Rejected and forgotten.

Waiting.

The whole group arrived at the Swamp before sunrise, just like Thomas predicted.

Clare was looking around with interest and fear at the same time. She could not understand how anyone could live here. This place was scary and unwelcoming. But then she remembered where she had spent the last few months. It almost made her giggle at how ridiculous her thoughts were. Her companions were not talkative now, as they still carefully watched around, listening to anything that could be suspicious.

Clare wondered why they acted this way as they were far from the castle already, but she did not dare to ask, seeing them all concentrated and on high alert. She followed them between the ruined houses, hoping to have some answers soon.

Occasionally, she glanced at Dawid, who was walking next to Thomas. So that was Lord Lucas's son. She was curious how much he remained his father. Maybe one day, she will have a chance to meet him in person and thank him for not forgetting about her.

Clare could say he had already saved her twice. The first time in the dungeon, when he acknowledged her, while it seemed all the world forgot about her, and now he sent his son to save her. As inexperienced as she was, Clare could understand how much he risked. If someone found out, he stood behind her escape. Lord Lucas would be back in his cell in no time.

Why did this man take such a risk to save her? They have never seen each other. She was no one close to him.

- Soon, we will be home. - Thomas said quietly, and the others visibly relaxed.

Clare's heart clenched at those words for many reasons.

She was far from the place that was her home, surrounded by the people who were strangers to her. Of course, she was grateful for their sacrifice, but it did not make them less strangers.

Yet she could not feel sorry for them after Thomas called this place home. How long did he live here to think it was a suitable name? And what made him come here in the first place?

- Do not get upset. It is not as bad as you think. - Sybilla whispered next to her.

Clare felt embarrassed for being caught. Probably, her expression betrayed her.

There was nothing suitable to say, so she just shrugged her arms and gave the witch an apologetic smile.

There was no way Clare would admit this place scared her.

- Do not worry; it is not our destination. - Thomas looked back at her.

If, of course, he heard Sybilla's words, he was a vampire after all. The girl wondered why the witch even bothered to whisper, as everyone could hear her perfectly.

- If that will make you feel better, I had the same feeling about this place not long ago.- Dawid looked at her with a small smile.

Clare felt even more embarrassed now as everyone focused on her.

She missed a moment when everyone stayed quiet. She never liked to be in the center of attention. Some people want to be in the spotlight, no matter what, but she was not one of them.

- I wasn't....- She started mumbling, but Thomas just chuckled.

- Don't worry, it is like this on purpose. That keeps others' attention away from us. We live not far from here but in a better condition; we have our standards.

Clare nodded in response, hoping the grounds would open and swallow her right now.

She did not mean to offend those people or their homes, yet she felt it was the opposite.

Soon, they reached another area, which looked much better and surprisingly modern, considering the location. Clare was shocked, as creating something like this was an outstanding achievement.

They came to the tiny village entire of lovely, cozy houses.

Thomas looked and winked at her.

- See? Not that bad.

Clare hung her head. This man was not going to let go easily. It looked like he had some pleasure in making her uneasy.

- This will be where you are staying. - He pointed out to one of those houses, and Clare nodded again.

- Thank you. - She whispered.

- Dawid will keep you company, as there is enough room for both of you.

Clare looked at the warrior to check how he felt about that idea, but there was nothing in his expression that could tell her, he was against it.

- If everything is settled, I will leave you for now. We will talk in the evening. - Thomas replied and left. Sybilla and Noah gave them a nod before following their leader.

- Let's get in. I am sure you need some rest. - Dawid said, opening the door. He was right. Clare felt like the last events took a toll on her.

The inside of the house was lovely. A small kitchen with wooden chairs and a round table was equipped with a fireplace where you could cook. Someone put flowers on the table, making this place adorable. It was nothing like her home, but now it meant a lot after the months in a dungeon.

Dawid showed her the bedrooms, allowing the girl to pick up first. She chose the small room with creamy walls and a simple bed. There was a drawer where she could keep her things if she had any. Unfortunately, all her belongings stayed in the castle, probably never to be seen again.

Clare returned to the kitchen to find Dawid sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of blood.

- I thought you were going to rest. - The young man looked at her with curiosity.

- I don't think I could sleep. - She told him, shrugging her arms.

Dawid grabbed another cup, poured the blood into it, and offered it to Clare.

- I am not sleepy, so we can sit together, I guess.

- How is your father? - The girl asked, sitting next to him.

- He is fine, but he could not stop thinking about you since he returned home.

Clare looked at the young man with a smile.

- I missed him, too. Lord Lucas kept me sane in the dungeon. I always liked being around the others. This isolation was killing me. But I promised myself to be strong for my father. Since you told me he is innocent, I do not know what to think anymore. Why did someone do something like that to us? That is supposed to be an ordinary journey. My father made many of them in his life. - Clare looked at Dawid like she was expecting him to give her all the answers.

- I don't think it is the right thing for me to explain everything.

- Why not? - Clare shot him a surprised look.

- I think Thomas will explain it much better. I do not want to mess it up. - Dawid replied and stood up from his seat. - I think I will go to bed now. I think you should do the same.

Then he left the kitchen.

Clare watched him leave, more and more confused. Why all of them were so secretive? That was not helping her to calm down and be less worried.

Because there was nothing more to do, Clare finished her blood and returned to her room. She washed herself and lay down on the bed.

Slowly, her eyelids became heavy, and the girl fell asleep.

She woke up at the sound of knocking. At first, Clare was surprised she was not in the dungeon, but then she remembered the last events. She was not locked anymore.

The knocking repeated.

- I am coming, I am coming. - She mumbled.

- It is time to meet Thomas. - It was Dawid.

- Already? I just fell asleep.

- You were up all day? - The man looked surprised.

- All day? No, I went to bed after you left. What time is it?

- It is evening already. - Dawid replied with a chuckle.

- Are you kidding me? - Clare gasped. She ran to the window and peeked through the curtains. The sky was almost dark. It was after sunset.

Clare shook her head.

- Hurry up. Thomas is probably waiting for us already. I thought you wanted to get your answers. - Dawid smirked at her.

Clare fixed herself and brushed her hair.

- I am ready, we can go.

Dawid led her between the houses. In the evening, the Swamp was buzzing with life. Whenever they looked, vampires, witches, and werewolves were busy with their matters. Occasionally, someone nodded to them, but the rest seemed uninterested. After all, every day, someone new was coming to the community. A lot of people did not appreciate what was happening in the kingdom.

Finally, Dawid and Clare reached their destination. It was a different office from the one Lucas's son visited the first time.

They knocked at the door, waiting for an invitation. Clare was twisting her fingers in anticipation. What news was waiting for her?

Soon, they heard Thomas's voice. Dawid opened the door, letting Clare in.

She looked around with curiosity. Thomas was sitting behind the desk, and another man was beside him. Clare wondered who he may be, as he was not in her rescue team.

- It took you a while. - Thomas said dryly.

- Apologies my Lord, I slept too long; Dawid had to wait for me. - Clare said, embarrassed.

The man standing next to the old vampire smiled.

- Polite as always. - He said making the girl gasp.

She could never forget this voice.

- Lord Lucas!!

Dawid, standing behind her, giggled.

- I knew you wouldn't be able to wait. She is safe and sound, Dad.