Chapter Twenty-Three: "The Nightmare Ends Part (II)"

Lassandra had groaned upon her head throbbing endlessly.

Her visions had managed to clear up to only see that her son had engulfed her in a tight embrace. Tears glistening down his face over his mother. Seeing Lassandra harmed in such a way had broken his fragile heart.

Alec had gently pulled away mother and gave her a kiss on the head—feeling utterly relieved that it hadn't come to the worse. He gently wiped the blood off Lassandra's face without trying to hurt her. There was a large cut across her cheek—and many bruises on her face. Her elegant curls were a tangled mess.

Alec had grumbled under his breath.

"Alec?" Lassandra whispered weakly; her bright sapphire eyes were filled with utmost terror.

"It's going to be alright, mum. I promise." Alec had never once seen the petrified look fill his mother's features. She seemed to be barely clinging onto some type of hope—giving a slow nod to her son.

Alec had tried to help his mother up, but unfortunately, she had let out a painful groan—wincing—as she had placed her hands to the side of her waist out of agony.

Alec's emerald eyes had drifted onto his mother's waist to only see blood staining her corset. Lassandra shook her head. She didn't want her son to be overly concern about a mere scratch.

"Let me see your wound, mum."

Lassandra knew it wasn't a question from her son's tone, but rather he was demanding to see her injuries. Knowing how protective Alec can be of her, she was positive that Alec would lose his mind and hold Valtor responsible for all the inflicted madness that was lingering over everyone's head.

Alec had placed his hand on top of his mother's and gently moved her hand away from the located injury. The moment he had spotted the wound, Alec had cursed under his breath—muttering every vile language known to magic-kind.

There was too much blood.

"Marion! Come here and heal mum right now!" Alec had snapped irritably at his little sister while keeping a good hold on his mother's deep wound, preventing any more blood from flowing out.

Marion had fluttered over to her brother's side.

It was as if the air had been sucked right out of Marion's lungs over the sight of the blood that continued to gush out of her mother—further staining her dress.

The girl had detached her fairy dust bottle from her neckline. She had carefully poured some of the fairy dust on Lassandra's exposed wound.

Marion had watched as the fairy dust was slowly mending her mother's injuries, easing Lassandra from her pain. She gazed at her mother to see her facial expression relaxing—her blue eyes softening—as if thanking her daughter for alleviating her affliction.

"Oh, mum," Marion had grabbed her mother's hands into her owns—giving her a squeeze of comfort. Her emerald eyes sparkling with much warmth. Her expression had easily fallen apart. Her lips turning into a deepened frown.

Marion had turned her head to her brother, worriedly.

"Alec, please go check on dad and see if he's okay."

"You don't need to fucking tell me what to do Marion." Alec had lashed out at his sister.

Marion had flinched at her brother's sudden change of tone—it was harsh—

and the redhead fairy didn't like it one bit.

"Alec! Watch your language! That is your little sister you're speaking too! Not to some random stranger!" Lassandra had reprimanded her son harshly.

It had appeared to Marion that Alec hadn't even cared as if already knowing the root to all this chaos. Of course, it was rather indirectly.

"Ah, yes my little sister." Alec snorted; his tone was filled with mockery.

Marion knitted her brows together, not understanding why her brother was taking out all his temper directly at her. She had taken a quick glimpse at his ghostly spirit—she hated that the fact that she would resort to such tactics on her own family members.

Her jaw had dropped completely astonished by the fact that her older brother was pinning all this on Bloom—had boiled her blood. Her jaw had tightened.

"You're blaming Bloom aren't you!" Marion had narrowed her eyes at Alec, as if confirming her brother's feelings towards his young niece.

"Obviously."

Lassandra was utterly bewildered by her son's accusation, not believing a single word that had spilled out of Alec's mouth. The blond-haired woman was too exhausted to berate her son any further.

"Bloom had nothing to do with it and you know it!" Marion snapped; hot tears had brimmed at the corners of her eyes, threatening to fall.

"Oh really? Just keep telling yourself that Marion if you find comfort in that."

Lassandra had given her daughter a heartfelt expression.

"Marion don't take your brother personally. He's in a bad temper and you know how men can be with their selection of words, right? They don't speak at their best. He'll realize that he's wrong and apologize to you once he cools down."

