Chapter Twenty-Seven
Faolan’s POV
"What do you mean?" He had demanded from his sisters as his gaze expressed how troubled he was by the news. "Do you know where she went?"
Pine had sniffled. "There was a lot of b-blood." She whispered, almost horrified. "I don't know what happened besides that she almost died and that it might of been an a-attack." She shuddered. "I didn't even recognize her..."
I felt like an awkward outsider, looking upon this scene. Honestly, I didn't know how to comfort them when I never met the woman myself. I heard a story of her but that's about it. Obviously, these two deeply cared about her to be able to feel bad for her. Even now, I noticed that Verin had shuddered at the news but kept his face the same.
"Where did she go?" Verin repeated, almost sounding concerned.
"She was sent to see Uphir." She whispered, sounding worn out from everything. Her skin seemed paler than it normally was.
He reached over to stroke her hair back. "Go to your room and don't leave it for a while, okay?"
Hesitating, Pine nodded. "Okay, I'll go." She said, pulling back from him. "Will she be okay?"
"Of course." Verin said, almost confidently. I had a suspicion that it was an act. "She's strong. Now, go get that guard over there and go to your room for a little while." He nodded towards the guard that was checking through the kitchen. He had shown up shortly after Pine had screamed but I hadn't noticed him until now because I was too concerned about Pine.
Hesitating once last time, she went over to the guard to request to be taken to her room because her brother demand it so. The guard had nodded and began to walk away, patiently going to keep up with her. Pine glanced back one more time over her shoulder before she took a turn out of the kitchen.
Turning towards him, I asked, "Are we heading towards the infirmary?"
"How is your back doing?" Verin asked instead.
"Almost done healing." I confessed, surprised that my body was starting to heal better. It used to heal much slower because I wasn't taken care of my body well. Well, it was not like I was given a choice of when to eat and stuff.
"Well those stitches will need to be removed." He said, nodding. "And while they're being removed then we can see Quorra."
"Is she the cook?"
"Yeah." Verin said and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll need to tell Louis about it too."
"Why?" I asked, confused. Why would Louis need to know what happened to the cook? Was it because he was a guard at the castle so he needed to know?
"Let's say that he has a soft spot for her." He told me, nodding. "But we're going to check on her first because I hope that will soften the news to him to know she's actually okay."
I hesitated as I'm not sure if I wanted to see that crazy doctor again. "Alright..." I finally said, a tad reluctant.
"It'll be okay." Verin told me as if trying to comfort me. "It shouldn't take too long." Putting a hand against my back, he waved his hand forward. "So, let's go."
Nodding, I began to walk forward with him besides me. Time to meet the doctor that I'd rather put to sleep myself.
*********
"Verin, why haven't you gone inside yet?" I finally ased as I stood behind him. He was just staring at the door like it would kill him and honestly, I don't understand why.
"Because I don't know if it's a trick or not." He answered, warily.
"What do you mean?" I questioned in bewilderment.
"How about you go first?"
"No, because now you have me suspicious." I told him firmly. Oddly enough, I have a feeling that this wasn't the first time he made me go first. "You're not in endanger from that weird doctor."
"No but my sanity is."
I rolled my eyes. "You're over-reacting."
"And you're becoming more vocal."
"If it gets you through that door then job accomplished." I shrugged. "But you should go through first because you're the one that wants to see her."
He let out a heavy sigh. "That's true, I guess." Seeming reluctant, he went over to slowly open the door. After looking around, he finally decided to open it all the way and cautiously entered the room.
"Why are you acting so weird?" I couldn't help but asked.
"It's nothing." Verin said, straightening up. "I just wanted to make sure it was safe is all."
Raising my eyebrows, I couldn't help but debated whether he was losing his mind after all. "Okay..."
"Well it's safe but I'm sorry to say that she's not allowed visitors." A voice spoke up. We turned to our left to see Uphir, looking through some paperwork in a very noncholant way. "Quorra needs peace and quiet. That and she's not even conscious."
"If we can't visit her then how is she?" He demanded, hands curling into fists.
