“You better stay here for a while, Daciana,” The Lycan King suggested the next day to everyone’s surprise.
Initially, Ana had planned to make excuses and stay back. But, now that her father suggested himself, she got worried. Sauntering over to him, she held his hand. “Father, what is wrong?”
The Lycan King’s eyebrows twitched with a deep shadow of worry. His lips pressed into a thin line and his gaze flickered from Daciana to us. “Last night, there was an attack on the palace.”
“Attack! Holy shit! Who would dare to attack the Lycan Palace?” I blurted out in astonishment. Something like this had never happened.
“The dragons.” He stated simply. “I think they are targeting Daciana.” A cloud of worry fell over his eyebrows. He patted Daciana’s head gently. “I think she will be safer here.”
“It doesn’t make any sense.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “Why in the world would they target Daciana?”
“If you think deeply, it will make sense.” Hera said with a deep sigh. “Daciana is the only heir to the Lycan throne. If she is dead, he would have no choice but to accept someone from the outside. The dragons would probably find a way to get one of their men selected for that position.”
“F***! That is so twisted! They would kill an innocent child just to get the throne!” An intense wave of anger coursed through me. I turned to The Lycan King and placed my right hand on my chest. “I will do everything to keep Daciana safe.”
The Lycan King walked over and patted my shoulders. “Thank you.” He turned to Hera and spoke in a pleading voice, “You have every reason to hate me but Daciana; she has never done anything to hurt you.” He gulped and his eyebrows twitched ever so lightly. “Can I count on you to keep her safe?”
“I won’t make any promises…” she snapped instantly, but then her expression softened. “I might help as long as Justin is involved.”
The Lycan King’s expression turned ashen, but he nodded. “I won’t be able to return soon. The entire Lycan Palace is in chaos.
“Don’t worry, your highness.” I said, wrapping my right arm around Daciana. “I will protect her like a brother.”
Something flashed in his eyes and his lips parted, but he spun around and left without a word.
“Do you think I should go back?” Daciana asked, shocking us. She was fidgeting with the edge of her dress. “Father has so much to handle and here I am…” she shrugged her shoulders with a disheartened expression.
“Daciana,” Hera said as she walked over. She held Daciana by her shoulders. “Listen to me. If you go back, your father will be constantly worried about you. He won’t be able to focus on saving the lives of his subjects. Both as princess of the Lycan Kingdom and as a daughter, the best thing you can do is stay safe.”
Daciana nodded and threw her arms around Hera. Burying her head in the crook of her neck, she sniffled, “I am so worried about Father, Hera. What if something happens to him?”
Hera merely wrapped her arms around her and patted her back; no fake promises, no fake reassurances.
We tried to keep Daciana busy with stupid games and stories. She, too, pretended to be having fun. But I could see flashes of worry and apprehension in her eyes.
A few days passed by in this manner. At first, the servants arrived with food and refreshments every day. But, eventually, their numbers dwindled.
On the fifth night, The Lycan King stumbled into the Ice Palace; his face was pale and his expression worried.
“I don’t think we can hold longer, Justin,” he spoke between gasps. “We can’t fight with those mighty dragons.”
My restless gaze drifted to Daciana; glad that she had slept. If she saw her mighty father crumble like this, she wouldn’t be able to bear it.
“Can’t we meet up with their leader?” Hera spoke, handing a glass of water to The Lycan King. “We could try to come up with a peace treaty or something.”
“Do you think I haven’t tried?” He guzzled down the water and continued in a breathless voice. “They are camping in the foothills of Mount Vitus. I have sent so many messengers, but none of them returned alive.”
His eyes sparkled with something. “Hera? Do you think you can go and talk to them?”
“You can’t possibly mean that.” I snorted and shook my head. “Until yesterday, you wanted to execute Hera. Now, you want her to risk her life for you.” My lips curved in disdain. “Don’t you think this is ridiculous?”
The Lycan King’s face fell, and he lowered his gaze. “I didn’t kill her right… that has to count for something….” He raised his head and looked at Hera with a pleading expression. “I am desperate, Hera. State your condition.”
Hera massaged the back of her neck, and her teeth dug into her bottom lip. After a few moments of prolonged silence, she finally spoke up. “I will speak to the leader of the dragons, but you have to agree to the conditions we decide mutually.”
“Hera!” I gasped. “You can’t be serious. We are talking about freaking dragons here. What if they kill you without even giving a chance to talk?”
Hera looked at me; her stony gaze boring into mine. I was transported to the time I had seen her kill Lord Andres. My heart sank and my steps staggered slightly. I had a very bad feeling about this.
She took a step towards me and placed her hand on my shoulder, her voice colder than ice. “I have my reasons for accepting this deal, Justin.”
I gulped and nodded. There was something about her frosty demeanor that rendered me speechless.
Hera turned to The Lycan King and stated again, “I will go to the foothills of Mount Vitus and convince them to stop attacking. I will also negotiate the terms of the treaty with them.” Her expression hardened. “My only condition is that you have to agree to whatever deal I make.”
The Lycan King’s shoulder slumped, and a defeated sigh left his lips. “It’s not like I have a choice, Hera. Just convince them to stop attacking, and I will give them whatever they want.”
“Your word won’t be enough, Your highness. I want you to make a magical pact with me.” Her lips curved in a knowing smirk. “I can’t leave anything to chance. After all, I am risking my life for you.”
The Lycan King pulled out a dagger from his belt and slit his palm. Hera repeated the same, and they pressed their palms together.
“I, Miraya Robinson, agree to meet the leader of the dragons. I will discuss the proposal of a peace treaty with them.”