Marion gave a nod—already understanding her mother's words.

It had explained Oritel's reaction earlier.

"I know mum. But still, it hurts. So how did Valtor ambush you and dad?"

Lassandra had looked at her daughter sadly.

Alec had rushed over to his father. Adrian had far more serious injuries in comparison to his wife. A deep cut had run across his father's face from the top of his head to his eyebrows, bridge of his nose, and his left cheek—appearing almost like a slash across his face—bloodied up.

He had noticed that his father's leg had a deep gash—unable to move his left leg due to the intense throbbing sensation. Sweats had formed across his forehead—letting out a few groans under his breath.

Adrian knew that his gashed leg wasn't the only problem that had led him in being frustrated as he grumbled and cursed under his breath. His leg was broken—feeling the bone shattered to pieces.

"Dad." Alec muttered under his breath—his emerald eyes still blazing with fury. "Are you alright?"

"I presume that my leg is broken, Alec," Adrian breathed heavily.

Alec instantly knew that if his father didn't get treated soon, Adrian might risk a deadly infection. Cold shivers ran down the back of Alec's spine at such thought.

He had helped his father up—helping Adrian lean against the tree trunk.

Tears had overflowed Alec's emerald eyes—the same exact shades he had inherited from his father. He couldn't bear to see his own father suffering, while struggling at keeping himself alive. It was maddening.

"Your mother? Is she alright?" Adrian asked utterly distressed about his wife's welfare—tears welling up in the corners of his emerald eyes. If anything had happened to Lassandra, he would never forgive himself for not protecting her from Valtor's monstrosity.

When Valtor had launched his assault upon him and Lassandra back at their manor—taking them by surprise—Adrian had tried to fend himself and his wife from his powerful attacks. But it had been unsuccessful.

"Marion's healing her."

Adrian had easily detected the harshness in his son's tone—almost as if he had blamed his sister or his niece.

"Don't you dare go blaming your sister or Bloom for what happened. You got that?" Adrian emphasized.

Alec had scoffed, hardly liking what his father was saying. How could he not see what was happening all around them? The danger that had surrounded them and none of this would be happening if. . .

"You blamed her, didn't you?"

Alec had given his father a pointed glare.

"You better apologize to your sister and tell her that you didn't mean a word out anything you said."

"As if I'd do such a thing."

"Alec," Adrian's emerald eyes had flashed sharply out of anger. "If anything, I was the one to provoke Valtor in the first place. It was one of the reasons why he attacked. Do you even have any idea as to what Valtor was insinuating?"

Alec had lifted an eyebrow. He could take a wild guess as to what Valtor had been implying about Bloom.

"He wants Bloom as his trophy wife. As his potential queen. He wouldn't shut up about it. Valtor kept insisting that he'd force Bloom to bear his children even if she doesn't agree to the idea. Imagine that?"

Alec's face had ashen at such a concept that Valtor had in mind. It was utterly repulsive. Valtor had lacked every ounce of morals possible.

"I would never hand over my granddaughter to a potential rapist, Alec. Not in a million of years. What Valtor was implying was disgusting.

Thinking that women were merely objects with no feelings and could do whatever he wanted without having their consent. Would you hand Bloom to someone like that?"

Alec's face had stonified. "What? Of course not! I would never—"

"Valtor's intentions are crystal clear my son even if you don't see it. His attempt at luring Bloom to his side in a way is somewhat working effectively."

"What?" Alec had seemed trouble. "What do you mean?"

"Valtor is exploiting Bloom's vulnerabilities. Her love for the family. If Bloom surrenders herself to Valtor's wickedness, then he would surely leave us all alone. And perhaps let the Magical Dimension be in peace if he has Bloom."

Alec had grimaced not liking the logic behind Valtor's motives.

"Dad!" Marion's voice had shattered Alec's thoughts as he glanced at his sister who had appeared right beside him, wincing at the sight of the injury.

Marion had her vial of fairy dust in her hand and gently poured it over Adrian's severe wound. Fairy dust had phenomenon abilities in treating infections and healing injuries, but sometimes it would leave faded scars behind, just like the scar that was on Bloom's thigh.

