Chapter 31

"I won't be needing you. I am with my family now." She said.
He gave her a faint smile but she had a feeling that he got deeply hurt by her words.
Why do you always have to be so harsh with your words Klara, she scolded herself.
"I am really thankful for everything." She hurried to say. "I never thanked you before. I guess I am not a good person either."
He put one hand lightly on her cheek. "You are wonderful, Klara." This was the second time he said her name and it made her heart flutter.
She had just a moment ago been scared and confused but now all was forgotten as she looked into his eyes. She didn't want him to go. She wanted him to stay, to hold her and kiss her. Yes, it wouldn't hurt with a kiss.
Slowly Roshans hand slid to the back of her neck and the other went around her waist. He drew her into his arms, his eyes looking at her intensly, taking her breath away. Did he know what she wanted or was this him manipulating her?
All her thoughts escaped to the back of her mind when she felt his hot breath tickle her face. Her heart fluttered again and then ever so lightly he brushed his lips against hers. Klara felt heady with desire. Her mind was not in its right place anymore but her body seemed to be just right were it was. In Roshans arms.
Roshan leaned closer and their noses collided before their lips locked in a fiery passionate kiss. Klara tiptoed and wrapped her arms around him as heat flooded her being. She had never felt anything like this before. His lips were soft and warm and his kiss slow and sensual. It made her feel as though she was walking on air but soon she was back on the ground.
Their lips parted and Klara felt a strange longing. She almost wanted to scold him for stopping. It wasn't enough, she couldn't ger enough. She looked at Roshan and felt her cheeks burn at the way he looked back at her, as thought he wanted to devour her. God, she wanted him as bad but he was leaving now and she should let him leave.
"Take care, princess." He said.
Klara nodded. "You too." She smiled and just like that he was gone.
Klara remained standing there for awhile before walking inside to meet her family.
I sat up on the bed and looked around. Where was I? The last thing I remembed was sleeping next to Lucian in the woods and now I woke up in a strange room. Before I could dwell further on it Lucian walked inside.
"Good morning." He smiled.
"Good morning. Where are we?" I asked.
He came and sat next to me on the bed. Then he took my hand in his before looking deeply into my eyes.
"We are in the royal armys camp. Things are going to get difficult and ugly from now on." He explained.
He was going to dethrone Pierre. But would the royal army help him? I got suddenly concerned.
"Will they help you?"
"Yes." He said with confidence. "And If they don't I'll do it myself."
A war. Again. I just wanted to live peacefully with Lucian but after everything he went through and those who betrayed and tortured him, they deserved to get punished.
A knock on the door made us both turn and soon a man in a military attire entered the room.
"Your Highness. General Black is ready to meet you." He said.
Lucian turned back to me. "Rest and I'll come back." He said.
"I'll come with you." I insisted.
He looked at me for a while then nodded.
General Black sat laid back in his chair, watching some of his men fighting with their swords. Once the soldier informed our presence General Black tore his gaze from the fight and turned to us. His eyes widened as he stood up slowly from his seat and approached us.
"Your Highness. It's really true that you are alive." He spoke.
"I am and you know what that means."
General Black frowned. "Yes I do. You want the crown."
"Yes and I need your army by my side."
Alright. This was too straighforward I thought.
General Black shook his head. "I am glad that you are alive but unfortunatley I can't help you."
"Why?" I suddenly blurted.
He turned his gaze to me with a confused look on his face then turned to Lucian.
"This is my wife, Hazel." Lucian explained.
My heart stopped for short while. He said I was his wife. He believed me!
General Black turned back to me. "Your Highness, with all do respect this is a political matter and I don't think you understand." He said.
"Then explain to me." I demanded.
"Well..." He looked between me and Lucian. "King Pierre has many powerful allies. He could gather them all to defeat my army. Why would I let my men die in vain?"
"Pierre won't be able to gather his allies because I have the seal." Lucian explained.
