Lillian

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Slamming the door leading to my husband’s office, I landed my palms on his desk with a bang, forcing him to look at me in disbelief.

My appearance left much to be desired, I don’t remember the last time I took a bath, there was a bird’s nest on my head, and there were blue swollen bruises under my eyes. But I didn’t care at all. Gritting my teeth to a grinding sound, I looked into the blue eyes of Horel, who was calm and hissed in a hoarse voice:

- Beloved husband! Why haven’t you been visiting your dear wife for so long? - It was impossible to hide the mockery in my voice.

He immediately got up and approached me, making an attempt to hug me, but I stepped back, throwing his hands aside.

"You’re not feeling well, honey. You should rest more, you don’t have a face at all. - He looked as if he felt regret.

- And you? Are you feeling all right? Or have you already forgotten about Xana? – burning with chest pain, I hissed.

- We can’t turn back time. - He took a deep breath and rubbed his face with his hands. - She wanted to kill Thea. I don’t understand how it came to this? I love them both, but it just doesn’t fit in my head.

- What? How can you keep thinking about that little whore who spread her legs in front of a vampire while your other daughter’s heart was ripped out of her chest for profit? And all because of that vile girl! It’s all her fault! – I no longer hid my emotions, pushed his chest with my hands and screamed, tearing off my already hoarse voice.

Horel grabbed my hands, locking me in a vice, not giving me the opportunity to hit him again, but that didn’t stop me from resisting.

- I’ll kill her! I will personally kill her! And neither you nor anyone else will stop me. - I said, my eyes flashing menacingly, expressing my clear intention.- I will find her and bring you your daughter’s heart.

Pouring with joyful laughter, tasting the illusory pictures that my imagination drew, I finally escaped from the arms of my husband, who looked impossibly shocked.

-You need to calm down, Lil. Let me find her and bring her back myself, and then we’ll figure it out, I promise you. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

He kept saying something, but I wasn’t listening to him, all my thoughts were occupied with Thea. I imagined the options of her death in colors, getting incredible pleasure from it. Ever since she was born, I’ve been dreaming about this. It’s been so long since I’ve absorbed someone’s life force and hateful wrinkles have already begun to appear on my face. Idiot Horel, how can you not understand that your daughter is needed only so that I can live longer. Your suffering cannot touch my heart.

I left his office as quickly as I arrived there, leaving him alone. It’s funny, but he didn’t even consider it necessary to catch up with me. It looks like my spell needs to be recharged.

I walked along a deserted corridor, enjoying the silence, diluted only by the rustle of a skirt. Turning into one of the rooms, I slammed the door behind me, locking it with a spell and stretched my lips in a satisfied smile.

On the floor in the very center of the room, in the middle of the painted bloody pattern, lay a huge mountain of human lifeless bodies.

- It’s still not enough. I said in a firm voice, looking away at the old woman who was looking at me not with a challenge, as before, but with fear in her eyes. - Did you beg for forgiveness? You asked me to give you a chance to fix it, but you’re not doing well, Tethys!

- I’m doing the best I can, my queen! I’m just an ordinary seer, so killing takes me longer than if I had a stronger gift. - bowing her head, she mumbled.

- Are you not doing enough or have I not been clear enough? I don’t care about your excuses, since you couldn’t bring the girl to me, then do everything so that I could get more power. I’ve already given you all the royal nobility to help you, they pass sentences, you just need to execute. Is it really difficult for you? - I shouted, feeling saliva spray on my chin.

- I wanted to bring her, but something went wrong. My predictions have become more vague and confusing. I saw the manifestation of her magic again, a powerful flow, uncontrolled, dangerous. And then, like a bright flash of light, everything disappeared, as if she had evaporated. I have no idea where to look for her. – the old woman sobbed sobbing.

- When did you become so pathetic? - I asked with disgust, looking at the hunched figure of the witch in front of me. – Such a proud, strong prophetess like you and now stands dripping snot in front of me. It’s a terrible sight, you know?

She listened to my lamentations in silence, nodding in agreement, afraid to cross the line where I would lose my temper and end her life at the snap of my fingers.