"She'll be fine." Uphir answered, not bothering to look up. "She's just a tad beaten up is all. But you can keep the hybred and that she-wolf company."
"I don't care about those two." Verin growled. "What is her condition?" He seemed to be trembling but not sure if it's out of concern or anger. Either way, it had made me wary.
"Stable. How many times do I need to say that she'll be fine to you, young lord?"
"Until I see her!" He snapped.
"And I told you that you can't. She needs rest and you'll bother her." Uphir glared when he finally looked up from his paperwork. "So, I don't care what you say. Her treatment and care comes first before your selfish desires. Now, you're going to leave it alone and go see the other women instead."
"I'm not here to see the other girls." Verin growled, clenching his fists and glaring.
"How about you sit down and settle down." I told Verin, turning towards him. "Throwing a fit isn't going to solve anything. I want to see how Accalia is anyways."
He was unbelievably tense, but he had moved over to sit down. Still glowering, he seemed like a toddler that was put into time out and was pouting. Well... almost since a toddler wouldn't look that scary when upset. "Fine."
Uphir was even watching Verin as if he was a ticking bomb about to explode. Without another word, I went across the room. "Which spot is she in?"
"The left side with the hybred." Uphir answered before he went back to his paperwork.
Hesitatantly, I went over to the left side of the room. Moving the sheet back, I saw her and her friend there. Her friend was finally conscious, who stared at me weirdly. Her gaze wasn't a normal one as it was a coppery orange color. I wasn't so sure if that was because of the two breeds mixed within her or because it was her actual eye color.
Accalia jumped up instantly. "There you are!" She exclaimed but she still had a smile on her face. "Where the hell were you? It feels like forever since I've seen you and also, we need time to discuss how the fuck we're getting out of here."
"Nice to know you're still the same." I said, dryly. "Do you finally know her name?"
"Yeah, her name is Layla." She answered me, easily. "A pretty normal name for her, really. I wish I had a less unique name."
Sighing, I rubbed my face. "Besides that, what is Layla's purpose?"
"Well, she was a slave and I was captured." Accalia shrugged. "I felt protective of her so I befriended her and decided to help her out."
"I feel that isn't the right story especially something so simple and easy." I crossed my arms and my gaze went to Layla, who was still staring at me. "So, what's the truth?"
"She tried saving me." Layla whispered as she continued to stare. "That is truly all."
"Okay but why are you staring at me?" I finally asked because this staring contest was starting to creep me out. I didn't need more creatures staring at me.
"Because you're a hero."
Instantly, I was taken aback. "What?"
"You're a hero." She repeated as she stared at me. "A legend. Who wouldn't want to stare at you and wonder how they become in your presence?"
"Um...." I looked over at Accalia for help. "What is she talking about?"
"Well, I won't deny that you're a hero." Accalia looked amused. "I mean there is such things as rumors. I not only tried to save her but she also helped me try to get to the Underworld." She sighed loudly. "Except we both got caught in our attempts to get into the Underworld."
Rubbing my hand down my face, I shook my head. "If that's the case then you both were idiots for coming to the Underworld for my sake." I scolded, glowering. "Especially you, Accalia. You hold more importance than I do so putting your life in jeopardy should have never went across your mind."
"But Faolan---"
"No." I gritted out. "I will find a way to send you both back and you will stay away from the Underworld."
"Not without you!" Accalia snapped, getting up. She raised her hands. "You are important to me, to my brother and the whole clan! You sacrificed too much for us and we should---"
"Accalia!" I snapped, which instantly shut her up. Her gaze flickered her anger but slight hurt at my tone. Letting out a sigh, I forced myself to gentle my tone. "That is a choice that I made. I am expendable, but you are not. Do you understand?"
After a moment of silence, she finally answered with a, "Yes."
I nodded. "Good,” I said with finality, “we'll have a discussion on how to get you two out some other time."
"Why not now?"
"Because right now, there is too much going on to plan a good escape for you two." I finally decided. "Once I find an opening for you two, then we'll go for it."
"How do you know when it'll be a good time to escape?" Accalia asked, frowning.
