Chapter twenty two

  Eric

"Do you..."

A haunting presence at the doorway stopped me. I turned there to see an apprehensive guard.

"What do you want?"

" Father Nicholas is here."

Anthony turned blue and If I had a mirror, I'd be the same.

I sent the guard on his way and said to Anthony,

"Why is he here? The coronation isn't until a week after."

"I have no idea. Let's find out."

We trotted on. Father Nicholas's face lit up seeing us appear.

"Well, Well, Well. It's a wonderful surprise to see you, chums, all grown up."

Goodness, How conceited could this man be. He visited two months ago.

It was like he had ties with the castle.

"It's wonderful to have you here father Nicholas. Why are you here?"

Anthony dealt me a jab that sent me reeling. I grimaced back.

"I get the feeling you don't want me to be here." Father Nicholas implied, inspecting the castle like he was searching for something or someone.

"Of course not. I was just curious. My coronation is three weeks away and you're here." I said, lacking the empathy needed.

"I'm here to check the affairs of the castle. How are you faring?"

"Good. How'd the church Father?"

"The congregation has never bloomed. You'd know if you came. Even beings like yourself need the Lord's protection."

I hated when he said that.  He and my father were close but he was nothing but a family friend. Someone who kept out secret.

"We would father... but we have a lot on our plates right now," Anthony said to the man, being the cultured and prim one as always.

The priest cut him off, running his fingers on the peeling walls.

"I see. The kingdom is in ruins."

He enjoyed doing this. For a worker of the path of light, He was loose-lipped. It was a wonder how our secrets were still locked in there.

"Where is the girl?" He inquired, breaking the silence.

"She won't be coming. She's emotionally unstable right now." Anthony was kind enough to answer.

I remained there physically but not mentally. Maisy was hurt and alone... All because of me.

"I mean... Why wouldn't she? Women want love and the moment they find out they've gotten nothing but convenience it breaks them but it would mean nothing to your brother. She's not the first poor souls he's torn apart.

A part of me felt like he was referred to my fling with Sara. Sara was a drama queen. There was a high possibility she'd spilled it all in the confession room.

Father Nicholas flicked his fingers in my face seeing how gone I was.

"Eric, you know if that Monster inside is still a bother. The church is here to help you bind it."

I rolled my eyes and ignored him, remembering the several times my mother had taken me this long Church for cleansing. Of course, my father hadn't told her anything about what he was and she thought I was possessed. Long story short, The exorcism failed and my Mom got a little in on the Clarke family secret.

"That won't be necessary father. I can keep it in check." I assured.

He winked,

"I'm sure you can but... When do I get to meet Tatia's sister. Perhaps, I can pacify her."

Anthony sent me a knowing look. I had to say, my brother knew me well. Father Nicholas made me uncomfortable whenever he was around and I didn't want him near Maisy or her demons.

***

Maisy

Father had gone visiting grandfather leaving me alone in the grand room. I wasn't entirely alone. The crickets would not stop disturbing. Just when I wanted to sulk forever. I never knew it to be so hard to keep a grudge. It was like a flesh-eater, causing me pain than the eyesore it gave to the sight.

The banging on the door caught my attention and I quietly walked up to it.

"Who's there?" I whispered in a hushed tone.

"It's me, Eric."

"Go away." I immediately blurted, No need to think that through.

The fire of pure hate that failed to ignite burst into flames at threatening intensity.

"I know you're angry but you can't live your life in a box." I heard him say.

I would say It was. Why was I doing this to myself? I would look weak and simply pathetic. I needed to take my stand.

If I was ever going to make him pay for his crimes, Then I better own myself.

I put my hands on the doorknob but then had second thoughts.

This was a show of bravery. I was still picking up the shambles of what remained of me. There was no need to break broken glass all over again.

"Nice try Clarke but this box is better than your sight," I said.

I heard him let out a stiff giggle.

"Really? That wasn't what you used to say about my eyes?"

Curse him and those devilish eyes.

If he was going to use that against me, I had cards of my own.

"They do say no one could resist Lucifer's charms well until they got to know how he is."

"Good one Maisy. I'm beginning to get the feeling you aren't angry anymore."

"Go away." I drooled my words and returned back to the four-poster bed. I wasn't going to be taking any of his shenanigans anymore.

"I know you say you don't want to talk to me but Maisy, You have to admit. I have a way with words but If you want me to leave you alone, I suggest you come with me."

"Make me."

He laughed,

"Trust me Maisy, I don't know what would happen if I barged in and couldn't control myself. You are... Sumptuous."

Goodness, did he just make me sensual. Fuck that!

I opened the door, fearing no one.

"What exactly do you want?" I demanded.

"You finally gave in." He continued to play around.

I closed my eyes and took a swift deep breath, my lips and brain working interchangeably to concoct the most wicked venom but an unknown voice stopped me. The voice said my name and for a second I thought it was the voice in my head but I opened my eyes.

It was a man. He was clean-shaven and had scythe-shaped eyebrows. His nose and half-dome cheekbones sat above an oaken jaw. His shoulders were part of his burly physique that didn't fit into the tight cloth. I could have sworn he forced it on, I never knew Priests to keep attention to how they looked cause this one did. He approached me with a tiger-like tread and his nomad-blue eyes twinkled, They were Saturn round.

"Hello Your Majesty, it's a pleasure to meet you." He bowed and I felt he deserved the honors of placing those lips on my hands.

I stretched forth my hands and he placed his lips on them. I instantly felt a jolt run than my spine. It was something that made me jerk.

The voices in my head became active letting out a roster that messed with my head.

This wasn't a warning. It felt a lot like pain and the strange thing was I could feel their pain.

I immediately pulled away from his touch.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Y—es." I stammered.

I didn't know what I felt at that time but this man was beginning to give me bad vibes.