Isaac dragged his feet up to his room, slumped down on the bed when he reached.
He wondered how his brother was doing and what those people would do to him. The Queen Mother had him sent to the North as a peace treaty. Vincent had cried and wailed and pleaded for mercy, but she insisted it's the best solution to the issue. He should go there and apologise for his actions. If he's forgiven, fine and good. And if not, they should punish him how they deem fit. The king refused to intervene no matter how much Isaac pestered him to, his excuse was that Isaac had already brought up the issue about his wedding, and that in itself was enough to cause a dispute between he and the Queen Mother. ‘One at a time.’ The king had said to him. ‘Vincent isn't a coward. He'd be alright.’ Isaac had wanted to go along with him, but the king literally had him locked up until they'“Then fucking tell me! I can't get into your mind and fucking read it!” Natalie stared pointedly at him as his chest rose and fell with his shallow breaths. She sighed. “Forget it.” And headed out. “Ah fuck!” He threw his head up, exhaling sharp breaths. “Car key.” Jonas handed it to him and as he headed out, he saw Dan standing just by the door. He bowed, and Isaac gave him a dirty look before dashing out. The king must've sent him back, that's the only thing that could explain his instant return when he clearly told him to buzz off. He looked around and spotted Natalie trekking down the road, hugging herself. He rushed after her and held her arm, turning her around. “Isaac please…” She trailed off as he cupped her face, his warm breath defrosting her cold cheeks. “Don't.” Her voice was reduced to a whisper, her eyes on his lips. “Look at me.” His thumb grazed her jawline. “Enough, stop this.” “I'm fucking mad at you, love.” “And so am I.” “Then fucking look
“How has it been with your practice?” Isaac asked. “She's… keeping up.” Mrs Peoni plucked his brows. “Is there a problem?” He faced her, noticing the reluctance in her voice. Mrs Peoni stood straight, putting the tweezer back in the kit. “There's none.” Isaac threw his head over the chair, his eyes hooked on her wizened face. He knew she's hiding something, and he decided not to force it out of her. If she didn't disclose it, then it must be something he wouldn't want to hear. “If I may ask a question, your Highness?” Jonas pitched in from where he stood by the shoe rack. “About?” Isaac sat up, staring at his reflection in the mirror. “I hope you don't plan on marrying her?” Isaac's brows furrowed, and a dark glint pitched in his eyes. “That's supposed to mean?” “She does not fit to be your spouse.” Isaac clenched his jaw, then leaned forward on the dressing table to hide his annoyance. “Why do you think so?” Jonas rocked on his heels. “She's… a hussy, your High
Chills fluttered like restless sparrows across the earthen room, the air thick with the heady scents of incense and herbs. Flickering candles cast eerie shadows over the surfaces, their golden light dancing across the walls as if trying to chase away the secrets that lurked within. Ancient shelves and cabinets groaned under the weight of potions, spell books, and mysterious artifacts, their contents spilling out in a riotous display of colour and curiosity. A heavy-footed man lumbered into the labyrinthine space, his footsteps echoing off the walls as he made his way deeper into the room. With a reverence that bordered on fear, he knelt about three feet in, bowed in submission to the rear of a mid-aged woman who's whispering chants to an idol ensconced in a detached cubicle, its presence both captivating and intimidating. “We lost him, my lady.” He declared, his voice heavy with defeat and his failure palpable. She stopped chanting but didn't turn around. “The King's men don't hav
Isaac squeezed the paper in his hands to a ball, his heart thumping wildly in his ribcage. “Call my father.” He ordered, his eyes darting to Jonas, who was standing behind him. Jonas did so and handed him the phone. “Where is Natalie?” He asked as soon as the call was answered. “What's that supposed to mean?” The king sought in a disinterested voice. “Don't try me, your Majesty. I'm really not interested in this game you're playing. Bring her back before I lose my mind.” “Speak words I can understand, Arden. What's the matter?” “You had Natalie kidnapped! Don't play dumb!” The king was mute for a long while, and Isaac wondered if he really didn't have a hand in it. “Wait, you didn't do it?” “Hold on. I'll get back to you.” “Wait_” but the king ended the call on him. “Damn it.” He straightened the paper again, and his eyes scanned the words. ‘Worry not, Your Highness. Your woman is safe and shall return when she's fit to be with you.’ “You said you don't know w
Cold, pain, and exhaustion. That's what Isaac slept and woke up with for over a month. At first, it was bearable and he tried his best to keep himself in check. But with each passing day, especially after his father informed him that he had registered Natalie's death, Isaac found it harder to keep his brain within his head. It was in the clouds one minute, and under the ground the next, most times, it was hovering above his ears, torn, blank, and dark. The days were long, the nights longer, and the more he tried to pick himself up, the harder he fell apart. The king refused to let him leave home, but staying there proved to him to be worse than leaving. He felt suffocated and mad at everything, not just everyone. The air, ground, couches, walls, light… everything made him angry. He wanted so badly to grab a bottle, but he feared that he'd end up collapsing again; moreover, his father surely wouldn't let him access liquor, and his grandmother would wreak havoc if he became a drunk
"Hey," Natalie beamed at him, placing the tray on the table. "Was asked to serve you. Ten shots, you got one free for being my first customer tonight." Isaac ran his eyes over her, hot, he thought, her hourglass shape was clad in a two-piece mini skirt and crop top. Spotless skin, short hair... not that he was impressed. There were at least a million girls he knew who were just as perfect. He pushed one glass towards her as she's about to leave. "Take it." Literally, he meant her taking it back because his morals don't allow him to accept free gifts. But she mistook him and raised a brow teasingly, chugged down the drink in one go. Don't get her mistaken. She rarely drank if she wasn't entertaining customers, but that brown-eyed guy seemed to want to test her waters. "Wow, it's stronger than I thought. Who takes such strong combos these days?" Impressive, Isaac thought. Not a single person he'd ever offered a drink for a first was able to take a single gulp without spitting
He followed behind her, and she waited for him with a beam, held his hand, and began stepping to the beat. He barely danced, just kept staring at her as she enjoyed the moment. She obviously forgot that he's standing there after some time. He wondered briefly how she seemed so hyper after the humiliation she just went through and decided to blame it on her alcohol. And then he got captivated by her smile, which he had to say, was very beautiful. He must've been entranced for a long while as a young man appeared behind her and groped her waist, prompting Isaac to tear her away from him. "Back off." He snarled. "Ooh, I thought she's alone." The man smirked and backed away. He faced her, and the surprise on her face made him realize what he just did, making him release her hand. Awkwardness swept through them like a chill, and she looked away from his intense gaze, slipping her hands into the coat's and thinking of what to say, realizing without liking the fact that her th
The sun was blazing and so was the wind blowing. It's just a normal November afternoon down in Azores. Isaac loved everything about the state except its weather. He would've left, four mouths ago, but the thought of that girl… Bella. He mumbled to himself, staring absently at the swaying grasses. He had gone back to the club in Ghufti countless times over the months, even postponing departing on that day just to hear from her, but, she never called. The club informed him that she's just an on call good-time girl, didn't really work there so they couldn't give much information about her. He had retrieved the coat which she had left behind to be given back to him so there's literally no hope about she contacting him. He had thought about every possible reason why she wouldn't reach out to him but just decided to belive she lost the card even though he believed that that was very unlikely. But he still visits the club hoping to meet her or perhaps miraculously run into her which wa