Chapter Four

Raven

“No catch, we just prefer you both to remain at the palace. It’s not safe for the two of you to be out publicly after that little show you put on today.” His voice remained cold and stoic of any expression. The king wanted nothing of the sort and every ounce of blood in my body knew that.

“Well alright little prince, what does the king want in return for his kind gesture.” I emphasized the word ‘kind’ and rolled my eyes. This little goody act he’s putting out was fake, and anyone with eyes could tell.

“He wants to get to know you more.”

“Sorry, but he’s a bit too old for me.” The sarcasm dropped off my words like honey and I caught the snarl his lips made at my tone before he bit it back.

Good.

“What I mean is, you two are the first Blue bloods we’ve come across in centuries. You could be a very essential ally to keep on our side.” A chuckle sounded from behind me and Cassius stepped out of the darkness from the back of the cell. The chains I had melted earlier dangled loosely from both of our hands.

I didn’t miss the look of confusion wash over the prince’s face before he covered it up with a fix of posture, standing to his full height.

“You’re wording is smart, I’ll give you that. You think you’re going to find out if I’m one too by assuming I am and expecting one of us to clarify it for you. I assure you, the only way you’re going to find out is if you make me bleed yourself.” A slight smirk tugs up on the prince’s mouth before taking a step forward. His eyes were locked on Cassius, straying from them for a moment towards the chains that dangled from our wrists. His mouth opened a tiny bit as if he were going to speak until a voice echoed through the cells. 

“Your highness, the rooms are ready.” A young maid said from the top of the staircase. With a dismissing nod from the bastard ice prince, who’s officially earned that title in my mind from the lack of emotion and his stiff demeanor, the maid scrambled back through the doors.

“Well, let’s get you two settled in, shall we? The prince pulled out a key and unlocked the cell.

                                I stepped into the room that was supposed to be mine for gods knows how long. Pacing around the wooden floors, I felt a pair of eyes watching me from the doorway.

“What?” I snapped at the prince, allowing my gaze to flicker to his. The purple orbs staring back at me still caught me off guard.

“That’s no way to talk to a Prince, don’t you agree?” His deep voice rumbled through his chest and if I didn’t want to turn his body to a crisp, I would have admired it.

“That’s assuming you were a Prince. From what I can tell, you’re just a spoiled little brat waiting for the day his daddy falls over to take his spot.” I folded my arms over my chest and waited for a reaction.

To my surprise, he smirked and pushed off the door frame with his lean body.

“Get to know me before assuming the worse, Raven.” My name rolled off his tongue and the sound of it sent chills raking my frame. How’d he know my name?

My eyebrows crinkled together at the feeling. What the hell? I caught myself wondering what his powers were and if they included anything like messing with someone’s mind.

“I don’t think I want to get to know you.” My voice laced with venom, but he stepped further into the room. His violet eyes now taking the impression of a brewing storm, the purple seeming to mix with a tint of sapphire.

“We’ll see about that.” His devilishly beautiful eyes met mine once more before he turned and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

I felt my body relax at the lack of his presence, he put me on edge and it pissed me off.

Cassius had occupied the room beside mine and while my eyes ran around the scenery, I wondered if it looked as good.

The queen-sized bed that sat in the middle of the room was bigger than any I've ever owned and the fluffy white rug that was spread across the floor was so plush. Gray and white colors surrounded me, giving off an immaculate and clean presentation.

You wouldn’t catch me complaining at the moment. The Prince has a point of the villagers. If we went back out there, we would be shunned or thrown from the village itself.

A Blue blood was supposedly the devil itself, or some other myth like that.

The king had to have some sort of agenda planned out for Cassius and I. That's the only reason he'd want us to stay for however long that may be. But what he wouldn't expect is that his own selfishness would give Cassius and I time to learn the inn’s and out’s about this place. To help free the witches from the grasp of the royal family altogether. 

A faint knock sounded at the door and I jumped.

“Uh, who is it?”

“It’s the maid, I was appoint to you by the king." A tiny voice spoke on the opposite side of the door and I blew out a breath. Thank the lords it wasn’t another royal. 

Pulling the tall oak door open, I was met with a petite girl that couldn’t be older than sixteen. Her blonde hair and bright blue eyes blended in with her gray clothing she had on. Looking at her I realized that she was my complete opposite in physics appearances. Her innocence twinkled in her bright eyes but there was pain behind them, barely noticeable.. but it was there. 

“Could I get you some towels and clothes so you could shower?” She asked, tugging a piece of hair behind her ear.

“Are you implying that I stink?” I raised an eyebrow and her eyes shot open wide. Her hands lifted as she stuttered to apologize, but I just chuckled and stepped back from the door to allow her in.

“I’m just messing with you. That would be great actually.” She placed a hand over her heart and leaned over like she had a heart attack.

“No one ever jokes around in this place, do they?” I asked, and she just straightened up, shaking her head.

“N-no ma’am, maybe the younger prince, but he isn’t allowed to speak to me anymore…” My eyebrows furrowed at this when her cheeks flushed a dark shade of red. 

“Why not?”

She glanced around us before replying to make sure we were alone. 

“The King thought of it as unruly for a high ranked prince such as himself to be talking to the likes of a maid.” My eyes widened slightly but not enough for her to notice. The likes of her? If anything she seemed to be more of a good influence to have around unlike the royals themselves. They were tainted with the blood of a thousand witches and the king had the audacity to say something so controversial such as that? To a young maid? 

“Never let someone say you’re anything less of a person. No matter the ranks, you’re still a human being and deserve to be treated like one. If you ever decide you need someone to joke with just knock on this door.” Her eyes lit up at my words and a small grin crossed her light pink lips.

“I can’t tell you how long I’ll be here, but while I am, just know I’ll be willing to listen to you.”

Her freckled face crinkled up with a big smile, and she nodded up towards me.

“Oh! I almost forgot, I’ll go grab those towels and clothes for you.”

Her little form scurried off before I could even say thank you. My eyes trailed after her and I couldn't help but to wonder what else the royals had said to her. 

I heard the door creak open beside me and I noticed Cassius’ head pop out, looking both ways in the hallway before scurrying to my room. When his entire body was inside, he turned and shut the door swiftly. 

“This is a set up. It has to be, there no way they are giving us free rooms, food, and safety for nothing. They want something.” He whisper yelled, and I chewed on my lip. 

“I’m aware, but we are the very first magic wielders from the village to actually see the inside of the palace. We have an advantage here and I intend on using it before our time is up.” He looked at me for a moment before nodding in understanding.

“You’re going to need help from someone that is standing with the royal family, otherwise you’ll have nothing of the importance.”

He was right, I needed someone in the inner circle. But who? Most people who classified themselves as a friend of the royal family didn't even spare my kind a glance. Let alone actually have a conversation and allow me to get to know them. 

My eyes widened as I recalled the Prince’s words.

“Get to know me before assuming the worst.” I looked towards Cassius with a smile. 

I’ll do just that prince, I’ll do just that.