Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 186: Two Rooms To Spare

Chapter 186: Two Rooms To Spare

When they stepped out of the Palace, Blaze was immediately brought forth to Ivan, and Samantha couldn’t possibly forget about Ivan’s sturdy Midnight-black steed. Her smile softened when she saw Ivan rub his steed affectionately on both sides of its neck all the way to its shoulder area, and the way it nickered at the touch of Ivan’s hand made her feel strange. She was curious to know how he became close to animals; first it was Whiskers, then she knew Blaze.

"Do you fancy animals?" She asked, and Ivan turned his head to look at the woman who stood a few feets away from him and his steed. When he beckoned her over, Samantha reached his side within seconds and eagerly gave Blaze a friendly rub on his back, and she averted her gaze to Ivan’s side profile that was magically enhanced by the light of day. If she were to choose between both his appearances as a vampire or human, she wouldn’t know which to pick.

"I don’t like animals, and I don’t hate them." Was his subtle response to Samantha’s question. "When Blaze was brought to the Palace many years ago, he originally belonged to my Father who took care of him so he could use Blaze for war purposes. Whenever I got bored of staying locked up in my chambers, I would visit the fields to watch my Father tame Blaze into becoming a better steed. After his death, I guess I just.... connected with Blaze and kept him to myself. He was one of those who didn’t look down on me when everyone else did."

Samantha’s heart squeezed lightly at the look of forlorn in his eyes, but she wasn’t surprised when it cleared off the next minute. He was never one to easily succumb to his emotions, but he had admitted so easily that he was in love with her. The more she spends time with him, the lower the walls that guarded her heart cracked.

"Ahem..!" The sound of someone clearing his throat behind them had the two individuals turning around to see the handsome Cassian leaning against one of the walls, but after their eyes caught sight of him, he began to approach them with unhurried steps. Before he even got to where they were standing, little Alain had passed him by with his limitless energetic spirit, and Samantha happily picked the boy into her arms before he could divert his way past her.

"Did you run away again? Always troubling your parents." Samantha pinched his nose playfully only for him to giggle in return, and their attention returned to Cassian who was now standing in front of them. His Amber-brown eyes were transfixed between the two of them before he began.

"I heard you’d be leaving for a village named Fernwood." He folded his arms, "I’m quite familiar with more than a hundred ways of catching these types of men you’re going to deal with. You have no company, which is unsafe mostly for a King, so I insist you take me along with you." Cassian suggested to the two of them as they exchanged contemplative glances, and Ivan’s naturally arched eyebrows pulled together, his eyes hinting at a tinge of suspicion.

"I appreciate your help but you’re a guest in my Kingdom, it wouldn’t be right for me to place you in any sort of danger."

"I think I’ve experienced more than enough dangers in my life to ever be frightened of that word. Frankly speaking, it is not easy to merely accept strangers as a guest in your Kingdom, so allow me to repay the favor by helping you out in your Quest."

"You’re suddenly humble."

"It’s a toxic trait I got from my wife." Cassian admitted with a click of his tongue. "My son wanted to be with his new friend and my wife has given up on him, so make that two helpers sent to you by the heavens. I don’t do this on a regular day but I feel I owe you this much for your hospitality." Cassian asserted as a matter-of-fact, and Ivan could still sense a bit of pride in his tone.

"I am sure his Majesty would love the company." Samantha spoke in place of Ivan who was about to refuse. She felt sir Cassian was absolutely right about Ivan making this journey without any aids to keep him company, and since Alain had spoken quite a lot about his parents to her, she isn’t against the idea as he could really lend a helping hand concerning Ivan’s quest. Since he had brought the idea forth, it could mean his wife isn’t against it either.

"Do join us. He can come with us, right?" Samantha turned her gaze to Ivan who pressed his lips into a thin line, silently contemplating on if the man before him would be as beneficial as he claimed to be.

To avoid getting a bad reputation, Ivan sent one of the guards to fetch a steed from the stable. A chestnut steed was brought for Cassian who mounted it first before placing his son in front of him. Alain’s expression remained indifferent when he was hoisted onto the horse, and Samantha wondered what were the limits to the boy’s bravery. No doubt, he had to be incredibly special.

Ivan was the first to get on top of his horse, and he helped Samantha afterwards. With her bags in place and her arms secured around Ivan’s lower abdomen, the main gates to the Palace were opened, and Blaze galloped out first, exiting the Palace.

