Chapter 67: Come with me, Adelaide

Della was sitting on the floor, a little close to the castle garden. It was night time, and the castle had gone quiet.

She looked up at the stars that filled the beautiful night sky. There wasn’t a single cloud in sight. She curled into a ball as the air grew colder, her gaze never dropping from the sky.

Because this was what she had chosen to do, on what could be her last day alive.

Because tomorrow, the council meeting would hold, and Malachi would reject her in front of everyone, and make her his slave. That is — if she doesn’t perishes from the pain of his rejection.

For the past five days, Malachi has been distant from her. He would leave his chambers as early as possible, only to return deep in the night, probably thinking she was fast asleep.

She wasn’t.

Never was.

To her, sleep has always been an luxury.

And tonight being her last day as a part slave/wife, she contemplated spending it either in the library or stargazing. But she’s been reading all her life, so she chose to stargaze tonight.

Hence, she sat alone on the floor.

Well, as alone as she could be since Malachi had placed secret guards on her a few days ago. Probably to make sure she does plans another escape attempt with her impending sentence and ritual.

They’d always been out of her sight, and she’d always pretended not to notice them. Even right now, she knew they were lingering somewhere close to her, and the moment she moved... they would follow.

The dizziness had been coming in more frequently these days, and she had thought about going to see Annelise... but she was afraid of putting her in trouble, especially with her mother.

So, Della had done a little self medication for herself. It had helped, but not so much.

A huge part of her had also wanted to search for Lian around the castle. She wanted to see him, hold him, and hear his voice one more thing before it all went down.

But she couldn’t risk getting caught sneaking around. It might not only get her in trouble, but Malachi might also figure out she knows Lian is here...which would eventually put Rowan in trouble too.

The risk was too much.

She couldn’t break Rowan’s effort like this.

She just had to be contented that Lian was fine. It was all that really mattered at the end.

A bit of noise coming from the corridor close to the garden caught her attention. She stared at a few seconds, wondering what the grumbles were all about.

Second later, a figure emerged from the darkness.

Cassian.

She quickly stood up and bowed, "Alpha,"

"Hello, little servant," He smiled.

She looked up at him curiously. It’s been a few days since they last ran into each other after the incident with the assassin.

"What are you up to?" He asked, stopping next to her.

"I’m enjoying the view,"

"The garden?"

"No," She pointed up, "The stars. They are very beautiful,"

He looked up too and nodded once, "I guess so," Then he looked at her face again, "You should be asleep by now,"

She almost laughed hysterically, "Even if I wanted to, I can’t fall asleep,"

"Maybe you just need a bath,"

She smiled at him, "I doubt that would help me sleep, but thank you,"

She sat back on the floor, and continued watching the stars. Cassian moved on the his feet and a moment later he had dropped next to her.

"What are you doing?!" She looked at him in awe.

He stretched properly, going further down till he was now lying on the bare floor. One hand crossed over the other, and both hands supported the back of his head. He had a grin on his face, "Don’t mind me,"

Don’t mind him?!

What if someone walked by right now?!

"This isn’t—" She paused, "You’re not supposed to do this,"

"Why not?!"

"Because it’s not proper," She whispered sharply, then pointed at the other end of the Garden, "How about you go there?"

"No,"

No?!

"You can’t lay near me. Someone could walk by and get the wrong idea,"

"We are fully clothed, aren’t we?" He arched a brow.

"I don’t mean it like that!" She kept looking around cautiously, hoping no one walks by, "You’re an Alpha, a Supreme Alpha. You’re like...the highest ranking wolf there is, and I am— I am nobody, okay?"

"You’re my little servant," He didn’t seem the least fazed, letting his eyes close.

"Please, understand,"

He opened his eyes, and shrugged, "I hope we catch a shooting star,"

She sighed exasperatedly.

If he was going to move, then she would have to do it herself.

Della started to scoot away from him, as far as possible to the other end of the garden. But everytime she moved, he moved with her. Everytime she stood up, he stood up with her. Everytime she looked at him, he would flash her that grin that was beginning to annoy her.

"Alpha!"

"What?"

"Stop following me,"

"I’m not following you. I’m just getting more comfortable,"

"By following me?"

"Precisely,"

"It’s not proper!"

"A lot of things aren’t proper," He shrugged, settling next to her again, "Like humans and Werewolves existing in one world. Like the term ’rotblood’, I mean who even coined it in the first place?" He shook his head, "Oh, and let’s not forget the improper forgotten law that was dug up by someone who wanted to put Malachi in a terrible position just to get rid of you...,"

Della has stopped moving.

"Nothing is proper here," He looked at her, and when he did, his eyes were the exact definition of soft, "I’m sorry...that I cannot do much to make it less... improper,"

Her hands started to shake again, along with trembling lips. She could feel the tears, but she blinked and they were gone, "I guess it’s stupid to think of what’s proper and improper right now. After all, a wicked fate awaits tomorrow. And people would still talk," She stared at the flowers blooming around the garden, "Sometimes, I wonder if I really do feel of a foul energy that ends up cursing things...or people just made that all up as a reference to my title just to blame me for every tragedy that happens,"

Cassian was still looking at her.

Then he looked down at her tightly clasped hands. They were shaking.

She was shaking.

"At least, if I do die tomorrow, I’d all finally come to an end, right?" She looked at him too.

"Have you ever had any desire to seek revenge against those who have hurt you?!"

Her jaw worked, "I have," Her knuckles turned white, "Every single one of them...I have," Tears glistened in her eyes, "But I always remain the unfortunate one,"

Cassian was quiet for a long while.

Not because he didn’t have an answer.

Because he had too many.

Then, he dusted blades of grass from his sleeves and stood up.

She looked up at him, and he looked down at her. hand extended forward for her to take. Standing like that, he looked like a knight in shining armour with silver eyes, and his extended hand looked like he was offering her the world.

"Come with me, Adelaide,"