Dark Enchantment (Elvis Presley Story)

Chapter 55

To their great suprise, Aurora didn't come marching up to Elvis room with an armed cadre guard and a crystal in hand, demanding his hide, in fact, when there was a knock on the door a few hours later, Charles appeared, Summoning them for food.

Elvis couldn't help but be suspicious.

As Sophia took his hand and walked with him downstairs, she was obviously mentally preparing herself to battle with her sister over him. But when they reached the dining room, Aurora barely looked at him. Her face was not friendly and her manner were stiff and formal, but there wasn't a crystal in sight.

What was going on?

Luckily their father was still on a high about the Demon stone, asking Elvis question after question about its sojourn to the dark realm-not that he could answer any of them. Listening to his joyful excitement was enough to make the meal pass quickly despite the fact that neither of his daughters had said more than five words the whole time.

After their father excused himself, Aurora turned and drilled her gaze into Elvis. "I don't know how you managed it, but you've got yourself a reprieve, demon." She looked singularly unhappy about it, too. "I took your case to the cadre high council and asked for a crystallisation order on you."

Sophia gasped. "Aurora!"

Her eyes didn't leave him. "It was for your own good, Sophia. He's after your soul."

"Elvis is not-"

Aurora slashed a hand through the air. "It doesn't matter. The council denied my request."

His heart nearly stopped beating. It gave a stutter. "But..."

Her mouth turned down angrily. "They interviewed the gargoyles. I don't know how you managed to deceive them, but they actually supported you. They swear your heart is pure."

Sophia lit up and broke into a huge smile. "I told you so!"

Aurora stood abruptly. "For our father's sake I will keep quiet about your ridiculous bargain, Sophia. It would break his heart to know-" She swallowed. Her gaze swung back to Elvis, seething. "You have one more night with my sister. Then you are out of here. Frankly I don't give a damn if Marcolf guns you down right outside the gate."

"Aurora, you aren't being fair!" Sophia protested in shock.

"If I ever catch you near my sister after tomorrow," She continued as though her sister hadn't spoken, "you will end up in a crystal. Do you understand me?"

Elvis didn't want to tempt Aurora into calling Marcolf with the actual location of the gate, so he merely nodded. But his insides were churning.

Never see Sophia again? He couldn't imagine his life without her in it.

What could he do?

He could kidnap her and take her to the dark realm where the cadre couldn't follow. But the other dark denizens would be merciless to her. She'd hate it there.

He could take her far away, to Hawaii maybe? No, Aurora would find them there for sure. She'd find them anywhere they went. The cadre had contacts all over the world. Neither dark realm nor mortal realm was safe. There was truly no place to hide.

"Don't worry, Elvis," Sophia's reassuring voice penetrated his depressing thoughts. Her hand covered his. "We'll find a way through this."

He sighed. "I'm afraid it will take far greater powers than I possess to make that happen, Baby."

"There are greater powers," She assured him softly. She squeezed his hand. "You just have to have faith."

He gazed into her eyes, and for the briefest of moments, he did. He believed.

In her. In their love.

"Sophia," he whispered. "Baby."

Neither of them had said the magical words aloud, but there was no hiding their feelings for each other. He knew she loved him as deeply as he loved her. That knowledge was his greatest joy, their greatest strength. And yet, would surly be their downfall.

"You have to promise me one thing, baby."

Her eyes widened. Her lips parted. "Elvis, what is it?"

"I need you to promise me something."

"Anything."

He took a deep breath. "Promise me that no matter what happens, you'll always love me as you do now."

Tears filled her eyes. "Of course I will," She whispered, reaching for him. She took his face between her hands and placed a tender kiss upon his lips.

"Swear to me," he murmured. "Say it, and swear."

He was scaring her. He could tell.

"I love you, Elvis," She said quietly. "I always will. I swear I will."

He folded her into his arms and held her tight. Desperate not to let her go. Never to let go. Because soon she would know the truth about him. She'd see it herself. And when she did know the truth, no matter how sincerely she had just sworn to love him always, she'd reject him.

And then he might as well just beg Aurora to put him in a crystal.

Because without Sophia, he simply didn't wish to go on living.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! And thanks for reading! xoxo