Chapter 6

I wake up with the lights shinning on my face. I walk to the window and look out to the beautiful view out side my window. There is a nock on my door and I walk to it and open it. There, stands a maid with her head bowed.

"Good morning Lady Celeste, the king has requested you join him for breakfast in the dinning room" the female said. Before I can answers she hurryliy walk away and I shrug. I close the door and go into the bathroom taking a quick shower, I take out a new toothbrush from its case and brush my teeth with it. I decide to put on the clothes I wore since there is no extra.

Walking through the beautiful walls of the palace, I ask a guard the way to the dinning room and he show me the way which I thank him for. The King seated at the head of the table, looks up as I enter the room with a smile.

"Celeste," he said my name in a whisper. "Please sit and have breakfast with me."

I nod and sit next to him. I inhale the aroma of the delicious foods in front of me and rub my hands in glee.

"Hungry I see?" The king chuckled at me.

Uhm-Yeah" I mumbled docking my head in shyness.

"Well dig in!" Elijah Lamented.

A few minutes of eating in silence, Elijah clears his throat and I turn to look at him. He takes a napkin and cleans him lips then stares at me deeply.. Creepily and says, "Did you enjoy your tour of the palace last night?"

I freeze at his question and almost choke on my Silva.

"Ye-Yeah" I replied.

"Hmmm," he hums, still staring at me as he takes a sip from his drink. His gaze on me darkens for a second but I caught it. My heart is hitting on my chest and my hands are shaking. Something is off, something is definitely off with the King.

"I-i think I should get back to New y-york" I slutter and cuss myself for it.

"Why so early?" He asked looking at the watch on his arm.

"I have a class soon" I said, wiping my sweaty hands on my jeans.

He nodded and motioned for me to follow him as he stands up, I do the same reluctantly and follow behind him silently. We get to the same study room and he stands opposite a mirror and places his hand on it chanting the same words as yesterday. After the portal opens,he turns to me and walk closer, I bow my head looking at his shoe, unable to meet his eyes and he sighed.

"You do not need to be afraid of me, Celeste. I would never hurt you". He said placing a kiss on my head then place his car keys in my hand. I nod my head in thanks and face the mirrorand jump in.

I land on the snowy ground and look around, I see that I am in the same woods that Elijah brought me too. I look at the giant tree behind me and it looks normal, just like every other trees here.

I spot the blue Lamborghini that we drove last night, I quickly make my way towards it and get in. I park outside my hostel and make my way towardy room, immediately I got in, I was tackled with questions about my whereabouts from Anna and I told her I was with a friend.

I skip class and decide to look up some part-time job, I would be graduating from university in four months and I wouldn't be staying in the dorm room forever or relaying on my parents money.

I surfed on the net for a while, looking for a job and came across one. They are looking for a waitress. I click on it and see that it's one of the resturant close and is about ten mintues walk from here. I schelded  the interview for this evening because why not?

I watch a few YouTube videos on how to serve at a restaurant just in case, then get ready for the interview. I put on my blue jean trouser and a black t shirt paired with a white sneaker. I got to the restaurant name Molly'Jollies and walk in. I tap a lady with red hair and she turns to look at me.

"Hi," I said with a smile. "I'm looking for the manager..." I told her trailing off.

"Oh, you must be here for the interview?" She asked and I nod in confirmation. She points to a door and walk to it then knock.

"Come in," A voice said behind the door and I open it to see an old chubby man sitting behind a worn out desk.

"Ah! You must be Celeste, no?" He ask wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

"Yes" I reply, closing the door behind me. He motions for me to take a seat.

"My name is Johnathan but you can just call me Molly" He says with a friendly smile playing on his lips.

"Sure" I answered.

"Okay," He said clapping his hand. "I'm just going to ask you a few questions and that's it!" He exclaimed and I nod.

"Any work experience?" Molly asked.

"Uhm.. No" I rasped out then clear my throat.

He gives me a thooty grin and laughed. "Okay, you got the job"

"Wait, what?!" I Exclaimed in disbelief, he nodded and told me to start work on Monday.

"Thank you!" I told Molly standing to my feet. He waved his hand at me and as I was about to close his office door, it shouts "Have a wonderful evening."

I waved at the redhead attending to a customer as I walk out of the restaurant.

I look up to the dark sky and breath out, the air was chilly and I wish I had brought my coat with me. I decide to go for a run and I quicken my pace to the woods, when I am deep I breath in and place my hands on the hem of my shirt about to pull it off when two men came out. I back away from them and turn around, only to see three more standing there.

"Who are you?!" I shout at them, clenching my fingers in a fist. The middle man among the three chuckles and the rest follows. I look between them, pointing my fingers at them in a threatening manner.

"Look, if it's money you want.. I-i don't don't have any" I rasped out to the five men but I know they were no regular people. They are rogues, I can smell it.

"Oh honey," the middle man tuant than tsk at me. "I'm sure in that pretty little head of yours, you know we want more than that"

I inhale and try running away but before I can do that, the men behind me grabs me by my arm and hold me tight. I screamed for help into the cold dark night, my voice echoing among the trees. The man in the middle which I'm guessing is the leader, comes forward and grabbed me by the cheeks, making them hallowed. He dips his finger painfully into my cheeks, making me wince from the pain and tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

"Now bitch," he spat bringing his face closer to mine and draw his finger from my cheek to my neck now chocking me. "I want you to tell the King that Derrick Wright is back."

With that he let go of my neck and so did the others and I fall to the ground with a thud, gasping for air. I look up to see that the men were no longer around me, it was like they disappeared into thin air because I couldn't smell them. I quickly take my purse thaf had fallen on the snow and run out of the forest. I got to my hostel and look around, making sure that I wasn't been followed before entering my empty room.

I bring out my phone dial my brothers number and on the first ring he picks up.

"What's up short-" "You have to get me the Kings number!" I told my brother cutting him off.

"Celeste, what's wrong?" Simone asked, his voice getting serious.

"I don't have time, just help me get it!" I screamed into the phone, my voice trembling.

"O-okay" Simone sluttered.

I hang up and place my phone beside me then cover myself up with my blanket. Fifteen minutes later, a text comes in from my brother and I copy the number he sent me then dial it. He picks up immediately.

"Hello?"

"Elijah, you have to come now." I rasp out my voice craking

"Celeste" He says my name then hang up.

I place my phone on my bed again and wrap my hand around my feet then place my head on then and slept off.

I am awoken from the sound of a knock on my door and reluctantly, I walk towards it. I open the door to see a worried face of the king. He pulls me in for a hug and without hesitation, I wrap my hands around his waist.

"What happened?" Elijah asked letting go of my shoulder and cupping my face with his warm hand.

"I was attacked by some men... Rogues" I whispered looking over his shoulder thinking they might be lurking around.

"Do you know what they look like" The king asked, his eyes darkening and his jaw clenched.

"No," I said shaking my head. "But he told me to tell you that's his back"

"And what's his name?"

"Derrick.. Derrick wright."