The Huntress

Chapter 11

♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤Crius POV♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

How did he get here? Thinking back, rage and grief was all that he could feel. Once he let go of Cocidius he rushed out, somehow ending up on this old rusty bench in Cyrene's garden.

Even though bulbs were planted in the fall, it was winter, not a single Tiger Lily to be seen. The garden looked so barren now, bleak and lifeless. The irony wasn't lost on him. Letting out a bitter laugh he tilted his head back looking up to the sky, it was tar-black and large clouds were moving towards him.

Leaning forward he put his head in his hands, desperately trying not to think of his Liliana's last moments. Then it started, the pitter patter of drops hitting the ground. Like a hail of bullets inside a battle ground.

"Father! Help me....please! Father!"

Slowly lowering his hands Crius couldn't believe it, whispering to himself "Liliana." What is this? A memory? She looked so real but this was her when she was younger. His Liliana was now a woman of 28 years, this vision in front of him was her around ten.

His men surrounded her as she called out to him. A low guttural growl formed in his throat. He remembered now, this was the day he realized she was no longer safe with him. It was a year after Cyrene had died.

Her scream jolted him out of his thoughts. Before his men could attack her he saw himself appear, grabbing the closest one by the throat and slamming him down.

"KNEEL!" without hesitation they obeyed the command given.

The one on the ground gripped at his hand "I'm sorry my King.....she was bleeding.....I don't know what happened." Crius Remembered that moment, he wanted to kill them all.

Appearing before him "Sir, please let me handle this. Princess Liliana must be attended too." Hesitant Crius looked at him "Jasper....." Interrupting him "I know sir, I'll take care of the men. They will no longer be put on guard detail."

Letting go of the guards throat, his voice deep and menacing "Leave us." In the blink of an eye they were gone. Drawing his attention to Lily he turned around to find her crying on the ground cradling her injured knee.

Sitting in front of her, he puts the medical box Jasper left beside him. Opening up the lid he begins to clean her wound. "What happened?" Tears streaming down her face "I don't know. I was running around, then I fell and the guards started behaving strangely. Like they had forgotten who I was. Were they really going to attack me father?"

Closing his eyes, he had to fight back the urge to hunt them down and kill them. "They were. Tiger Lily I told you to be more careful. Your blood....it's special."

Breaking down, Liliana began to shake uncontrollably. "I hate it....why am I this way? I'm scared father, will I die one day because of this?"

Crius grabbed her, holding Liliana tightly in his arms. "I swear it, you will never know death unless it be natural. You will age, have children of your own, and grow old. I will forever protect you my child. Which is why I think it's best....that you live with your own kind for now."

Pushing him away, the hurt evident on her face. "Father no....you can't....please...I'll do better....I won't get hurt any more I promise."

Cupping her face in his hands he looked to her "Tiger Lily, I couldn't save Cyrene...I can't lose you too. I want you to live a safe and normal life, to be happy." Her sobs uncontrollable, she puts her head on his chest "I am happy, please don't abandon me."

gently stroking her head he whispers to her "I will never abandon you. This is me protecting you. Please try to understand, you will always be my precious Tiger Lily."

Holding him tight she mumbles "It's Liliana."

The vision in front if him vanishes, he's back on the cold hard bench. The rain washing away his bloody tears. Had he been crying? Bringing his fingers to his cheeks....he had. Just then he felt a hand on his shoulder, instinctively he grabs it, getting ready to attack.

"Easy Crius, it's me!"

Looking to the side he realizes it's Jasper. The Original gives him a slight nod acknowledging his presence but saying nothing.

"I should let you know Sir that Cocidius briefly regained consciousness. I asked him about the location he last saw Liliana, he said she gave him directions to a cave."

Abruptly standing up Crius pressed for answers "Are you certain that he said a cave? Was there anything else?

shaking his head "No Sir he passed out again before I could ask anything else. I'm certain he said it was a cave. He is fairly weak right now, I suggest that he be taken out of the dungeon. If there's truth to him being Liliana's mate, he will die if we keep him down there. Give me some time and I will get the answers you seek Crius. I swear it."

Begrudgingly, Crius agrees "Fine. He deserves to suffer for leaving her there but for now put him somewhere safe to recuperate. Make sure that no one knows where he is, not even I."

Without hesitation "Yes my King, I will take care of it. Just wait a little longer, I will get everything in order to track down this cave and find her killers."

"I will be investigating this myself Jasper. This is MY daughter, I know the council killed her." His amber eyes flashed gold. "I failed her once, I will not do it again. She was an innocent. They will all die for murdering her in cold blood. Every....last...one. As for waiting, I am done with that. I know where she is now." Walking away "I'll be sure to be back before morning."

"Crius....please!" It was too late, he was already gone.