Crown Of The Damned (Damned Book 1) [On Hold]

Chapter 8

It had been a month since we left the Sewers. Things had gotten interesting. We found out about my mother and father, they were supposedly living in a town off the coast. Vinnie had joined me and Daemon, along with Lukas and his sister Yulia. They were Portuguese. I had met them in the tavern back in the Sewers. Well, Lukas at least. 

     "Princesa, how much longer until we reach town?"

Looking towards Lukas, I shrugged at his question. "Don't know. Not long, couple more minutes. I can see the church just over there." I pointed ahead of us, through a couple trees. We were heading through the forest, staying off the road. The countries guard had been patrolling the roads everywhere since Lilia and Robert had died. They had blamed the deaths on me, putting a bounty on my head. £60,0000 for me dead or alive. My previous status had been forgotten, and apparently, a sudden distance cousin from the country was now bringing up my old kingdom. Like that was ever going to work. Country folk didn't know how to do things like that. 

Passing through the trees, we made it to town. Upon arriving, we all unmounted and began leading the horses through town. Keeping our hoods up and kept our heads down. Every now and then we would pass a guard. Quickly we'd blend in with the crowd in the market. Guards wouldn't notice us though, it was shocking because we were with horses as well. 

Moving through the crowded streets, we made it out of the markets and started heading down a dimly lit street. "Daemon, where is the house? You never-" Before I could finish, my horse suddenly stopped. Not expecting it, I ended up falling backwards, looking up at the beast, I wondered what happened. She hadn't done this since the time we were attacked some weeks back. Standing up, I dusted myself off and watched as my horse turned and began walking away rather quickly. Confused, I looked towards Daemon before quickly running after her, grabbing her reins and struggling to get her to halt. Forcefully pulling the reins, I lead her back over to the others. 

     "Cosa è successo a lei? I haven't seen a horse do that before. Did you kick her in the wrong spot?" Shaking my head, I patted her on the nose gently. 

     "I have never seen her do that before. Probably just saw something that spooked her. Niente di cui preoccuparsi." I began following Yulia and Daemon down the dimly lit and empty street. "Where is it that my parents live?"

     "Around here somewhere. Perché? I told you how long it will take to reach the place. As well as the others." Walking up to a house, he tied the reins of his horse to a wooden post sticking out from the ground. I looked and saw seven others. Mimicking him, I wrapped my reins around the post opposite of Daemon's, making a tight knot that I knew I could untie later. Maybe other's couldn't, but I could. "In here. Your madre e il padre would live here. If they aren't home, then I promise that we'll wait for them. Va bene?"

Nodding, I walked over to the door. I looked up at the house, inspecting it. They had all the money in the world. Why would they leave their kingdom behind for a dirty old town, living in a run-down shack. I bet the place didn't even have a bathroom inside the house. "Should we really go inside? I mean, what if they come back and don't know who I am?" 

     "I'm sure they won't know. Look at you! You look completely different than when I first met you." Looking down at my clothing, I couldn't deny that. I had cut my hair shoulder length and I wore dirty, ragged looking clothes that most thieves wore. The women, at least. 

     "I guess you're right. I can't deny that." Smiling, I slowly pushed the door open, There wasn't even a lock on it. But I'm sure that they wouldn't have to worry about any of their valuables being stolen since they had none. "It's dirty... Dirtiest house I've seen. Daemon, are you sure this is the place?" Being as confused as I was, I looked at him as if he was insane when I heard him laugh abruptly. I liked his laugh. It was seemingly soft, quiet, and raspy. I had began thinking more of him since we had become lovers a month back. 

Gently patting the top of my head, he led me inside in front of the others. "Princessa, I'm sure you should be used to such conditions now, no? After all, you have become a thief. And a rather good one if I may add." I saw a smirk spread across his face slowly, along with a pleased twinkle in his eye. I could never tell what he was thinking no matter how hard I tried. He was like an untouchable book. Bound by old, ancient, rugged leather, sitting on an old bookshelf. Like one you would see if you had gone into my kingdoms large library before it was all burnt to ashes. Priceless and full of mysteries and wonders. "But let's just sit, maybe we can look around the house for anything interesting," gesturing up the stairs, he smiled. Nodding at him, I headed towards the stairs.

Ascending the stairs, I cringed when hearing a loud creak. I don't think that I could deal with living in a house like this. Bounding up the stairs, I walked down the dark hallway towards the room at the end of the hall.

Quietly opening the shabby wooden door, I looked into the bedroom. There was barely anything in here. I definitely had lots of questions for my parents when and if they arrived, if they ever did. Strolling inside, I walked over to a lone desk in the corner of the room across from the bed. Sitting down in the what seemed like a rotting chair, I opened a drawer. Finding a sealed letter, I picked it up and opened it. Inside was a picture. Looking at it, I found me, mother, father and Robert. There was another girl in it, but she didn't look familiar. I was holding her hand, and smiling. Shaking my head, I tossed it on the desk and began to read what was written on the paper I had found. 

Robert,

   Take care of your sister. You know her better than I. You know of everything, your sister does not. Please, keep the secrets from her. She wouldn't know how to handle any of it. How have you been? Has Mira grown up well? She behaves like a lady, correct? I'm glad you've taught her. Your father arrived today just before midnight, don't tell Mira, okay? It would break her to know her father doesn't want her. I've important business to attend to in the city. I will contact you again in a month, I promise.

                  Love,

                       Your mother

The letter was old. My father had left so long ago. Had Robert not heard from them since? Standing up, I pocketed it and left. Walking downstairs, I found Daemon sifting through their things. I knew he couldn't be stealing, there was literally nothing he could possibly take that they wouldn't notice. 

     "Daemon. Let's not steal anything from my parents."

     "Va bene. I won't. They've nothing a thief wants any ways." Laughing, he sat on the dusty, old green sofa in the middle of the living room. I sat down next to him. "Your parent's should be home soon, no?"

     "Yes, they should. Perché me lo chiedi?"

Laughing, he flung his arm around me, abruptly yanking me closer to his body, "No reason at all. I've things to do today. I don't want to be waiting around for them forever. Capito?"

Looking at him as if he was insane, I just sighed, deciding to brush his stupid behaviour off. "Va bene, I get it." 

Sitting there for what felt like forever, we both turned swiftly when hearing the door creak open.