I could see that general Black got even more surprised but he didn't ask any further questions.
"The people of this kingdom are suffering. Your father was a great ruler, your brother isn't. I am not sure if you will be a great ruler either." He explained.
"There is only one way to find out." Lucian said. "Are you willing to take that risk?"
"Don't dissapoint me." General Black warned.
I was glad that he had agreed to help and they sat outside for awhile speaking and planning on what to do next while I watched the men fighting with their swords.
My thoughts wandered to Klara. She had promised me to teach me how to fight but would I ever meet her again? I had hoped she would teach me some things about politics as well. I didn't want to be someone who distributed with nothing. I wanted to be useful.
People admired Klara. They called her the warrior princess. Not only brave but beautiful and smart as well. She wasn't only the leader of their army but she was also politicaly active, especially in matters of war. She was an impressive woman indeed. I couldn't say that I didn't envy her.
Then my thoughts drifted further to Irene. I wondered if she was alright after meeting Lucian but probably not. I just wanted Lucian to reunite with his parents but I knew it would take a lot of time and work. Deep wounds didn't heel fast and even when they did, they left a scar.
Lucian was busy the whole day planning with general Black and took only lunch and dinner breaks. I was shown to a guest room, the room that I had woken up in earlier and I stayed there alone pondering about a lot of things. Nothing seemed to be right just yet. I didn't know where Lucian and I was in our relationship and if he remembered me although he seemed to not have remembered. I thought of ways to reunite Lucian with his parents and worried about Lucians plan to take the throne. I didn't want to lose him again.
While pondering on many things I went to the garden right behind the room and decided to spend some time there while waiting for Lucian. I was surprised when I found a swing just right next to a big trea. It reminded me of the white swing in our own garden excpet this one was a bit smaller and it was grey instead of white. I lay down on it and began to swing back and forth while recalling good memories and smiling to myself.
"What makes you smile so?" Suddenly Lucian was towering over me where I lay on the swing.
I just looked up at him for a while wondering how he still looked perfect after such a long day.
"I was recalling good memories." I said.
"Tell me about them." He urged.
I swung my legs down to make some place for him and he sat down.
"You won't believe it, but I was once just like today laying on a swing and smiling to myself when someone asked me the question you just asked."
"And...that person is me?" He asked raising a brow.
"Yes." I nodded. "The white swing in our garden was my favorite place to kill some time. I miss it."
He looked at me thoúghtful for while. "You will get it back. I'll get it back for you." He said in a serious tone.
"For us." I corrected.
"Yes. For us."
"I wish to sit there with you every afternoon." I said entwining my fingers with his.
He stared at our entwined hands for a while. "And I wish to grant that wish." He smiled.
I snuggled up against him and he put his arm around me. We sat there for awhile until I fell asleep.
The next morning I woke up in bed but I was still laying in Lucians arm. From the way he breathed I knew he was sleeping peacefully. I remained laying in his arms for a while but then I heard a strange sound coming from the garden. Carefully I slid away from Lucians arms and got out of bed before making my way to the garden.
I opened the door slowly as to not wake Lucian and then peeked outside. There, on the grey swing Irene sat comfortably looking around. I stepped outside and carefully closed the door behind me.
"Irene." I whispered to grab her attention.
She turned her head. "Hazel. I am sorry I woke you up." She said getting up from the swing.
"You didn't. I was awake. How are you?"
"I am alright." She shrugged but I could see she wasn't. "How about you?"
"I am fine and so is Lucian." I knew that she wanted to know how he was.
She nodded. "I just...I don't know why I am here. I...I don't want to confuse him anymore. I want him to be happy but I am only hurting him. Maybe I should stay away."
"No! Don't! He is hurting because he has been alone for many years but that doesn't mean that he wants you to stay away. You have to fight for him." I said.
She looked down at her hands. "I don't know if I have the right to do that. I am not a good mother."
