The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA ~

"And you are certain that is what he said?" Uncle asks once again.

I nod. "Yes. I understood his words completely, they were absolutely clear," I answer.

"So do you think that image that the witch drew was this Azarakh dude?" Ahren asks curiously.

"Well, the image depicts the darkness consuming Enrique..." Raihana sighs. "Goddess, I wish I knew, it's complicated." "Maybe if I think enough, maybe I can make a vision come to me. I've done it before when I thought about something," I suggest as Delsanra taps her chin.

"I don't know, I know you are capable of that, but it's a risk. Remember the enemy sees you too, and although you have had enough run-ins with him, we still have to be careful," she muses.

"I'm not sure she'll be able to do that anyway," Raihana says, looking over at Delsanra before glancing at me. "According to what Janaina has shared, your 6th sense may have disappeared completely when you came into power. That is a gift of the Deimos line, not Asheton."

"But she's still extremely strong..." Uncle Liam adds.

"Yeah, but when the Deimos King comes into power, her strength will be nothing compared to his. I'm not sure if you'll ever see another vision, Kat," Raihana says gently before massaging her temple.

That is a revelation that surprises me, but something that has been touched upon in the past... besides, my visions are nowhere near as good as Sienna's or Heaven's.

"Ok, how about we all turn in for the night? Tomorrow is a big day, and based on what we've learned, I think we all need the rest. I'll follow up with the report for home."

"No, I can do it. I won't be sleeping yet-"

"Raihana, I said I'll do it. You need to get some rest," Uncle says. His voice is soft yet firm, looking at Raihana who sighs. He gives her a small smile that she doesn't return before turning to us all. "All of you." "1.

I agree. It's been a long day," Delsanra agrees, glancing at Raihana. There's concern in her eyes, but she masks it quickly. Is Ri ok?

Concern fills me as I look at Raihana run her fingers through her hair.

"Oh yeah, resting is a good plan. Like really good, especially for old people. But I just wanted to let you all know I won't be attending the party tomorrow. I got things to do," Ahren says with a wink. "Like what?" Delsanra asks him.

"Yeah, like what? Answer your mama." Skyla smirks.

"Important work," Ahren says with a mischievous smile, not giving away more before he jumps up. Walking over to his mom, he kisses her cheek before leaving the room.

"With Ahren, I'm never sure if he's serious, joking, or up to no good," I whisper with a small smile.

"It's Ahren. Always assume he's up to no f*****g good," Skyla points out, making me chuckle.

"I have to agree," Delsanra says with a sigh, before smiling at me and Skyla.

"Well, let's get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, and we all need to look good. I have a few men joining us tomorrow, simply so we have dates for the evening," Raihana says, taking me by surprise.

"I hope that includes my man. He's the only date I want," Skyla adds. She's missing Royce, that's for certain.

Raihana laughs. "Wait and see until tomorrow. Let's just say Kataleya's date is single, hot, and he is not her family."

I pout. "Do I know him? I don't want to be with a stranger."

"Leave the worrying to me, hun. You just get some beauty rest. Tomorrow you will make every damn single boy or girl want you," Raihana says with complete confidence, making me blush, but she refuses to tell me more.

"If Royce doesn't show up, I could be your date, Skyla?" Uncle Liam suggests.

I smile at him sympathetically as the others laugh at him. My uncle is adorable, but I totally understand him.

"Why not one of us?" Delsanra asks with an amused smile. "Now I know for a fact Raven won't beat you."

Raihana laughs. "In a world full of assholes, you might just find an angel. I wonder... is Raven maybe a dominatrix? Are you her sub? I can totally see that being Raven's thing."

I blush profusely and even Uncle looks a little ruffled and Skyla's laugh isn't helping.

"I would say that's more you than Raven. I'm not that much of a pushover." Uncle almost pouts, but Skyla and Raihana just laugh at him.

My poor Uncle.

Uncle looks at me and I feel sorry for him. "I could be Uncle's date? We don't need to invite random people."

"No, girl. I think Enrique would love that you go with your uncle, and I know you're used to that behaviour from your dad, but trust me on this one. You're not supposed to make this easier for him. You need to get him all hot and bothered. I've found you an awesome date."

An awesome date?

Oh, please no.

I watch her leave sullenly and pout at Uncle hoping he'd have spoken up, but I think he has decided that staying quiet is best. No one wants to listen to either of us.

"I don't think Dad would be happy," I say with a pout as I blink at Delsanra.

"I don't think he was happy with you coming here in the first place, either. King Burrito will live." She winks at me as Skyla snickers.

"You and Uncle really are quite similar, ah you guys are like the innocent cute teddies in the family, you guys and Renji," Skyla says before she gets up. "Come on, let's head to bed. They're right, tomorrow is going to be a long day."

She looks at me and although she doesn't say it, she's clearly worried about me.

I know I'm trying not to think about it, but if he marks her... how will that make me feel?

Will I be able to stand there and watch the man I love mark another? I'm not sure, but I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

- ENRIQUE -

I pinch the bridge of my nose, sensing the guardsman outside my doors. Their constant surrounding me f*****g pisses me off. I'm f*****g fed up, especially since they can't really be commanded to fetch a dessert or drink for me right now. I just need to get out of here, sneak into that villa and get that necklace. I could tell Hugo or someone else to get me my bag, but it is a risk I don't want to take.

