For most of the night I slept peacefully with no nightmares to haunt me, but soon the throbbing pain in my shoulder became to much, I sat up from the bed and groaned in the process. Dull light filtered through the curtains and I saw no sign of Cassius, I gently peeled away the lace fabric from my sore shoulder and gasped at what I found.

The same dark inky veins that had coursed through Katia now pulsed underneath my skin, the flesh around the wound looked weepy and burned. I didn't know what was happening to me but I was sure that Reevna had done something to the blade Katia had and unfortunately I knew I had to speak with her in order to find out.

I pulled the blood stained night gown over my head and tossed it to the floor, I walked over to my closet and pulled out a blue dress that Numissa had gotten for me. I unlaced the back of of the dress before I stepped into it and pulled the corset over my chest, with a wiggle of my fingers I felt the laces tie themselves in the back. Once they were nice and tight I carefully slid on the silk jacket, as always I left my feet bare and walked out of the room.

As I closed the door behind me I caught sight of Cassius walking towards me with his father following beside him, Lorik looked over at me and quickly left Cassius's side."Emerald!, It's good to see your doing well and looking beautiful, I hope you don't mind but I have a dire favor I need to ask of you." He said quickly.

"What part of no do you not understand?, I told you already, Emerald needs to get her shoulder checked out by our doctors and then she needs to rest." Cassius stated as he walked up to us.

Lorik glanced in his direction and sighed."I know that Cassius but none of our doctors are familiar with Katia's condition, they've never dealt with witch craft before and Emerald has. I promise you it wont take long, I just need to ensure that she's alright."

A look of annoyance crossed Cassius's features and he opened his mouth to speak but I held up my hand to silence him."Of course I'll help you, although Katia attacked me last night I understand that you care about your people and I should be able to determine if she's going to be alright." I said with a forced smile.

Lorik took my hand gently and placed a gently kiss on the back of it."Emerald I cannot thank you enough, please let us hurry so you can relax for the rest of the day. It certainly hasn't been easy for you here and last night hasn't helped the situation, but you volunteering to help shows how much of a kind person you are." He said with a small smile.

Letting go of my hand he turned his back to me and began walking down the hall, I spared a quick glance at Cassius before I slowly followed him. I was led from through the castle until we reached a room, I figured it was one of their many guest rooms being used as a personal clinic for Katia.

Lorik stopped in front of the opened door and gestured for me to enter, I walked into the room and Katia's gaze instantly landed on the figure behind me. A weak smile appeared on her face and she reached out one of her hands."Cassius...I knew you would come visit me, just being able to see you makes me feel better." She whispered hoarsely.

Cassius ran his hand through his hair and walked over to her bedside, he cast me a nervous glance before awkwardly patting her arm."Were just here to make sure your doing alright, Emerald was kind enough to come check on you as well."

She slowly looked over at me and I could still see a strong hate burning in her eyes."You dare to come see me?, All of this is your fault, I wouldn't be in here if it wasn't for you. Witches are all alike, their evil and they'll stop at nothing to hurt anyone who gets in their way." She whispered angrily.

Bitter laughter bubbled from my smirking lips, I stared down at her with anger burning inside of me and dug the tips of my nails into my palms."I could have let your insides liquefy, there was no possible way your mortal body could withhold that much darkness for much longer and it would have killed you if I hadn't intervened. I saved your pathetic little life which means you owe me some answers, you can either tell me willingly or I'll make you." I threatened.

Katia didn't showcase any fear or weariness, she gave me a knowing smile instead and grabbed Cassius's hand."You can't do anything to me, I know for a fact Cassius wont let you. That means I'm not telling you anything." She whispered in a cocky tone.

I turned my attention to Cassius who stood between us, he looked between us both and shook his head."Look, Emerald your still not feeling well from last night and Katia is also drained so I think it's best that both of you rest. In my opinion I don't think this is the time for questions, threats or any of this nonsense." He argued.

A satisfied smile presented itself on Katia's lips and she snuggled into the comforts of her bed, I clenched my hands into fists and glared at Cassius."I need to know about the blade that she had and your still protecting her, after everything she's done your still letting her get away with it! She knows she wont ever be punished or face any consequences because she has you as her little guardian!" I yelled.

Cassius threw his hands up in exasperation and chuckled."I am not protecting her! She just had an evil witch corrupt her and then she had you breathing something into her, I don't understand any of this but I know she has to be worn out and I for one don't think its the best time for questions!" He shot back.

I simply stared at him, I could feel a burning anger digging into my chest and it was becoming difficult to contain it. He always had some kind of excuse for her and yet he would tell me he cared about me, I was tired of his petty games. I shoved my way past him and walked out into the hall, my head began spinning and I found it to be a struggle to keep myself standing.

Cassius stood in the doorway speaking but I could hear no words coming from his lips, I looked in front of me to see Lorik watching me with a worried look. His lips began moving but instead of his voice I heard a low whisper echoing around me.

Emerald....Emerald....You Can't Fight It....Just Give In.

Something warm and thick trickled over my lips, I held my hand underneath my chin as droplets of dark red blood began plopping down onto my palm. Cassius appeared in front of me with a panicked look on his face, he cupped my face gently and patted the side of my cheek gently. His hands quickly went to my waist as I fell against his chest and I fought to keep my eyes open."No....No I wont give in, Never." I whispered as everything went black.