Vampire's Bride

#8 Secret Trip

Feya again disguised herself as a servant to sneak out. She had to be extra careful this time to be able to avoid all the maids and butlers to be able to follow Hedwig successfully. Every time she tried, someone or another hindered her. She hoped she would be successful tonight.

To her delight, it was easy that night. Most of the workers were busy cleaning off the mess created by the morning arrangements. The remaining people were busy arranging for the next event that was supposed to happen on the coming night. She smiled. Indeed, as the event progresses, more and more people will get consumed with its preparations. She wouldn't have as hard a time as she initially had while trying to sneak out of her chambers. She wasn't here to have fun, make friends, or find a match. She was here to avenge her mother and herself.

As soon as she got inside the garden, she sighed with relief. She wanted to take a moment of respite, but she was afraid she would lose Hedwig's trail if she slacked off. She could only see Hedwig move to the big tree from her room. Beyond that, the tree's shadow would act as a perfect shield for him. Even with her druid powers, she couldn't guess which direction he had turned. After all, her powers were still out of shape, unguided, and all over the place. Hedwig had centuries of experience that helped him to nurture and perfect his powers. She didn't want to dilly dally lose trace of him.

Feya scurried towards the willow tree. She still had to ensure that no one would see her. The palace guards were scant in that section, but that didn't mean they left it unguarded. The gigantic rotating searchlight added to her problems. She chose the shadows to make her way.

She was beginning to worry because she was slower than she would like to move. The rotating searchlight was too fast now that she was actually trying to deceive it. She cursed under her breath, worrying. When she finally reached the willow tree, she stood perfectly for the first time since she had entered the garden. She looked around, only to meet darkness everywhere. The tree was so dense that the lights failed miserably. It was a perfect spot to disappear. Plus, not far away was the complex wall.

Feya looked around. She tried to pick up any trace of residual magic. But there was none. Or maybe Hedwig had used some spell she didn't know. She cursed under her breath again. All that hard work was for nothing. She turned towards the palace and let out a deep breath in frustration. She didn't want to go back and pretend. But what were her options?

Feya was about to leave when she thought about visiting Bella. Since she was out in the open, it would be wise of her to check on Bella. She had hardly taken a few steps when someone jumped in front of her from above, startling her. She wasn't expecting anyone. So it was natural for her to cream out of reflex. But a large hand covered her mouth, stopping her scream.

Feya bit it as ferociously as she could. Had she been a vampire or a werewolf, it would have left a wound.

"Ouch!" the man complained, jerking off his hand.

Feya saw it as a perfect opportunity to escape. But she had hardly gone a few inches when a large hand snaked over her, pulling her body toward him. She hit his chest with a thud. She wondered if it was a rock instead. Before she could make another sound, his other hand covered her mouth again. However, when she bit him again, he didn't flinch.

"Ssshhh..." the voice whispered in her ears.

Feya increased her efforts to break free. She wasn't a delicate girl to give up this soon and leave everything to her fate or some miraculous rescuer. She had seen enough to know that she had to rely on her. Always! She used her training to release herself from his clasps.

The man was not expecting Feya to bend her knees and kick his legs. It was another spontaneous, unexpected move from her. The girl was beginning to intrigue him. But he was fast. He again caught her. But this time, he ensured to pin her between his broad chest, large hands, and the willow tree's trunk.

"You wouldn't want to get on my bad side, young lady." The man taunted, smirking.

Feya struggled to speak even if his hand was against her mouth.

"If you promise not to scream, I will remove my hands." The man asked.

Feya sighed. She had no other option but to listen to him. The man was too strong for her. She nodded her head.

"You have made it a habit to bump against me," Vladimir said, flashing his teeth. The faint light that managed to reach this part of the tree made it easier for his vampire eyes to see the familiar black eyes he was longing for. "Who are you?" He gazed into her eyes, sending a shiver down her spine.

"The stable boy?" Feya squeaked. Unlike Vladimir, she couldn't see anything clearly. How could she run into him again? Was he not a stable boy? Was he someone like her- trying to sneak out of the darkness?

"You remember me," Vladimir said, amused. "Now answer me."

"I am a new maid in the palace," Feya replied.

"What is your name?" Vladimir chuckled. He knew she was lying. He had seen her the moment she stepped into the garden. She came out from the section where the potential bridal candidates were staying. He wondered if she was the girl in the purple dress from the morning. She was obviously interested in Hedwig.

"Tell me your name, and I won't tell anyone about your secret trip?"

Feya did not want to answer that. She had a rather unusual name. She didn't want to give away her identity to this man. Also, what trip? She was only a little far from her chambers. He had an unusual way of threatening her. But when his glare became too intimidating, she sighed.

"Ingrid," she replied.

"Ingrid, is that it?" Vladimir asked again. He wasn't sure if it really was a different girl or Feya. He wanted to rip her veil and check. But it would be too much.

"Who are you?" Feya asked in return.

