Chapter 16

Upon turning around, Everard's demon eyes settled on Elvira like he would rip her insides out right there and then.

She let go of Wivior's hand and prayed to all the deities of the underworld to protect her. The fear that Everard's glare evoked in her was so intense that it took her a minute to notice the wizard standing next to him. His companion wasn't furious but looked astonished to see her.

"Hello, gentlemen, let's talk in private," Wivior began calmly. Was he oblivious to the flaming desire to kill so clear in Everard's eyes?

It felt like Elvira could breathe again when Wivior took the two men to a corner to talk.

Elvira chewed on her fingernails as she watched them have an intense conversation from a distance. Although their voices were like mumbles to her, the looks on their faces were telling a lot. It was apparent that they were angry at Wivior for bringing her there. If Elvira's hearing matched her sight, she would have known when to flee by now. 

Before Elvira could drown in an ocean of anxiety, the wizards approached her. Wivior appeared grim, and Everard was wearing the nastiest scowl on his face. Oh no, they were about to do something terrible to her!

"Let's return to the castle," said Wivior, grabbing her hand. Within a moment, they teleported to a room of the castle she hadn't seen before. It appeared to be a sizeable council room.

"She can't be here while we talk!" the third wizard exclaimed.

"Elvira, go to my chambers. I'll come to see you in a while," Wivior commanded her without making eye contact.

Though Elvira was dying to be part of it, she had to walk out of the room. However, instead of ascending the stairs, Elvira entered the room adjacent to them. It was indeed a risky move, but the wizards were no fools who would give away their secrets to just anyone. 

The room she had sneaked into was luckily empty. Through the thick stone walls, nothing was audible, but with the dust of magic, anything was possible.

Elvira was strongly advised not to use magic close to the wizards, especially a fast travel spell, but the magic required to eavesdrop was minimal. Hopefully, the thick walls and the oversized rooms of the castle were enough to stop the energy of her magic from passing through.

All it took was a snap of her fingers and her intent to activate her magic. The voices became audible to her just by doing that. 

It was time to eavesdrop!

"Your grandfather is not going to be happy about this," began the third wizard. His voice was trembling with fear. "I would have to report that woman right away to him."

"Lawrence, you don't have to worry about her. I am not in love with her," said Wivior.

"Then why is she with you? And what were you doing in the middle of the forest with her holding hands?"

"I am only asking on behalf of the king, of course," Lawrence added.

Wivior's grandfather was the king, which made him a prince! With a rare staff in his bedroom, too many pictures of himself, and his snobbish attitude, Elvira could tell he was no ordinary man.

"Well, I enjoy her company, and she has been living in my room with me for a few days, but I promise there is nothing more to it. Is grandfather against that as well?" Wivior asked.

"So, you're bedding that woman?!" Lawrence's tone conveyed a sense of surprise.

"Yes," answered Wivior, and Elvira's jaw dropped. 

Why would he lie about something like that? Was he expecting her to sleep with him? Or was he saying that to mask the truth? He could have fabricated a better story without making her sound like a whore. 

Whatever his reason might be, if he ever tried to make a move on her, he would receive the beating of a lifetime.

"I thought you said you were a man who believed only in deep soul connections when you rejected all the noble girls your grandfather wanted you to marry. Is she the one you have finally connected with then? So, taking a woman to bed before marriage was what you needed to develop the connection you failed to do with all the king's choices?" Lawrence didn't seem to buy his lies.

"Come on, Lawrence. When God blesses you with a breathtaking woman, things can change in a man's life. I am sure you would have fooled around with many beauties of your time before marrying your wealthy wife. I hope she doesn't find out if you still do."

Lawrence coughed. "Preposterous! I don't know who you are talking to, but whores lie about fooling around with men in power. I am innocent. And I would not tolerate it if someone makes my wife think otherwise." 

Wivior had some guts to disrespect someone much older than him. Lilith would make Elvira spend a night in jail if she used her tongue like that with her attendants. 

People of royal blood were said to be snobby and possess a sword for a tongue because they could get away with almost anything. So, Wivior was born into a better position than her.

Elvira wondered why Everard hadn't contributed to the discussion. He was there when she had exited the room. Had Everard left or died? Or perhaps he didn't like to partake in anything that excluded fighting or yelling at commoners and helpless women?

"Allow me to take my leave now, my prince. I won't report any of this to King Efeus for now," said Lawrence after a long pause.

King Efeus! Elvira covered her mouth in shock. The king he was talking about was Efeus. Wivior was the grandson of Efeus!

That information was enough to get her out of the castle soon, but she needed to run to Wivior's chamber unseen before them.

Elvira carefully stepped out of that room, glad no one was waiting in the corridor to catch her.

As she progressed down that corridor, she realized she didn't know where Wivior's room was. She was unfamiliar with that part of the castle. Despite this, she kept walking in hopes of finding a staircase to the second floor.

Her path led her to Everard, who she ran into unluckily. She had already doubts about his departure due to the absence of his speech.

"So, you somehow convinced Wivior to bring you here," he said, blocking her way. She looked into his icy blue eyes, which contained so much disdain for her. "I thought I had made myself clear when I told you to stay away from us wizards."