"You are and even if you are not you can be. For Lucians sake."
She nodded again.
"And...I want to know everything Irene. Could you continue with your story? Maybe if I know the whole story I can help better." I explained.
"Yes. But some other time. Lucian might wakeup now."
"Alright."
We looked at each other for a while and then she reached inside the arm of her dress. "I have something for you." She said taking out a small book. "I know you are bored on your stay here so you can read this meanwhile."
"Oh, thank you." I said.
She reached her hand inside again. This time she took out a wooden flute. "And I know you like to play this."
"Good lord. How did you know?" I reached for it and grabbed it carefully. "It has been so long since I played this."
"Do tell me if there is anything else you need. I have to leave now but I'll come back."
"I will and thank you."
And then as usual she vanished into thin air. I stared at the empty place she had just been standing on. I knew I would never get used to this.
Lucian woke up after having the most harmonious sleep. He always slept well when Hazel was near but as he looked to his left she wasn't there. He sat up on the bed and looked around. Where had she gone?
Getting out of bed he began to dress when he heard a sound coming from garden. It sounded like someone playing an instrument. Curious he went to the door and opened it carefully. Looking outside he found Hazel sitting on the swing playing the flute. The sound was beautiful and very familiar to his ears. It made him feel a kind of way he couldn't explain.
Lucian kept standing there, staring at her while she played. She looked much healther now and her beauty seemed to come through. Her skin was less bruised and her hair fell down her shoulders in shiny waves. The little weight she gained took away the unhealthy appearance and enhanced her curves. When the wind blew her hair onto her face, she closed her eyes. She seemed lost in the sound and soon he was lost as well.
He didn't know where he was but suddenly he got caught by a sweet sound. It was Hazel playing the flute. Lucian had never seen her looking this beautiful. She was wearing a white wedding dress adorned with golden jewlery. Her beautiful redish brown hair was combed back and held in place with golden hairpains, and her cheeks and lips where painted. Her long lashed fell over her cheeks as her eyes were closed while she played the flute. Once she opened her eyes she stared directly into his and he felt his heart skip a beat.
Then he remembered the first time she said his name. The warmth that had spread throught his body and the first time their lips touched. He remembered a thousand lights surrounding them.
He remembered her arms around his waist while they rode, around his neck while they kissed and around him while he died. He remember her tears and her laugh and all the conversations they had, but most of all he remembered confessing his love for her. And together with the memory came the feeling. This woman was his wife and he loved her more then anything in the world. Yet, he didn't recognize her. How could he not?
Unaware he took a step back into the room.
Hazel. His wife.
How could he forget her? The only person who cared for him, the only person who knew the real him yet still loved him. How could he do this to her? Suddenly his throat felt dry and his head throbbed in pain.
Rage and guilt filled his chest. He felt useless and unworthy. He felt disgusted with himself. He was used to hating himself but the selfhatred he felt now was like nothing he felt before. He wanted to dissapear, the pain he felt was too much for him to endure.
"Lucian, you are awake." Suddenly Hazel was inside the room. Before he could think she crossed the distance between then and wrapped her amrs around him. He wanted to hug her back and cry but he didn't deserve to be comforted.
He didn't deserve her at all. He felt too dirty to hug her back as if he would stain her with his dirt.
After awhile Hazel drew back and gazed at him with a worried look on her face. "Is something wrong?" She asked.
"Is something wrong?"
Lucian forced back his anger and tears. He didn't want to make her worry anymore.
He shook his head. "No, nothing is wrong. I just remembered that I have to be somewhere."
She nodded. "I understand."
No she didn't. Even he couldn't understand.
"I'll be back, wife." He forced himself to smile.
"I'll be waiting." She smiled back.
Leaving Hazel behind Lucian took his horse and rode far away. He didn't know where he was going but he just needed some air. Or maybe a lot of air. The pain and the tears were choking him and he felt like screaming out loud.