"Trust me, I'll know." I rubbed my face again. "Now, try to be patient and take care of each other." I looked over at them. "Can you two at least do that for me?"
"Yes." They said in unison but Layla was quieter. I'm starting to notice that she speaks more quietly than most people. I was slightly curious on why that is, but right now, that wasn’t the place to find out.
Though, I can’t believe that I said that in general. Am I becoming suicidal? I mentally groaned. “We will talk soon but if any danger comes to you, I don’t care--- you run.” My gaze met Accalia’s. “You run until you reach home. Don’t ever stop to even rest unless you know for sure that place is safe. Don’t come find me or anything as your safety comes first. You think about yourself and your people first, understood?”
She glared, telling me that she completely disagreed what I said. “Understood.” She growled out. I wasn’t sure if that meant that she did or that she was lying to me. Sadly, I couldn’t tell as my focus wasn’t completely on her.
Slowly, I nodded and patted the top of her head. After I was done, I turned around and walked over to Verin, who looked more annoyed than normal. He was glaring fiercely at Uphir across the room, who purposely ignored them both. Hesitating, I stopped next to Verin.
“We probably should get going…”
“Yes.” Uphir spoke up as his gaze never wavered from what he was doing. “You both definitely need to go and rest for the night. If you’re calmed down by tomorrow, Prince then you can come see Quorra. But not until tomorrow. Are we clear on that?”
I swore that I could hear his molars grinding against each other. “Whatever.” He snarled before he twirled around, grabbing the door and left with a slam behind him.
Flinching, I hurried over to follow, knowing well that no one was going to stop me. Mostly because no one truly cared about my presence besides the girl that I left in that room. Peering around, I saw his rigid back as he paused in the middle of the hallway a few feet away. Again, I hesitated.
Honestly, I didn’t know what to do as I stopped a food away from his back. Instinctively, my hand began to reach towards his back but I stopped. Blinking, I glanced down at my hand in confusion before I slowly dropped it. What was I about to do? Deciding that I didn’t want to go there yet, I struggled to figure out what to say.
“Verin…” I finally spoke up, suddenly feeling smaller than I already was. Swallowing as I glanced down for a second, I was dumbstruck on what to do or say as I knew very well that it wasn’t my place to. Glancing back up, I took a deep breath and tried again. “Verin, I—“
Suddenly, he had swiftly turned around and reached out. Instantly, I thought that he was going to hit me so I cringed, closing my eyes to prepare for impact. Opening my eyes in shock, he had wrapped his arms around me despite my flinch and held me tightly to his chest. My chin was almost resting against his shoulder.
Weird feelings twirled inside me as I was embraced by a male. No, not just any male but Verin. Confusion began to build inside me as well as awareness of how warm and hard his body was against my own. Before I opened my mouth, I felt something on my shoulder.
It was his tears as he shuddered around me.
Right then and there, I was more stunned than the day that he began to be kind. “Master…?” I asked, carefully as I felt helpless, standing there.
“Please,” Verin’s voice trembled as he held me even closer, “let us stay this way for a bit longer?”
I didn’t understand but that tone had undone me. That tone that spoke volumes of grief and hurt. A tone that sounded so close to a broken child but inside a teenager that was almost an adult. Not only did those tones spoke out to me—they brought on the protectiveness in me.
Pausing, I wasn’t so sure that it was a good idea until he tightened his arms around me. Slowly, I settled my arms around him, holding him back. Honestly, I wasn’t so sure on how long that we stayed there but eventually, Verin had calmed down.
He carefully pulled back before he glanced down, almost embarrassed. His jaw twitched as he seemed to struggle what else to say. “Um…”
Waiting, I tilted my head as I stared at him. “It’s okay to have a weak moment, Verin. Everyone breaks down at some point in their lives.” I told him, slowly in hopes that he would understand me.
When he swallowed, his adams apple moved. “I…” For the first time, Verin was actually lost in words. Could he truly be embarrassed for crying? Shouldn’t I be the one flustered?
I never got to find out as suddenly a familiar little voice spoke up. “Oh, look! It’s Faolan! Hi, Faolie!”