From her window, Lady Agathe watched them leave the Palace, her crimson eyes glinting with malice as a frown descended on her features. Closing her windows, she went back to her small study table and took out a paper with a quill. She wrote a few words on the paper before neatly keeping it inside an envelope and rising from her chair. With a cunning smile that described her intentions, she stepped out of her chamber with the envelope.

Madeline, who hadn’t felt free with those two away from her life for some days, took a leisurely stroll through the back garden, but she halted in her steps upon seeing Lady Agathe heading towards the postman who suspiciously waited at the back of the Palace building. She wisely hid away and listened to what the vampiress said to the postman.

"Make sure he receives the letter, remember, if something goes wrong with this letter, I’m afraid you won’t have another opportunity to atone for that mistake, so keep it safe." She strictly instructed.

"Yes, My Lady." The postman bowed before leaving. After Agathe had left, Madeline wondered what sort of message the letter held that it had to be given to the postman in secret.

—-

Passing through the borough, Samantha happily let her eyes feast on the fascinating change of EmptyHollow. As excited as she felt to have been able to return GreenHollow to what it used to be, there was still a dread that came with that feeling, and that was something she would never know until she haunts down clues that can explain her present predicament. There were so many mysteries, but first, she would have to bring Lady Agathe from her elevated horse.

After many hours of riding through the land, the quaint village of Fernwood emerged from between an open gate, and their horses made their way through. Fernwood village was known to be one of the busiest villages, considering the fact that the locals residing in it were known to acquire one skill of another, most especially in trading. The sky was painted in an orange hue, signaling the early dawn of sunset, and as they ventured in further, the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air as they navigated the main road of the village.

Samantha’s eyes were fixed on the place where she knew to be home, and nothing much had changed within the village except the vegetation and new faces she was seeing. She was tempted to come down from the horse and take a walk.... she wanted to revisit the old times.... She wanted to see if the people she remembered would recognize her, or if they were still here. As if Ivan had sensed her silent requests, he made Blaze slow down as they continued to navigate till they made it to the Village square, and passers by didn’t hesitate to steal curious glances at them.

"There." Ivan pointed at a modest building that was just across the street, its sign gently swinging in the breeze as it reads. "THE WILLOW INN"

They dismount from their horses and tether it to a post nearby, blending in with the other visitors. Cassian’s eyes scanned the people as he came to stand beside Ivan, Alain quietly following his Father as his eyes equally scrutinized the people. When the three of them exchanged approved glances, together, they entered the Inn.

Upon making it to the lobby, Samantha was quite pleased with the warmth and comfort it emanated, whilst the place was well furnished with polished wooden tables and a crackling fireplace. A large, jovial Innkeeper stepped forward after noticing them standing idly, and he welcomed them with a broad smile.

"Good evening My Lady, and good sirs. How may I assist you today?"

"We seek your best accommodations for two days. Do you have any available rooms prepared?" Ivan’s tone was firm and exquisite, depicting the manners of a scholar, and it was a mere hint to make the curious innkeeper take them in as travelers who had chosen to spend two days of their time in Fernwood. He noticed the content on the innkeeper’s gaze, and he answered affably.

"Indeed, sir. But we have only two rooms to spare if that is alright. Just sign the register, and I’ll hand you the keys." He informed them politely while leading them to his desk. Samantha was the first to take the quill and sign on the register, but she had used a different name. Ivan followed suit, including Cassian, and the keys to their rooms were handed to Ivan and Samantha.

"Enjoy your stay at The Willows Inn."

"We will." Samantha answered curtly with a gracious smile, and before Ivan could say what she knew he wanted to say, she immediately held Alain’s hand and asked.

"Would you like to stay with Aunty in her room?" She inquired from Alain who instantly nodded his head, and Ivan only watched in pure amusement as she met his gaze.

"Ali and I will share a room, the two of you can take the other one." It didn’t seem like a suggestion that they could disapprove even if they wanted to. Ivan’s eyebrows furrowed into a frown, and Samantha simply carried her belongings before taking Alain towards the stairs.

"Do you know who’s going to spend two nights without the women they adore?" Cassian asked with a sigh before meeting Ivan’s gaze.

"You and I. Do you perhaps drink?"

"On special occasions."

"We’ll need it for tonight, come, which way to the guest room?" Cassian already turned around as he took the keys, staring at the room number that was engraved on it.