Chapter 53 - A Wall Around Us

Eloise’s POV

Before I knew it, a week had already passed since I arrived in Witches Land. I looked over the balcony from outside of my room and was amazed to see how much progress had gone into strengthening the castle’s defenses.

People were hard at work making it taller so it was much harder for the werewolves and vampires to be able to climb up and reach the castle. It was also reinforced so it could withstand a heavy siege.

Down at the courtyard, I watched as other witches were improving on the shield magic I taught them a few days ago. The headmasters picked up on the spells quick enough, so I knew I would be able to trust them with teaching any novice witches once I left.

I looked at the ring on my finger and sighed. I wonder what Xavier’s up to… I hope he’s okay.

A part of me missed his companionship and I hoped everything in Noah was still going smoothly. No one had sent word for me, so I assumed everything was alright.

Still, I knew it was time to head back and attend to my duties as Lady of the Leonards, regardless of how little the duties were. I went back into my room and grabbed the bag out of my closet to get ready to pack.

When I turned around, a sudden rush of cold air whirled around me. I gasped when I saw who stood before me.

Before I could scream, he placed a hand over my mouth.

“No need to make a fuss, my love. I’m only here to pay you a visit and nothing more.” His fangs showed from his smile.

Slowly, he removed his hand from my mouth as I calmed my breathing.

“What are you doing here?” I asked coldly.

“Oh, come now, Eloise. I just wanted to see if you were doing well! It had been so long since I’ve heard from you.”

I rolled my eyes. “What do you want, Adam?”

The smile never faded from his face but there was no mistaking the sinister feeling that came from the way he caressed my cheek.

I reeled myself back and put a couple of feet of distance between us. “I think you need to leave.”

Adam’s presence terrified more than it had before. As I observed him, it was obvious to me now that he had gotten bigger and more muscular.

He looked less regal and refined as I was used to him being. Instead, he appeared wilder. There was even a feral look in his eyes.

As I opened my mouth to tell him to leave again, he crossed the distance between us so fast that I couldn’t even process it. It was even more obvious that he had also gotten taller by the way his body towered over mine.

He bent down as his lips brushed mine.

The coldness of his lips coupled with the hot stench of iron caused me to push him back.

A wicked smile formed on his face. “When you see another opportunity to make the right decision, don’t be afraid to take it.”

Before I could respond, Adam pressed his cold lips against my forehead and dashed out the window. When I go outside the balcony to race after him, I find nothing out of place.

It was like his presence had been completely erased.

I didn’t even realize my hands were shaking so bad until I went back to packing my belongings. Once I was done, I quickly made my way to the stables so I could leave and return to be with Xavier.

How is it that I’m seeking to be safe within the arms of someone I’m supposed to kill?

Xavier’s POV

Today’s meeting ended on a good note, especially after Captain Oliver was rested and healed enough to attend. With very little discussion to be had, we all decided on where all of the able-bodied men would be stationed across Leonard territory.

It gave me hope to see former supporters of Douglas realize how much of a villain he truly was and that they were willing to realign themselves with my cause. All the more reason to fight for a better future for everyone–not just myself.

It was now only a matter of time until I had the rest of his kingdom turn against him.

After the meeting was done, I made my way to the stables to prepare for the journey to Witches Land. I missed Eloise a great deal and wanted her by my side once more.

I wonder if she feels the same…

The ride to Witches Land was peaceful until I came across a man out in the middle of the road. He didn’t seem to notice the sound of a horse trotting up the road so I assumed he was under the influence of something.

I cleared my throat. “I have important business to attend to, so I’m asking you once to please clear the way.”

When he didn’t budge, I dismounted my horse and called out to him again. “Are you in need of medical assistance? Any assistance?”

I guess that somehow struck a nerve because the man whirled around to face me, drool hanging from his chin.

“I-I don’t need YOUR help of all people.”

“You need something given your current state.” I rolled my eyes.

“And YOU’RE in need of having to do a better job of keeping Eloise safe!”

My eyes widened. “How do you know my wife?”

The man smirked at me as he mocked my expression.

“N-not so,” he hiccuped. “Big and tough now, huh?”

I approached the man and lifted him off the ground by his collar and shook him. “How do you know my wife?!”

As I shook the drunken fool, something fell out of his pocket. I threw him to the ground and saw it was a locket with the Wisdom family crest on it.

“Where did you get this from? Speak now or I have no other option than to assume you’re a thief!” I roared.

The man’s eyes widened for a brief moment as I lost him in a laughing fit. Though the man opened his mouth to speak, instead, he simply passed out.

I ran my hand down my face. What an absolute pain.

I decided to inspect the locket to see who it belonged to and was surprised to find out that the drunken idiot may very well be Eloise’s brother. The photo inside had a photo of the two of them and their parents.

I let out a heavy sigh and hoisted the man on the back of my horse and continued to journey to Witches Land. I could hardly believe that this man was an offspring of a family of powerful people. He certainly didn’t act like it.

When we finally arrived at Witches Land a guard had escorted me to the castle’s stables and I was surprised to see Eloise already there.

“Eloise!” I called out with a smile on my face.

She turned around and greeted me with a surprised look. “Lord Xavier?”

She approached me with a smile on her face but it soon disappeared as soon as she caught glimpse of the man on the back of my horse.

When she held his face up to see who it was, she gasped. “Thomas? By the Goddess, what have you gotten yourself into?” She hailed for the guard who had just escorted me here and helped the drunken fool back into the castle.

My heart stung out of jealousy. After a week of not seeing each other, I had hoped she would’ve been happier to see her husband. Did she not miss me the same?

It hurt to think that she still loved and regarded her family more than me even after all we’ve been through. I shook my head from the self-deprecating thoughts as I saw Eloise emerge from the castle.

I helped get her situated on the back of my horse and set off on the road back home.

The ride was a bit silent and awkward–it seemed as if Eloise’s mind was elsewhere.

I cleared my throat. “Is everything alright, Eloise?”

She squeezed my arm gently. “Yes, my Lord. I’m just a little tired is all.”

I placed my hand over hers. “Belinda informed me of your bravery and resourcefulness in saving her life as well as those in Noah.”

I turned my body to meet her eyes. “I don’t know if I can ever thank you for all that you’ve done.”

Her smile was soft. “Of course, Xavier. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing while they were in danger.”

“You and Belinda have also managed to patch things up, too.”

She nodded her head. “Yes, we have. It feels good to finally be on good terms with her. We can finally have a chance to build a proper relationship.”

It made me happy to know that Eloise spoke so fondly of Belinda despite the stress and cruelty she put her through. Maybe the future will hold bright beginnings for our families…

“If I may ask, Eloise?”

“Anything, my Lord.”

“Was there a reason you left Noah? Belinda explained that you missed your family but I wanted to know if there was something else she may have failed to mention.”

I sensed hesitation but she drew a deep breath and answered me. “One of the Knights from the Academy, Dylan, he confessed to me about the reasoning for capturing Mrs. Leonard. Not only that, he told me that the vampire royals might have roots in his hometown of Balmet.”

“He told me that Prince Adam had eyes everywhere and I…” Her words trailed.

“...didn’t feel safe” I finished for her.

Eloise looked up at me with guilty eyes and nodded her head.

I sighed to myself and took a different path when we got to the fork in the road. Instead of returning to Noah, I decided to take Eloise to the place where it all began–Normand.