Marion had looked at her father's face—tears filling her eyes at the sight of the slash that ran across his face. No doubt it was going to leave a scar behind. She had gently touched his face.

"Are you alright, dad?" Guilt had dripped into Marion's voice. She couldn't bear to see her father in such a state like this. Her heart had broken to pieces.

Adrian had given his daughter a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, darling."

Marion had looked up to see his inner ghostly spirit—her father was in too much pain, but he was masking a smile—hiding his pain from her.

"You don't have to hide it from me, dad. I know you're in so much pain, but I can't guarantee that my fairy dust would heal your broken leg dad. It might alleviate the pain but. . ."

Alec had raised a curious eyebrow.

"And why wouldn't your fairy dust heal his broken leg? I thought fairy dust would cure and heal everything?"

Marion snorted. "If that was the case Al, then there wouldn't be any need for healers or physicians otherwise every fairy would heal themselves and their family."

"So, I'm guessing this is a bit complicated right?"

"It is. Besides I'm still learning as much as I can under mum's guidance. Healing bones is a fickle business and it's not something I'd mess with otherwise I might make it worse." Marion had lamented.

Lassandra's blue eyes had drifted onto her husband's injuries—seeing his skin slowly mending, but she knew that he was going to be left with faded scars. The woman placed her hand on Adrian's shoulder. Her eyes were glossy.

"Lassandra, you're alright," Adrian smiled weakly, delighted to see her being well and not obtaining any serious injuries, but he could see the weariness on her face.

"Well, Marion did a tremendous job with that," Lassandra had caressed her husband's cheeks affectionately.

Adrian smiled despite the flaring pain in his leg. "That's my girl."

The blush ran across Marion's face.

Marion had turned her attention onto the dark creatures that were slamming onto the barrier that had kept her and her family within and while her friends were out there fighting those creatures off.

It wasn't fair that they were out battling those menacing monsters. Marion had wanted to help. None of her friends had to come and put their own lives endanger because of Valtor's cruelty. The fairy had wondered if she could even cross the magical barrier.

"Marion! Where do you think you're going!" Alec snapped.

She had placed her hand on the barrier—

"Ow!"

Valtor had made sure to not allow any of them out of the barrier, not until Bloom managed to break the curse over him. She had cursed under her breath before casting a glance at Oritel's and Bloom's limp bodies.

Marion had only hoped that they were alright—and that Oritel was watching over their daughter's back in breaking the curse. Marion was feeling utterly frustrated over the fact that she couldn't be able to aid her friends in eliminating those foul creatures.

"Marion, come back here. There's nothing we can do," Alec called for his sister again, but in a softer tone.

"I know. I just wish this madness could end," Marion had let out a heavy sigh.

Stella and Aisha were dispatching monsters after monsters with every energy blast they could muster—to the very best of their abilities. It was utterly exhausting to say the least upon attacking them consistently.

The monsters had left them with no room for a quick breath.

Stella and Aisha both casted glances to see how the others were fairing. The boys were off slicing the monsters, but unfortunately, the monsters were regenerating their limbs rather quickly.

Some of the creatures were trapped in gemstones.

A true courtesy of Samara who had them imprisoned—unable to escape. But the problem was: there was several creatures sprinting out of nowhere.

Erendor had pinned down one of the monsters, directly piercing him in the chest to the ground with Sky delivering the final blow—slicing the head right off. None of the monsters could regenerate once their heads were decapitated.

Dark blood had trickled down Sky's sword. Thick sweats had covered his forehead, letting out a small grunt. He glanced to see Brandon jabbing his blade into the side of the creature's waist—sliding it across his abdominal region.

Blood had poured down like a waterfall.

Brandon was panting for breath. He didn't even know how long that they had been battling those menacing creatures for. It felt like it had been going for hours—almost like the decay monster incident.

All his worries were focused on Bloom who was rather unconscious—or was rather in Valtor's inner sanctum. Chills had run down the back of his spine at the thought of it.

Sky shouldn't have allowed her to perform the spell. It was too risky for Bloom to be gambling with her own life.

But then again, Bloom had promised him that she would be fine after all, her father would be with her—protecting her from Valtor's hands.

"Watch out Sky!"

