The Prince's Gift

Chapter 34.

I leaned forward in my seat and took in a deep slow breath before speaking. "I'm sorry. This has just been a lot to take in. I'd like to be shown to my room please if that's alright. I'd like to rest."

"Of course. We can continue the discussion tomorrow. We have quite a long time to make up for." Aurelia said quietly.

I gave her a short nod and stood to my feet, following a quiet Delphine out of the house as I heard a sigh from behind me before the door clicked shut.

"Don't worry. I've spoken truth. And as for your mother, she harbors a lot of pain and resentment against them. I'm sure you can understand why." Delphine said, urging me to soften as we walked down the winding boardwalk until we came to a smaller individual home tucked just beside the main tree. "This will be your home for the time being. I hope this will suffice."

"This will be perfect. Thank you Delphine."

"I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Adriana." Delphine said, nodding with a small smile as she turned and walked away from me, heading back down the suspended boardwalk.

I walked into the small home and let out a tight breath as I looked around. The room was surrounded by windows as lights twinkled around the perimeter, matching ones draped around the windows inside. A larger sized bed was placed against the wall, facing out of the windows and covered with plush covers and pillows. In front of the window was two small chairs and a table along with a wardrobe on the side wall beside the bed. It wasn't extravagant by any means, but it was perfect. It was mine. And it was all I needed.

The shock and beauty of the world I had somehow managed to step into was finally beginning to wear off. I had welcomed the distraction, as it had kept me from thinking too long on the pain I was now being filled with. My heart ached as a familiar stab shot through me. Zane was gone and I would never be able to see him again. And if I did, he would no longer be mine. I crawled into the bed, pulling my cover over my shoulders at a pail attempt of self-comfort as sobs began to rack my body. I could only hope that one day I could see him again, even if he could never truly be mine.

———

I'm suddenly standing in the throne room inside the palace and feel a sharp pain come down across my back. I scream out, only to realize that the voice is not my own. It's Zane's.

"I'll ask once more, where did you take her? Where have you hidden her?" Maddox's voice is snarling as he paces behind me.

I let out a breath, trying to hold in the pain as I speak. "I already answered you. I don't know where she is. Truly. She left me and I can no longer feel her presence. She's gone."

"Lies!" Maddox yelled before bringing down another striking blow across my back. The silver cat tail whip split my skin, sending an agonizing pain stinging through my body, and I felt blood begin to spill from the wound. He snarled and cracked the whip, giving me three more gaping wounds before speaking again. "I will continue until you've spoken truth. Where did you take her?"

"I took her into the forest." I said through gritted teeth, breathing hard to try and wait out the healing process. "She disappeared. I don't know where she is."

He growled and brought the whip down five more times, snarling louder as the ruined flesh quickly healed each time. "What the fuck is happening? He should be flayed open by now. How is this possible?" He muttered to the healer next to him.

"He must have ingested a healing aid highness. I'm afraid it won't work. You'll have to release him." The healer's voice said quietly.

Maddox growled loudly before finally huffing, snapping at his guard to release the silver chains binding my wrists.

"You got lucky this time prince. I won't be so kind next time. I will find proof." Maddox sneered as he stalked away.

The guard released my wrists and I hiss in pain as the skin is raw and exposed before it slowly begins to heal. I slump to the floor, catching my breath as my body begins to slowly return to normal. As I feel my wounds close, I lift myself off of the floor and raise my chin high before turning and slowly. Asking my way out of the throne room, the heavy brown doors opening for me as I leave the shocked crowd with mouths open behind me.

My eyes fluttered open slowly and I let out a long breath of relief. He was ok. It had worked. My blood had actually saved him.

The vision had come true.

That stunning realization was enough to jolt me awake instantly. I quickly got out of bed and dressed, running my hands through my hair and washing up before walking out of my little house. I had to find Delphine. I had to begin whatever training she could offer me. If I could help Zane, and see it, maybe I could see more. Maybe one day I could be more help to him. To all of the people I cared about.

I rounded the corner at the top of the copacul Vietii and nearly ran right into a tall caramel skinned female. She was waif thin but her body was lean solid muscle as she turned in surprise to look back at me.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. I..." I mumbled.

She put her hands up and flashed me a brilliant smile, instantly showing me that she actually had fangs. My jaw dropped and I straightened, looking around to gauge everyone's response to a vampire inside of this magical realm. "It's ok. They know what I am Adriana." She said reassuringly.

I closed my mouth and tried to relax, curiosity already beginning to eat at me as to what a vampire could be doing here among these people. "Who...are you? Why are you here?" I asked as evenly as possible. I thought I'd had to say goodbye to everything I'd known, but here was a vampire. Right in front of me.

"My name is Kora." She said, giving me a small smile as she nodded her head down at me in acknowledgement.

"What in the world are you doing here?" I asked letting out a breath.

She laughed lightly and brushed her silky long dark hair off her shoulder. "Well, that's a very long story. I came here shortly after the yearling war and they welcomed me in. Mostly because my family long ago had Talentati somewhere in our ancestors. Most of them just tolerate me but I have actually grown to really like it here."

I nodded as memories flashed into my mind of what I'd been told of the war. "Did you fight in the war? I've heard about how awful it was."

Her brow rose as she looked at me before realization crossed her face. "One of the vampires you worked for must have told you about it then?"

I froze, realizing she knew who I was, but nothing more. No one knew much of what I'd been or who I was prior to coming here. I simply nodded as my jaw clenched, trying not to think of Zane. She seemed to notice my sensitivity and quickly changed the subject thankfully.

"So, where are you off to so early?" She asked evenly.

"I'm looking for Delphine actually. Do you know where she is?"

"I know exactly where she is. I'll show you if you like." She said, giving me another small smile as she stepped to the side.

"That would be great. Thank you." I said, returning the smile as I followed her down one of the back boardwalks and away from the tree.