Once he neared a cliff he stopped and looked down. Beneath the cliff was a river. Lucian stared at it emptly for a while wonderign what it would feel like if he jumped. Would the water wash away his pain?
He climbed down the horse and sat at the edge of the cliff. He felt empty as he listened to the flowing water but soon tears began to fall down his cheeks. He couldn't hold it in anymore so he let it all out.
Irene stood behind a tree and watched her son cry alone. When she found out that he had regained his memory, she had followed him afraid he would do something stupid. But here he was, alone and in tears. She could feel his pain and wanted to take it all away. Unable to just watch she went to him and ever so lightly she put one hand on his shoulder.
Lucian didn't react. He probably knew she was there all the time and that he didn't bother to look told her how much pain he was in. She crouched to his level and wrapped her arms around him and began to stroke his back. Oh, how long she had waited to hold him and now he was finally in her arms. She had expected him to pull away but he didn't. He just kept crying.
Irene wanted to tell him that it wasn't his fault but she knew he wouldn't listen so she just held him until he calmed down.
"Lucian. I can take away your pain if you let me." She said once he calmed down.
He shook his head. "I don't deserve it."
She grabbed his face gently in her hands and made him look at her. "You do. You deserve all the happiness in this world."
He just looked at her for awhile. His eyes swollen and red from the crying.
"Why did you leave me?" He suddenly asked.
Irene could see the desperation in his eyes but she could also see that he was losing hope. The flames in them seemed to die away slowly and that made her heart ache. She would not let him give up.
"I never did. I would never leave you. You were taken away from me." She explained.
He looked at her as if trying to figure out if she was telling the truth. She wouldn't blame him if he didn't believe her.
Slowly he grabbed her wrists and removed her hands from his face then he stood up. "What is your name?" He asked.
Irene was glad that he atleast asked her questions and didn't ignore her entirely.
"My name is Nyx." She said standing up.
Lucian stared at the woman infront of him. He couldn't ignore his resemblance to her. She was indeed his mother and when she had hugged him earlier he never felt anything like it before. But even if she was his mother he didn't know her and it felt strange somehow to let her hug him.
Confused about the whole situation he turned away from her and climbed his horse, then without looking back he rode away.
Nyx. He repeated her name in his mind. His mothers name was Nyx. Lucian had heard the name once even though his father or to be more correct the King had forbidden anyone to speak about her.
Riding fast through the woods Lucian pushed away his thoughts about his mother to the back of his mind. Now he had more important things to focus on, like punishing his brother.
Pierre will wish that he was dead.
Once Lucian arrived at the camp Julian met him halfways.
"Your highness. I have been looking for you."
Lucian jumped down from the horse.
"What happened?" He asked.
"I have brought your men and...your wife has been looking for you."
Lucian walked past Julian and made his way to the guest room. As soon as he walked inside Hazel jumped up from her seat with a fearful look on her face.
"Lucian." She ran to him and envoloped him in a tight hug.
"What happened?" He aksed putting his arms around her.
"Where did you go? You made me so worried. I thought..." She drew back and looked at him with teary eyes. "I thought you left me."
He grabbed her face. "Why would you think so?" and then it hit him. She knew that he regained his memory.
"Why didn't you tell me that you remembered?"
"How did you know?" He asked.
"You called me wife. You used to call me that all the time." She explained as tears fell down her cheeks.
"I'll never leave you unless you tell me." He ensured her.
No he wouldn't. Even though he didn't deserve her he would stay by her side if that's what she wanted. He would do anything for her even if it caused him pain.
"You know I would never tell you that. So don't you dare leave me, even if I tell you don't ever leave me. Promise me Lucian."
"I promise." He said wiping away her tears.
Just when she was about to say something a knock on the door interrupted them. Hazel wiped away her tears. "Your men are here." She informed.
"Come in." Lucian called.
Julian was the first to enter the room and he motioned for the rest to come inside. Lucians men came in one by one and Lucian took a closer look at them. They looked much healthier and stronger than last time.