Sky had cursed under his breath as another monster had lunged directly at him, but fortunately for Sky that creature was immediately encased in a large reddish-orange gemstone.

The blond-haired prince had gazed up to see it was his mother who was fluttering in her Enchantix, arms crossed over her chest—glaring at her down at him.

"Pay attention to your surroundings! You could've wounded up as their dinner meal!" Samara said irritably.

Nabu and Teredor had combined their weaponry and magic in tackling down the

large monster down to its back—laying limp on the ground.

"Excellent weaponry skills, sir! It's impressive!" Nabu smiled enthusiastically.

"And you have quiet the knack for your magical affinity, Nabu."

Nabu couldn't help but flash him a satisfactory smile. Aisha for her part had rolled her eyes. It was annoying to see that her father had easily taken a liking to Nabu after his many fruitless attempts, in eventually he had won him over. A part of her had giggled on the inside. In a way, it had amused her.

Luna had channeled her inner powers—causing the moonlight to spill from the sky upon the monsters who were trying to leap on Radius' back. Luna was genuinely surprised by how strong her Enchantix powers were and especially during the night—where her moon powers were at their peak.

The girls had all regrouped in the air trying to rethink their strategy plans—all of them were utterly exhausted—and the creatures seemed to be persistently attacking and a few of them had managed to break out of the gemstones that Samara had imprisoned them in.

Samara was utterly ticked off. She had put all her energy and concentration—only for those damned monsters to claw their way out of it.

"There's too many of them," Niobe said, almost on the verge of complaining. The girl was too drained out of her magic and Niobe wasn't sure if she had enough energy to keep fighting them off.

"Wait! I have an idea that may be our best chance at eliminating those monsters for good!" Stella said seriously.

"Let's hear it Stel. I'm in need of a good idea about now," Aisha said, glancing at her with curiosity.

"I was thinking about summoning a blackhole."

It had caught Aisha off guard—started. "What? You can do that?"

Stella had given her a nod. "Apparently I can."

"Since when did you discover you were able to do that?" Aisha was intrigued by Stella's celestial abilities.

"In the last six months. . ." Stella trailed off.

"Oh."

"That's dangerous Stella!" Luna exclaimed, concern shining in her dark blue eyes—glancing at her daughter.

"I know, but it's the only solution we've got." Stella had glanced at Samara and Niobe. She had a plan in mind.

"How strong can you make those gemstones, Samara?"

"I can make them sturdy without it shattering. Would that be enough?"

"Oh, yes! Just as long they don't break so easily." Stella had turned her attention onto Aisha and Niobe. "And we need lots of morphix."

Stella had filled the girls and the specialist in on her plan—it was the only way to rid of those monsters for once and for all. (Plus, Stella had been wanting to display that kind of power ever since she had been practicing it for the past six months).

Niobe and Aisha easily wrapped their morphix strings around the monsters' ankles, meanwhile Samara had summoned just enough gemstones that had easily towered over their heights—layer after layer thickening—as tiny spikes had emerged to have a better grip.

The boys and the fairies apart from Stella had a thick-sticky layer of morphix wrapped around their bodies.

"Are you sure that this is going to work, Stel?" Aisha asked.

Stella nodded.

Aisha had taken it as a cue to leave and join Nabu and her parents. It seemed to her that everyone had attached themselves to the gemstones securely.

The Andorsian Princess's gaze had fallen on Brandon who had gotten on a rough foot with Radius. Poor Brandon. Aisha thought. He truly needed all the help he can get to win Radius' approval to dating Stella.

Stella had taken a deep breath and focused on her magic in summoning the blackhole before her. Powerful gust of winds had surrounded the area, sucking everything in its path. Stella, still in concentration, had expanded the large circle—the gush of winds intensifying.

The large blackhole was silently beautiful but deadly.

The dark creatures were shrieking, desperately trying to latch onto the gemstones with their claw, but unluckily, they were being sucked into the blackhole with no way of escaping their fate.

Stella had felt the freezing temperature wash over her entire body. Her body trembling in coldness. Her peachy lips were slowly losing its color—becoming paler and appearing faint blue.

