Snow White Queen [NaNoWriMo 2018]

Chapter Twenty-Two

Did you hear? Neva Erythrodis was killed.

The whispers floated around the Nezerra castle. It seemed that everyone learned the information all at once.

The first time Dorian heard the words, he stopped in his tracks.

Neva is dead.

The words sucked all warmth out of the room. No. It can't be. He had seen Neva just a few days ago. How could she be...

Dorian wasted no time. He took it upon himself to get to the Erythrodis castle. He had to see Lilia. He had to know the truth.

~~~

Lilia jerked her head up in surprise when the door of her office was thrown open, revealing Dorian Nezerra.

"Is it true? Is she dead?"

Lilia dropped her gaze, not replying.

"Lilia?"

"I'm sorry."

Dorian dropped into the seat opposite her desk. His face was blank, as if he was having trouble processing the information. "How...?"

Lilia adopted a sympathetic tone. "I don't know for sure. Someone must have snuck into the castle and killed her in her sleep." She reached across the desk. "I know you loved her. I did too. If you ever need anything, I'm here for you."

She honestly felt for him. He was a good guy. It wasn't his fault that the girl he loved was a vampire. She really wanted to help him.

Dorian said nothing for a while. They both just sat there in silence; Lilia guessed that he didn't want to be alone with this information.

After some time, Lilia stood up. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you like. I have other things to take care of, but there's plenty of people here for you to talk to.

Dorian remained still. She hoped he would be okay.

~~~

Neva waited in the shadows, hoping she would remain unseen. She knew she had to disappear for a while, but there was something she had to do first.

In the twilight, Dorian wandered through the palace gardens. Neva waited until he was almost at her hiding place before she quietly called out.

"Dorian."

His head jerked up, searching for the sound.

Neva stepped out of the shadows and smiled. "I've missed you."

Disbelief colored Dorian's face. "Neva? I- I-"

"Thought I was dead?" She smirked. "Not exactly."

"How- What- Why?"

"Long story." Neva quickly scanned the garden. "We need to get out of here. I'll explain everything."

"The castle's right there, I'm sure Lilia would be thrilled to see you-"

"No, I promise she wouldn't."

"What?"

They were out of the garden by now. Neva looked around, locating a grove of trees that would offer them concealment.

"Neva, what's going on?"

"Lilia tried to have me killed. I found her assassin out and sent him back with a fake heart. She thinks I'm dead and it needs to stay that way."

Dorian stared in silence at her, taking a moment to process this new information. "Why?"

"Before I tell you, can you promise not to freak out?"

"Why would I- Of course. What's going on?"

"Promise not to turn me over to Lilia?"

"Neva, what's going on?"

Neva took a deep breath to steady herself. "I'm a vampire. Have been since I was two."

More disbelief from Dorian. "What?"

"A vampire got into the castle and would have killed me if I hadn't been Turned. My father hired a vampire to teach me and she tried to kill Lilia and she thought it was me. So now she thinks I'm a threat to her and she wants me dead." That wasn't the whole truth, but if Dorian knew it was her that had tried to kill Lilia, then he'd definitely turn against her.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"Because I need your help."

"With what?"

"To kill Lilia."

"What? No!"

"It's either me or her."

"No, there has to be another way."

"There isn't time for that. Dorian please-"

"No! I can't do this for you."

They stared at each other in desperation.

"Dorian..."

He shook his head and walked away. She watched him retreat, making no move to stop him.

Neva sunk down to the ground and buried her head in her arms. He thinks I'm a monster.

She had just lost the last person she truly cared for.

~~~

Dorian stood outside of Lilia's bedroom door. I should tell her. I should tell her that Neva is alive and that her life's in danger.

He couldn't.

Why not?

If he did, then Neva's life would be in danger. If he told Lilia where she was, then she would most certainly be killed.

Vampire or no, he still loved her. He didn't want to join her, but he didn't want to fight her either.

He turned away from Liila's door and walked back to his room.

The next day, he said his farewells to Lilia and returned home.

Just so you know I rewrote the end of this chapter
I feel the need to tell you all that I have a YouTube channel now... Yay. It's called Writer Brain, and I swear I didn't know there was a channel called Agent Brain/Writer Brain until after I uploaded the video...
Anyway hope you enjoyed. Leave a vote if you did and a comment with your thoughts. I'll see you next time.
~Patchesmimi

Here's the video, if you're curious