A shiver ran down her spine, jolting her back to her senses. Eveloria quickly dispelled her unsettling thoughts, kneeling before the boy. Taking his small hands in hers, she met his tear-filled brown eyes. Questions raced through her mind: 'What were those images? Was it a vision? How could I possess such an ability? I thought only mages could do such things.'
' I don't have the power to fend off those thugs,' Eveloria realized, grappling with the limitations of her abilities.
"Come on, get in the carriage," Eveloria urged the boy, her voice both compassionate and urgent. He nodded, his face a mix of desperation and relief, and hastily clambered into the carriage. Olivia's lingering doubt found its way back to her. "My lady, we can't trust this child," Olivia whispered, her concern evident.
Eveloria's expression hardened as she fixed her gaze on Olivia. She replied firmly, "If you can't trust him, then trust me."
Reluctantly, Olivia sighed, "Very well, My Lady. Let's go."
The boy, now safely within the carriage, Eveloria followed suit and settled into her seat.
Olivia followed also, her attention drawn to the approach of a group of figures from afar. Olivia's eyes widened with realization. She whispered urgently, "My lady, he wasn't lying!"
Eveloria's voice remained calm but resolute as she instructed the coachman, "start moving the carriage without delay."
"Yes, my lady," the coachman replied, and soon the carriage was moving quickly along the road.
The boy closed his eyes and settled on Eveloria's lap, murmuring a grateful "Thank you" as he drifted into sleep. Eveloria couldn't help but admire his courage. Gently, she ran her fingers through his hair, lost in thought. Another image flickered in her mind, revealing the boy's life with his parents in their home.
' I think I know where this boy lives. ' She thought.
"My lady, how did you know we could trust him?" Olivia questioned again, her expression a mix of curiosity and worry.
"He simply felt trustworthy," Eveloria replied, her tone steady.
Accepting Eveloria's answer, Olivia nodded, refraining from pressing further.
The journey was lengthy, but they finally reached the boy's home. Olivia disembarked first, followed by Eveloria, who carefully carried the sleeping boy in her arms.
' It's just like how I saw it in the visions. ' Eveloria thought as she scanned the house.
A woman with raven hair, resembling the boy, and a visibly pregnant belly, caught sight of Eveloria and the child in her embrace. Startled, a basket filled with fruits and vegetables slipped from her grasp, crashing to the ground. She rushed toward them, her voice quivering as she called out, "Aiden!"
Tears welled in her eyes as she gently took the boy from Eveloria's arms and held him tightly. Eveloria watched the emotional reunion unfold before her, her heart aching for the mother, who appeared to be around the same age as Eveloria's own mother.
'So I'm a mage, huh? That would explain why I'm not skilled with a sword. Thank you for helping me realize this, Aiden. I'll remember you, and I hope you'll remember me too,' Eveloria mused as she gazed at Aiden, lost in her thoughts.
A man with brown hair and brown eyes hurried out of the house, approaching his wife and the still-sleeping Aiden. He greeted Eveloria with a respectful bow, expressing, "Thank you, madam, for bringing our son back home."
"I searched for him for a whole year but couldn't find him," the man added with a mix of relief and regret.
"Thank you so much, madam," the woman echoed, her voice filled with gratitude.
Eveloria nodded in acknowledgment and responded, "You're welcome. Just make sure to never lose sight of him again."
With that, she retraced her steps to the carriage, accompanied by Olivia. As they settled into the carriage, they embarked on their journey back to the manor.
'Those thugs that kidnapped the kid were under SHADE. I remember the tattoo, a dark, inky black moon at the center, surrounded by delicate white stars,' Eveloria reflected as she contemplated the mysteries she had encountered.
***
Back at the Manor, Sir Kord approached Gavriel, who was seated at the dining table.
"Is he coming?" Gavriel inquired.
"He's on his way, my Lord," Sir Kord replied.
"Okay," Gavriel acknowledged as he resumed his dinner. His mind drifted to Eveloria's return. 'When will Eveloria be back?' Gavriel pondered, downing his wine in frustration.
"Pour me another full glass of wine," Gavriel instructed one of the maids in attendance.
"But, my Lord, you've already consumed four bottles of wine," the maid hesitated, expressing concern.
Gavriel rolled his eyes impatiently and retorted, "And? Pour it already."
"My Lord, why this sudden excessive drinking?" Sir Kord questioned, taking the wine glass from the maid and dismissing her.
"Because I'm tired of waiting for her," Gavriel confessed. "I desire her intensely, and I've been trying to suppress my urges, but I can't hold back any longer."
Mischievous glints danced in Gavriel's eyes.
Sir Kord firmly grasped Gavriel's arm, helping him stand, and asserted, "You need rest, my Lord."
Gavriel's glare met Sir Kord's resolute expression as he was led upstairs to his room.
Gavriel halted at the threshold of his bedroom, swiftly pulling his hands free from Sir Kord's grip. Without delay, he swung the door open, entered the room, and firmly closed the door behind him.
