Slaying the Blood King

♤•Chapter 5•♡

Her words didn't shake me. In fact, I think she was astonished at the fact that I didn't give any fuss. I didn't say 'No, please don't kill him!' Instead, I give her a smile.

"Well," I started. "When you do? Please make sure I'm there," I say. Her golden eyes grow wide, realizing I meant every syllable. She clears her throat then, shaking her head.

"We will let you know when it happens my dear, but it won't be for a few months. Until then, the moon has healed you mostly. You have minor bruising, but that seems to be all. It is time to show you to your room." she smiles softly at me.

When we exit the Healing Chamber, Liona waves over a small, crimson-haired girl. Her face is dotted with glowing freckles, her green eyes wide and alert. Based off of what I know, she couldn't have been much older than eight. She strolls over to us, her small head held high.

"Embrance, please see to it that Miss Lunar here is escorted to her chambers," she says soothingly. The girl smiles, a dimple pressing through her dark face.

"Yes, mother," she says, before taking her small hand in mine and leading me away.

We follow the vine into the spiral of the tree. Every where I look, there is Fey-folk. Some are as old as this Willow, and others much younger than the little girl who leads me. Every now and then, she casts her wide eyes over at me, giving me a small smirk.

"So," she says. "Mother says you are a moon healer?" Embrance inquires, gazing up at me with wonder. I smile down at her.

"I suppose I am, I just don't know how any of this works," I say to her. She squeezing my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry Miss Lunar, you are Fey, and Fey help and protect their own."

Her small voice filled with wonder makes me smile. She's such a knowledgeable little thing. Most girls her age at home were struggling to read, being forced to do chores assigned to a woman, but this girl? She is full of light. I am grateful that she hadn't lived in the world I had been imprisoned in for so long.

"We're here," she sqeaks, gesturing to a chamber with flowing leaf curtains in front. I push them aside and step in. Instantly, awe takes over as I gape at the beautiful scenery. The chamber doesn't hold pictures, or candles, or weird, flowery wallpaper. Instead, real flowers grow beautifully in different shades of black, purple, and dark blue in different parts of the wall. Over to the one corner, a swinging bed made of vines and wood hangs from the ceiling of the chamber, and a large, basket-like chest hangs to the side. A small mirror hangs above the little chest. Though it was super simple, the room made me feel so calm, so free. Tears that had formed escape my eyes.

"What's the matter? Don't you like it? Embrance asks with worry. I shake my head.

"No, it's perfect. It just feels really good to be where I belong," I tell her. She smiles up at me then, before giving me a small hug. Her unfamiliar gesture of kindness makes me stiffen, but after realizing she is not a threat, I hug her in return.

Kneeling down to her level, I give her a smile. "Thank you, Embrance. Let your mother know that she should reward you," I say. Embrance smirks, before bounding out of the chamber and back down the spiral vine to her mother. With a small sigh, I travel to my new bed. Laying down, the drained feeling returns, and I fall into -for once- a peaceful sleep.

○•♤•●•♤•○

"Lunar," a voice beckons for me, causing me to stir from my sleep. Opening my eyes, I find Albesk. This time, he is dressed in a black tunic with silver stitches running up both sides. He wears black trousers to match. Noticing me scrutinizing his looks, he gives me a seductive smile. "Listen, you can check me out later, but our lord commands your presence," he says, before going over to the basket-like chest. He opens it, pulling out a beautiful, dark blue gown. He tosses it over to me quickly. "Get dressed, then meet me outside," he commands, before walking out of the chamber, closing the opening behind him.

I take a moment to take in the gown's beauty. Feeling the soft, smooth texture, I know right away that it is just silk. Silver sequins decorate the bodice of the dress in spirals like vines. Vines seem to be everywhere here, I think inwardly, before rising to get myself dressed.

It takes me a moment to tie all the ribbons, but when I'm finished, I step toward the mirror and my jaw drops. The blue dress accentuates my jade-colored eyes. It's plunging neckline gives room for curiosity, while also making sure to cover the essentials. The thin fabric hugs my slender waist, accentuating the small amount of curves I have. I truly felt beautiful, and I know my mother would be proud of me.

"You done in there? We can ogle each other later," Albesk calls from outside. "Coming!" I say quickly, rolling my eyes at his sudden flirtation. With a final glance, I stroll outside to meet him. When he sees me, his eyes grow wide. Then, as quickly as I saw his interest, he shakes his head, dispersing it. He then grabs me by the hand, and leads me up further into the Willow.

It feels like forever when we finally reach the chamber to Lord Antonius. If I thought my room was spectacular, I obviously was selling myself short.

When we walk in, his chamber is nearly twice the size of mine, with glowing vines wrapping all around his room. At one point, all of them join together in the ceiling of the chamber, before spiraling down together like a chandelier. It is so beautiful...

"Albesk, please wait by the door," Lord Antonius orders, interrupting my thoughts. With a curt nod, Albesk remains outside. I watch as the lord becons me over to his great big desk. A chair made of what looks like wicker remains in front of it. Giving a small bow, I take my seat in front of him.

Looking into his intense eyes, I watch them rake over me, scrutinizing my face. He seems perplexed.

"Miss Lunar," he starts. "How have you healed so quickly?" I realize then that he had not been up-to-date with Liona. I explain to him about what Liona showed me, how the moonlight had healed me. He gives a small nod.

"I suppose that makes sense," he says. "-but that is not why I called you here."

"What is it, my lord?" I ask. He stares at me intently. "Well, seeing as you are finally here, I wanted to make sure that we can give you all that you need. My informants have revealed to me the condition in which you have survived for so long. As your birth right, we want to make ammends."

My heart constricts in emotion at his words. "You owe me no kindness, my lord. What was done to me is no fault of anyone's but the King's," I say. He holds up a hand, giving me a stern look.

"Lunar, we failed to help our own for so long, and we know you've been doing all you can to protect your people, both human and fey. Like it or not, we are indebted. So, Lunar, how can we repay you?"

I give it much thought-so long that awkward silence remains in the air. It takes me a moment, thinking back to what Liona had said. Then finally, I have my answer.

"Lord, all I want is to benefit both my worlds. There is only one way I can see to it," I say. Lord Antonious moves forward, resting his elbows on the desk as he entwines his fingers, resting his chin on his hands. "Name it."

"When you embark on the journey to kill my father," I start.

"I want to be the one to end his existence."