Stella knew that she was losing all warmth from her body since creating a blackhole had required her forming a collapsed star. The frigidness had increased—forming frosts on her eyelashes, hair, her exposed skin, and her wings. Her wings had stiffened from the layers of ice covering her thin wings.

The downside of conjuring a blackhole—it had made her lose her body heat and Stella knew that she needed to get warm fast otherwise. . .

Once the last monster had been sucked into the hole—Stella had managed to collapse to the ground utterly exhausted, weak, and freezing. The girl could even see her own breath in the air.

"Stella!"

Radius and Luna had instantly rushed to their daughter's side. The sight of Stella being nearly frozen to death had made Luna's blood run cold. Panic had flooded her eyes as she glanced at Radius helplessly—her arm latched onto his.

"She needs the heat of the sun, Luna."

Radius had brought the girl into his arms and had gently caressed her cheeks. He had concentrated on summoning the heat from within him.

Bright light had formed all around Radius—slowly increasing his body temperature. The heat had spilled him onto Stella's freezing body—noting how the frost began to melt off her wings, skin, and hair.

Luna was in awe at Radius—truly a definition of a sun prince—as he was illuminating in the darkness that had surrounded them. The girl had watched as color had retuned on Stella's skin again.

Stella had slowly opened her hazel eyes to see that she was in her father's arms, illuminating brightly in the dark enjoying the warmth on her skin again.

"Daddy?" Stella whispered, blinking her eyes a couple of times.

For the first time in many years, had she seen her parents together gazing at each with pure, genuine love in their eyes.

(She knew that they had always loved each other from before, but Stella was certain that there had been something in her parents' marriage that had resulted them into getting a divorce and not tolerating each other).

"It's going to be alright my little sunshine," Radius kissed her forehead lovingly.

She had given him a small smile.

"I'm tired."

Stella's Enchantix had dissolved away once Radius was on his feet. She was back into her gown and cloak she'd been wearing earlier. The Solarian Princess had noticed the looks that her friends were giving her.

Clearly, they were impressed by her phenomenal abilities. Stella had felt her eyelids growing heavier and the last thing she felt was her mother's finger gliding through her hair before descending into the world of darkness.

Bloom was sweltering in the unbearable intense heat despite being the fairy of the Dragon Flame. She was struggling to break free from the magical chains that kept her wrists stuck together.

The girl had opted to drop down on her knees over the fact that her underwear had nearly slid past knees. No matter much Bloom tried to lower her hands down to her thighs trying to keep her underwear on, it was nearly impossible.

She could feel the intense blood rush to her cheeks—mortified.

It seemed to Bloom that her father and Valtor had mysteriously vanished, leaving her alone in this damned hell hole alone.

Bright light had flashed—surrounding her.

A pleasant sensation had washed over her, as she could feel the radiance of the magic dance on her skin—freeing her from the chains and more importantly unlinking her life essence, which had meant one thing: she and her mother were free from Valtor's spell.

Oritel had done it.

He had broken the demon curse over Valtor.

Relieved, Bloom had instantly pulled up her underwear—but she was instantly met with Valtor's gaze—who appeared to be lot more human than a demon.

His pale grey eyes had softened on her, as his lips had twisted into a smirk. He had gently lifted her chin upwards—her gaze meeting his.

"So, Bloom. . . it looks like your father had believed your little improvised act, wouldn't you say? Being seductively innocent. . . oh Bloom, you've truly mastered the arts of deception, haven't you?"

The way he had whispered the last two words had made Bloom's skin prickle. Bloom felt an intense blush across her face again, gulping. No words that could cross her mind.

"I do believe that I've been a magnificent influence on you."

Valtor's cold fingers touching her exposed skin had done numbers on her, making her tingle on the inside and she wasn't sure if this was a good feeling or bad one. Bloom heard her heart pulsing rapidly.

He had adored Bloom's innocence. The way her blue eyes had gleamed—popping out in the bright flames that had surrounded them. The intense blushing.

"Bloom, you're drawn to me and you're curious over the fact of what's it like to be close to me but fortunately I can't be easily fooled, my love. You must remember that our magic is connected to the great scared flame, so in a way, I know exactly how you're feeling," Valtor whispered seductively in the fairy's ear.

