As I stood in front of the huge doors of the Celeran Palace, about to venture out where the Fae party was gathering along with Arion and Sera, I could envision my escape.

And what a failure it would be.

I had been given a different dress to wear. A light green blouse - no corset and I think I'm glad - that was made of linen and a warmer violet cape to wear over it. Black breeches and leather boots were provided as well and I was surprised at the quality of the clothes for the travel.

They wouldn't freeze me with forcing me to wear rags? This wasn't treatment for a slave. No, it truly wasn't. And I felt uncomfortable. But I didn't question it. I wasn't ungrateful, only suspicious. I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth!

I had made sure to slip in my bejeweled knife into my boot as well and hoped to eradicate the memory of the incident that happened two days ago though time seemed to have flown. 

The cold breeze flew in and the strands of my loosely braided hair brushed against my cheeks.

I willed myself to step out but I knew I had been stalling.

Stalling so I could perhaps just catch a glimpse of someone I had yet to say goodbye to. But it didn't seem like that would be happening anytime soon.

So I rubbed a finger over the Jadeite ring and put one step outside the threshold.

That was as far as I got before fingers wrapped around my wrist - which had successfully managed to heal as well - and pulled me back from prying eyes. I felt my heartbeat increase.

There it was.

That presence at my back. Wrapping around me, full of power and strength, one arm around my waist. I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling deja vu at how this was similar to when Lucien found me on my escapade.

Icy feelings tricked in with his touch, my skin pebnling with the influence.

"Intending to leave without any last words, are we, pet?" His voice made a tingle run down my spine. And I didn't bother correcting him.

His breath fanned my cheek, warming it slightly despite how his cold tone and behavior put him at crossroads. How this cold Shifter General even had a kernel of warmth within him was beyond me and yet within reach.

"Would it matter, General?"

My remark was only met with silence and a tighter grip. A weight settled on my shoulder and I identified it to be Lucien resting his chin on me.

Eh? What is he? A kid? Resting his chin on my shoulder?

Okay, fine I'm trying to not read into things.

My heart beat like the flutter of frantic wings and I felt like I couldn't get enough air with him so close and so dangerously in contact.

"You shouldn't fall prey to false charms and good treatment, pet. It won't last." His voice was cold enough to freeze but his words were entirely at odds with his tone, leaving me baffled. Even as he said it, his free arm–muscled as it was– aligned itself with the hand where the Jadeite ring was.

Was he going to take it back?

My heart dropped at the thought. The thought didn't settle well with me because the ring was starting to make me feel safe. And it was like a part of Lucien was with me. Just like I could still feel Damien's lips on me.

I processed what he had said and knew it was true. "I thought being the one who caught me, you would know I'm not stupid."

"No. You're a smart pet. But a word of caution never hurt anyone."

His eyes narrowed and I felt a feather light brush of fingers on my newly formed scars. I knew he had connected some dots, knowing these scars were new and related to the attack two days ago. Yet, his expression remained something carved out of stone and ice, and constantly at odds with his words pertaining to me.

"It unnerves me that my captor would give me a word of caution, General."

"It does seem odd, doesn't it? I question why I even found you so off the trail every day."

I wondered too, wondered why I hadn't been scared to death. Still am not. I was only focused on my freedom being snatched away from me. 

His hand lifted mine and then his thumb caressed the stone on it. I didn't like the fact that I couldn't see his face or those pretty amber eyes, pools of icy cold whiskey color. He pressed his nose into my hair, inhaling and I–

I felt myself itching to hit him.

Why are these males always sniffing me?  

I felt like whining.

But I remembered how they said I smelled of lemon and lilacs. And honey as well for Damien.

Weird...

"Keep the ring on. Always." Lucien's voice was rough, perhaps over time from having screamed himself hoarse during wars when he shouted commands. Even then the snow coated his words, as if to drive home the point of his cold demeanor.

Or some other reason I would rather not read into.

But it grated on my nerves in a way no other had.

"I shall."

His grip on me vanished and I felt bereft. But then his hand was holding onto mine, his eyes still trained on the ring. I turned to fully face him.

My breath still hitched when his amber pools lifted with the intention of drowning me within them. His chiseled features, those honed muscles, that at-attention-styled two centimetres long platinum blond hair.....

