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We walked back into the dining room and Cynthia entered the room first and Timbrax and I entered right after her. And sure enough, Letti was screaming like a maniac as she held a large sharp butcher knife in her hand, daring someone to come at her. When she saw me she hissed and I knew that I was not the person she wanted to see right now.
“Why did you bring her back here, Timbrax?” She demanded. “You love me now, remember?”
Timbrax meandered towards her with his hands held out in front of him defensively, showing her he was not holding any of his weapons. “Lett,” he said. “You were just a feeder I used to regain my strength.”
“But... you love me... don’t you, Timbrax?” She asked him.
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Letti,” he said. “But I love Zyra, she is my wife-”
“Shut up about already Zyra!” She screamed. “I am so sick and tired of hearing about that perfect little princess!”
“Hey,” I said as I scurried up to her. “If you have a problem with me, then you can say whatever you need to say to my face!” I said getting in her face.
“Fine,” she said, glaring angrily back at me. “The first time I met you I hated you!” She said. “Because I’m supposed to be the one who married Timbrax until little miss Zyra Falls came into the picture! Tomorrow evening I want to face you in the arena.” She said. “And whichever one of us wins, gets to marry Timbrax.” She said smiling triumphantly at me. “And whoever loses... gets banished to the forest with all the other Varacolaci losers!” Without warning, she pulled back her hand, and she thrusts the knife forward right above my left breast. “As soon as you die, I can finally marry Timbrax!” she hissed at me.
Maddock moved quickly and grab her, gripping her arms behind her back. I was so furious that I hadn’t even felt the knife still stuck in my body. Timbrax immediately scooped me up into his arms and ran with lightning speed into his bedroom. He lay me down on his bed and quickly removed the large butcher knife from my chest. He pulled off my cut and bloody shirt and tossed it to the ground. He then picked up the Halistik sword out from its sheath and thrust its sharp blade deep within my chest. I gasped as I felt the energy from the sword flow evenly throughout my entire body, healing my wound. A moment later, he had pulled the blade from my chest and placed it back into the sheath. “You really have to stop reacting before you think gorgeous.” he said as he lay down beside me on his bed.
“I can’t help it,” I said as I stroked the scar where I was just stabbed. “I’m not going to just stand there like an idiot and allow her to run her mouth and talk crap about me.”
He smiled as he placed his warm hand against my cheek. “I know,” he said. “And that is one of the many reasons I had married you instead of Letti, Zyra.”
A moment later I could hear Letti screaming in fury and her screams were growing louder as she was heading towards Timbrax’s bedroom. He leapt to his feet, and he quickly drew his Senharu sword from its sheath as he stood in a defensive position in front of me.
Of course I wouldn’t have thought to have brought any extra clothes with me right as I need a fresh shirt to cover myself with... I am a princess after all...
I sighed as I found his former Hunter’s jacket hanging nearby, so I quickly grabbed it and put it on just as Letti stood blocking the doorway with her body. She was panting as she glared angrily across the room at me.
“Letti,” Timbrax said calmly to his childhood friend. “Your services are no longer required here at the castle... I suggest that you leave the premises immediately.”
She scoffed, then laughed at his request as though she were above it. “Timbrax,” she said, turning her gaze to him. “Am I not your friend?” She asked. “And... your most loyal worker, might I add here at the castle? You can’t just-”
“Letizia Mantovani,” Timbrax said as coldly as he could to her. “I end you from your job as caretaker of the castle.” He said. “I banish you to the forest... and you may never return to this place ever again.”
She looked stunned. As though he had basically slapped her in the face. She quickly regained her composure. “Timbrax,” she said, forcing a smile. “Y-you don’t really mean it-”
“Yes, I do Letizia,” he replied, cutting her off mid-sentence. “I banish you to the forest and you may never return. Because if you do... Hell’s Guardian will kill you right on the spot.”
She glared angry glaring at me. “This was your idea, wasn’t it, Princess Zyra?” she hissed through her teeth at me. “All because you are too scared to face me like a real woman in the arena-”
“This was my decision, Letti. Timbrax said. “And for the record... Zyra would have killed you in the arena. I am sparing your life from death my former friend.” he nudged his head at Maddock who punched her hard in her head knocking her unconscious. He scooped up her falling body and Timbrax told him to fly into the forest and leave her there.
I watched Maddock leave with Letti, and I frowned at Timbrax when he looked at me. “I was really looking forward to kicking her ass in the arena tomorrow evening, you know?”
He put his Senharu Sword away and placed it beside the bed. “I changed my mind about having you fight in the arena against her Zyra.” he replied as he lay down beside me on his bed. “It would have been a fight to the death and you know if she killed you then I would have to die as well.” He paused briefly. “And you know she could not kill me.” I sighed in annoyance as I closed my eyes in exhaustion. “Besides,” he added. “You are the future queen and your role shifting from a fighter to a ruler is going to be difficult for you, but I’m sure you can manage.”
My eyes shot open, and I looked at him once more. “But Velika is still alive,” I said. And technically she is still the queen and rightful ruler of the Varacolaci.
He pulled me tightly into his strong muscular arms, and I rested my heavy head upon his chest. I listened for his heartbeat, but he didn’t; have one. He was a dead vampire, after all. “She is until her court hearing in a few days.” he said to me. “I’m pretty sure they will kill her for her crimes against The Lugat, and The Stregoni Benefici.” he sighed, and I closed my eyes. “Letti told me something which drew my interest tonight.”
“Oh, yeah?” I asked with my eyes still shut. “And what would that be?”
“It appears there was another rare Varacolaci baby who was born around the same time as the baby, we transferred Lain’s soul into.” he said.
“Well... what’s so great about that?” I asked him.
“The baby was born... as a Pyro Lancer Zyra,” he replied. “I had him sent immediately to Ivashka Academy because his mother abandoned him. Our Element may make a comeback after these years. Velika won’t kill us off that easily.”