The Gifted One
Letting his new wife fall asleep in his arms while they traveled had never been part of Prince Rafael’s plan. His original plan was simple. Perform formalities, escort the princess from the border to his mansion, and be done with her. Tending her bloodied wound beside a lake in the middle of Elyria was neither a part of the plan.
Yet he had done it. And the scent of her blood lingering on his mind hours later even as he stood in the middle of the metal-filled weaponry was the consequence.
Prince Rafael’s long fingers curled around a sharp-edged golden knife amongst the countless knives across the iron table. He ran a cloth along its blade, slowly and gently, his eyes fixed on it. It had to be his favorite amongst the others.
“Your highness.” The iron door of the weaponry creaked open followed by silent footsteps. Rafael didn’t need to lift his gaze to know who it was.
“Speak.”
“They returned safely,” Draven, his right-handed man and confidant, stepped closer to him, lowered his head, and announced.
“And the rebels?”
Draven paused for a second and said in a regretful tone, “They captured just one. They all fled after realizing it was the strongest of our armies.”
For the first time since Draven’s appearance, Rafael lifted his eyes to meet his. “And?” His countenance was calm. It was the nature of Rafael. The world could be going on spins but he would remain composed and unperturbed.
But although he was calm and composed, Draven was well aware that beneath his calm exterior, he was a war bomb.
“Forgive me, your highness. He’d rather be murdered than reveal any information. Permit me to bring him in.”
A nod was all he needed. He called out to the guards and in a split second, a criminal was dragged into the weaponry and forced to his knees. As his eyes fell on the Prince across the weapon-filled table, he cowered backward and his body began to tremble.
“I must commend your loyalty,” Rafael began. Twirling the knife skillfully like they were a part of him, he rounded the table until he stood before the rebels. “Tell me, would you rather disclose the name of your master and go free or lay your life for him? Believe me, you’d walk out unscathed if you please me with your answer.” he negotiated.
The man immediately slammed his head on the floor. “Your highness, I…I have no idea.”
Rafael nodded. He wasn’t disappointed. At least not anymore. It wasn’t a new occurrence. Just like always, he got no clue about the leader of the rebels. He’d searched for decades to no avail. His mortal enemy sure knew how to play his cards too well.
“Fine.” Without hesitation, he tossed his knife to the floor and before the man could blink, he was right in front of him. He roughly caught him by the neck and lifted him like he weighed nothing.
“Yo…your highness, please,” he panicked.
He looked at the wall behind him and in an instant, he knew what was coming for him. A scream erupted from him, his legs kicked against the air and his entire body trembled like a candle flame in a storm.
“Have mercy, your highness. Pl…please. No…no, your…” his words were barely completed before Rafael threw him against the wall where countless silver swords were arranged. His screams were cut short as the weapons pierced through his body, seizing life from him in an instant.
“Feed his body to the beasts,” he thundered. Returning to his spot across the table, he wiped his hands with the cloth from earlier. A minute was all that was needed for the vampire guards to pull the body out of the weapons, wipe the spot, and scramble out of the weaponry leaving Draven alone with the Prince.
“They tried to murder the princess to spark a war between humans and vampires,” Draven informed. “You were about to be framed, your highness.”
“Have more armies around the borders. Kill anyone perceived as a threat.”
“Yes, your highness.”
“Leave.”
After a curt bow, he turned to leave but just before he got to the door, he paused and slowly turned back around.
Rafael met him with a sharp glare.
“Forgive me. I was only wondering…” he cleared the lump in his throat and continued. “It suddenly started snowing after you returned with the princess. It is not winter yet and it could be a good or bad sign. Could the princess be the gifted one as…”
“Get whatever that is out of your head, Draven. You’re not one to have delusions. Leave that role for Adam.”
“The dumb thing thinks the same. But you’re right. The little weak human can't be the one in Elyria’s prophecy.” He paused and then swallowed. With a stern voice, he spat. “Your health is deteriorating day by day. It’s time that we look for the gifted one. If killing her means saving you, I wouldn’t blink an eye!”
Elora’s eyes slowly fluttered open to a dark ceiling above her.
It was strange. So unfamiliar. The sheets beneath her were way too soft compared to the bed she was used to.
She sat up slowly, her eyes frantically staring at the room in confusion. For a minute, she wondered where she was. How did she end up in an unfamiliar bedroom? The thick curtains of the window allowed only a faint glow of light for her eyes. It was a large dark chamber, one that smelled of polished wood, snow, and danger.
How had she ended up in such a room? All she remembered was her…. She threw her palms to her mouth as the memories of the night before came flooding into her head. She’d fallen asleep on their way. He….
She threw the covers off her and she winced as a sharp pain throbbed through her arm. But it wasn’t her worries. A sigh escaped her lips once she confirmed that she was fully clothed and the dagger was still carefully kept in place by her garter.
A soft knock broke the strings of thoughts in her head. The door opened before she could answer and as she lifted her gaze to see who it was, her eyes grew wide and she shot out of bed instantly.
“My lady!”