Valtor's pale grey eyes had trailed down to Bloom's Enchantix dress that he was greatly fond of. The way he would take a glimpse at her small perky lightly freckled breasts had enraptured him. Having his hand on her full thighs causing Bloom to moan had increased his pleasure. He had gently fiddled with the strands of her red hair.

"You know, deep down inside you really want me Bloom." Valtor said soothingly.

Bloom had shuddered—inching away from him. "N-N-No. That isn't . . .tr-true."

She would never give him such satisfaction. No. He was trying to mess with her brain. Gaslighting her. Playing with her feelings—knowing which kind of strings to pluck and keep.

Valtor had manage to capture the Queen and all what he had possibly needed to do was to set the King and call it checkmate. It was like a game of chess.

Valtor titled his head at her, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. He smirked down at her. "Oh, Bloom. It's so cute to see you resorting to lying. From what I know, sweet little Enchantix fairies don't lie."

Bloom was far too stunned.

"I'm not—"

Valtor placed his finger on her shaky lips—giving her the look.

"You're resisting so hard Bloom. It's practically amusing to see you squirm. You know you really want to give in. Don't worry no one's here to judge you," Valtor had smiled down at her cruelly.

"Uh—"

"You know I'm a very good kisser and much preferable than Erendor's son wouldn't you say? I'll take very good care of you, Bloom."

The moment that Valtor had pushed her bangs behind her ear, it had made Bloom's blood tingle, almost wanting to melt on the inside. Valtor had pressed his lips against hers—giving her a deep passionate kiss—one that he was certain that she would never forget.

Bloom's blue eyes had widened—stunned—utterly lost in translation.

The girl hadn't expected. . .

But. . .

She could feel her face becoming completely flustered. Bloom didn't even know what to make out of it. . . it was like all of her brain cells had decided to shut down on her.

The moment Valtor had decided to pull his lips away from hers, Bloom had appeared rather drained, as if he had managed to zap out all her magic and energy out of her body.

Bloom looked at him rather wearily, as her visions were blurring. But she could still feel his grip on her chin. A smirk stretching across his face—satisfied.

"Good girl," Valtor mumbled giving her light pets on the head.

Bloom had furrowed her brows upon Valtor dissolving before her eyes, almost a frown tugging at her lips in confusion.

"We shall meet again, Princess Bloom. Soon. I promise."

"Bloom? Bloom?"

The girl groaned painfully. Her eyes had fluttered wide open to see her own father carrying her in his arms. She could easily the pissed off expression on Oritel's face. It was no doubt about what Valtor had done to her—touching her inappropriately in front of her father—nearly raping her in the process.

Bloom was still dazed; her head was all groggy.

"I promise you that Valtor will pay dearly for what he tried to do to you," Oritel said darkly, tightening his hold on her as if reassuring his daughter that she was in safe arms.

"You did it, dad. You saved me and mom from his hands," Bloom had offered her father a small proud smile. "We're free of him!"

In that moment, Bloom had wanted to laugh her heart out—finally relieved the fact that they were no longer bounded to the dark wizard. But her lips had curled into a frown.

Bloom was no longer in Enchantix fairy form but was back in her long-sleeved gown—in a way she felt happy that her skin wasn't exposed in any way. But somehow, Bloom wasn't entirely happy at all. Not with what Valtor had done to her.

"Sweetheart?" Oritel asked worriedly upon see the tears flow freely from her eyes.

Oritel loathed the fact that he was watching his child suffer under the hands of evil. She hadn't deserved any of this. Bloom was far too precious to him. Life wasn't fair to her at all. It was cold, cruel, and utterly despicable.

Was Bloom reeling back to what Valtor had done to her? It was beyond unforgivable. Oritel was filled with utmost worry about Bloom's mental health.

"Bloom?" he said softly, but his heart throbbed upon watching his daughter who simply had broken down in his arms—sobbing.

The girl had no words or what she could say to her father who had witnessed Valtor's hands on her. . . the way Valtor had intentionally slid down her underwear. . . it was utterly humiliating.

How could she even look at Oritel in the eyes?

The way he kissed her slender neck aggressively, making sure to mark his territory on her.

Valtor's touch on her small perky breasts, squeezing them, had forever burned in her mind. But the kiss he had left with. . . he had made sure that it was unforgettable.

