to bring down Václav and give back the kingdom to Cesteil. I knew this, yet I felt that I'd been pulled every which way except the path I needed to be on—crowning Cesteil as the rightful ruler of the Elven Kingdom.

Racing my fingers through my hair, I pinned it up and stared into the mirror. I had dark circles, my lips slightly chapped and reddened, the once glowing skin now dull and greyed, and hair that resembled early sprouted strawberries now lacked volume and brightness as before when I lived in the Vampire Kingdom. This was getting too much for me. Turning, I began to set up the weapons I wanted to take and finally placed the ones we didn't need away. In the end, I decided to travel light. It was the enchanted forest, so there wasn't a need to bring so many. Once we figure out everything with the queen and the tree of life, I think things will flow the way they need to. I'll feel more confident because all my questions will be answered. At least, that's what I'm trying to convince myself. Finishing off the bag and throwing it over my shoulder, I waited for Cesteil to return. Glancing back at the mirror, I took in the outfit I had thrown on—a black long-sleeve top with pants to follow. It was easy and light for traveling. And given that the sun had set, we would be less likely to be seen if anyone were present in the forest.
I tapped my foot impatiently. Where was he? Why was he taking so long? He should have returned by now, but an hour had passed, and there were no signs of him. I glanced at the slow-ticking old wooden clock hanging on the tanned-colored wallpaper, staring as the hands gradually moved.

The door opened, and my heart jumped up and down in both fear and excitement. Finally, we would be off! He walked into the room, softly speaking to someone. As if time deliberately played with me, those wooden hinges pushed agonizingly slow until Demetri walked behind the slightly turned Cesteil. They were both deeply engaged in a topic I couldn't really pinpoint. I cleared my throat, causing them to stop and look at me. Demetri glared, but I shook it off like it was nothing. I walked up to Cesteil, who only looked at me slightly indifferently. Why was he acting so strange?

"I see you've already prepared yourself," growled the lycan. The shift in his eyes made me look away, finding refuge elsewhere. His beast was showing itself, and I wanted nothing to do with it or him. They were in a foul mood. His scent lingered heavily in the air, and I walked closer to Cesteil so I could be comforted with his aroma instead. Instant relief overcame me, and the scent of the king's beast almost disappeared.