Haunting Shadows (Book 2)

Chapter 9

By the time Raphael had reached his own room after visiting Lana that morning, his breath was unsteady and very heavy. Emotion threatened to overwhelm him as he was once again swarmed with images of a girl with raven hair and such frightened grey eyes. Seeing Lana in her current state reminded him too much of the girl he was forced to leave behind. The girl he loved even to this day.

The girl that would never forgive him.

He paced around his room in quiet contemplation. This was supposed to be easy. How hard could it be to convince someone to stop loving Andreas? The man was bad… evil… he killed and tortured people. Why was he unable to sway Lana? Sure, he hadn’t really tried yet. But trying to get her to like him should’ve help somewhat, right?

He thought it would be easy to move on to another girl. It had been two years since he last saw or heard from Mallory, surely she would have moved on by now. Why couldn’t he do the same?  Why was he still plagued by her everywhere he went? He couldn’t let go. He didn’t want to. And now, even when winning Lana over would save his life, he still couldn’t do it. How did you just forget something so special? Someone who meant the world to you?

Raphael hadn’t had a choice when he left her. How he wished he had. Things would be so different now. Maybe he and Mallory would have been married, already planning their family. The thought welled tears in his eyes. He had been a fool and now he was paying the price.

There was a knock on his door, startling him out of his mind. “Raphael?” Eric asked, peeking inside.

Raphael sat down on his bed and gestured for Eric to come in. “What is it Eric?”

“Princess Elisa is requesting your presence at the palace… or should I call her queen now?” Eric said, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Raphael rose to his feet again. “She wants to see me today?”

Eric nodded. “A servant from the palace just arrived with the message.”

“Did he say what Elisa’s business with me could be?”

“No, but I’m guessing it has something to do with the laws concerning magic users. You don’t think she suspects?” Eric asked, leaning against the doorway.

“No, she wouldn’t. One thing you cannot accuse Princess Elisa of is being smart. I fear for this kingdom’s fate now resting in her hands.”

“Let’s hope she marries soon.”

Raphael walked over to the door and Eric straightened out, allowing the former to pass him. “I don’t know how long this could take.”

“You don’t have to worry, I will take care of Lana. She’ll be safe with me. You know you can trust me, right?”

Raphael offered Eric a small smile.  The boy had done nothing to deem himself anything other than loyal and trustworthy. Maybe, Raphael thought, I should tell him about Almahalc’s curse… He mentally shook his head. No, he couldn’t. Eric would only try to convince him not to do it. This was Raphael’s problem, it wasn’t fair to drag Lana into it. And he would listen, because Eric would be right. But then he would die. He just needed a little more time to figure out another way. There had to be something else he could do.

Raphael placed his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “I know. I value your loyalty and your friendship, Eric. I’m sorry of I don’t tell you that enough.”

“Raphael, what is really going on? Why are you keeping her here? Why can’t we tell her brother she is alive?”

“Zane is under constant watch now. If one sibling is found guilty of magic, it’s very likely the other would be as well. If he knew, staging Lana’s death would have been for nothing.”

“Then why did you tell her Andreas never came for her? I heard that, you know. And I haven’t told her the truth yet because I’m sure you have your reasons, but you need to trust me if you expect me to continue to cover for you.”

Raphael contemplated this. Of course Eric was right. He knew that. But now wasn’t the time. “Eric, trust me blindly for just a while longer, please. I will tell you everything when I come back from the palace, you have my word.”

Eric nodded, but didn’t seem happy with this. Raphael gave him one more pat on the shoulder and headed off, promising himself that he’d make it up to Eric later.