- It doesn’t matter. I’ll find her sooner or later. In the meantime, I need more strength. Do you understand me? - I asked, squinting in the direction of the old woman.

- Yes, I understand you, my queen. I will work better.

I took out my wand and started whispering a spell. The pile of corpses was instantly engulfed in flames, which gradually turned from orange to green, pulling out the magic accumulated in the bodies, pouring in a thin trickle to the base of the magic wand, spreading along the shaft, and then penetrating into the skin of the hands, pleasantly burning it.

When all the magic power had spent itself, I threw my head back contentedly, turning my gaze to the ceiling and licked my snow-white teeth. It was a pleasant feeling, as if every cell of my body was coming to life again, like spring after a frosty winter, I felt and accepted this power filling me with trepidation.

The green flame always drew maximum power from its owner, but there was only one time when I could not achieve what I wanted. This reminder was like an eyesore. If only I had been able to get her power that time, I wouldn’t be groveling so insignificantly before any kings now.

Having slightly improved my mood, I went to the Council, which was already in full swing, and my dear husband certainly did not deign to invite me there. But it’s nothing, I don’t need anyone’s invitation.

The Council Hall was extremely lively, everyone was talking in raised tones, interrupting each other and showing discontent. The king only listened to everyone in silence, sitting in his throne. After crossing the threshold, everyone froze and stared at me. What was that? Fear in their eyes? Hate? Alertness? Well, these feelings were pleasant to me. There are so many hypocrites, useless and worthless people in one room and at the same time so many strong magicians whose power I could easily get.

- Nobody mind if I join, right? - I replied with a radiant smile.

Horel, who did not expect such changes in my behavior, slightly tensed, but then cordially came down to me, offering his hand.

- You look better. – he said so softly that only I could hear.

- Yes, I just accepted my pain and decided not to dwell on it. You said right that we can’t turn back time. - I let go of his hand when he helped me to sit on the throne chair.

A malicious grin tugged at the corners of my lips as I surveyed the audience with a cold gaze.

- Why is everyone suddenly silent? Continue. – I waved my hand, calling for the meeting to continue, but no one was in a hurry to be the first to cast a vote. The silence was broken by the king.

- In fact, the situation could not be worse. Apart from the fact that the rulers of Sardon and Easthev died on our territory, rumors have reached us that the vampire king brutally killed the daughter and wife of the Pegins. - he paused heavily, pursing his lips.

- Is that so? - I smacked my lips, resisting the urge to smile.

Who cared about them at all? Another good news.

- Well, that’s tragic. We must send Christopher a letter of support and deepest regrets. - I said monotonously, not showing a drop of sadness about it.

- Thank you for your sympathy. – the man who had been standing inconspicuously in the farthest part of the hall and his face was covered with a hood answered dryly and emotionlessly.

- Christopher? - I chuckled. – What a surprise, I didn’t know you were here too. Really...

- Shouldn’t i be burying my loved ones now? Seriously? How much more soulless can you be, Lillian? He hissed, dropping the formal tone, which greatly surprised everyone present, including Horel.

- Don’t overdo it. – my husband threatened, getting up from the throne.

- Calm down, dear. He can be understood, he, like us, has lost his loved ones. I said, without breaking eye contact with the King of Adaman. - So what brings you here and not to Abion?

Christopher clicked his tongue and came closer, spreading a battered map on the table.

- This vampire geek has taken over Adaman. I was stupid enough not to know about its essence. Although Abion is a human kingdom, we were aware of the existence of witches and magicians, but its essence became an unpleasant knowledge for us. I always thought my army was one of the greatest, until the night he...

- When he what? – I forced Christopher to continue after his tense pause.

- He came alone. Completely alone. And killed them all. All my people, all the guards, he killed my entire army. - his face was full of despair and fear. – I ran away.

He chuckled sadly, realizing that he had behaved cowardly, but the desire to live surpassed the desire to save his people. Well, I can’t blame him, I would have done the same.

- I came to ask for help. - he said firmly. – And also I am interested in what stage is our project at? I need werewolves and magicians. I need a combat-ready army to deal with this son of a bitch.