Silence reigned in the Obsidian Maw as the two souls laid beside each other. One deeply asleep while the other stared lost in thoughts while facing the beautiful lady.
Zarek brushed a hair strand from her face before placing a light peck on her temple. "I'll be right back, my love."
He walked out of the cave then took a pause just outside.
"Come out!" His voice had drastically changed, turning cold and dangerous. "I know you can hear me!" He roared angrily making the whole dungeon tremble.
"So much anger, so much hatred. I was right to seize your power from you," And he got a response from the person who had subjected to what he was now.
"Hello mother. It's a pleasure to meet you too." Zarek sarcastic voice resonated in the room, as he glared at the woman standing before him.
Unlike any other person, the middle aged woman had unique physical appearance and clothing. She red paints on her lips and on one side of her face, was painted white and the other not touched. Her dress was shiny, with a dark red colour, illuminating in the dungeon even brighter than the lights.
"Nice work, son. You didn't disappoint me." Zarek's mother, Calia, spoke with a smirk almost similar to Zarek's, while staring at the cave, precisely the person lying inside.
"What is it that you are planning, mother?" Zarek stood before her hiding her from viewing Tessa who was fast asleep. "Did you know about her arrival and you set up that vision for her?"
Calia paused her advancements and gazed at Zarek in a blank yet confused look. "What vision?"
"I know you better than anyone. So, let's not play around these stupid chase games. Tell me, what's your plan with Tessa?" If she was not his mother, Zarek would have already strangled the life out of her. He wouldn't dare rise the life of his mate for some silly game of witches.
"Tessa. A lovely name she got there. But it's such a pity that she ended up being fated to you. Her life will turn into ruins if..."
"Mother!" Zarek growled stepping closer to Calia, who immediately made him pause midway with a single fling of her fingers.
"Don't make me take away the little strength left in you."
Veins were popping from Zarek's forehead and hands as he tried to break his mother's spell but unfortunately could not.
"Zarek, you need to think rationally sometimes. Whatever I have ever done was for your safety up until now. Trust your mother."
Zarek stopped his movements before letting out a devilish laughter which filled the whole dungeon, then stopped abruptly and glared at his mother.
"Is locking me into a useless body what you call good? Rendering me powerless that I had to spend ten years in a bloody dungeon. Is that what you call for my own good?" He took a pause and looked away then continued. "You got what you wanted. Am not a threat to your people anymore. But never refer me as your son ever again. That relation died when you burned me alive... Calia."
Silence took over in the room. Zarek had turned cold resentment filled in his heart. There was no way he could ever forgive nor forget that pain, his pleads for mercy to his mother. It was still vividly imprinted in his mind.
"I know and I would do it again if I had to. I gave you a new body, a new life which is better than the hell you were going to experience. I helped escape from the dreadful fate that was going to befall on you." Calia stepped closer whispering the words to Zarek, as she cupped his face slowly and gently.
"Leave!" Zarek regretted ever summoning her there. As always, she would never show an ounce of mercy on him even when he was trying as much to change. Inwardly, he knew he still held a soft spot for her and hoped that one she would release him, release his other part, his lynx, that was the source of his power.
Calia withdrew before taking a glance at the person lying in the cave. "Quite a strong one you got there, son."
Zarek froze understand what she meant. "Don't even think about it." It was a threat. "If you dare involve her in your dirty schemes I'll kill you with my own hands."
Calia undid her spell on him before taking a step back. "You'll never change." Her eyes were filled with sorrow and regret. "If she makes it worse for you, I'll come for her. No matter what year or century am in."
Zarek briefly glanced at Calia then walked back towards the cave, before stopping at the entrance.
"Let this be our last meeting. Never appear before me no matter how much I call upon you."
"Is that your last wish, son?" He didn't reply so she continued. "What about your lynx? What about your way out of here? Only I can release you."
Zarek did not think much before replying, "I'll find my own way out and as for my lynx... he only needs to perceive my scent once am out of here."
Calia had a distant look and without a word, she disappeared into things air.
Zarek heaved a long sigh before going back to the cave, only to be met with a shock. Tessa was shivering and that was not all, her body was glowing with a golden light, while flying midway on the air.
Zarek had no time to think and run towards her, then did he hear her soft moans of pain. At first he thought it was his mother's doing but he could not feel her presence anymore. He was sure she was gone.
"Tessa," he called out then tried to touch her but ended up being burned.
"Save... me."
Zarek almost lost it when he heard her and saw moving her head as if she was in pain.
"I won't let anything happen to you," Zarek murmured before engulfing her in his embrace.
****************
Shadow Coven
"I can feel her power, sister," a female voice sounded in a dimly lit room.
She was kneeling inside a circle made of candles, her eyes closed.
"Find her right away before we lose her." Another voice added in haste and desperation.
The lady kneeling began chanting some strange words. A wave of wind surrounded the atmosphere shaking the materials in the room. It was after a moment did the lady open her eyes, breathing heavily.
"She... is... in... the palace. Eryndor Kingdom."