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

Chapter 9

Standing up, pulling out of Daemon's grasp I turned to the door. "Mother?" She looked at me wide-eyed and shocked. This woman standing before me, my mother. Her hair was faded, her eyes tired and red. Her clothes were ragged, hanging off of her small, thin stick-like figure, looking larger on her than they should.

     "Oh dio! Mirajane, sweetie. Is that you?" Cautiously and slowly, I stood there as she walked towards me, arms extended to pull me into a hug that I'd longed to feel. "Oh, how you've grown so. La tua età? How old are you now, Mira?" 

     "Mother, my age is not important. Tell me about Robert. What was with him and Lilia?" Looking at her, I stared intently, I wasn't going to back down. I wanted, and needed to know. "Mother. I want you to tell me what you know about Robert and her." I watched as she panicked, trying not to show it.

     "Alright, Mira. I'll tell you what you want." I kept my eyes glued to her boney figure as she sat across from me in a chair. Daemon had come to join, sitting down next to me as she began to explain everything.

We had left my mothers village, on the way to the Capital. My mother sitting on horseback behind me. Daemon and the others in front of us. I still could not believe anything she had said. Me, Robert and Lilia? It couldn't possibly be.

     "Your father and I disowned her at a young age. She was not wanted, Mira. I'm sorry."

     "That does not give you an excuse to hide this from me for the time you did! She died! Murdered! Robert died in front of me... You have no idea how confused I have been." Crossing my arms, I shook my head as Daemon wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close.

     "It's alright Mira. Calmare..." Pushing him away, I stood up. Glaring at my mother, I stepped over Daemon's legs and left, making sure to slam the door behind myself. I was too mad to look at her. Keeping this a secret, abandoning me and keeping in contact with Robert and possibly Lilia too since I was a baby. It was too much.

A twig struck me in the face as I slowly began swerving off the road ahead, spitting aside the dirt, swatting the twig away I pulled my horse back onto the road. Fuck. Daemon was looking back at me, laughing at me. "Pay attention principessa. Don't let that pretty face get scratched up before we get to the capital."

     "Whatever you say... I'm fine. Don't worry about me." rolling my eyes, my horse trotted up next to Lukas. His hood was pulled back. I got a pretty good look at his face. He was just as attractive as Daemon. Yulia, his sister was sitting behind him with her hood pulled over her face.

     "Oh, Mira. Bondade, your face is scratched. Did you lose a brawl with that tree back there?" Sighing, I heard him and Yulia snicker. Was everything I did just that funny? My life was already miserable enough, they didn't have to make it any worse.

     "Yeah.. I did, but I won. Don't worry about it Lukas... My face isn't that pretty any more."

     "Ah, princessa. Don't lie to yourself like that. It isn't healthy. But, as my own mãe would tell me, uma cara só pode ser tão bonito como um coração." Smiling to himself, he glanced up at the sky before looking back towards me.

     "What does that mean? It sounds pretty.." Staring at him, I had no clue what he had said. I spoke Portuguese, but not enough to know what he just said.

     "Ah, how beautiful she was..." looking at me, he smiled, "I will tell you one day. Sometime in the future I'll say it to you again. When you're marrying that is." Laughing, his horse began trotting as we rode upon the gate to the Capital.

     "Whatever." Riding up to the gate, we unmounted. Helping my mother off my horse, I let Daemon take her, tying my horse's bridle around a stake. Keeping my mother up, I followed them inside, completely confused as to why we were even here. "Daemon. Why are we here? There must be better things to do than come into the city."

     "We are here for a reason. You will know soon enough, don't worry. Circa, princessa, it will be fun."

     " Ve bene, Daemon." Heading inside an inn with them, I looked around amazed. I had never seen such a aweing inn in such a long time. I never stayed in an inn with my status any way. "Is this were we're supposed to be? I haven't ever-" Being cut off by Lukas by being shushed, I looked at him confused. "What?"

     "Mira. We aren't well liked here, I suggest you keep your gob shut." He glanced back towards me, I nodded. Looking down towards the floor, trying my best to avoid eye contact with anyone. Eyes were on us. Wood elves who were rarely seen in towns were looking at us. Mercenaries, thieves, thugs, even rogues of the King's Army were here. "Come, follow." Following Lukas and Daemon who had my mother, I glanced towards some who stared at us. I don't think I could get used to this.

      We walked into a back room, away and out of sight. I found enough beds for all of us lined up against the walls. I had only assumed that we'd stay for the night. "What are we doing?"

Daemon turned to look at me after sitting on a bed in the corner, patting a spot for me next to him. "We're resting up. Come, the others can occupy the other beds." Obeying his instructions, I headed over, sitting down and beginning to get comfortable.

Throughout the night we discussed our plan. Everything. Daemon and Lukas made sure to go over everything at least five times. Lukas and I were the last to sleep. We talked about everything and everyone. I managed to learn more about him and his sister, and even Daemon. My lover's story was worse than mine, and I promised to make up for everything he had lost.