"Your highness." They all bowed at once.
"I am glad you are safe." Lucian began. "But we are going to war soon and those of you who are still injured or recovering don't have to participate."
"We are all participating Your highness." Lincoln spoke.
Lucian skimmed through everyones faces to see if anyone was objecting to what Lincoln said.
"Alright then. You will be provided with weapons and we are leaving tonight."
They all nodded.
"Anum, I want you to make sure that no maids or servants gets hurt. Lincoln, I want you to escort princess Elsa and Levi to somewhere safe. Anywhere for now, we will discuss the details later. Declan and Ky you can escort all the females out of the castle, the rest can guide the royal army since you are familiar with the passages inside the castle." Lucian explained.
Hazel grabbed his arm as if wanting to say something. "Lydia and Ylva" She said concerned.
Lucian knew how much Hazel cared for them. "Oliver, I want you to make sure that Hazel's handmaids are safe."
"I will." He said with a nod.
"You may all leave except for Callum."
Everyone bowed one last time and left except for Callum. Lucian turned to Hazel. "I want you to stay by his side." He said speaking of Callum.
He looked like the strongest one of them at the moment and he wanted Hazel to be in good hands.
Hazel nodded and then he turned to Callum. "You know what you have to do." He said and Callum nodded.
"Good, you maye leave now."
Lucian couldn't wait until he got his hands on his brother.
The rest of the day passed by with preparing for battle. Lucian went around and gave instructions together with General black. Once all their plan came together they prepared for departure.
Lucian went to his room and was slipping into his armor when he sensed that he had company.
"Your highness." Someone spoke in a mocking tone.
Lucian turned and found Roshan standing only a few feet away. He was wearing a long black coat with black shirt and trousers underneath. His hair was tied back in a half ponytail revealing his sculpted face. As usual he had that mishiouvious smirk on his face while his hands rested in his pockets.
"What are you doing here?" Lucian asked while fastening his belt.
"I came here to hunt some demons and you are a good bait."
"Are they still after me?"
Roshan had told him that the demons wanted him dead.
"Not only them but some witched are after you as well. They witches are just more careful and they don't like fights." Roshan explained.
Demons and witches were after him. Lucian sighed, he could never get rest.
"Why are you hunting demons? You are one of them." Lucian asked.
"Let's just say that I am indepted to someone and I like to pay my debts."
"Have my...Nyx sent you?" Lucian asked.
"No, your mother didn't send me but you father did."
His father?
"I don't need your help." Lucian hurried to say.
"In fact you do. You can't fight an army of humans, demons and witched by yourself. Maybe in the future when you learn your powers."
"And you can fight them all?" Lucian raised a brow.
Roshan made his way to the handchair in the room and sat down. He swung one leg over the other.
"I am a demon slayer. I have been assassinating demons for centruies, I can do it in my sleep now. Humans are like bugs to me. I don't even need to fight them but the witches," He shook his head, "those creatures are complicated. Maybe you can take care of them."
Lucian didn't want his fathers help. His father had showed him clearly that he didn't care.
"Or maybe your witch friend can take care of them." Roshan said nodding toward the door and just then Julian barged inside.
"Your Highness..." He stopped halfways when his gaze landed on Roshan.
Roshan waved his hand nochalantly. "Hello."
"He is a demon." Julian warned putting his hand on his sword.
"I know." Lucian said calmly.
"You didn't tell me you were on the demons side." Julian said accusingly.
"I am not. But I am not on the witches side either. I am guessing they want me dead."
"I'll take care of my people." Julian said harshly while glaring at Roshan.
"Good."
"Very good." Roshan added then turned to Lucian. "He knows you are the devils son." He said surprised.
When Lucian found out that witches and demons didn't mix well he had told Julian that he was indeed the devil's son just like the rumors. Julian hadn't been very surprised and wanted to still help him get the throne.