Instantly, my gaze went over to the twins. I hesitated before I smiled back. “Hey, Lilith and Lilitu.”
It was a long time since I’ve seen them or, at least, it had felt like it. By how their eyes lit up, I could tell that they were happy to run into me. I glanced over them, noticing they had short dresses in the color red. The same shade of deep red, rather.
“Can we play again?” Lilitu asked as her green eyes looked up at me hopefully.
“Yeah, can we?” Lilith asked, also looking at me hopefully with her blue eyes.
Before I could respond, Verin stepped forward. “No.” He almost growled in annoyance. “He’s not going anywhere and what the hell are you two doing here? Shouldn’t you be with your mother?”
Lilith didn’t bat an eye as she tsked. “Just because we have a mother and you don’t doesn’t mean you should be so mean to us, Verin.”
Okay, I’d admit that was a low blow. Who knows how long this animosity was inside the castle though?
“At least my mother wasn’t a whore.”
“Verin!” I spoke instantly to scold him. “Don’t be swearing in front of children and definitely don’t insult their parents just because you don’t like them.”
“Stay out of this.” He snapped at me.
“They are only little girls.” I pointed out to him. “They are also related to you by blood. You shouldn’t be so harsh on them.”
“I am ashamed to be related to two spawns of my father’s unfaithfulness.” Verin glared at me, angrily. “So don’t tell me that they are related to me.”
The twins removed any emotion from their faces. Literally, it was like a slap to the face. I stood firm. “They can’t control what their parents do or your father. If you just give them a chance, I’m sure you would grow to love them like you do for Pine.”
“Don’t you dare—“
“It’s fine.” Lilith spoke up, interrupting. “We don’t truly care whether you accept us or not. We gave that up a long time ago.”
Lilitu nodded in agreement. “But we were not talking to you. We were speaking to Faol.”
He growled deep in his throat. “You piece of---“
Quickly, I interrupted, “Girls, is there a reason why you’re out and about?”
“We were bored.” Lilith said, shrugging.
“But we were also curious.” Lilitu added.
“Curious?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. “Why?”
“Because we heard some noises.”
“Who cares?” Verin snapped, interrupting. “I’m sure it was just some rats or something.” He put a hand against my shoulder. “We might as well go while we still can. You need rest and these brats need to go back to their… mother."
They rolled their eyes. “You truly don’t know what is going around you, do you?” Lilith asked, raising her eyebrows.
I could literally feel my heart beginning to pound at those words. “What do you mean?”
Together, they both sighed and looked a tad sorrowful. “We truly do not know. But…” Lilitu glanced around. “I’m sorry. That is something you both will have to learn on your own.” She turned to Lilith and reached out to hold her hand. “Let’s just hope it won’t ruin us all.”
“They are just pulling a prank.” Verin hissed in annoyance. “They always plays these games and make you believe it is real when it’s not. They are liars for their own entertainment. Let’s go.” He suddenly grabbed my hand as shoved himself forward, dragging me along with him.
Despite being dragged, I looked back at the twins. Why do I have a suspicion that they may be right? That there is more to it than what our eyes seek? I guess there was only one way to find out.
____________________________
A/N:
I finally got over that wall of writers block for this chapter. I hope it was worth the wait!
Okay, so, I don't know if you guys noticed but this story is going to end in a few chapters. Like, no joke. Shockingily, I'm almost at the point where I want to end this story and for the sequel (if I make one) to pick up. I'm thinking that it'll end around 30 chapters-- give or take. Yes! That soon!
I might be rushing the ending-- I don't know but! I'm just happy that this story is almost done so I can write a sequel (if I do) and re-edit TUM someday for publishing. I mean, TUM does need a lot of work done!
For now, you all enjoy TUM while you still can! Feel free to tell me what you guys think of this chapter and vote. Thanks! Have a great reading experience!
P.S. Please check out my co-author story. I'm very proud of it! So it'll make me a very happy author that you guys check it out. If you won't read it then make sure to share it with a friend, please! Here is the link:http://www.wattpad.com/story/18226938-captured-hearts