Everlasting Series: Princess and the Vampire (GxG)

Chapter Twenty-Three

72 A.D.

Elliana

"Princess...draining...magic.........."

I forced my eyelids to open as I heard muttered whispers from around me. The first thing that I noticed was that I was back in Cael. "Princess!" I turned my head weakly to see the same little girl who had followed me to Daemonia.

"Charlene." I whispered.

"You did it! You brought us home." She grinned happily and I smiled back weakly.

"Charlene, would you mind giving me and the princess a moment alone?" It was then that I noticed my father was sitting in the chair across from my bed with a solemn expression.

"Of course, your majesty." Charlene Howe's respectfully before waving at me and walking out of my room.

My father slowly made his way over to my bedside and sat down. "Is it true?" He muttered with his eyes shut. "Has your brother betrayed us all?"

Remembering the words shared between Alysia and Sebastian, I nodded. "The villagers are dead, Father." I sobbed.

"Regretfully, yes. There was nothing I could do. He had taken you as well and Cael's number one priority was finding their Princess and future heir."

"I-what?!"

"That is a matter which can be discussed at a later date." I immediately turned at the sound of the familiar voice. "Tyrian, you're needed in the boardroom for the final plans."

"Grandfather!" My father nodded and exited the room as grandfather walked over to me with a tired, worried look.

"I arrived as soon as I could. I'm so, so sorry, sweetheart. I should have known! When they took you, we sent the generals down to search for you, but the daemons insisted that you weren't there. They got into a fight and one of them set off the cursed fire. Thank the heavens that your magic came out in time. I'm so proud of you." He stroked my hair softly.

"Charlene saved me, that little girl." I said softly. "She followed them when they took me and she taught me what to do."

Grandfather smiled appreciatively. "We will forever owe her a great debt."

"Wh-What did father mean about future heir?!" I suddenly remembered.

"Don't fret about that. It can't be discussed when you have healed. Not only did the early onset of your magic drastically weaken your body, but the poison was still in your system." Grandfather ordered firmly and I nodded in compliance.

"Th-the villagers..."

At this, grandfather's face dropped and he looked away. "Just concentrate on getting better now, Elli. I have some matters to attend to. Would you like Charlene to keep you company? I have informed her parents that she is welcome to stay in the palace for as long as she wishes and her family will be treated with the utmost respect."

"Yes, please." Grandfather kissed me on the forehead and left the room. Minutes later, Charlene came running back in.

"Princess! Did you hear?"

"Elli...and no, I didn't."

"I can't call you by your name, you're a princess!" She sounded shocked.

"Well so are you, but I call you Charlene."

"I'm not a princess, silly!"

I giggled. "You said you were my princess charming."