I don't know who I can truly trust.

Aside from her.

But I can't risk her life just to help me, because if I'm wrong, then I could be putting her in danger.

Sighing, I get up and walk to my door. The best way to leave is to act like I am not doing anything behind their back.

"You should rest for the night. I'm going to go for a run. I'll be back in a few hours," I say as I shut my door behind me. No shoes, no phone. I'm making this look real.

"We could accompany you," Benigno suggests.

"I prefer to be alone," I say coldly.

They bow their heads as one and I glance at Rhea, not wanting to act suspiciously nice either.

She glances up but quickly bows her head, and I walk down the stairs. Entering the kitchen, I drink some water before I remove my shirt, tossing it to the floor beside the front door, and step outside.

The moment I'm out the doors I shift, knowing they're probably watching me. I do plan on running for a bit just in case they do follow.

I spent the afternoon looking through our old things, as well as checking the rocks that Kataleya had separated, but I felt nothing when I handled any of them.

After what she told me, a strong part of me believes it's the crystal she gave me. That is the only thing I feel I have a connection to... I just hope I'm right, because if I am, then tomorrow there won't be a fucking engagement to that freaky paranormal version of an A.I. evil robot.

Thirty minutes later, I reach the villa. It's late and the lights are all off. They're probably sleeping...

Shifting back, I let myself inside from the back door. I grab some pants from the laundry room before silently making my way down the hall.

Suddenly I pause, realising that the bag would be in either the room Kat's in or the other one which is obviously occupied... Fuck.

I didn't think this through...

'Hugo, where are the things that I brought here when Kataleya and I first came here?' I ask through the mind-link.

'Your things are in Queen Kataleya's room, as that was the room you were staying in, Mi Rey!

'Ok,' I answer, well that helps a little. Now that I'm here I'm not turning back, and I'm sure the Power Whore isn't following me, and if someone spots me it should be ok. I'll just say I came for my things, which I did. Kataleya's room...

I walk down the hall when one of the doors opens and the witch Raihana steps out of her room. Her eyes glimmer as she watches me.

"And why is the Crimson King sneaking around like a thief?" she asks quietly.

"Because it is my house?" I raise an eyebrow, but she simply frowns. "I was looking for some of my luggage."

She nods. "Is there something you need?" she asks. She looks tired, and somehow different from the woman I saw before. Almost as if she wears her makeup as a mask.

"Yes, I moved out swiftly to allow you and your family to stay here, and I left my things behind."

"Hm, I see, and what are you looking for?"

"My bag, I'll get it." Our eyes meet, and we simply stare at one another for a few moments before she nods. "Fine."

Not that she could have stopped me, but I don't want a scene right now.

Turning, she re-enters the room she came out of and I walk towards Kataleya's room. I raise an eyebrow, sensing the magic in the air, so she's cast a spell...

Taking a deep breath, I slowly turn the handle and open the door. My eyes instantly fall on the woman with long tumbling hair who is sleeping in the bed, curled up on her side. A glow surrounds the bed, creating a dome, and I raise an eyebrow.

So she thinks I'd hurt her. A rush of irritation simmers through me, but I push it aside.

My heart races, but I remain calm, not wanting to alert her to my entrance. I glance over my shoulder down the hall before stepping inside and closing the door behind me.

I walk over to the bed, stopping at the barrier. It doesn't feel hostile and I almost want to test it, but I'm not here to cause a disturbance. For a moment, I gaze down at the woman who lies there fast asleep.

She looks breathtaking. I can tell from the way the bed sheet is tangled in her legs and the way her hair is scattered around her that she's tossed and turned before she managed to fall asleep.

I crouch down beside her, wishing there was no barrier between us. My gaze dipping to her body. She's wearing cotton floral shorts and a matching crop top that barely covers her sexy curves. She has one hand wrapped around her locket, the other placed under her face.

She doesn't cease to look any less breathtaking regardless of how many times I see her...

My gaze flickers to her lips before skimming down to her breasts. There's a lot I wouldn't mind doing to her right now...

I stand up, and none of that will be possible unless I find that Ash Stone. I turn away from the bed and silently make my way over to the closet and open it.

I pause as she stirs when the closet door creaks before I push it open and instantly spot my black bag at the bottom of the closet.

Fuck, I found it!

Now let's hope it is the Ash Stone. I quickly unzip the bag, rummaging around it and frown. Where is it?

Urgency fills me as I begin to empty the contents of the bag in search of the little pouch.

F**k.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

A few minutes later, I stare at the pile of my things that are on the floor. I have pulled pockets out to make sure it's not there and searched every zip and compartment but nothing.

It was in this bag, so where the f**k is it?

My heart is thundering as once again I go through the items, somehow wondering if I missed it.

Nothing.

Fuck, f**k, f**k!

I almost growl in irritation but keep in control, not wanting to disturb the diosa on the bed.

I sit back on my heels as I start rummaging in the bottom of the closet.

Where is it?!

Still nothing.

Shoving everything back, I place it back in the bottom of the closet and begin looking around the shelves in the room.

Maybe someone moved it and put it somewhere. I begin looking in the drawers, but somehow, I already know I am not going to find it.

Things don't just go missing like this. Especially mine.

The fact it's missing only increases my will to find it, but where else do I look?

It should have been in my bag, I remember putting it in there. So the question now is... where the f**k is it then?