A moan escaped Elysia's lips as she was slowly pulled into consciousness. Everything hurt, her legs, hands, chest and throat. She lifted her hand to touch her head which felt like it was going to explode any minute.
Her eyes fluttered open, taking in her surroundings. She discovered she was not in the water or by the lake, but in the guest room the Vampire King had given them. "How are you feeling Elysia?" Her eyes moved to Azreal who stood gracefully, leaning against the wall.
"T-thirsty." Elysia whispered, her throat felt like it was scratched across a tiled road.
Azreal poured water from a jug into a glass cup, handing it over to her. Elysia collected the cup greedily and gulped down the water, emptying the cup almost immediately. "Better?" Azreal asked.
"Y-yes, thank you." Elysia wiped the droplets of water from the side of her mouth with her sleeves.
"The physician said you would be alright after a few hours of rest. Are you feeling any better? Should I call for him?" Azreal asked, his eyes watching her carefully.
"No, thank you, Your Majesty. I am fine." Elysia said trying to smile, but the smile faltered.
"I want you to tell me what happened? Do not leave any small detail left out." His voice darkened, Azreal was so close to murdering the royal family, slowly and painfully for what happened to Elysia.
Elysia explained to the King everything that she remembered, from her conversation with the Princess, to the drowning in the lake.
"That is all that I remember, Your Majesty." Elysia said, her voice low and calm.
"How do you want me to kill the Princess?" Azreal asked her, causing her eyes widen in shock.
"Y-you can not kill the Princess, Your Majesty, surely, she made a terrible mistake, but I do think death is a bit too much." Elysia called out, her brows knotting to form a frown.
Azreal stared blankly at her, like she was speaking gibberish. "For fuck sake, she almost killed you Elysia. If the gardener was a minute late, you would have died." His eyes narrowing at Elysia.
Sensing the tension between them, Elysia raised from the bed and walked towards him. She felt his warmth spread over her as she placed her hand on his forearm. "I would not lie and say I do not hate the Princess for what she did, I do hate her, but I do not wish her death. I could have died, but I did not." Elysia whispered, her eyes fixed on the King's.
"Elysia, I do not know what to do with you." Azreal let out a sigh, this woman's innocence and kindness would have warmed his heart, only if he had one.
"I am deeply sorry, I made you worry about me." Elysia apologized, wrapping her arms around the King, surprising both herself and the King by the sudden embrace.
Elysia pressed her head on his chest, falling into his warmth, it was then Azreal embraced her too. His hand stroking her hair gently.
They remained in that position for a while, before Azreal pulled away from her. "Let us go see the King, I believe he is eager to see how you are faring." He added.
They walked out of the room, making their way to the dining room where Azreal suspected they would be, it was a few hours to the Queen's birthday and preparations were being made.
Fortunately for Azreal, the whole family were together in the dining room. Damien and his wife raised to their feet as they noticed Azreal and his Lady walking towards them.
"Dear goddess, it is good to see you are well and safe." Vanessa let out a sigh of relief, a smile gracing her face.
"It is good you are well." Damien and Vincent greeted, possibly glad that Elysia was okay.
Azreal eyes moved from the people in front of him to Isabel who was glaring at Elysia and did not look pleased that she was alive. "You do not look pleased to see the Lady." All their eyes turned towards the direction of Isabel.
Sensing that everyone had their gazes on her, Isabel quickly switched her expression, a full smile appeared across on lips. "I do, Your Majesty, I am glad she is fine."
"Are you sure Isabel? I fear to think you wished the opposite." Azrael's said, his eyes narrowed at her. His dark eyes burned with suppressing anger, cold, calculating cruelty.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am sure. I do think you are mistaken." Isabel laughed nervously, her eyes moving between her parents and Azreal.
Without looking away from her, Azreal took a step towards Isabel, but Damien stepped in front of him placing a hand on Azrael's shoulder.
"What is all this about, Azreal? You are scaring her." He whispered so only Azreal could hear.
Azreal's eyes shifted to Damien's hand on his shoulder, not needing to say anything as Damien withdrew his hand almost immediately. "Perhaps you can ask your daughter, how the Lady ended up in the lake?" His voice holding venom.
Damien who was confused turned to face his daughter. "Isabel, why does Azreal think you have something to do with the Lady drowning?" He questioned.
Isabel swallowed the lump in her throat, she moved unconsciously. "I have no idea father, like I mentioned before it was a mistake. Purely a mistake." She answered trying to hide her nervousness.
"Was it? Are you sure you did not push her?" Azreal asked, his suffocating darkness filling the room.
"That is absurd Azreal-"
"My patience is wearing thin, Princess." Azreal warned interrupting Damien.
"Father, I-"
"Answer the goddamn question Isabel, do you have anything to do with the Lady's unfortunate event?" Damien asked, raising his voice.
Instead of being remorseful, Isabel crossed her arms over her chest. "It was her fault that she could not swim. I only wanted her to feel the water." She answered curtly.
"What is wrong with you Isabel!?" Damien shouted, his face growing more pale. "I beg of you Azreal, let me handle my daughter. I will punish her accordingly for her crimes." Damien pleaded with Azreal, his voice already shaking from multiple emotions.
Azrael's eyes never shifted from Isabel, his features darkening further. Although his face remained expressionless, everyone could feel his dark fumes moving around him. "It is too late for that." His voice cold and hard.