XXIII

She grabs his hand. No movement so he's really under some sort of hypnotized. The fire around them slowly faded away. The same goes for her necklace light.

"Everything will be okay," she said to him even though she doesn't even know if he can listen to it.

As soon as her necklace glowing 100% faded, Evander looks back at her. He seems relieved. Finally, he can look at her with normal vision. He

still can taste the blood from inside his mouth but he doesn't care about it anymore. He feels light right now. Soon, he collapsed.

"Thank you," is the only word he can utter.

"Eh, Evander!" Serenity begins to panic.

He fainted with her hand wrapping his. His grip on her hand is neat. Serenity didn't manage to let it go so she also stumbles to the ground with

Evander. She's lucky because she didn't fall on her head.

"Are you okay?" Claudia asked as soon as the firely circle finally manage to break.

"Yes. I stumble because my hand is inside his so I can't hold my body when he collapsed," Serenity replies.

"Thank god! We truly worried when the barrier suddenly loses itself."

"Serenity! Are you really okay?!", Princess Khai asked her.

"Yes, I'm totally fine. He didn't hurt me,” I put Evander's head onto my lap.

"I'm truly sorry for this incident. You should not be getting involved in this situation," Princess Evandale apologise on behalf of her family.

"I'm fine Princess Evandale. Nothing to worry about. Your brother did a great job. He tries to hold his back. I can see his mouth is bleeding,"

Serenity tries to ease the worried.

King Alexander direct his people to bring Evander inside the castle. This is his kingdom so he is the one who needs to keep everyone safe.

"You need some rest, my princess," said Queen Mikaela.

"It's okay, mama. I'll rest later."

Queen Mikaela kiss her daughter on her forehead. She's proud of her daughter's braveness. As a normal human, it must be hard to face losing control vampire.

"I'll meet you inside."

They went back inside. It's their first meet after a month but it's being ruined already. The four of them didn't go inside. They want to talk about this. Serenity wiped down the dirt around her dress.

"Serenity, you owe us an explanation," said Azazel.

"Huh? Explanation? Regarding what?"

"How you do did that?" Maverick asked.

"Did what?"

"We know that the barrier is not from Claudia. And it's not from the Queen either. So, how do you do that?", Azazel asked.

Serenity holds her pendant. She smiles.

"I don't know if this makes sense but I think does pendant does it," she said.

"That pendant? Are you sure? It's just a pendant. We use to see it back then when we lived together inside your kingdom," Azazel was confused.

"It's a rare one, Azazel," Claudia replied

"No wonder you hesitate to take mine," said Maverick.

"Mave, I appreciate your gift. I truly am! But, I also didn't know about the power of this necklace. I'm sorry if I make you sad," said Serenity.

"Why do I need to be sad? You will be mine sooner or later. Not the bloodsucker!" Maverick talk to himself.

"You gave her a necklace?", Azazel disbelief.

Maverick nodded. He knows that Azazel will never approve of it.

Dush!

Azazel hit Maverick's head.

"Ouch! What's that for?!", Maverick asked.

"Idiot!", Azazel.

Maverick rubbed his head. They're now princes but still act like kids.

"Can I see your pendant?", Claudia asked.

"Sure," Serenity took off her necklace and at hand it to Claudia.

Claudia look around the star pendant. It's beautiful enough for someone as beautiful as Serenity

"It’s pretty and suits you well," said Azazel.

"It is?", Serenity asked back.

"Yes. Blue is just your colour. That's the reason why."

Maverick make his annoying face through Azazel. Azazel deliberately praised Serenity and her necklace just to make Maverick jealous. He really

wants Maverick to stop putting a heart on Serenity. Somehow, he can see that Serenity is in love with Evander.

"I think this pendant is normal, " Claudia.

"What do you mean?", Serenity asked.

"I feel some strong energy around it. I think the reason why the barrier appears is that this pendant is dedicated to protecting you."

