Behind the Mask

3. The Prophecy

PAST

Elric

Maximus left fast, in a flash. I couldn’t take any risks. 

His mate was an enchantress, a female from a different species. They were the first mates from different species in the last two millennia. 

My dreams about the Goddess, and her prophetic words resonated in my soul, enveloped by soft silver light.

Only a love designed by destiny and intertwined with the golden strand of desire shall wash over with peace the Six Lands under the sky. 

Into the darkness, it shall emerge, from the entrails of feud, fire, and blood it shall lit its uncanny light. Love shall bring two, uniting all. Two will divide to finally multiplying, and attain one. 

The first dream revealed that a coupling, the love between soulmates would be the key to restore peace, and the second dream. The dream about her, my mate, a hybrid. 

I was certain that she would be the one to bring back peace, my mate. We were the couple from the prophecy, otherwise, why would the Goddess make me her ambassador? The Knight of her divine peace? 

For centuries I wondered how my mate, a hybrid, the first of her kind in centuries would appear, would come to be. Now I was absolutely sure that I was watching the Goddess’ miracle happening before my eyes. 

Maximus and his enchantress mate would bring the female of prophecy to this world. They would sire my soulmate. 

I had to do any and everything in my power to assure that it would happen, to not allow anything to prevent it. I knew it would be very difficult. A couple from different species wouldn’t be well seen, many would try to stop them, to jeopardize their love, especially in these turbulent times of war, in which the animosity and hatred made the air thick, polluted. 

It was very likely that the enchantress herself would reject Maximus, considering that he was an Elf. Besides that, she was talking to the Wizard King, the proud Avalon. She was close to him, part of his court. I knew he would hardly allow her to be with Maximus. Thus, I had to find another way to make it happen, their coupling happen. 

I breathed deeply asking the skies for illumination, for an epiphany. I couldn’t let King Avalon know about the bond between Maximus and the enchantress, I couldn’t let herself know it. 

She couldn’t have seen him here and find out that he was her mate tonight, that could ruin everything. 

I walked closer to the bar counter and looked at the bartender. He was a Fae, I have seen him a couple of times before. 

“Please Boris, tell me everything you know about that witch, the dark-haired one beside King Avalon.”

He sighed and cast his eyes down. He was hesitant.

I normally wouldn’t ask for something of such a sort. Nevertheless, what was at stake was too relevant, too precious, thus such reservations had to be put aside.

“It’s extremely important, otherwise I wouldn’t make such a request. No harm will come to her,” I reassured him. 

“Fine... I don’t know much about her. But I’ll observe for the rest of the night. Have my eyes and ears wide open.”

“I appreciate it greatly, Boris.”

He bowed down slightly, “Your Majesty.”

Before the night was over, I gained information about who she was and even where she lived. Apparently, King Avalon’s third in command, Linus, became very talkative while drunk. 

Princess Melinda von Lichtstern of Varhal. 

~ * ~

PRESENT 

Maximus

I flashed to my mate’s room and looked at her serene sleeping face. Her wavy black hair fell onto her shoulder and her chest raised and fell slowly, rhythmically. She had a book on her thigh, her fingers were still placed between its pages. She probably fell asleep while reading it, as she did sometimes. 

I took the book away for her to sleep more comfortably. 

Tomorrow I would tell her everything, Elric and I had it already settled. I only hoped she would listen.

I closed the curtains, for the cold fall breeze not to blow on her, and pulled her blanket above her shoulders as she released a soft, melodic sound. 

I had done it so many times, coming here to her room to tuck her, and our girls to bed when they were little. 

Melinda wasn’t a light sleeper, not at all, so she never caught me. Mostly, I used an invisibility spell to not take unnecessary risks. 

But I had to see her, to say goodnight to her and make sure she wasn’t cold, that she was safe. 

Even though she couldn’t listen to the words I whispered in my mind. 

I leaned down closer to her, but not close enough so I could touch her.

Clenching my eyes shut, I whispered in my mind once again, Good night, Beloved. I hope tomorrow won’t be the last day you’ll allow me to look into your eyes. I hope it won’t be the end of us.

She stirred a bit in her sleep and I left, sneakily, like a thief, like a coward that had to keep himself behind the mask. 

A mask that I made her use, but that in reality felt like I was using it myself, and it was gradually becoming my face. The face of secrets and lies. 

Secrets and lies that were poisoning my love and destroying my life.

* * * 

 A/N: Guys, this book starts two months after Lea's coronation as the Fae Queen. The epilogue of Torn Between Mates jumped three years in time, so the events in this book happened before it and Lea isn't pregnant yet.