Chapter 64

She all but glared at him, but her face contorted in pain.

"That spear" she pointed at the spear protruding into Blain's back "Pull it out. Avoid the tip. A drop of that poison will lead to eternal suffering. Two to suicide. Three to death of both body and soul".

Kendrick wasn't sure he even wanted to touch the spear after her words. He did it regardless. Avoiding the tip. It disappeared the moment he pulled it out. Disappearing without a trace except for the mess it made.

No matter how he turned it over in his head she was a witch.

"Now will you speak?" he asked, turning back to her. She was now sitting up at a desk. Her eyes still glaring.

"There are dozens of dead bodied both outside and inside this room. At least have someone clean this place up!" She demanded hand outstretched to her dead father's body.

"Can you bring back the dead?"

She frowned at his question.

"I said there are!"- he cut her off sharply.

"We both know that if I disclose what you truly are then both you and this child will be killed. So think carefully before answering my next question", Kendrick raised his chin as he stared down at her. She flinched at his threat, eyes darting to the defenseless child sleeping peacefully just a few meters away from her.

"I can not - " her eyes widened at the threatening step Kendrick towards her child and she stumbled, her voice shouting "You- You can, however!"

He stepped back, brow rising.

"I can?" he skeptically replied.

"You would have to come to possess a phoenix's egg"

"Phoenix? Hah!-" she cut him off before he could brush off her statement.

"There is one!- There is an egg, but..." she grimaced, fear flooding through her veins. She had no strength left after that blow at her father, and the power she gained by killing him was sending chills down her back, "It's in the possession of the demon lord. You won't make it".

Kendrick did not doubt her. Somehow he could understand her feelings, regardless of his lack of empathy. A mother would not risk her child's life.

"How can I make it?"

"You'd have to be a mage... or if not a mage then a... sorcerer".

This was the moment that sealed the fate of both of these individuals.

"Make me a sorcerer".

"But it will cost"-

"Make me a sorcerer" His imperative tone made her patience wear thin.

"It'll cost me"

"Then so be it".

She realized he would not care. The problem with making a human a sorcerer was that it was, by all means, such a blasphemous act that even witches did not leave unscathed. It cost them half their lifetime. It meant death would always be looming near them. She glanced at her child, the beautiful wisp of hair on his head made her resolve her decision.

"Give me some time to recover my strength. The moment I am able I'll send for you immediately, however, I need something to understand that you won't betray later when it suits yourself".

"Betray you? You would be the last thing on my mind" He scowled.

"Anything for my peace of mind. I need to know that this child will grow up safely".

"I have nothing of value. I have nothing I care so much for that it would stop me from"-

"You have a child".

That silenced Kendrick.

"Do not bring my child into this business"

"Give me the child and then I will comply. I will not reduce my life span for a trade that I can not trust. A witch's word is much heavier than a simple humans".

Kendrick could feel the blood rush to his head. It was as if he suddenly weighed his options, but he could not think rationally enough. Not when he wanted to see her so badly. He knew witches were bound by promises so he had little to risk.

"Fine. But the moment she is bought here I expect you to do whatever it is you need to do and then I'll be on my way immediately".

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I stared at the fine silk on my skin. My skin gleamed cleanly, something I don't think I had ever seen. It was a shade lighter than I had realised. The silk itself didn't belong to me. It was something the previous duchess wore once, something that was styled to be just below her knees but reached my ankles. It was the only dress that wasn't a servants attire that actually fit me.

But it wasn't just the silk on my skin that had me feeling out of place.

I was given a guest room. A room normally meant for a noble, which I basically was now... Again that feeling that filled me.

The maids and servants that treated me well were immediately on my case when I was announced no longer a slave. The ones that hadn't treated me well had either stayed low or profusely apologised for their behaviour. Probably some fear that I would care enough to punish them.

I didn't.

Justin had stayed a night after his name was taken off the register and then decided it was time for him to find his place in society. Not as a footman or a farmer, and definitely not as some adventurer, but to see what he truly wanted from life. He set off with the whole manor giving him encouraging words.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you, but you'll always be my best friend Justin" I had said as he piled his bags in the carriage Cain had gifted him, or rather the one I forced him to gift Justin.

"I don't regret it for a moment. Don't think I'll ever have so much fun again, but that might be for the best" He laughed, running a hand through his hair before he looked to Cain who stood besides me obediantly, "You better take care of her Kid".

"You need not tell me Drente. I'll take very good care of this one" Cain rested an arm around my shoulder and tilted his head with a smile as if he had won something. Justin rolled his eyes at his attitude. I couldn't blame him.

He had set off just like that.

Cain had been insistant on keeping me company on my every waking moment at the manor from then on. I hadn't minded at all. In fact, I enjoyed his company. On the other hand, Kendrick had not. Mostly because he had tried to bond with me, but Cain kept getting between us at every interval.

It was only when I realised I should visit Angela that we finally got a moment without Cain. Largely because he neglected a tremendous amount of paperwork following me around and his paperwork started falling off his desk.

It was strange enough wearing pretty clothes and not having to work to earn my place in life, but I didn't need to ask for permission to leave either.

"It's strange" I began as I rode in the carriage with Kendrick and Will to Angelas home.

"What is?" Will asked, gaze once again seeming to stare right through me.

"Are you sure I'm your child?" I blurted out to Kendrick who gave me a startled look. He laughed once when he recovered, but Will seemed more concerned.

"You are definitely my child" He reassured me, a gentle hand on my shoulder, but it didn't qwell my worries.

"Why are suddenly worrying about it?" Will asked.

I bit my lip as I looked down at my hands.

"I just- It's strange. My whole life I've always felt like I had prove I was worth `living. That I was valuable enough to keep alive. I guess I'm struggling to adjust to this. Being free" When I looked up Will smiled warmly at me, Kendrick however stiffened. As if he wasn't sure how to react to my words.

"It'll take time to get used to it, but just keep reminding yourself until you don't need to. Aslong as you do that It'll be ingraved in you soon enough. Then you won't have to prove anything to anyone. You'll just be Isabelle. like it always should have been" He squeezed my hand.

I couldn't help but admire Will's ability to understand people so well.

"Thank you".

"Regardless of your worries, I confirmed you were related to us that moment when you touched my shoulder in the servants area" He threw his arms behind his head and leaned back, resting shut his eye lids.

"What do you mean?" I couldn't help but be intrigued as I recalled the weird feeling at the time. I had brushed it off because of Justin and had forgotten it until now.

"Your mana cancelled my mana. That only happens between people with blood relations" He said it with such nonchalance whilst me and Kendrick both sprung up in alarm.

"She has mana?!"

"I have mana?"

Will's brows scrunched together in annoyance.

"It's very little, but yes. You could heal small cuts if I train you" He yawned, "I'm going to shut my eyes so please stop being so loud".

Kendrick locked eyes with me as he wore a smile I could only decribe as terribly proud. He even ruffled my hair.

"You are definitely my child".