I wouldn't see any of this again either. So I tried to paint the features as they were into my memory. Like I did with Damien.

These cursed beautiful, ruthless, bloody powerful males were beginning to be the death of me.

And then he did something I wouldn't have ever anticipated. 

EVER.

He brought my hand up, dipping his head slightly but still holding my jade green eyes.

And then he pressed his lips against the skin of the back of my hand. I dared not breathe, my skin tingling, almost burning. I couldn't help but feel the clenching of my muscles in my belly.

His hands were warm, his lips were warm, but his face was unmoving, his eyes chips of amber ice warring with inherent heat.

He kept his lips there for a moment longer than deemed appropriate perhaps, but his eyes just continued to draw me in. Swirling with emotions I couldn't read. His eyes only flickered to my lips once but that my enough to rob me of my breath.

When he let go, the cold General spoke, "Don't be a fool, Cara."

"That's your job, Lucien. Being the fool." I couldn't help putting the jab in as I snickered.

The slight twitch of his lips and the amusement lingering in his eyes let me know that he wasn't offended at all.

And yet again, I pondered how a colder than ice Shifter Vampire General five centuries old was sharing moments like this with a human slave.

With one final breath, I exited the threshold, with no one to hold me back this time.

And I walked down the stairs, to the awaiting Fae carriages and horses, with my head bowed low, hand wearing a ring protecting me from illusions and resting on a Silern dagger with a history I wasn't aware of.

I reached my place beside Seraphima who gave me a soft smile, her beautiful hair styled to perfection, folded behind her delicately arched ears and a purple frilled corset enhancing her features along with the dark blue skin-tight pants and leather boots she wore. 

I noticed she preferred practical clothes more than gowns and pretty dresses. Of course she looked as much a Princess either way.

I took a second to see all that were gathered.

Queen Kesla was present, so was Minister Gallum, some other court ministers I didn't bother knowing and behind them, as if hoping to not engage, was Damien. Who got company when Lucien reached us as well.

Arion walked ahead of us and then bowed in front of the queen as was appropriate for a King of another Kingdom who had been residing as a guest. "Queen Kesla, we shall leave if you will."

He gripped the hilt of his sword and leveled her with a look. The queen waved a hand, her dark eyes landing on me. Kesla's lips curled up slightly, the malice clear.

I didn't break the eye contact.

"If you have everything ready, then of course you can depart to your own realm, Fae King."

Arion rolled his eyes and turned towards Gallum. "I hope your future decisions won't be approved. If we are to be in an alliance, I'd much rather hear General Lucien's strategies." 

I don't know how Arion managed to give him a look so full of contempt that if any of the court ladies vying for the handsome Royals' attention would see, they would feel a surge of envy.

But I knew that the side of Arion I had glimpsed so far had not been his true self. He was in another territory as of now. But when he was King of the Fae, I had no idea how he was. But no doubt I would soon be privy to that.

Lucien folded his powerful arms and my eyes snagged on the ripple of muscle before I looked away, cheeks tainted red. I observed how Queen Kesla and Princess Seraphima shared a look. Like countless secrets whispered to the children of the waves on the Ferra Isle in the East.

But I only dared to observe, not speak. I had to be wary of Sera and that much was clear to me. If only she would be easier to hate. I couldn't even dislike her much to my dismay.

"I'm curious, Princess Seraphima. Everything has started. Been put into motion." The tilt to Kesla's lips was suspicious as hell to me. And I was just starting to get used to that look on her.

I subtly saw how Damien narrowed his eyes and Lucien's jaw ticked.

No doubt zoning in on Kesla's usual nonsense mystery spewing stuff.

Only now, I knew I was a part of the mysteries no matter how I tried to make myself believe otherwise.

Sera levelled a look at the Celeran Queen. "Yes. I only hope you remember where your loyalties lie in the long run."

I refrained from frowning or showing interest. Acting like you weren't even there when you were and inadvertently getting to hear some truly worthwhile pieces of information was how I had devised my escape. Forget that Lucien caught me, it's a skill best used in such circumstances.

Queen Kesla's dark eyes flitted to me even as I kept my head lowered.