More tears had continued to flow out of her eyes. . .

She continued to ignore her father and mother. . .

Bloom had tightened her grip on Oritel; her head had rested against his chest, hearing every thrumming heartbeat within his chest which had somehow made her feel calmer. She slowly gazed up at Oritel, tears still overflowing her eyes.

"Please don't leave me all alone, daddy." Bloom's lips had quivered, as her voice had sounded like a scared little girl and Oritel hated seeing how fearful Bloom was. It was gut-wrenching.

"Oh Bloom," Oritel soothed, as he had gently wiped the tear off her face. "I promise you that I'll never leave you alone, ever. You have my word. If you want to sleep, you can darling. You're way too exhausted."

Oritel had watched as Bloom's eyes had slowly closed—falling into deep sleep—not bothering with what was going on around them.

"You didn't let me finish Oritel. I want Bloom as my wife!"

Valtor's voice had echoed in his mind—not once having it forgotten and it was for certain that he would never forget it.

Oritel had been most infuriated with the fact that Valtor had demanded from him to Bloom being his wife! Various emotions had exploded all at once at such a disgusting request. Range had spluttered out of him like a violent tethering glass falling from its rims.

Dragons! The nerve of that prick Valtor demanding Bloom to being his woman!

Oritel wasn't going to allow Valtor to get his hands on Bloom ever again. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not EVER!

Flames had flickered all around him.

"Oritel!"

Oritel was snapped from his thoughts upon hearing Marion's voice. His brown eyes had widened in realization for nearly setting the forest ablaze with his own fiery magic.

The Dominian Crown Prince had spun on his heels to see a distressed Marion with her eyebrows being raised—horrified. Hesitation had flickered in Marion's emerald eyes, debating whether or not to approach him in his state absolute ire.

He had noticed that Alec and Lassandra were right on Adrian's side. Oritel could easily tell that Marion and Alec's father was hurt—limping on his left leg—it was most likely broken. Concern had flickered in their eyes.

Even his friends had inched away from him for safety reasons.

Oritel was utterly frustrated by the fact that he had lost his temper—nearly losing all control of his magic. The man had let out a heavy sigh. All what he had wanted to tuck Bloom into a world that was filled with happiness, love, an absolute protection from the wickedness that had surrounded her.

"I've never seen this side of Oritel from before." Marion had blinked her eyes a couple of times—still in utter shock.

Alec grimaced. He had a feeling that Valtor must've done something awful to aggravate Oritel to an unimaginable extent like this.

"Valtor must've insinuated something vulgar about Bloom," Adrian said much to his family dismay.

Marion had froze in her place as if she were stuck in some sort of trance like state. Her face had become pale and muttered in a faint voice. "What?"

Marion noticed that her family were aware of something except for her. So, what did Valtor imply exactly to get Oritel all fuming and mumbling curses under his breath?

"Do you guys know something that I don't?" Marion's emerald eyes had flickered back and forth between her father and brother—looking puzzled.

Adrian and Alec had exchanged glances before glancing back at Marion, who seemed to be waiting on hearing an answer from either of them.

The light-brown haired man had gazed at his daughter solemnly. "Marion, think about it. Bloom's a woman and Valtor's a man and your answers lies right there."

It wasn't difficult to figure out what her father had implied. Even the repulsion on his face had explained it all. Marion's expression had soured greatly at the prospect of what Valtor might've insinuated to Oritel. No.

Marion was outraged—her face a deep shade of red out of fury.

There was no way in the Great Dragon would she ever agree to Valtor's notion. No. Her daughter was the absolute key to everything and he. . . it had made her blood boil on extreme levels Marion never thought she would have.

Her emerald eyes had widen.

The Prophecy!

It had made total sense as to how and it what ways it could involve Bloom and wretched wizard Valtor. Marion had despised him in all aspects. Valtor wanting her own daughter as a potential wife had sickened her.

"Go to him Marion. Oritel needs you," Adrian indicated.

Lassandra had seen the skeptic look on Marion's face, nearly hesitating. "If anyone can manage to calm him down, it would be you darling."

Marion had swallowed hardly. She knew that her parents had a point. If anyone could cool down Oritel's rising temper, it would be her.

