The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

RAIHANA

~

Kataleya returns to the hall with Kiara and Skyla but without Uncle or Enrique. I still haven't told Uncle. Seeing her determination, I don't know what to do. How do I pretend that I don't care how she feels and that I should do the right thing when I can't. Her will and love is admirable. I sigh softly, closing my eyes as I reach for my juice.

"Are you ok?" Raven asks, touching my arm as she turns from her table, concerned.

"I am," I reply with a small smile as Liam turns too. His piercing gaze makes me look away. He had already asked me at a previous meeting if all was ok with me and I had lied.

I had been tempted to tell Liam so I could get permission to contact Jayce, but when I didn't tell Uncle; I decided against it and settled on waiting until today. Goddess, what do I do? How do I get her alone without anyone suspecting anything?

After a while, I spot Kataleya, Skyla, and Azura heading towards one of the exits and I smirk internally.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Got you.

We've all been that age. They will go somewhere private for a good old gossip session. Well, time to be the annoying older cousin and b**t in.

I stand up, smoothing my dress out. "Where are you going Raihana?" Mom asks, placing her hand on my arm.

"I'll be right back. I'm having a catch-up with the girls." I wink at her as I walk around the table, giving Raven a wink and a small wave as I slip out of the hall.

"Ri!" I stop when Delsanra catches up to me. I have no idea where she was but one look at her and I smirk.

Seems my brother had whisked her way for some fun... she looks as gorgeous as ever in her fitted satin black dress but there are extra creases

in the skirt, the telltale sign it's been bunched up not long ago and her lips look plumper than normal.

She's taken care of the telltale smell of sex, at least.

"I see you didn't consider a wrinkle-removing spell," I remark, murmuring a spell as I point at her, and the wrinkles disappear just as Rayhan returns, running his fingers through his hair. I shake my head as Delsanra blushes.

"I didn't notice them, only your big eyes would!" She pouts before becoming serious again. "I wanted to ask you something..."

I nod slowly. "Don't tell me. Did you feel something?" I ask quietly as we leave the hall, and I instantly cast a concealment spell so no one can eavesdrop, or so I hope. Right now, I don't know who holds what power.

It's something that always plays on my mind - are our spells and our abilities really foolproof? It's like more and more people are immune to certain things which makes me often wonder about the enemy and what abilities they will have. "From Alpha Enrique? I did, almost like a weight or like I was being compelled." Delsanra murmurs.

"Yeah, as I thought, it only affected those with witch blood in them, and I almost wanted to jump up and defend him," I mutter.

She looks at me with a nod. "And those who are not hybrids must have felt it even stronger."

Frowning, I run my fingers through my long black hair.

Hmm, like an alpha command. What exactly is the power of the Crimson King... "I checked books of old lore. I had a few brought in from the head coven in America and there is a symbol in our history books that refers to a power above all. A symbol that is always in red, I don't know, but when I saw it, I felt that perhaps it stands for him."

"You mean he's linked to witches? Men don't carry- wait, do you mean Lady Roja's direct descendants?!" Delsanra whispers, grabbing hold of my arm.

I smile wryly. "Yes, I do. And I need to speak to Kat about it. She might know something."

Delsanra nods as I sniff out Skyla and Azura's scents. Catching Kataleyas

is impossible, a gift and a curse all in one. As I thought, they're not going to the bathroom but instead head upstairs, the Lycan Queen passing security with ease, and I call out to them.

"Skyla!"

They stop and look, and I see Kataleya's eyes widen with worry when she spots me.

"We're joining you." I smile sweetly as the guards step aside when Skyla nods.

Azura glances at Kataleya and I almost feel she knows something.

Once we're in a large bedroom, Skyla closes the door and crosses her arms. "So, what is going on?" she asks, looking at me. "Kat, you know why I'm here, don't you?" I state rather than ask, folding my arms.

"I told you, I'm not going to leave him," Kataleya says firmly.

I smile internally at her determination. True love is a beautiful thing, not one that we are all lucky enough to experience.

"I know, and I will tell Uncle, or you should. He needs to know, Leo needs to know." I say, glancing pointedly at Azura.

"I understand that, but what do you want, Kat?" Azura asks.

Kataleya looks down. "I won't change my decision. He needs me."

"Is this something to do with that text?" Azura pushes

"What text?" Skyla asks.

"No, the text was... about his lineage." Kataleya sighs, shaking her head.

Skyla looks confused as Delsanra and I exchange looks.

