CHAPTER 30 #2
He snaps his fingers, making the blood begin to dry on my skin and the blood on the floor disappear, then gestures for me to sit down, which I do, sitting down in the chair I'd been sitting in before.
I feel Mattheo place his hand on my thigh and squeeze it gently, wordlessly asking if I'm okay.
My hand moves over his, I squeeze it lightly to let him know I am.
He seems to relax a little but leaves his hand on my thigh, his thumb tenderly stroking me through the fabric of my dress in a gesture of comfort and support.
The doors burst open, we all turn to see who had entered uninvited. Professor Stevens bows as Darkvis hisses disdainfully, his red eyes narrowing.
“I hope you have a good reason for disrupting this meeting, Tydeus.”
“My apologies, Master. I have some important news to share with you.”
“Well, go ahead then,” he growls impatiently.
Stevens clears his throat, visibly nervous.
“O'Connor and Dawson found another village and attacked it, Master. I don't know exactly how many people we lost, but the losses are significant. We'll be running out of followers and time soon, Master.”
Darkvis slams his fists on the table in anger, his snake slithers menacingly toward the professor, its long body already poised for attack. Stevens clears his throat, indicating there's more.
“There's something else, Master. They know the location for your son and Miss Hewloc's wedding reception. They're planning an attack. We need to change the location or the date.”
The giant reptile approaches Darkvis, its menacing hiss towards Professor Stevens growing louder.
“We must act quickly,” Darkvis hisses. “The wedding will take place at the same venue, but on Halloween night instead of December 22nd. They'll be attacking an empty reception venue on the original date.”
I freeze at these words. It's in a week. I still don't have a dress. It can't be that soon. I feel Mattheo stiffen as well and he clears his throat.
“Master, there is nothing ready for the wedding.”
Darkvis waves his hand in a bored gesture and nods towards Stevens. “Tydeus, I expect you to take care of everything. Everything will be ready for Halloween, like I said.”
“Of course, Master,” Stevens bows.
Mattheo gently squeezes my thigh and I swallow. I want to marry Mattheo, but it was supposed to be in December, not in a week.
I'm not ready.
“Aelys.”
I look at him and he smiles wickedly, making me shiver in disgust at the sight of his yellow teeth.
“Since we're running out of time, I expect you to kill young Rick Law before Christmas.
As for you, my son, you will kill O'Connor as we planned, before the Christmas holidays. After all, what better way to brighten up their holiday season than the death of their precious leader?” He sneers evilly and we bow to let him know it will be done.
He waves his hand again. “You're dismissed. I'll see you all for the wedding.”
We stand, bow again and head toward the door to leave the reception room. However, I freeze when he calls out to me, my fiancé's hand tightening its grip on mine.
“One last thing, my dear Aelys. Mattheo will be waiting for you outside.”
I feel him tense up, I give him a sharp look, letting him know everything is fine and to obey.
His jaw tightens, and he hesitates for a few seconds before furtively stroking my knuckles and letting go of my hand to follow the boys out of the room.
I turn around and move closer to the Master, nervously waiting to hear what he has to say that requires me to be alone with him.
“Were you subjected to the Silver Cup ceremony on the first night at the Academy ?”
I nod and he smiles devilishly.
“I take it you've discovered your shapeshifting heritage?”
I nod again, restraining myself from gesticulating nervously at the intensity of his red irises.
“I want you to activate that part of yourself. You have until the wedding. You can leave.”
I bow and walk towards the door, my lips pressed into a thin line.
Shit.
I join the boys who are nervously waiting for me outside the reception room. Mattheo is busy pacing but stops and rushes towards me as I emerge from the room. His hands cup my face and he inspects me from every angle, looking for any injuries.
I offer him a small, hopefully reassuring smile and remind him we need to get out of here. He nods and teleports us back to our dorm, the others following suit and appearing beside us in our room at the monastery.
They give us sad looks before leaving our dorm without a word. Mattheo locks the door behind them as I sit on our bed. He comes to kneel in front of me, cupping my cheek in his hand and stroking it with his thumb in a tender gesture.
“I don't have a dress,” I mumble, staring at my hands on my knees. “I'm not ready…”
He presses his forehead against mine and I close my eyes, inhaling his soothing scent.
“And he wants me to activate my shapeshifting side before the wedding,” I start to panic.
“You'll find a dress, angel. We still have a little time. And I'm sorry you're being forced to rush things. But everything will be fine, I promise,” he says softly.
I nod slowly and sigh. I feel his hand move to my forearm and he pulls up my sleeve to gently stroke the runes now etched deep into my flesh.
“You were so brave,” he whispers, his voice full of pride. “I’m so proud of you, princess.”
I smile shyly and lean in to kiss him. He kisses me back, sending me all the love he has for me through that simple gesture before pulling away and sitting next to me on the bed. He takes me in his arms, rests my head on his chest and strokes my hair.
“Everything will be fine, angel. I promise you.”
I nod again, wrapping my arms around his waist. I'm scared, but everything will be okay because he'll be by my side. Mattheo will keep his promise, and everything will be fine for us.
I trust him.