BLOOD AND Lightening

Chapter 24

By dusk

As folks began to flow in, the throne room began filling up, just like Haldir had expected from Eros, he invited anybody he remembered by mistake, both meek and troublesome ones, Eros had turned into a full-blown organizer running around the place with a smile, exactly his area of expertise, contrary to his gentleman and quiet appearance, he is the exact opposite, a party creature, greatly loved by woman, we can say it goes both ways, his love for parties and woman surely he is bound to be famous.

As a good party organizer who has hosted so many occasions in the past, both official and unofficial, he had advised Haldir to stay out of sight till everybody has arrived.

Haldir's half-family was among the last troupe to come, they were all dressed in light blue garments, richly like royalties, well there were royalties, Eros already had a section for them, they weren't in very much good themes with Haldir but they weren't in enmity too.

Thanatos who was standing by the corner watching everybody suddenly frowned deeply upon seeing CARA and her family grace the party, everybody in Alfredo knew of the past between his master and the female whose eyes is as sharp as that of an Eagle.

Before Haldir was put to sleep by the witch, his family and CARA's family had linked both, betrothed to each other, they didn't like each other though, Haldir was obviously still grieving the death of his lover while CARA doesn't believe in marriage, but she still doesn't want another harboring interest for Haldir, whether it male or female, she believed she owned him till he was put to sleep by a witch,

Thanatos hasn't led his eyes on her but his ears have sure heard a thing or two about her, she was greatly feared by folks, all creatures included for her enormous strength and her tendency to be obsessed with anything she fancied, folks included.

Thanatos went strength to Eros to verify why she was invited.

“Lord Eros, what is the purpose of inviting CARA,” Thanatos asked clearly agitated

“I am as surprised as you are, I had avoided inviting her household too so as not to see her but perhaps she has her way” Eros answered nonchalantly and winking to a beautiful fairy who happened to catch his eyes for the night.

“Go and summon your master,” Eros said

Just as he spoke, everywhere went quiet, Haldir graced his appearance, his eyes closely dotted on his throne avoiding every eye contact, murmuring began to erupt as they noticed the beautiful damsel behind him, Haldir had happened to meet Zephyr and Nimai standing by the door with Nimai panicking, he had ordered she followed him closely behind with Zephyr following them, the murmuring went into a loud cheer from the overly happy folks to have seen their ruler after awhile.

“Oh, ye has returned!!” they shouted as they click their wine cup together with laughter and joy on their face, Haldir sat on the throne and motioned for Nimai to come and sit close to him but the constant eyes from the people made her follow Zephyr instead, gaining a deep frown from Haldir.

Eros came and called on the people to keep shut so Haldir can speak, gaining a hard glare from Haldir, he was told by Eros all he needed to do was sit and dine with them, he wasn’t planning on accepting their call for leadership what was he going to say to them. As he rose from the throne, his eyes locked with that of his stepfather who immediately averted his gaze, Haldir swallowed his anger and rose his empty wine cup to the people.

“I am back for good!!” he shouted as they erupted back into cheers, if he had been on a quest or journey, he would have been bombarded with questions but having woken from slumber, he wasn't asked questions, the people focused on their fest with the entertainment Eros had provided, beautiful women dancing and singing while they dine and merry, with Haldir sitting with a boring expression.

Nimai was left in bewilderment, “is that all, just merriment? I thought it was important” she said as she turned and noticed Zephyr was gone, her panic began, he was with her all this while scarring away anyone coming for her.

“Greetings lovely one” Nimai heard a voice behind her and swiftly turned around almost wasting the wine she was pretending to sip from.

“Greetings,” she said to the smiling face of the man, he was familiar but she could swear she hasn't seen him before.

“You are finally alone,” he said looking around

“What?” Nimai asked getting alarmed, hoping she had stayed beside the devil, she hasn't seen anyone go up to his throne, and they all greet him from the ground.

“Where is the young man, you were with?” the man inquired with a strange smile, “I thought you were together?”