Kataleya turns, and walking over to the bed sits down with another sigh. "Lineage? Well, how about you start by sharing the image with the others?" I suggest, looking at my nails, remembering how Chris would smile when he would catch me doing that. For a second, Chris's smile comes into my mind and my heart clenches.

I live with his memories every day and night... and sometimes my thoughts linger on the possibility of his return... I sometimes conjure up an illusion but it doesn't help the ache within my hollow chest and so I try to drown myself in work to the point there is no time to sit and reminisce.

I push those thoughts away and focus on the women who now crowd around looking at the image that Kataleya is showing them.

"Del, what do you think?"

"Visual visions are extremely hard to work with, sometimes it might not always appear to be what it is... from my experience. I know this wolf is Kat and she is the target... the darkness - they look like crawlers who are closing in around her but they are drawn to this man or the darkness that surrounds him. A means to reach the wolf... Enrique?" she looks up at me questioningly as Azura and Skyla look over her shoulder. "Enrique is strong. I don't think he'd lose in this battle." Azura says firmly.

"Witchcraft and foresight are extremely complex things. Sometimes we know what we know and there's no way to explain that. I told Kat she needs to come back. She is most likely the Asheton Queen and if she is, we can't lose her."

"If we lose her, regardless of if she is in the prophecy to ride behind the Adonai, such an impact could shift that prophecy and not in a good way." Delsanra adds understanding where I am coming from.

"But then if she's meant to survive, then who says her not going with Enrique is the right thing?" Skyla asks as I hear a meow and Malevolent jumps into her arms. Skyla strokes her fur, cuddling her as Azura nods her agreement.

"Yeah, what if that's- ok hear me out? When has walking away to protect ourselves ever worked? I mean, we have to fight for what's right. We have all had our trials. Tell me who simply stepped back to stay safe? I mean, let's go right back. Dad fought to be with Mama before he even knew they were mates. I mean, if there was no Mama and Dad there would be no Kiara, and then these power-pumped kids. No demi-god. Kia for Alejandro, I fought my knucklehead mate, Skyla fought against her fated. I don't think anyone ever said walk away."

"You both are not the chosen rulers." I sigh.

Azura shakes her head. "Regardless, I mean, if this text is anything to go by, Papi Hook is a powerhouse."

Skyla snickers, despite the situation. "Did you guys put in some kind of system to transform it into a real hook? That would be awesome,"

"Sky!" Kataleya scolds, and I smile.

"Hooks aside, mind sharing what this text is about?" I ask, looking at Kataleya.

"He is the Crimson King, a sorcerer who holds the power over Hecate's blood itself. He is a direct descendant of Goddess Hecate's

granddaughter. One who was mated to an Escarra... they persevered. The eldest male in the family has this power. A power that once they take their oath, they can unlock their full capabilities that this title brings."

A sorcerer.

"I was right! It's the old legend..." Delsanra murmurs, as Kataleya gives a little more detail of how that was the reason the Djinn chose them to host him because they are strong.

"So, he can command Ri to run along and it'll happen?" Sky asks slyly.

"Sky." I frown at her, and she smirks.

"Well, if he finds out you're trying to steal her from him, he might just command you," Azura adds.

"I'd like to see him try. Luckily I'm a hybrid." I retort. "Although I did feel the command, it's similar to an Alpha command.

"He wouldn't stop you anyway... I don't think he wants me to go back with him." Kataleya says softly. I can feel the pain in her voice, which saddens me.

"What do you mean? Does he need a good beating?" Azura asks as she sits beside her, placing her arm around her.

"His old guardian, the family butler, told me that Enrique might try to push me away, you see. Before we left, I heard them arguing. Well, Enrique was shouting and Hugo was trying to get through to him. Visit Jo b n i b.com to read the complete chapters for free. If you are not reading this novel on Job ni b .com, some sentences are incomplete. He didn't know about this picture, Hugo kept it from him as he didn't want him to worry." I sigh. " That's when I overheard them talking about the Rey Carmesí and what it means." Skyla takes the seat on her sister's other side and wraps her arm around Kataleya's arm. "He can't leave you, he won't be able to," she reassures her.

Kataleya turns her gaze upon her sister, her eyes glittering as the first fat teardrop falls. "Can't he?" she whispers. "Can't we do anything for the sake of our loved ones?"

Skyla gasps and my own heart thuds as we all look at her.

"Did he- he loves you." Azura smiles, her eyes light up. "Go, Papi!"

Skyla looks down and I know she's remembering all she would and did for the sake of love.

"He will try to leave me, but I won't let him." Silence follows Kataleya's promise as she looks at us with the determination only someone strong or in love could have. "I won't leave him."