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Angus came to a halt on the doorstep of Lamia's chambers, hearing sinful noises inside. He knew better than to interrupt, but right now, Queen Fiona had ordered him to get Lamia, so he had to follow the Queen Regent's orders.
He then proceeded to knock softly.
"Who is there? Go away, I am busy," came Lamia's voice from the chambers.
"Your Highness, it's Queen Fiona. She requested your presence this moment."
There was silence. At one point, Angus thought Lamia was not coming out, until the door opened. It was Lady Catherine, and with her were Hadrain and Lamia, whose faces Angus noticed looked strangely wet.
"You were saying?" Lamia asked as he faced Angus.
"Apparently, it's about the kingdom. Queen Fiona is worried because darkness has covered everywhere. There has not been sunlight, and she is calling for you to inform you about something."
Lamia didn't like the sound of this. Something told him there was danger—his instincts were warning him.
Hadrain looked at the window. There was a blackout everywhere. It was 8 a.m. in the morning, but it looked as if it was already nighttime.
"Lamia, do you think it's from Ivory High? What if something is going on there?"
Lamia was against it. "No way, Hadrain. I am not going back on my words. We are definitely not going back to Ivory High. I don't want to look at my past. I don't want to remember what happened to me while I was in Ivory High. No way, Hadrain."
Hadrain went closer and hugged Lamia, not caring if Angus was staring. "I know you had trauma and losses when you were there, but your friends, the ones you made in Ivory High—what if they need your help, Lamia? Won't you go and save them? Won't you?"
Lamia walked away slowly from Hadrain and approached Catherine, slowly clasping his hands on hers, while Hadrain held her shoulder.
"So let's go together to find out the issue from Queen Fiona. If we are to do this, let's do this together. You're my family, so I won't do anything without you guys."
Catherine smiled and placed a warm kiss on Lamia's forehead. Hadrain's eyes met Lamia's, holding unspeakable warmth and peace.
Hadrain's eyes had completely turned golden due to his transformation into a demon. It was so beautiful and enchanting to Lamia, who could get lost in those eyes. It might seem weird, but he wasn't worried about Hadrain's demon transformation. He was his mate, after all, and that made him smile because it assured him that Hadrain was his for eternity.
Arriving at Queen Fiona's chambers, a maid went to let the old woman know of her grandson's arrival. Fiona, on seeing Hadrain standing beside Lamia, almost had a seizure. She felt uncomfortable that a demon was with her son.
Demons' places were in hell, but this one was with her son, and it didn't sit well with her at all. But at this point, she couldn't talk—she needed Lamia. They all needed Lamia.
"My baby boy, you're here—"
Lamia interrupted rudely. "Sorry, Granny, but get to the point. As you can see, my fiancée is here, and this doesn't sit well with her condition."
Fiona sighed. On the other hand, Hadrain led Catherine to a chair where she sat down comfortably.
"As I was saying, the Lord of Darkness is here. Before you were born, I heard of a prophecy of the man with the touch of the gods who could destroy the evil entity coming in the future. That evil entity is the Lord of Darkness, Asmodues."
Hearing "Asmodues," Lamia stood up in shock and dismay. He knew from the memories of the past who Asmodues was. He was dangerous, and his coming meant the whole world would burn. Lamia wasn't ready for this. Why was Fiona telling him this? Even though he was powerful, he hadn't mastered his powers yet. They came and went as they pleased, and how could he battle the Lord of Hell himself without training?
From Lamia's behavior, Fiona knew instantly that her grandson knew of Asmodues—but how? Never mind, she must relay her message.
"So you're the demigod—the one with the touch of the gods. Only you can destroy Asmodues before he burns our world because, as he is coming, armies of demons are marching with him, and the earth won't survive this."
Lamia began pacing around the room. He faced Queen Fiona with tears. "Grandma, I am not ready. I haven't even trained yet. What will I do? What if I mess up? What if I let the whole world burn? What if I die in the process?"
Hadrain quickly went to Lamia and cupped his chin tenderly. "It's okay, Lamia. It's my fault. I was meant to train you all this while, but it left my mind. Now that you're needed, you have no clue what to do. I am so sorry, Lamia. I failed you."
Lamia stopped him. "No, Hadrain, you didn't. In fact, I was so preoccupied with the events that happened upon my arrival here that I never knew one day the world would depend on me for its survival. So there is one thing we have to do, Hadrain: follow me to this war. We are mates, after all, and we do things together. So let's go and save the world, Hadrain Blackstone."
Catherine was torn by this decision. "What about me? Now that you guys are talking, I feel like I am useless because I am pregnant."
Lamia giggled. "No, baby, you're not useless. You're carrying little Lamia in your tummy, and you have the number one duty here—protection of my heir, guiding and shielding him from any danger. Leave the main battle to us. Just promise me you will look after yourself."
Catherine began tearing up. She didn't feel good about this. If Lamia, the father of her unborn babies, died, how would she cope with life? And if Hadrain was going to be with him, how sure was she that Hadrain could protect him?
"Lamia, are you sure? Because of what your grandma told you, why don't you find out first? I can't bear the thought of losing you. Please reconsider."
"Darling, we are going to find out by ourselves and then decide what to do. And Grandma, you know what happened earlier. I don't know why, but I trust you when it comes to Catherine. Protect her with all you've got. She is my future. She has my future in her. Please, Granny."
Queen Fiona felt touched. After what she had done, her grandson still trusted her to protect the mother of his unborn babies.
"Okay, son, I will protect her. But you two make sure you don't die out there. And Hadrain, make sure you bring my grandson back to me. I am counting on you—don't fail me."
Hadrain nodded, while Catherine ran to hug Lamia. "Once again, you're leaving me. Do you know you have left me behind countless times I can't even recall? But I trust in you. Save the world and come back to me. And Hadrain, stay safe. Don't go too far, please."
"And always remember my love for you, Lamia. Also, you, Hadrain, if you lose hope."
Lamia giggled. "Take this—it's my new bracelet, and it will shield you from evil eyes, Cathy. I love you so much, girl, and I promise you, immediately I'm back, I won't leave your side again."
Lamia kissed her softly and placed a farewell kiss on Fiona's palms. Then, bidding them goodbye, the two disappeared from their sight.
Catherine suddenly began crying. Fiona was startled. "Catherine, have faith in your husband. He said he is coming back, so believe him."
Catherine sniffled, trying desperately to mask her sorrow.
"I know, Your Highness, but something tells me I will never see him again—that this might be my last goodbye forever."