“I, Edon Lowell, the King of Lycans and the representative of the Triple Concord, accept all the conditions set by the wereheretic. Her decision on the peace treaty will be final and conclusive. All the members of ‘The Triple Concord’ will abide by the terms set by the leader of the dragons and Miraya Robinson.”
A wisp of red light emitted from Hera’s fingertips and enveloped both the Lycan King and Hera. It started fading eventually and got absorbed into their bodies.
“This is not enough,” I spoke up once they concluded the pact.
“What do you mean?”
“I want you to agree to two more conditions.”
“What is it that you want, Justin?” his voice sounded so exhausted that I almost regretted my statement. Clearing my throat to hide my uneasiness, I spoke. “I want you to agree to two conditions. One: You have to grant amnesty to Hera after we return. Two: You have to present the evidence that Hera is innocent in your court.”
He let out a deep sigh. “Fine. I will make sure that Hera can start her life afresh once she returns.”
“I don’t really want all that, Justin. I don’t really care if people misunderstand me.”
“But, I do. I want the entire world to know that you are a good person, Hera.”
Her eyes brimmed with unspoken emotion, but she didn’t say anything. There had to be a part of her that wanted to be understood.
The Lycan King handed a piece of yellow paper to Hera, “This map will guide you to Mt. Vitus. It is located on a ledge off the shore. The dragons can easily fly to and fro but it will be difficult to go there by land.”
Hera took the paper wordlessly and thrust it into her pocket. Now that Hera had made up her mind, there was no stopping her. The only thing I could do now was to accompany her.
“Your highness, I hope you can arrange some things that I need for the journey.”
The Lycan King’s eyebrows furrowed. “Y… You are going with her?”
“I am….” Turning to Hera, I added in a firm tone, “Even if Hera doesn’t take me along, I will follow her like a shadow.”
“Don’t be foolish, Justin.” The Lycan King’s agitated voice sounded as he gripped me by my shoulders. “You can’t go with her. It is far too dangerous.”
The frown on my forehead deepened. What was wrong with The Lycan King? Why was he reacting so strongly?
He looked into my eyes with a strange expression. Squeezing my shoulders, he spoke in an unstable voice, “Don’t go with Hera.” His gaze drifted to Daciana, who was still sleeping. “Stay back and protect her.”
I shrugged off his grip on my shoulders and took a step back. “You are my king, but I can’t accept this. I have to go with Hera.”
“What about Daciana? Didn’t you say you will protect her like a brother?”
“I did, but she has so many people to look after her, the guards, servants and you, her father.” My gaze snapped towards Hera, “I have to protect the one I love, your highness.”
Something flashed in the Lycan King’s eyes. He shifted from one foot to another and his lips parted. I thought that he would try to persuade me more, but he just let out a sigh. He took off the locket around his neck and placed it in my hand.
Wrapping my fingers around the locket, he looked at me. His piercing gaze bore into mine. “This locket contains an earth-shattering secret. Promise me that you will open it only when I am dead.”
“I… I don’t think I should take this.” I said, trying to give it back to him. He shook his head and warned, “This is your pass to get out of the Ice Palace, Justin. If you don’t take this along, I won’t let you leave.”
I opened up my hand, revealing the wooden locket shaped like a heart. Though it was in a weird condition, it wasn’t exactly difficult. I could just put it around my neck and forget about it.
Drawing in a deep breath, I put on the locket. “If that is what you want, I will keep the locket safe.” I was getting annoyed at his senseless actions. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I snapped, “Can I leave with Hera now?”
He nodded and patted my back. “Stay safe, Justin.” I think there were tears in his eyes, but maybe it was just an illusion. He had turned away so quickly that I couldn’t really see.
It had to be an illusion. Why would the Lycan King care about me? It is not like we were related or something.
We spend the rest of the night making preparations for the trip. Correction, I buzzed about the palace, ordering the servants to get me stuff we could need while Hera just spend the time sleeping. Unlike me, she was unbothered by the dangers we could encounter along the way.
***
The next morning, we set off along the snowy path; dressed in heavy fur coats and warm boots. The carriage took us to the edge of the snowfield, but after that, the path was too narrow. We had to get off the carriage and continue on foot.
“Why did you come with me, Justin?” Hera said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. “You should have stayed behind.”
“Like I told you earlier. I want to protect the one I love.”
Her eyes flashed with something, but it was just momentary. Her expression hardened again. “Do you really think you can protect me?”
“I…I can try….”
A peal of dry laughter left her lips. “You are only going to slow me down.” She stopped walking and looked into my eyes. “You should go back when you still can.”
“Hera, please don’t ask me to leave your side.” I went down on my knees and held clasped her hands, “Please let me stay by your side, Hera. I promise I won’t bother you. I will follow all your orders.” My voice got choked as I continued. “I love you Hera…. I can’t bear to stay away from you.”
She pushed me away; her face contorting with disdain. “Do you have any idea how pathetic you look? If you have even a bit of self-respect, get up and leave.”
I shook my head vigorously and gulped. I wasn’t going to relent no matter what she said.
She let out a defeated sigh and snapped, “You don’t want to leave right. Fine, stay here and freeze to death.”
With those words, she spun around and strutted away with brisk steps. By the time her words registered in my brain, she had already vanished from my line of sight.
A dull ache developed in my chest and my shoulders slumped. There was probably no place for me in her life.
I drew in a deep breath and scrambled to my feet; my heart brimming with firm determination. So what if Hera didn’t have feelings for me? My love was enough for the both of us.
I decided to follow her quietly and protect her whenever the need arose. Adjusting the straps of my backpack, I hurried in the direction Hera had left.