Bound To The Goddess

GATES OF NOCTHERA

CHAPTER 14: GATES OF NOCTHERA

The gates of Nocthera were made of black bone.

30 feet high. Carved with wolves and roses and skulls.

Two guards stood at the entrance. Their eyes glowed red when they saw Drayk.

"LORD DRAYK," they dropped to one knee.

"Veyron said you were dead."

Drayk didn't answer.

He just walked through.

Lithia followed. 3 steps behind.

The city inside was dark.

No sun. Just red lanterns and stone.

Vampires stopped and stared.

At him. Covered in dried blood.

At her. Human. Alive. Walking next to him.

Whispers started.

"The king brought a human in."

"Golden hair. Is that the one?"

"Veyron will be furious."

Drayk heard it all. Didn't flinch.

He led her straight to the castle. Bigger than the gates.

Thorns growing up the walls.

Inside, the throne room was empty.

Cold.

Drayk walked to the throne and didn't sit.

He turned to Lithia.

"This is where you'll stay," he said. Flat.

"My chambers. East wing. 2 guards at the door.

You don't leave without me."

Lithia nodded. "Okay."

"And Lithia."

He said her name. Finally.

"Don't talk to anyone. Don't trust anyone.

Especially my brother."

Before she could answer, footsteps.

A woman walked in.

Silver hair. Red dress. Too pretty.

Serena.

Her eyes went straight to Lithia.

Then to Drayk.

Then to the blood on his armor.

"Brother," Serena smiled. Sweet. Deadly.

"You brought home a pet."

Drayk stepped between them.

"Watch your tongue."

"Or what?" Serena laughed.

"I was just welcoming the key to the curse."

She looked at Lithia. "I'm sure we'll be... great friends."

The air was thick.

Drayk's jaw ticked.

"Guards. Escort Miss Lithia to my chambers.

Now."

Lithia was pulled away.

Last thing she saw:

Drayk and Serena. Alone.

And Serena's hand touching his arm.

The bond twisted.

Jealousy? No.

It was Drayk's feeling.

*Annoyance. And exhaustion.*

He didn't look at Lithia as she left.

**TO BE CONTINUED...**