Chapter 13

“Remember how I used to sneak into your room and sleepover?” Kelsey asked with a grin, and I closed my eyes, searching through the cache of memory that had gradually returned to me eventually after the storytelling session.

“Yes, you would be carrying Mr. Teddy, in your pink unicorn pajamas. The servants tried to stop you, but you would just cry until you woke me up, waiting for me to come to your rescue.” I smiled at that memory. There were too many nights which I woke up to the sounds of Kelsey’s screaming cries, and know she was caught sneaking to my quarters.

“You know, you woke me up many times too.” Dante’s face was a little annoyed at that piece of memory we both enjoyed, and I laughed at the remembrance that Dante’s room wasn’t so far away from mine at that point of time.

Talking to them definitely improved a lot on my memory, and they came trickling back quickly. The days in the castle, my childhood; most of it made it back in my mind, though there were still little pieces missing. The times I shared with my siblings came back to me like it was just yesterday, and as we sat in the clearing, laughing at our past silly mistakes, it felt so real to me.

How could I have possibly forgotten them? These two devils were the highlight of my boring life within the castle. Well, at least before Kain and Lorcan. The times after Kain and Lorcan came in to my life was still a blank, but at least I felt better knowing that I could answer for most of the things before that.

“I miss these times, where the three of us would just come together and laugh.” Kelsey sobered up a little, looking at each other us sadly. “Dante became a rebellious teenager. And Fina…”

There was a little hesitation, and I looked at her with a little sadness in my heart. Oh, our separation must have affected Kelsey so…

“I’m really ok with you having a lover, Fina, but you spent less time with us after Kain and Lorcan came. You had a lot more duties to do once you came of age, but you totally left us no time when you got into the Kain-Lorcan mix. Dante couldn’t stand it; he stopped being fun too.” Kelsey continued, and while Dante and I exchanged alarmed looks at the sudden melancholy emanating from our always-cheery sister, it suddenly became apparent that she was the only one truly clinging on to those times that we shared.

“Kels,” I started softly and gently, “I’m really sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking about then –I mean, I don’t remember what went on with Kain and Lorcan –but I’m sorry for leaving you. Once we’re done with things again, once I’ve gotten our kingdom back, I promise we’ll spend some time together, okay?”

“Yes.” Dante continued. “I’m sorry for being stupid and rebellious. It was a phase I had to go through. But now… after everything that’s happened in the kingdom. After Father’s death…… I treasure you and Fina more than anything.”

Kelsey looked between the both of us, then launched towards us, tackling us in a large hug as she cried and laughed at the same time. Just like that, we were perfect siblings again.

“Yeah, that’s good and all. I hate to break a sibling moment, but it’s time to go, baby girl.” A new voice pierced through our moment, and I returned to reality to remember that Ren had been with us throughout our sharing sessions, only asleep.

“How long have you been awake?” I asked as Kelsey scrambled back quickly, wiping the tears from her eyes embarrassedly as Dante studied the man. My siblings probably knew that he was the mage, but I had the feeling that none of them had seen a real mage up till now.

“Enough to see your sister throw herself on you guys. Kain’s coming up.” Ren stretched and yawned, purposefully ignoring my siblings as his gaze brushed past them dismissively.

“We have to leave?” Kelsey whined immediately, clinging on to me again, as if she would never let go. Even Dante looked a little sad, and I guessed that he’d truly matured since our father’s death and the fall of our kingdom. How ironic it was for him to grow up after the fall of Lucifer’s name.

“I’m sorry, baby girl, but things just gotta stay the way it goes. Kain’s coming, and I can’t stop him. You best say your goodbyes and all. I’ll excuse myself from this conversation, but I’ll stay close by.” Ren informed, and I thanked him silently for his thoughtfulness as I nodded, watching him walk away.

“He’s an interesting one. He calls you ‘baby girl’?” Dante asked, watching Ren retreat too.

“He calls everyone what he feels like. He’s a powerful mage, so it’s best not to step on his toes.”

“How does Kain know him?”

I shrug.

“Kain seems to have changed since the last time I saw him. Before he left the kingdom, he was still mostly obedient to your words. But now, it seems like he’s the one masterminding everything, and he even has a mage following him around!” Dante observed, but I saw no significance in his words.

“Perhaps he has found his calling other than being an escort.” I dismissed quickly, but my brother wasn’t such an easy-goer.

“You, Lorcan and Kain had a big argument before he left the kingdom, Fina. I don’t know what because none of you told anyone what it was about, but when Kain left, you were both angry as hell, but also heartbroken. Lorcan comforted, consoled and loved you. I’m not trying to sow discord, but Lorcan has been with us since the fall of the kingdom, desperate to find you. I can see he loves you more than his life, Fina. But Kain…”

“Kain has done nothing except protect me.” I cut him off quickly, feeling the need to protect the vampire who had been gentle and kind to me all this while. Kain had never asked nor demanded for anything. Yes, he had kept me watched, but it was for my own safety, no?

“Yes, but I worry. Why keep Lorcan away from you? I know Kain is overprotective, but he wouldn’t keep your lover away if he has something to hide. I’m not aiming him or anything, Fina, but I’m just saying you have to keep careful.”

“He has nothing to hide from me.” I insisted, though the three of us could hear the uncertainty in my voice. I couldn’t really know for sure. For whatever the reason was; Kain had left the kingdom years ago and left me angry and hurt by his departure. And suddenly, after the fall of my kingdom, he takes me in and protects so fiercely that he doesn’t even let my lover come close. It is almost as if he is trying to return to the way things was. But all that is done; what could possibly be Kain’s agenda?

