Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 82: The Tough Truth

Chapter 82: The Tough Truth

The look in Lucy’s eyes was one filled with relief as she watched Ivan dismount from his Midnight-black steed. He had worn a long dark cloak over his regal attire, and when he sensed the two maidens were about to openly refer to him as Lord Ivan, he placed a finger to his lips, indicating they should stay silent to avoid drawing attention from the passing villagers.

Not everyone was physically acquainted with the Vampire Lord himself.

"Are you two alright?" He asked in a hush tone, his gaze studying their condition and feeling half-relieved that no harm had been imposed on the two of them. As if on cue, they nodded in unison, stating they were both fine, and while the maidens shared a look of concern, it was clear they had made up their mind on something before returning their gaze to Lord Ivan.

"Where’s my little lamb?" He asked, noticing his little lamb’s absence, and one could see the clear worry reflecting in his crimson orbs. If the three of them were abducted, then they should be together, should they not? Then why was he seeing only the two of them? Was he too late??? But he could perceive her redolent scent lingering around these parts, it was still pungent, and there was no mistaking it for anyone else.

"My Lord she....she left." The head maid proceeded to inform Ivan with her gaze fixed to the ground, and when he glanced at Lucy to confirm if it was true, she nodded her head in accordance with the head maid’s words. Unable to hide her discomfort since she was sincerely worried for her friend, she lowered her head in front of Ivan, clasping her fingers together and pleaded softly.

"I have no right to ask this of you, I know I shouldn’t request such a favor but... we both know it is not safe for Samantha to wander around all by herself, and at night, with no one to look out for her." She said, "As her friend I am concerned, and although she doesn’t want to be found I know that you’re the only one who can keep her safe so please, if you can find her and ensure she’s safe, I’ll be really grateful to you, My Lord." Lucy looked pleadingly into his eyes, hoping he wouldn’t refuse her, and she wasn’t hallucinating when she noticed the same uneasy feeling in his frantic eyes.

"Where is she heading?" He asked, and Lucy could hear herself let out a breath of relief.

"She didn’t say, she only said something about finding her brother, but she didn’t point out where." Responded the head maid.

"I think I know where she’s heading." He clicked his tongue before getting back on his horse. "It’s not safe for the both of you either. When you get to that crossroad, take your right and you’ll see an inn not Faraway. The owner is familiar with the Palace, mention my name to him and he’ll let you stay, you can return to the Palace tomorrow when you’re more fit to do so."

"Thank you for your kindness." They bowed their heads in appreciation as Ivan rode off on his steed, disappearing into the foggy night.

—--------

As the carriage continued down the gravel pathway, the wheels rolling over the uneven road with the sounds of horses hooves stepping on the gravel, Samantha’s mind raced with anticipation and worry as she succumbed to her thoughts. Her heart felt heavy, and although she wished she had more time to bid a normal farewell to Lucy, she couldn’t delay any further as time no longer seemed to be on her side.

Heaving a sad sigh, she rested her head on the headrest, wondering if she made the right decision to leave. No! She couldn’t think like that, she has come this far to start having unnecessary doubts and uncertainty.

Rather, she thought of her brother whom she was this close to seeing. Just thinking about it brought a sad smile to her lips, and she wondered what step will be for the both of them once they finally escape from here. Her brother must have changed so much, he was always naive and foolish as a child, always bullied too, and she wondered if he still had the locket she had gifted him on his thirteenth birthday, he never took it off after that day.

"There is no better present than this one, I don’t think there’s any present that can beat my sister’s wonderful gift, so I’ll promise to always cherish it!" Her brother had told her on that day, and like a weirdo, he wore it around his wrist like a bracelet instead of his neck.

They weren’t rich, and yes they had their own daily struggles, but they were still happy. Sniffling quietly, Samantha closed her eyes and chose to think of only happy memories.

Hours passed, and Samantha’s anxiety grew with each passing mile. As the carriage finally came to a halt with the Coachman announcing her destination as the ’perpetual valley’, the young maid took a deep calm breath, mentally preparing herself for what lay ahead before stepping down. She paid the Coachman who immediately started his carriage and left, leaving Samantha to stand alone in this barren landscape.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the desolate land. The air felt chilly which made Samantha shudder as she rubbed both her arms, a biting reminder of EmptyHollows incomprehensible change in weather.

Letting out a deep breath, she began to move. As she ascended deeper, the world around her grew quieter, so much so that she could hear her shoes crunching the gravel under her feet. The darkness seemed to envelope her as she made her way through the steep path, as if she was climbing a hill, but the young maid continued to push through, determined to find the place where her brother was held.

Looking around at the naked trees that bore no leaves, their branches stretched up towards the sky, and Samantha immediately averted her gaze as the place was starting to freak her out slowly. Finally, after what felt like eternity, Samantha made it to the top of the valley, but rather than gaining the relief she had expected, her eyes widened with shock as she was faced with nothing but a desolate of destruction.

"Where.... Where is the slave establishment?" She asked through a whisper that drifted with the wind. She had come all the way here to find the slave establishment, but what she was seeing was a building that had been reduced to a pile of smoldering ashes.

There was no sign of life, no sign of any human, and she was starting to wonder if she had gotten the location wrong. Or did they move?!!

Too many questions popped in her head as she stumbled forward. Was it possible they had moved the establishment elsewhere? Why is the building destroyed? A tower was meant to be fixated here but all she’s seeing is a burnt down tower! Was her effort all in vain?

"But... but how can this be?" Tears welled up in the eyes of Samantha as she surveyed the charred remains, her heart sinking at the thought of being unable to find her brother. She didn’t want to believe the second assumption that popped into her head, and she could recall what Ivan had asked concerning if her brother was dead.

"No, that can’t be! They must have moved!" She shook her head in denial, her hands trembling with a mix of anger and grief. "He can’t be right about this one, he can’t be right, they must have moved and all I have to do is try and find out where they must have gone. Maurice is fine, he’s–"

"He’s dead." Another voice hit her with the tough truth, and when Samantha whipped her head to see who had spoken out of the blue, the look on her face immediately blanched like she had seen a ghost, and she realized at the moment how big of a trouble she was in.

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