“Well you thought wrong,” Nimai said masking the fear that was pushing through in her

“Oh it's a pity,” he said

“Father!” Zephyr's voice came from behind and Nimai turned relieved and confused at the same time

“Father?” she mouthed looking at Zephyr

“You were invited, father?” Zephyr inquired with a smile

“Yes, am a lord too, or am I not, I must have mistaken her for somebody else, I thought you had chosen a bride,” lord Cassius said looking at Nimai, on a closer look Nimai realized why he seemed familiar, he was Zephyr's Father and they both had a slight resemblance.

“Am sorry milady, this is my Father, and no she is Duke Haldir's guest, not my bride-to-be” Zephyr said introducing Nimai to her father, for the first time she heard the devil's title, although she pretended not to care she indeed wanted to know his rule, his aura exudes power she was curious but never asked and now it made senses.

Meanwhile, Haldir had grown tired, and upon seeing Nimai standing alone he decided to approach her quietly but was stopped by the last person he expected to see, CARA his supposed vampire Fianceé.

“Haldir” she called out softly to him pulling him by his arm, he turned around to see her wearing a smirk.

“You truly are back,” she said her gaze shifting to mellow and teary eyes, he looked at her with confusion wondering what she was trying to pull.

“CARA” he called out with a questioning glare,

“Am glad you haven't forgotten me because not even for once did I forget you” she said trying to close the space between them by going for an embrace but Haldir quickly stopped her removing his hand from hers

“Am glad you didn't” he said and immediately walked out with her following closely behind. He got to Nimai where she was discussing with the rest of Zephyr's Family, although already accustomed to Zephyr she was vividly awkward with the rest, “Nimai” he called out to her, his heart reacted strangely immediately she turned and smiled upon seeing him.

Was he always like this toward her, well she had never smiled upon seeing him, she always had a hard glare or awkward eye contact but her smile was suddenly mellow and soft making him not know how to react, he resolved to give her a slight smile while approaching her.

“Duke Haldir,” lord Cassius said with a smile while bringing his hand for a handshake which Haldir gladly collected

“Honoured to see you, lord Cassius,” he said

“I have been meaning to come earlier since I heard you took in my son as his master,” Cassius said with a smile, Haldir had his eyes on Nimai, only then did he notice she was drinking and might have been smiling at him because of Alcohol intoxication. Haldir frowned deeply as he quickly glared at Zephyr.

“Why did you allow her to drink?” he suddenly questioned jolting everybody off their feet including Nimai, he slowly collected the wine cup from Nimai as he dragged her to stand exactly beside him.

“She seems like a heavy drinker,” Cassius said trying to ease the awkward silence.

“Who is she?” the angry tone of CARA came as she came over to take a good look at Nimai, she had stood by the side watching Haldir look at her with a dotting smile, the whole time he pretended to exchange pleasantries with lord Cassius his eyes were on her.

CARA wasn't exactly in love with Haldir, she is a free spirit who hadly fell in love but couldn't help but be jealous of a fellow woman she just met, even if she and Haldir hardly had any relationship, she was still his bride to be before he was put to sleep, and she has changed from the person she was a century ago, the new her wouldn't mind getting married to the Duke. He was easily the most powerful man in Alfredo and is ready to settle, hearing the news of him returning she had tried severally to come to see him herself but his home was impenetrable.

“I am Nimai” Nimai answered while giggling, the strong alcohol was obviously working, and Haldir couldn't let her stay longer with CARA she would sniff her out, especially in this vulnerable state.

“Let me take milady away,” Zephyr said trying to get Nimai away before it turns chaotic but Nimai refused clinging to Haldir.

“He swore to protect me,” she said in a reassuring tone, Haldir found it extremely interesting that her vulnerable state had so much trust in him but her conscious self loathes him.

“Why do you care who she is?” Haldir finally decided to answer confused Cara who was trying to figure out what Nimai was that she forgot she asked a question.