"No wonder it so rare to found," said Azazel.

"Yeah, I think that's the reason why it is so rare. I wwherehere's the magic came from," Clhandeda handed the necklace back to Serenity.

"Princes and Princesses, I'm sorry for bothering your talk but the King and want wants you to get inside already. It's cold outside and not good

for your health," said a servant.

"Oh, okay. We'll be inside in a minute. Thank you," said Maverick.

The servant bowed and walk back into the castle.

"Let's go," said Maverick.

They all agree and proceed to get into the castle. But before that...

"Hey, Serenity," Claudia called her.

"Yes?" Serenity turns around.

"Aqua!"

Splash!!!

As soon as Claudia cast her spell, a huge splash of water begins to attack Serenity. It's quick until Serenity can't dodge it by herself. But, she's

lucky. The barrier from her pendant appears in a second to dodge the sudden attack. Serenity looks at the water puddles. She's shocked by the

attack.

"Claudia, are you? Are you trying to attack her? With your spell?!", Maverick mad at her and try to push her away.

"Chill, dude! Claudia knows what she's doing. You don't need to be angry like this," Azazel defends Claudia since he understands what happens

and stops Maverick before he manages to push Claudia.

"It's protecting you," said Claudia.

" It did."

"Guess I don't need to worry about you anymore," said Claudia.

Serenity's hand and continues to walk back into the castle. It's a relieving night, knowing that from now on, nothing can hurt her best

friend.

. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .

"Is he gonna be alright, mama?", Serenity asked her mother early in the morning.

All of the royal families didn't get back to their knit was t's late at the wash and it was best to stay at the Golden Castle. The vampire

family planning to get back to their kingdom when Evander fully recover meanwhile the other kingdoms planning to get back in two days. It

always a wonderful thing to stay in the Golden Kingdom. A peaceful and full of a magical kingdom. The aura is the best. Nothing compares with it for the time being.

"He'll be fine. King Caspian said it might take time since his collapse was natural and different from the other," said Queen Mikaela.

"Different? What do you mean?"

"The new vampire usually only fainted when they get put-to-sleep spell them. But, Evander fainted without anything."

"Well, actually something happens inside the fire circle."

"What do you mean?", Queen Mikaela begin to worry.

Serenity told her everything. About the necklace and about the hypnotizing thing that happens all of sudden. The Queen listened to it

carefully. Sometimes she nodded, sometimes she smiles.

"I understand what you trying to tell me," said Queen Mikaela as soon as Serenity ended her explanation.

"You do?"

"Yes, my dear. And there's something that you need to know."

"What? Tell me!", Serenity is eager to know.

"The blue star pendant that was you wore given by Prince Evander. I admit it's a rare pendant. And you're the only person who gets it. You're lucky enough. And Evander wants truly wants to give it to you. Other folks might sell it for extra money."

"The old Emerald Kingdom's Delray's, King Delray's mother is the one who creates the pendant. She creates it to protect King Delray since the King didn't like to use witchcraft. But something else happens, someone tries to steal it. The person who wants to steal it must be a high-ranking

wizard. He got that pendant and disappeared like the wind. Now, I guarantee that the pendant is with my princess."

"Do I need to give it back?", Serenity asked.

"Do you want to give Evander's gift to someone else?", Queen Mikaela asked back.

Serenity paused after hearing the question. She holds tight to the pendant.

"No," she said.

"They won't. The late queen already forgot about it. But, I'll inform them. Don't worry. They won't take it from you."

"Thank you, mama."

"You're welcome."

Queen Mikaela is about to leave Serenity's room before she forgot something.

"By the way, you can visit Prince Evander. Bring Princess Claudia with you. I'm still afraid if he goes wild again," remind the queen.

"Okay. I will."

Serenity feels a bit relieved after hearing the truth. She was a bit afraid that she might need to give back the pendant to the original owner. She doesn't want to be separated from the pendant. It's from Evander at she loves it the most!