Love Between Two Kinds

Chapter 19

Back to the old castle,

Nicklaus rushed Tiana into the room and covered her with the sheets. He got the fireplace working and added more wood to it. As he was tending to Tiana, Robert walked in with a little smile.

"So?" Nicklaus asked without batting an eye on him.

"Willow woods" Robert said as he found a chair to sit.

"I'm going alone" Nicklaus told him, as he sat on the bed, adjusting the sheets

"Too dangerous" Robert said back.

"I'm immoral" Nicklaus reminded him.

"What's wrong with her?" Robert asked pointing to Tiana.

"I don't know " Nicklaus said as he watched her with curiosity.

"How's that possible?" Robert stood up and went to her.

"I wonder myself" Nicklaus replied, as he walked out of the room.

"Want me to find out?" he questioned as he followed Nicklaus behind.

"Sure" he agreed, as he entered his room and took a coat.

"Watch her for me" he instructed, as he left the castle, and mounted a horse, waiting for him outside.

*****

At the Denton's residence, Lambert sat back in his study chair in deep thought. His eyes were swollen from crying all day.

Where could have his princess gone? And why did Her Majesty ask for her? Hope his baby is not in trouble. His wife hasn't left his daughter room since the previous night and he tried talking to her but all he heard were sobbing sounds. Little Eve has been in her room, refusing to eat anything, because she couldn't find her big sister.

Has he failed as a father? Has he failed has a husband? Has he failed in being the man of the house? Lambert questioned himself in sorrow.

Opposite the Denton's house, Dela waved at neighbours that came to visit her with a huge smile. The smile disappeared immediately she shut the door.

"Eugene!" she yelled her son's name. Eugene rushed to where his mother was and asked with worry,

"What is it mother? Have they found her?"

Dela hit her son on the head, for remembering her worse enemy's daughter.

"Is that all you think of? Tsk" she glared at him. Eugene smile and peak her on the cheek.

"Of course not, mother" he said to her and she was immediately happy.

"Well are you aware that a carriage from the castle came in today, searching for Tiana?" her happiness soon disappeared.

"Really ?" he asked in astonishment.

"Do you know why it came?"

"No, my son. But I can tell people I do" she said with an evil smirk.

*****

Tabitha woke up to a serious headache. She held her head and look at the unfamiliar room with confusion.

Where was she?

Getting from the bed, her feet touch the cold floor, and she frowned, pouting her lips. She walked towards a window and looked outside, and she was left more perplexed. She heard the door opened from behind her and she quickly turned in alertness. She breath a sigh of relief when she saw her brother.

Noel, who had a tray in his hands dropped in on the nearest table and rushed to his sister. He embraced her and kissed her on her head.

"Are you okay, dear?" he asked with worry.

"Yeah" she responded. Noel sat her down on the bed and went to where he put the tray. He took it and placed it in front of her.

"It's porridge" he said as he took a spoon full and blow on it

"I don't like porridge " she whined, but Noel turned deaf ears and told her

"Open wide"

Tabitha pouted her lips and looked away from him.

"No" she told him. Noel didn't argue with her and stood up, with the tray in his hands

"Fine, then. I'll go call a doctor" instantly he said that, she stood up and dragged the tray from his hands.

"I like porridge" she said and started eating. Her face looked miserable as she swallowed every spoon, but she hated the doctor than porridge, so she endured it. After having her breakfast, she had her bath, and wore fresh clothing. She met her brother in the carriage they came in the previous day.

Tabitha could sense something was off, with the way her brother kept asking her if she was doing okay. She tried recollecting on the previous events, but her mind was in a blur. She didn't push herself anymore and slept off in the carriage.

***

Far away from civilization, stood a thick dark eerie forest with tall centuries old trees, with limbs guarded by darkness, blotting out any sunlight. Their barks was mottled and splotched, as if the bubbled soap had seen frozen in line on its surface. Fog moved on the vine filled ground, mixed with mud. A foul stench filled the air, with little dust like particles, floating like snow. In the dense shadows, spiders clutched their snare strings. Their webs shimmered like meshed steel dipped in sliver. Owls hooting echoed in dark forest, sending shivers down ones spine.

Thump thump

The sound of a horse hooves stumping on the vines, covering the serene forest. The rider dismounted the horse and looked around. He brought out an handkerchief from his pocket and tied it around his face, covering his nose. His eyes probe around the woodland. His ears stood high in alert, and his eyes root around for any sign of movement. Taking hold the horse's leash, Nicklaus began to explore the eldritch forest. He stopped at one of the tall trees, and touched the bark, which had the appearance of a blemish mawkish sap.

"Tsk, witches" he said as he wiped it on the ground. He went furthermore into the forest. As he went, the vines behind him, without notice, started moving. They trailed behind him, and instantaneously wrap themselves around his ankle and dragged him deep into the forest. Everything was too sudden for Nicklaus, before he knew it, his back slammed hard against a wall, and more vines appeared, and pinned him down.

He tried his best to burst himself out, but all his effort were in vain.

A sinister laugh suddenly started to echo from every corner of the forest. The laugh grew closer and closer, until he spotted, figure covered with a black cloak making it's way towards him.