Her ferocity amused Vladimir, making him smile a little. Feya or not, this girl was not going to pass the candle. He had given up on her when he couldn't find her after that night. But luck was on his side. At that moment, he could not tell if Feya or her attracted him more if they were separate individuals.

"Why are you here at this hour?" Vladimir returned another question as her answer.

"I don't owe you an answer," Feya grunted, pushing him away when she got an opening. But this time, Vladimir didn't stop her. It was odd. She slightly turned to see if he was still following her, but he stood fixated in his place, probably laughing at her. Did she come out as stupid rather than suspicious? Or did this man know who she was and why she was there? Before she would land in more troubled waters, she decided to rush and try not to entangle with this sturdy man or whoever he was.

Feya had gone several feet away when the man retorted, offering her something that wasn't easy for her to give up.

"Do you want to go beyond that wall and look out? I can help you." Vladimir asked. He wondered if she would take his lucrative offer.

It startled her, making her freeze to the ground. Should she follow him? Or return to another quiet night? Who was he?

Vladimir chuckled. Indeed, it was a lucrative offer. "He wouldn't have gone far." He chuckled.

Feya was shocked at that. Did he know that she was following Hedwig? He was hiding in the branches. Was he here to follow Hedwig as well? What could be his purpose? Did he know who she was? Most importantly, should she listen to this man or pretend not to understand him?

Boom!

The two were having a staring competition when they heard a loud noise outside the complex. It startled both of them as it made them turn to look at the distant blazing fire piercing the sky.

Boom! Another sound followed, alarming them. Another burst of flame rose.

"Lady, you must return to your quarters," Vladimir ordered. Feya returned an annoyed glare. Who does he think to be to order her around like that?

Vladimir hissed when Feya didn't budge. He had to go to the scene of the crime immediately. It was no time for a game of ego. He let out a deep breath.

"Ingrid, it isn't safe outside. I must attend it. Please return to your chambers where you will be safe." He stressed the word please for her to understand the delicacy of the situation. It was no longer a fun evening. Another house burst into flames in a couple of months. It couldn't be a mere coincidence.

Feya did not want to cause trouble. Indeed, it was a serious matter. She should be back in her room. Maybe they would check on the brides. Who knows? She turned to return, looking back to check on Vladimir again and again. He swiftly jumped the high wall as if it was nothing, making her admire his skills. He wasn't just strong looking, but strong for real.

For a moment, Feya stood there confused, but then she sighed. She couldn't sit inside the palace walls when something crazy like that was happening outside. They probably wouldn't be looking for the brides before that fire settles.

Feya climbed the tree. Then she moved to the wall with a little effort before jumping off to the ground on the other side. She got slightly bruised because of all that commotion, but there was no time to check her wounds. Not far away, she saw the man running towards the fire. She followed him without giving another thought to it. She would probably repent it later. But at that precise moment, she could not think of anything else. She wanted to find out the reason behind the fire. This man left her and rushed towards it as if it wasn't just some accident. She can't go there alone and risk getting discovered. Any company would be less suspicious. Also, where was Hedwig?

Feya followed him until they hit the road. They were still in the darker areas. But she could see that more and more people were gathering. It was strange that no one was actually moving towards it.

She was worried she would lose track of him. After all, he was swifter than her, especially when she limped a little.

"Stop!" Feya called for him to stop on his way.

Vladimir turned to find Feya following him. Telling that he was surprised was not enough to express his reaction. He couldn't believe his eyes that this lady had actually managed to climb that high wall and follow him all this while.

"What are you doing here? It isn't safe! Which part didn't you understand when I asked you to return to your room?" Vladimir scoffed, both amused and angry. This lady never failed to astonish him.

"It isn't time to fight." Feya rebutted, catching up with him. "Let's move." She said in a determined voice, ignoring his glare. She wasn't going to entertain a debate here.

"I am not sure if you are bold or foolish. But when this gets settled, we are going to talk." Vladimir stood his ground. It wasn't anymore about his attraction or her unapologetic self. He wanted to know what he was getting into because of her. She wasn't a simple girl.

Feya didn't reply to anything. She would think about it later. Vladimir wanted to clear the air, but a group of soldiers surrounded him.

"Prince Vladimir!" A man bowed, startling Feya as her eyes bulged out in realization. Was she with the younger prince the whole time? He was wearing plain servant clothes with that hideous cap. It almost covered his face. The light was too scant for her to recognize him. Or was she too busy with her surroundings to notice him properly?

"Did you find something?" Vladimir removed his cap, asking his fellow men. He briefly glanced at her. But he quickly returned his attention to the soldiers.

Feya gulped hard. Was she in trouble? He won't let it slide so easily.

The soldier looked at Feya, wondering if he should speak of something like that in front of a commoner.

"Don't mind her," Vladimir corroborated.

It quickly picked up Feya's interest. What had the soldiers discovered at the scene of the crime? Why do they want to hide it from everyone?

"Your highness, indeed, sorcery was behind it." The man said in an affirmative tone.