Fated Enemies

Chapter 24 - Stories and Legends

The Library of the castle was an enormous space, covered in its walls with shelves full of books of all types, old and new, from too to bottom it had a sliding ladder that gave access to the top books, the only light in the room was from the candles lit into every corner and on top of the tables so people could read, it was rarely used by others than Charles, whom no one had seen since last night when they've performed the ritual to connect with Alexa.

Truman was searching for the shorter man and knew as he knew himself that he would be in the library, searching for the theme that Alexa had asked.

If he did what he told them he would he'd be in the darkroom of the library, they call that because it was a room locked by a key that no one knew where it was, and Alexa never cared for breaking the lock or the door down, so what was behind it remained a mystery, but Charles had read all the books there and knew that no one talked about mates or hybrids or vampires and werewolves co-existing he would break down the door.

And that was the first thing Truman noticed the broken door of the darkroom, inside barely lit with only a candle, was Charles, his head down into a book, a little piece of parchment paper was next to him, a feather and a container of ink were at hand for him to take notes. He was so into what he was reading that he didn't notice Truman entering the room and be astonished by the books and the shelves in one wood carved to show a story in figures.

- What's this? - He asked startling Charles who jumped from his seat and looked to Truman. - Sorry to startle you, I was looking for you.

- No problem, that seems to be the story of creation, but not as we know it. - Answered Charles. - This one shows that an entity created the Wolves and the Vampires so they would complement each other in peace, what one couldn't do the other could. The rest is still a mystery to me.

- Have you eaten today? - Truman asked, concerned.

- Yes I have, yesterday before coming here, I asked the Cook to prepare my meals and sent them to the library.

- What did you find?

- Many more questions. - He answered cryptically. - Sit here I'll explain.

Truman sited down right beside Charles looking for the parchment paper that he held with his handwriting, small and round perfect:

- In the beginning werewolves and vampires lived side by side, in peace, and often with truly blessed and powerful people from both species they mated, true mates, it was common for werewolves to find their true mate, the one that was meant to be, in the other species, that mate bond created Lycans from vampires and gifted the werewolf part with some gifts that were different from case to case, their offspring were rare and extremely powerful, as he had both parts Vampire and Werewolf and a touch of elemental magic, many children didn't get to adulthood because they couldn't control the power or the changes of the species. So for many years, the Lycan mates refused to have children so they wouldn't have their hearts broken when the child didn't get through in controlling their powers. Millennia ago the vampire population decided to forbid the Mate bond, and that drove a wedge between the two species and they drove apart creating the kingdoms as we know them.

- So Queen Alexa might face all of that? - Truman asked saddened by what was instore to the Queen.

- Yes it might face it all or none of it. It isn't a certainty and she would be strong enough to guide her offspring with our help, and Arya's help. But there's more, the mated couple can't live without the other if one dies the other dies too and the offspring of them would become an orphan and that's the main reason they would die once they would lose any connection with the world and anyone who could guide them. But history shows that some of those children survived by choosing only one side, sorcerer, vampire, or werewolf. History written in these books is old but reaches the time of the great war and the Treaty. The war started when Sirenna, the younger sister of Leonidas, fell in love with Vladi, King of Vampires, they were supposed to be mates, but Leonidas forbid it leading to a war, his intentions on why he didn't want this to happen we're unclear, some say they craved for her sister, others say that he wanted to marry her to one of his wolves. And after that, we already know what happened.

- If anyone can thread through that waters is Alexa. - Truman reassured himself and Charles.

- I believe that but on other hand what about the people of Zulcan? Would they accept a Hybrid as their future queen or king, or will it cause riots and civil war just so not to mention how will the vampires react to this? - Asked Charles making the hard questions as it was usual of him to do.

- It's hard questions that need answers but not right now, we will have to take a step at a time and see how is going. - Answered Truman always realistic.

- It will be hard times not to mention this other wolf, the army that's marching towards us.

- We know Charles, we know... But we have to be optimistic about it. We will prevail, we have to have faith in Queen Alexa.

- I have! More than I have in myself. How's your task faring?

- Very well, we have good archers and good soldiers the people of the land came running once they knew what was happening.

- Good at least good news. - Charles smiled, making dimples on the corner of his lips.

- You know I needed to talk to you. - Truman said in a low voice, looking at his hands.

- What about? - Charles asked, after a minute of silence.

- I know that all this life could end tomorrow, and I can't hide this anymore, I don't know about you, but since we were mere teenagers I know that I love you, I was afraid that the feeling was not reciprocal but that doesn't matter to me anymore I needed to tell you and ear what you have to say.

Charles was looking to Truman with an open mouth, amazed he was red, Truman looked at him with hope in his eyes, Charles took Truman's hands on his hand.

- Hearing that is like lifting a weight off my shoulders. I think I've been in love with you since the time that you've been in love with me! I was only afraid of what you might tell me or what others might think about my love for you.

- I don't think they would tell us anything. - Truman said taking Charles face in his hands leaning in to kiss him.

- Finally! It was about time you two admitted your feelings! - Said a voice at the entrance of the darkroom.

- Flora! - Charles yelled with anger in his voice.

- Hey calm down, just came in here to tell you that Arya wants reports of what you found as soon as possible.

- I'll get to that when I can! - Charles answered.

- Everyone knew? - Asked Truman

- Off we knew! We know each other since childhood you can hide your feelings as well as Andrew and Elia! - Commented Flora.

- Do you think Alexa knows? - Asked Truman.

- Oh I don't know for sure! But I doubted she wouldn't know about it. She knows us better than we know ourselves. Believe me! And I know for sure she wouldn't judge you, it isn't like her.

- We know... But all the same, we were afraid to come clean with each other about what to say about telling everyone. - Charles explained.

- Now you know. Well, I'll leave you tel to finish reconnecting in that manner, and I'll warn the others to not come in this direction! - Flora smirked and left the library leaving the two newfound lovers to discover the body of one another.