The Fire Within

Blessing

Alex held Cirice close to him, breathing in her scent--filling his lungs with it. He savored the moment, the sunlight warm on his skin as he opened his eyes.

He leapt back in suprise, relealsing the corpse that was Cirice moments ago. He cried out as it fell to the ground and began to twitch. A bone cracked as the arm twisted, the spine following in a symphony as the figure moved. The corpse opened it’s mouth, blood pouring down it’s jaw as it spoke. 

“Alex, what have you done!?” it shreiked, it’s voice eerily similar to Cirice’s. Alex cried out, stumbling backwards and falling against the hard ground. The corpse moved quicker, seizing his ankle, the Earth sinking beneath them. 

“You can’t save her now!” Alex jumped, glancing up to see his father. He reached out to him, the corpse yanking him further into the hole. Alpha just stared at him as Alex’s grip on the Earth broke and he fell. 

She belongs to me now. A new, deep and gutral voice sounded. 

“Alex! Wake up!” Alex shot up, his head almost colliding with Ithica’s as she stared down at him. He was sweating, his head spinning as he recalled where he had fallen asleep. Papa was still in his chair, his face contorted in concern as Alex realized he had fallen asleep mimnets after Mason had left. 

He fought to calm his breathing as a knock sounded on the door. Mason appeared, looking disheveled as Ithica went to his side. Alex straightened himself, sitting up and stretching. Mason took a seat on the opposite couch. 

“I have located Princess Cirice. She is trapped in Cardinal Copia’s castle in the mountains. There are ghuls posted at all entrances,” Mason started. 

“I can handle them,” Alex shot, his hands burning as Papa shushed him, eager to hear more of Mason’s discoveries. 

“As we feared, he plans to use her for the Dark Rite. She will be the Lamb.” Mason reported, knowing very well it was nothing more than a guise to get Papa where he needed to be to be taken down. The thought of finally having Cirice to himself made him shiver in excitement. He was glad the chill of the night covered the action. 

“The Dark Rite will take place in two days. I suggest we attack during the ceremony. A majoirty of the ghuls will bear witness, leaving the entrances unattended. It also will be easier for us to blend in for an attack.” Mason explained, his entire plan calculated and orchestrated by the Cardinal himself. Alex and Papa shared a look, worry painting their faces. 

“So we shall. In the meantime we require you go back once more, and gather anymore information you can collect. For now just rest, you have done such a great service to the Vale.” Papa said, gesturing to Ithica who opened the door to the foyer. Mason nodded and left the room. Alex shook his head, looking at Papa. 

“Something isn’t right,” he started, finishing the drink he had abandoned earlier for sleep. Papa put a fist to his mouth, his face hard in concentration. 

“Do you suspect he knows more than he is leading us to believe?" Papa asked as Alex stood up to pour himself another glass of Port. He shrugged.

"I don't know yet, but I will find out. Sorry I fell asleep on you." Alex commented filling his glass and sitting where Mason had been moments earlier. Papa waved it off. 

"You had a long day, you needed the rest." he insisted as Alex took a sip of his glass. 

"I believe I owe you an apology." Papa started carefully, his eyes on the fire. Alex looked at him, curious.

"I was so blinded by the love of my daughter that I failed to see the truth right in front of me." he said, looking at Alex. 

"You remind me very much of myself when I was your age. Impatient, headstrong, but very protective of the ones you love." Papa said, glancing up at the painting above the mantle. Alex eyed the woman staring back at him, hints of Cirice in her face. 

"You loved her a lot, didn't you?" Alex asked softly, recalling his own undeniable affiliation for Cirice. Papa chuckled.

"It was as if she hung the stars and the moon. She is the air I breathe, and I fought so ardently for her, much like you have for my daughter." Papa added, sighing into his glass. Alex contemplated the words. 

"If it were a dream I would never have her marry. Cirice would stay that sweet little thing I loved so much in that valley--she would be here too," Papa whispered, eyes flickering to the painting. 

"But it is not a dream." he added, shifting. 

"I can think of no one more deserving of my daughter than you. You have dispalyed bravery in the presense of fear and a tenderness to her. You have my blessing." Papa said, bowing his head slightly to Alex who smiled.

"Thank you. You've no idea how long I have waited to hear those words." Alex said, closing his eyes for a moment and imagining her. Not as the nightmare but as the dream. A dream that was now possibly attainable if he saved her in time. 

"Should we heed Mason's plans? Do you think the Cardinal would hurt her?" Alex asked quickly. Papa thought for a moment, eyeing the fire. He then shook his head. 

"If it is one thing the Cardinal is devoted to it's the Vale. With Cirice's role in the Dark Rite, he would not dare harm her before it is time." Papa replied, worry pitting in his stomach as he willed himself to believe the words. 

"What hapens if he succeeds?" Alex asked, this time his throat tight at even entertaining the thought.

"He won't." Papa snapped, angrily pushing himself up and leaving the room. Alex sighed and sunk back into the couch, thoughts of Cirice safe and sound swirling in his head.