I don’t doubt his love for me. But what could come out of him helping me regain my kingdom, then returning me back to Lorcan when he loved me so much?

We heard distant rustling of bushes and leaves, and though I knew Kain to be one cautious enough to walk silently, I guess he was giving us a signal ahead that he was approaching. Dante took a step forwards, white hair gleaming against the moonshine. His gray eyes was filled with longing and regret, and his expression was a miasma.

For the very first time since I knew him, he approached me and drew me in a hug that displayed his brotherly affection. It was a protective, territorial move, and it was the first time that he entirely, truly and purely conveyed his emotions to me.

‘You are my sister’, his hug conveyed that message, ‘And I will keep you protected from anyone who would aim to harm you.’

“Kain has secrets, Seraphina. So does Lorcan.” He whispered against the crook of my neck since he was half a head shorter. “I respect any one of them that you choose. I only wish now, after Father’s death, that time could be turned back, and I be born first; to save you from being put through this. You don’t deserve to be in the midst of such politics. You and Kelsey are not cut out for this. I don’t like a life like this for you two. But I can’t do anything, except support you.”

Dante’s words, for the first time, was filled with honesty and purity; as if they had come fresh from his open heart. I remembered the many times he’d turned to give me a glare, a silent rebellious stare. There had been a time when no one could get through to Dante, and he’d been almost incorrigible. I had never given up on him, but I had been worn out by his steel-hard defense.

But now… Dante had truly matured.

Kain stepped in quietly from an edge of the clearing behind Dante, and stopped there, eyes widening at the sight of my brother’s love. I remembered that Dante’s rebellious streak had started soon after I met Lorcan, which meant Kain had seen him through that phase before he left the kingdom.

There was a long moment of shocked silence, even from Kelsey who seemed to have suddenly gotten a stroke or something, standing at our side, mouth hanging open.

Dante finally let me go, but held on to my shoulders, meeting my eyes with a pained but gentle smile.

“I’m sorry you had to go through this, Seraphina. But I have faith in you. You are going to make a fine Queen for Lucifer. Go. Go, before I change my mind and go after the Dragos myself.” He urged, and Kelsey’s eyes widened even more.

“Dante…” His bravery and courage for letting me go touched my heart so much I almost felt it turn to mush.

He gave me a gentle push away from his grips and sidestepped to make way for me towards Kain. He held on to Kelsey tight, and I could see that his grip was hard enough to restrain our little sister from barreling into me again, locking me down and refusing to let me go.

I took hesitant slow steps towards Kain, turning around anxiously to look at my siblings left in the clearing. I knew my duty was with Kain, to proceed on with reclaiming my kingdom. After that; then I would be able to see my siblings again, and tell them I love them.

But my heart wanted to stay with them. I wanted very much to stay with Kelsey and Dante, and remember the days we spent together: good and bad.

“Go quickly, Seraphina, before I change my mind and tackle Kain to whip you away from this place.” Dante urged, but my sister began to cry. Already two hundred years old, I’d expected Kelsey to know enough to let me leave for my duty. But Kelsey was still Kelsey, and my sister knew her tears and cries had a strong force over me.

I turned around fully to see her clawing against Dante, hammering against his arms, trying to kick him, elbow him or even punch him. She was desperate, furious and helpless as she screamed, trying to free herself, trying to get to me. I hesitated at the sight, my heart breaking into two. I didn’t want to leave too…

“Go, Fina! Please.” Dante’s face was pained –either from Kelsey’s scratching, or his unwillingness to leave me –but he kept eye contact with me. I swallowed the last of my doubt, steeled my heart and turned away, running towards the waiting Kain.

Duty first.

“Sister, please keep safe.” I heard his plea as I neared Kain’s reach.

I saw, as I reached Kain’s side, that Ren was hiding just behind him, just small distance away from the clearing.

Kelsey continued screaming and crying. Kain wrapped his arm around me, and I turned around in his embrace to see Dante still clinging on to Kelsey, trying his best to hold her still.

“Kain!” Dante screamed, making my escort hesitate ever so little. I knew Kain was going to teleport us back, foregoing the boat ride and all that. “Take care of my sister. If something bad happens to her, I’ll end you myself.”

I barely felt my escort nod his head behind me, and in an instant, darkness filled my vision. It cleared away a second later, and the sounds of Kelsey’s cries drowned away. Soft sea breeze touched my cheek again, and I heard the soft peaceful swish of the waves.

“Just a little while more, Seraphina.” Kain said softly, turning me in his grasp, and his soft fingers gentle wiped away a stray tear rolling down my cheek. I hadn’t even realized I was crying too.

Ren silently backed away till he was out of hearing range, but stayed close enough to cover me under his cloaking ability.

I wrapped my arms around Kain, and sobbed in his chest quietly, the longing finally breaking through my chest, bubbling up my throat. I wanted so much to see Dante and Kelsey again. I had only left them a few minutes, but I wanted to see them again. They were my only kins left. My only family left…

Kain held to me and cooed softly at me. He calmed me down with his soft, breezing voice, telling me that I would get them to see them again. He bade for me to hold out just a little while more, and I trusted him.

The way he held me; he made me feel like he was the only one I could trust. I liked the way he held me, the way he kissed the top of my head and breathed me in and the way he was always gentle and soft and loving towards me. I thought his love for me was his motivation.

That was true.

But little did I know, he was the one person who had betrayed my utmost trust before.

And he was going to do it again.