"Fare well, King Arion. Princess Sera."

Arion nodded, his gaze switching to Damien and Lucien who gave him brittle smiles. Smiles that hinted at much more than what met the eye.

Then Arion turned around and suddenly the whole Fae entourage was thrust into motion.

I confess I had a moment of fascination that soon wore off when Sera entered a carriage surely crafted for Royalty. She indicated for me to follow and biting my lip, I entered as well.

The guards were perched upon horses, General Mark, Councillor West and as I learned the third Court member - Minister Farrell, all were atop horses with ears slightly arched just like the Fae and colors only ranging in buff, brown and black.

I noticed those were the Fae horses.

The breed of horses was dubbed as such because they shared the same features of arched ears as the Fae. However they were valued for their carnivore appetite. They werr vicious when provoked but loyal to only those they considered a master or were extremely familiar with or connected to. As a defense they were good creatures to have on such a long journey.

Once we settled, I took in the interior of the Royal carriage for the Princess.

Oak was its main attraction. Carved with images of both fighting Fae and serene ones, it was beautiful. The dark brown was surpassed by the velvet of green on the cushions and seats. The windows were covered with the same material.

It wasn't such a surprise that they had such high standards because everyone knew, Valeryn was richest in concerns of textiles, foods, decorations and anything in these regards.

It probably only rivaled Adalda's economy considering Adalda was the main producer of weapons and has the mines for not just all most sought after metals but also priced stones.

Celera has a rich treasury but the economy has been gradually declining. It's main services include human manpower and the fact that these vampires remain successful in inventing vicious things. The Fae create things too. But they are inventions worthwhile and conniving unlike Celera's brutal ones. But nevertheless Celera continues to thrive as well.

I settled in, slightly sinking into the plush cushions and lifted my gaze to look at Sera. Her eyes were not only almond shaped, but I noticed how similar the color was as well from this close.

It was also just me and her in here.

"Find it to your liking?"

I only nodded. She smiled warmly and I had to stop the natural reaction to smile back at her.

I licked my lips as the carriage suddenly took up speed. Sera threw aside the curtain and looked at me.

I knew I shouldn't but I did.

I looked outside and my eyes snagged on amber pools, a promise floating in them. And the electric orbs were sheltered with a curtain of something hazy but determination crackled like his lighting in them.

This isn't goodbye.

The message made my heartbeat skip, wondering if I was reading them wrong yet wishing it was true.

I looked away and let the curtain fall back half into place. Sera had a smile on her face, her eyes still crinkled, face unblemished.

I felt uncertain but remained expressionless.

I was leaving Celera. Vampires.

Going to Valeryn. Fae.

My eyes saw the Land of Lea in the distance and curiosity showed its ugly head.

The farther I went from Celera, and the closer to Valeryn, my heart felt like it was bring torn.

Home was neither.

But it wasn't the place that was making my heart wrench itself and dread to coil in my stomach like a snake posing to strike. 

It was the thought of certain guys.

Something told me I was leaving a piece of myself even as I headed towards the other scattered piece.

And then the dark patch of hollow land in the distance was vanishing too.

Yet Sera's words from the attack in the forest when I had first brought up the Land of Lea rang in my head.

Home.

And the wind seemed to sing a song:

You have a lot yet to face,
Ahead are difficult days.

I agreed fully.

•○•

AN~

Soooo?? What do you guys think?? Do tell!

*cough* I think some of you had been looking forward to Lucien and Cara's parting? Hope I didn't disappoint! ;)

Was the chapter any good? Any thoughts on what exactly is happening?

I'm sorry for being late but well lol my exams start from tomorrow, so this is like a temporary satisfaction till I can get back. The draft for the next chapter isn't complete so yes though I'll update as soon as I can and you, my regular readers, know that. But I can't believe we're close to 1.7K votes and have crossed well over 6.2K views! 

Plus it's a new year, and apparently a new beginning for our dearest Cara as well. 

Happy New Year to you all, though a bit belated haha, but I hope this year brings you all more happiness. And I hope my books continues to entertain you guys! 

Thanks again for all your love and do keep spreading it haha. Vote, comment and please share! Love you guys!❤

Anyways then, till next time!

~Skyler