An hour later, Eveloria returned to the manor, heading directly to her room. She diligently organized her belongings, taking care to conceal them beneath her bed. "Just in case someone comes in." The thought of her impending escape tonight loomed heavily in her mind.
After some time, Eveloria resolved that it was time for a bath. Following her bath, she descended the stairs, making her way to the dining hall for a meal. As she settled into a chair, she took note of the surroundings, realizing that Gavriel's absence was conspicuous. 'He's probably sleeping. If that's the case, this might be the perfect moment for me to make my escape,' Eveloria pondered while enjoying her meal in relative peace.
***
The night draped the manor in a serene quietude, accompanied by a gentle, cooling breeze that swept through Eveloria's open balcony, coaxing her curtains to sway and dance.
Eveloria's determination solidified as she mentally planned her escape, 'I will wait for everyone else to fall asleep, ' she thought.
Suddenly, a loud creak from her room's door jolted her out of her thoughts. Her heart raced, and she turned quickly to identify the source of the sound. To her surprise, she was met with Gavriel's familiar grey eyes, fixated on her with a soft yet mischievous smile. His gaze lingered appreciatively on the curves of her nightgown-clad figure. His hair was tousled, and he was draped in a wine-colored robe.
Eveloria found herself momentarily stunned, her mouth slightly agape as she processed the unexpected encounter. "What are you doing here, Your Grace?" she demanded, regaining her composure.
"I missed you, Lady Eveloria," Gavriel murmured as he closed the distance between them, his smile suggesting a mix of emotions. Eveloria's mind raced as she watched Gavriel approach, unsure of the situation unfolding before her.
Gavriel's grey eyes gleamed with an unmistakable lust, a mix of fear and anxiety that sent a shiver down Eveloria's spine. His lips curled upwards into a slow, suggestive smile as he drew nearer. The weight of his gaze bore down on her, making her heart race.
As their bodies drew closer, an underlying scent caught Eveloria's attention—an undeniable aroma of alcohol. A realization dawned upon her: Gavriel was drunk.
"I will go call Sir Kord," Eveloria said quickly, her voice betraying her nervousness. She moved away from Gavriel and headed towards her room's door, her intention to exit and seek help. However, when she tried to open the door, it resisted her efforts. Panic started to well up within her as she attempted once more, applying more force, but the door remained stubbornly shut.
The sound of approaching footsteps intensified her anxiety. She began to realize that Gavriel might have locked the door from the outside. A surge of fear coursed through her veins as she searched for a way out of this situation.
With Gavriel's arm now resting on the door, effectively trapping her, Eveloria felt her heart race even faster. He leaned in closer, his warm breath tickling her earlobe, as his hand brushed against hers on the doorknob. A shiver ran down her spine.
"Why are you trying to leave?" Gavriel's voice, a blend of curiosity and desire, sent a jolt of apprehension through her.
His lips grazed her neck, his touch sending a tremor through her. She bit her lower lip, feeling the sensation of goosebumps rising on her skin. His kisses continued, moving to her earlobe, each soft contact igniting a flurry of emotions within her.
"Why aren't you happy that I'm here?" Gavriel's voice, a mere whisper, reached her ears, his warm breath brushing against her skin. She closed her eyes, fighting to control the overwhelming feelings that threatened to engulf her.
"Can you just stop!!" Her voice broke the moment, a mixture of frustration and desperation. His lips on her neck halted as she spoke. He was about to wrap his arms around her waist, his intent clear, but in an instant, Eveloria dashed towards the entrance of her balcony, driven by an instinctive need to escape.
"I will kill myself if you try to touch me," her voice trembled with intensity, her threat hanging heavy in the air.
"Don't worry, I won't touch you," Gavriel's words dripped with a smug smirk, though disbelief lingered in his eyes. He moved towards her with calculated steps, his confidence unwavering.
"Stay away," she retorted, her voice sharp and resolute, her stance a clear warning.
"Stop this joke, Lady Eveloria," Gavriel chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes. Yet her resolve remained unyielding as she turned and sprinted towards the balcony railing.
Gavriel's expression shifted from amusement to shock, his mind racing, "Is she serious?"
"Lady Eveloria, come back here!" His shout echoed in the night as he chased after her, but before he could reach her, she had already made her decision. She leaped off the edge, leaving Gavriel's outstretched hand grasping nothing but the empty air.
"NO!" Gavriel's desperate cry pierced the air as he watched her falling.
"I should have thought this through!" Eveloria's panicked scream reverberated around her. She was now mere yards from the ground, the inevitability of her situation becoming painfully clear.
"Well, this isn't so bad. I will finally gain freedom," she reflected, a touch of resignation in her thoughts.
"I shall embrace death," Eveloria's words carried a mix of determination and acceptance. With her eyes tightly shut, she surrendered herself to the fall, allowing the air to engulf her as she descended.