Devotion

Chapter 38

Xylvie

After encountering Prince Azra, I headed towards the throne room, hoping to meet with the King and Queen. I wish to get this introduction over with to look for Ali. Ali has been gone for a few months after my parents sent her to find Princess Aurora. She's never agreed with how my parents deal with things, but she kept quiet to save her head.

As I walked in, no one was in the throne room, which was very tiresome. I examined the room quickly before I headed out. They both must be swamped if they couldn't have the decency to greet me, but it didn't matter anymore. My main focus was finding Ali, bringing her with me, or sending her in hiding.

I walked to my room and grabbed my cloak before sneakingly heading out. I refuse to stay in this place. Prince Azra is so rude and judgemental without knowing me. I'm not like my family; I've never been like them and never will be.

The guards were chatting away instead of paying attention to their posts, making it very easy for me to slip away. I began to run towards the woods while scanning my surroundings. My brother hasn't been able to locate the Princess even after he marked her, meaning she must've been taken to the mortal realm. If I shift to more human features, I could blend in with the humans.

The brisk air hit my face as I inhaled the scent of trees and grass. It was nice to be able to roam free in the woods again, not that my family knew of my tiny escapes whenever I was overwhelmed. As I ran through the trees and bushes, I heard a tree branch snap to my right causing me to immediately halt. I scanned my surroundings once more and didn't see anyone or anything. Slowly, I began to walk again towards the gravel until I heard footsteps. I withdrew my sword and twirled around to see Lazarus with his hands up.

His face pallid as his eyes flickered between me and the sword. So much of beating the allegations of vile vampire. "Princess, I-I saw you leave and I wanted to make sure you were safe" he said as he looked away from me. I wasn't sure what to make of it as I was never even guarded even when I was at home.

I immediately lowered my sword and gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm okay, I just have some business to attend to," I said as I tried to walk away from him, but he immediately grabbed my wrists and shook his head. It was evident how terrified he was that he wouldn't let me keep walking.

"You mustn't go. It's dangerous. Whatever you're planning, leave it" he said quietly as he glanced back. He was looking as if someone was watching us, but even with my powers I couldn't sense anyone.

Still that didn't deter me from making sure I help the Princess. If I can warn her or give her a more detail explanation of what they plan to do, maybe we can find a way to get rid of my family. I bit my lip as I looked up at Lazarus. Pleading with him to let me go.

"I have to go. I will be back tonight" I said as I tried to gently push him away. There's no way that I would be dragging him into this. It's something I have to deal with alone especially since it involved my stupid family.

Lazarus stared at me quietly before sighing in defeat. I smiled, thinking he was going to let me go before he opened his mouth.

"I'm going with you," he said with such determination. It wasn't up for negotiation. No matter what I tell him will make him walk away. I was about to refuse when he held up his hand and shook his head. His eyes silently yelling the words: I will not take no for an answer.

Sighing, I nod and we began to walk deeper into the forest. It was a comfortable silence until he began to speak. "Where are we going?" He asked warily.

"Mortal Realm," I whispered as we fell back to silence. He didn't question any further until we reached near the border. We both shifted to look more mortal before we crossed the realm without looking twice.