20

Dedicated to all you wonderful readers. Thanks for all your help and support. 💜 I'm really sorry I was not able to update again. My battery and my schedule didn't give me the chance.

***

Dimitri led her to the throne room where the king stood at the window staring out into the dark night.

He'd felt their presence from the minute they'd crossed passed the enchanted vines. " Welcome Alina " his voice was deep and seemed to echo in a way that set a female's blood to boil.

He turned to face her and for a second her heart jumped in fear at the completely red eyes with black pupils that stared back at her. Why was his bloodlust up?

She was scared and wondered if to run when he stepped out of the shadows and she realized it was merely a trick of the light. His eyes were it's normal color, an icy purple color which sometimes changed to blue depending on the light he stepped into, the purple was edged with deep red. It was the most unique eye color she had ever seen and it continued to amaze her. Although his eye color did nothing to help his sinister look that never changed. There was something scary and cold about him, even when those eyes were smiling. Maybe his dark hair or his form that always seemed imposing.

An amused smirk hung on his lips as he stared at the sister of light who looked like she'd seen a ghost.

" Your...your majesty. " she greeted the king with a bow while trying not to kneel over from the fright that had left her legs shaking.

" Dimitri have her things brought to her room. " the king ordered.

He bowed and took her bag from her doing as the king had ordered.

" Was there any luck in finding her? " he asked, not even waiting for his servant to leave. He knew very well without a doubt that he could trust him.

" I apologise, my Lord but our search has been unsuccessful. I believe she might be among the witches who live in hiding. Even with news of your protection and that of the king of Haven's Peak, many still choose to stay hidden. "

" I've searched within my kingdom as well. Here no moon blessed witch has to fear persecution and still yet, I have not found her. Could it be that we're wrong and she has not yet been born? " he was frustrated and confused. Twenty years now he had searched for her and for countless more had he waited for her to be born.

" My Lord, the prophecies do not lie. The moon kissed witch shall be born on the day of the golden moon... "

" I know each and every word Alina but my patience wears thin. " he said, cutting her off. " I don't wish to wait any longer, the prophecies be damned. "

Alina was offended but kept her temper to herself. If only magic worked on the pompous ass, then she'd have worked a spell to teach him a lesson. How dare he insult the prophecies given by the moon goddess? But this gave her the opportunity to present before the king, Haven's Peak's request. " Your majesty, then perhaps you'll consider a request of mine. "

" What request? " he asked, lifting a brow.

" As you're well aware, the people of Haven's Peak are under attack by the dark witches and Eradain. They've put in a request that the people of Shadow's Kiss help them. " she said knowing very well what his answer would be.

" No. " he said with finality, then walked to his throne seat with a blank expression on his face.

" They are willing to give you whatever you want in exchange for your help. "

" Do I look like I lack in anything? " he asked, raising a brow.

" No, my Lord. But you did say you don't wish to wait for much longer. I still suggest you don't give up yet but until then would you consider the princess of Haven's Peak as a bride? "

He raised both eyebrows, this time barely showing any surprise. " Alina, why do I feel like you secretly hate me? " he asked with a mocking smile. " Princess Clarissa has quite the reputation. She has rejected nineteen princes so far and I hear she's very proud and has a love for torture and execution. "

When he saw the shock on her face, he rolled his eyes. " Just because I'm not at war with them doesn't mean I don't like to keep my ears down. I do the same for every kingdom. I even heard about the attack from the dark witches. "

" She might not have redeemable qualities but perhaps you can consider her. The people of Haven's Peak really need your help. " she said desperately. " If you won't take the princess as your bride, maybe you can ask them for something else. "

This was getting tiring for him. " Do you think if I asked to drink them dry they would still ask for my help? "

She sighed. " I know you don't care about any of the other kingdoms. But there is a strong possibility that the moon kissed witch is at Haven's Peak. If you don't help them and she manifests after the dark witches have taken over their kingdom, then you know what havoc will be unleashed. If she sides with them, the dark witches will be able to defeat your kingdom. If you protect the people of Haven's Peak, you can ensure that this does not happen. "

" How can you be so sure she's there? " he asked, frustrated.

" Some nights I feel her power soar through the kingdom. Just a ripple of it. It's powerful, strong... " she said remembering what it felt like to be awakened by such power. " ... nothing like I've ever felt before. But I also felt magic older than mine which should be impossible. Marianne was the only witch older than I am and she's dead. I've tried finding the source but I'm unable to find her. She is well hidden. " There was so much confusion within her.

She had not told him this before. If it wasn't the moon kissed, witch. Who else could it be? " There has never been a witch stronger than Marianne. Are you sure the power you felt was not from her daughter? "

" So many tests have been run on her. I searched for the magic within her myself. I even thought her mother might have locked her magic and I tried to unlock it but I felt nothing. I even checked for a concealment spell. She is definitely human. If she was not, she would have at the very least had the mark of the white moon and manifested when she was sixteen. " she said, sounding downcast. " but that doesn't change the fact that the moon kissed witch is in Haven's Peak. "

He was confused. The last thing he wanted was a bratty princess who thought too much of herself around him. But if he was ever going to find the moon kissed witch, he had to ensure that the people of Haven's Peak were safe. " Fine, I'll consider your request Alina but I won't be like her other nineteen suitors. I won't go to her. She will come to me. She will learn to become humble. " If she refuses, then he would no longer be held reasonable for not helping them.

Author's note

Thank you so much for reading. Don't forget to vote, comment, share, rate/review, add to your libraries and reading lists. Thanks again💜