167: Different monsters (part 2)

Different monsters (part 2)

"Your Holiness, this... This is..." Adela struggled to find her words, a rarity for her. "I've never seen anything like this."1

The ball of light that materialized just above Aldric's arm was a captivating sight, especially when he nudged it slightly upward so it hovered over both of them.

"I had no idea you could control light," Adela remarked in surprise.

"I can't, light is not an element," he replied nonchalantly. "I can cast radiant spells whenever I want. You see, light can be harnessed."

Adela was reminded of how humbling it was to be in the presence of a knowledgeable scholar. Although the young King was different from the professors who had tutored her, his vast knowledge gave off a similar vibe.

Adela's heart raced as they ventured into the darker side of the forest, a place she had explored twice before in her life. The first time was during a journey with Egon on his stallion, riding through the pitch-black darkness to reach the river that flowed through the depths of the land. The second time, although not as far-reaching, was when she encountered the formidable white wolf.

And then it hit her. She berated herself for being so consumed by everything happening with Egon that she had completely forgotten about this crucial aspect.

"Stop!" she urgently called out, just ten feet into the shadowy part of the forest.

"...Right, perhaps we should wait for our third partner to arrive," Aldric speculated.

Shaking her head, Adela resolved to be as transparent as possible with Aldric. "I'm not entirely familiar with the specifics or the authority involved," she nervously swallowed, "But there exists a tribe of shapeshifters in the deeper realms of these lands. Emorians likely maintain a certain understanding with them. They live in peaceful seclusion there, and I..." Her voice trailed off.

"...Who provided you with this information?" He interjected. "Start with that,"

Why not...

"...I broke the law and had a conversation with one of them," 

He appeared skeptical. "I may not be familiar with Emorian laws, but I do know that it's not common to approach a shapeshifter. Usually, Alphas are the ones who approach humans."

She nodded in confirmation. "Yes, their Alpha approached me, but he did not agree to disclose his name."

Aldric seemed to relax slightly at her response. "Now that sounds more like the truth."

She bit her lip, feeling offended. "It is the truth."

"...Who else knows that you saw him?"

She pondered for a moment. "No one," she replied after a brief pause. "I kept it a secret."

"So, two people know: you and him."

Adela steeled herself, recalling how she initially thought Claude had sent him, only to realize that it wasn't the case. There was a good chance that it was Egon who had sent the white wolf her way.

"It really isn't important," she dismissed, her voice more emotional than she intended.

"It is to me," the young King insisted.

She looked up into his eyes, which appeared pitch black under the glow of his spell. "...Why? Are you interested in shapeshifters?"

If that were true, she would cancel the mission immediately. This time, she was the one testing him.

He gave her a lopsided smile. "Your decision to trust me is what's important."

Did she fully trust him though?

"I appreciate your openness, and I genuinely want to collaborate with you."

"Huh. Well... I am motivated to live up to your trust," his expression suddenly changed. "He's here," he declared, looking ahead.

A rush of air brushed against her for a fleeting moment, and then, an unsettling desire to leap forward engulfed her.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Egon's deep voice resonated, causing Adela's stomach to tighten and her heart to try and flee the scene.

It was one thing for her to lay all her cards on the table, but she was deeply disturbed that her mate was revealing his true nature to Aldric.

"Not at all, actually. Your carriage is fast. I wasn't expecting you so soon," Aldric said.

"My carriage is fast but not as fast as yours," Egon replied coldly, giving Adela a stern look. "I told you it would be less unsettling if I approached from the back. Do you believe me now?"

She nodded breathlessly, slightly upset that he still didn't truly understand her and her reactions.

But do I fully understand him?

It seemed unfair for this mate bond to bind them before they had reached a level of mutual understanding that aligned their love with respect.

"...Adela, I've noticed that you often seem absent-minded," Aldric suddenly remarked. "Don't you agree, Egon?"

"Why are you asking me that?" Egon questioned, his voice filled with tension.

Aldric raised both hands in a calming gesture, but to Adela, it seemed more sarcastic than genuine. "I assumed you know her well since you revealed your inhuman nature to her. Do you do that with all the humans around you?"

"Do you?" Egon retorted.

"Of course I do," Aldric replied with a smile.

"...She's a Healer. They live with emotions and empathies that you and I can't begin to understand," Egon returned to the original question, his gaze fixed on Adela with vacant, dark eyes.

His lack of emotion towards her contrasted sharply with his sensitive words, leaving her bewildered and hurt. It was as if he possessed the ability to be kind and caring with his words, but his vacant, dark eyes betrayed an emotional detachment that sent shivers down her spine.

She couldn't understand how someone could exhibit such kindness on the surface while harboring a hidden coldness within. The contradiction left her feeling conflicted, unsure of how to interpret his true feelings and intentions. 

Not that it mattered now, but the pain she felt cut deep. In that moment, a strong desire welled up within her, wishing for the mission to conclude swiftly. She longed for it to be over, not only to fulfill their task but also to release herself from the torment of their strained connection. 

"Your Holiness, Sir Egon is a busy individual. Let's not monopolize his time,"

Aldric acknowledged her words with a nod, his crooked smile persisting as he gestured for her to proceed ahead. However, their progress was abruptly halted as Egon stepped forward, blocking their path. His voice firm as he declared,

"No. Your journey ends here."

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