"How do you know he won't try to kille you?" Roshan asked.
"How do I know you won't try to kill him?" Julian replied instead of Lucian.
"Because..." Roshan paused as if hesitating. "His father, the devil and my uncle would kill me."
Wait! Now it was Lucians time to pause whatever he was doing.
This man was his cousin? But they looked nothing like each other.
"And you excpect me to believe you?" Julian asked.
Roshan stood up from his seat. "I expect nothing. But you can expect to die by my hands if you try anything stupid." He warned flickign a dagger between his fingers. "I'll see you." He then told Lucian before dissapearing.
Julian turned to Lucian. "That man is dangerous. He is a very high rank demon."
"Don't worry. He is not here to hurt me." Lucian assured still dazed. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes."
"Good." Now it was time to give Pierre what he deserved.
Pierre hadn't been able to rest for the last few days. He kept having nightmares and in those nighmares he saw Lucian. Everynight, his brother while looking like the devil would haunt him and drag him to hell.
"Feel at home brother." He would say and then leave him there to burn.
The nightmares would feel so real that when he woke up he would be drenched in sweat and his heart would beat like drumms inside his chest. It didn't help that rumors about his brother being alive were making rounds and it was scaring the hell out of him even if he didn't want to admit it. Everytime he went to sleep he would feel as if someone was in his room, watching him and waiting patiently for an opportunity to strike. It was making him lose his mind.
"Come out! Show yourself ! Don't hide like a coward." He yelled but no one replied or showed themselves.
Everyone were starting to think that he was crazy, talking to himself and yellig without a reason.
At first he tried to hide his fear and frustration but now he no longer cared what people thought of him. He just wanted this torture to end. He was sleep deprived and he felt exhausted for everyday that passed by.
Tonight while he had dinner at his chamber he kept looking at his bed. He didn't look forward to sleeping. Maybe he could go to one of is mistresses and sleep there instead of alone. Why hadn't he thought of that before?
Standing up from his seat he went to the mirror. He had to make sure that he looked good before he left the room but while he glared at his horrile state in the mirror a guard suddenly barged inside the room.
"Your highness. We are under attack." He exhaled.
"What do you mean attack?! Who is attacking?"
"The royal army. I don't understand why." The guard seemed confused.
Pierre on the other hand knew why. It was his brother Lucian. He had come for him just like in his nightmares and now he would drag him to hell. All those years he mocked his brother for being the devil's son without truly believing it but now all that turned out to be true.
"Your highness. We need to take you to a secure place. Please follow me."
But Pierre couldn't move. He was in too much shock. He didn't know where to begin.
The guard grabbed him by the arm and began to drag him out of the room.
"Protect the King." He ordered the other guards. "and clear the way. Our priority is to take the king somewhere safe."
"No place is safe. The army seems to know their way around. Someone on the inside is probabaly working with them." Another guard spoke.
"Its Lucian." Pierre breathed after holding his breath for what seemed like hours. "He has come to kill me."
The guards looked at him as if he was insane and maybe, he was. He would find out soon.
"We can take him through the secret passage." The first guard suggested.
Pierre knew there was no use in escaping. Lucian knew every passage in the castle.
"We are all going to die." Pierre whispered his eyes wide in fear.
"Not yet brother."
A shiver went down Pierres spine. This voice he knew very well and he never thought that he would hear it again. Slowly he turned around and just right behind him a few feet away stood his brother, Lucian. He looked just like he remembered and not like someone who came back from the dead.
Pierres guardsfroze in place, their eyes wide in both shock and fear. Their arms shook while they held their swords up in a defensive way. Pierre wanted to tell them to attack but the words couldn't form in his mouth. It felt as though his tongue was paralized.
Lucian took a step forward and the guards held out their swords.
"Stay were you are." One of them warned but it sounded like a plead.
"Put your swords down." Lucian ordered.
The guards hesitated and seemed confused as what to do.