The girl had managed to appear right at Oritel's side, placing her hand on his shoulder—giving him a comforting squeeze.

The prince had turned his attention onto Marion to only see her giving him a sympathetic look before her gaze had fallen on an unconscious Bloom.

"What happened Oritel? Did Valtor hurt her?"

Oritel couldn't bear to look at Marion especially not with her pleading eyes that wanted any desperate information. It was hard to resist those eyes Marion would make. Oritel in a way had felt like he was a complete failure as being Bloom's father. He didn't even protect her from Valtor's wicked grasp.

The prince simply couldn't face Marion, as he was ashamed for what had nearly happened to Bloom. Tears had manage to spill from his eyes—as the flames had managed to dwindle down.

"Oritel. . . please tell me," Marion had brushed the tears off with her fingers, glancing at her fiancé for an explanation or anything that

It had hurt her to see her prince so shattered. This was not the Oritel she was accustomed to seeing—his charming intimidating smile, his cockiness, arrogance (at times) and sometimes being royally entitled to things.

Of course, she knew everyone had vulnerabilities, but this side of Oritel, was the side that had made her heart break in half. Like as if someone had personally decided to rip her heart out of her chest.

"My love please talk to me. I need to know what had happened?"

Oritel had regarded her for a moment and nodded slowly to himself. Marion needed to know what exactly happened to Bloom, after all, she was her mother.

If anything, Bloom needed to be more consoled by her mother. After all, Oritel couldn't just easily talk about that kind of subject with his daughter.

First it was mortifying. Secondly, he was a man (and her father at that) which might make it uncomfortable for both himself and Bloom.

Thirdly, Oritel didn't want to hear any kind of explicit details that Bloom might be more comfortable about sharing with Marion as he was no woman. Plus, it would be downright awkward.

Dragons!

The way Oritel had witnessed how Valtor had tugged down Bloom's pastel blue underwear down to her thighs had burned into his mind for all eternity. He had wanted to set fire to his own eyes in order to get rid of the imagery.

If he ever gets a hold on Valtor, Oritel will murder him to pieces—tearing Valtor limb by limb. Molecule by molecule if Oritel has too. No one will dare to tell him otherwise.

Fire had ignited in his brown eyes.

This was his new vow Oritel had made to himself.

It was more than a mere vow, but a rather full-filling promise.

Avenge Bloom.

Oritel had finally opened his mouth and spilled the words of utter horror.

"Valtor had nearly tried to rape Bloom, Marion."

Author's Note

HAHAHAH! Omg! You guys thought you would see me update at the end of October! Well, nope! Anyways since there's like two more chapters left so it's not going to be that long unless if I have a busy schedule of school or life getting in the way.

Bex55: Family dramas are so fun! What's not to like?! Oh well, I can't blame you for not liking either of them! LOL Valtor's a menace in this book if I'm being honest. I think my problem is not wanting him to immediately turn you know good or it would be like its forced or too sudden change in his character. I think Valtor is a multilayer character with multiple schemes up his sleeves.

Speaking of family drama there's going to be a hell lot more in book two especially its gonna focus on Bloom's family and their views of Valtor or why they don't like Valtor! I'm gonna sprinkle some background info in Book 2 because its gonna focus on that since they're definitely not going to easily accept Valtor into the family. It's going to be fun to explore that! :)

Bellchocolate: Omggg! I'm sooo sorry for that LOL! Oritel's definitely gonna shred Valtor to pieces or in the case of ripping Valtor molecule by molecule XD He's definitely beyond pissed off. . . more likely on the brink of destroy him! We'll see more of Sky and Oritel :D I really enjoy your comments and they don't bore me at all ;D

Amanda: Yeah the chemistry in this . . . hahaha my bad but it wouldn't really work out as much as I hoped because he's still a big bad Valtor here, but since with his demon curse is removed. . . he might be even more conscious of his bad actions or what he had done to Bloom. The first step for him to be a better person is by apologizing to Bloom. . . I'm not gonna say much expect that Book 2 might hint a little themes of Romeo and Juliet! (hehehe)

I hope you had enjoyed this chapter!

Like always please leave your reviews and comments down below! I really do appreciate it and love to hear your thoughts about it!

Until Next Time!