Breathless and feeling pain on each side of her stomach, Lela finally made it to the top of the staircase. She was the only one out of breath and in pain.
“Come sit down before you faint,” Zel said, taking her hand and leading her to a chair.
Lela was sure she was going to vomit.
“Breathe,” Eldrich said, his hand on her shoulder.
Xavier disappeared into another room and three seconds later reappeared holding a cup. He brought it to her lips and said, “Sip slowly.”
She couldn’t resist swallowing the cup’s contents all at once which caused her to cough and gag.
“You disobeyed,” Zel said. “Does she always do things as she wants and not as she’s told?” she asked Eldrich.
“She’s not a child,” Eldrich said.
He was not amused and Lela worried he would lose his judgment and attack Zel and Xavier. Without knowing where they really were or what these two creatures were capable of, Xavier could fly and she guessed he was also strong and Zel, well the long haul up the stairs didn’t affect her in the least bit, there was a possibility that Zel and Xavier could overtake and really harm Eldrich.
“I feel better. My, the stew smells wonderful,” Lela said, trying to lighten the situation.
“Oh, yes, the stew,” Zel said, dashing off.
Xavier pulled up a chair next to Lela. “Where are the two of you from?”
“Barmoth,” Lela said.
“That’s a ways from here. A long way, indeed. How did you get here?” Xavier asked.
“We’ve been traveling for days,” Eldrich said.
“Yet, you have nothing with you, and you were naked when we found you.”
“That’s because we left our things in the camp we set up not too far from where you found us,” Lela said.
Xavier put his hands on the back of his neck and reclined in his chair. “I don’t believe a word you’re saying. But, your business is your own. I won’t press any further.”
“We’re grateful,” Eldrich said.
“Let’s move to the table,” Xavier said, standing and dragging the chair to a round table.
Lela scanned the room. The walls and floor were painted red. The whole room was red, including the drapes on the single window and all the furniture.
“Is Zel really your prisoner?” Lela asked Xavier. She absolutely had to know.
“Love, our host has asked us to take a seat at his meal table. Let’s not pester him with questions.”
“It’s all right. I’m not offended.” Xavier put his elbows on the table and rubbed his chin.
Lela and Eldrich joined him at the table.
“I apologize for my persistent curiosity,” Lela said.
“Although she enjoys pretending she is, Zel is not my prisoner,” he lowered his head, “but, she is a prisoner. I hope to someday free her.”
“What do you mean?” Lela asked.
He raised his stare. “A few short months ago, I came across this tower. I’m the prince of this land, yet I had never in all my travels seen this tower. One morning I quite literally bumped into it, almost lost consciousness. It appeared out of nowhere. Just when I had regained myself, golden hair dropped to the ground in front of me. I looked up to discover that the hair was coming from a window at the very top of the tower.”
“Time to eat!” Zel said, striding into the room carrying a large, red pot.
She put the pot in the center of the table and then said to Xavier, “Will you help me with the bowls and spoons?”
“Please excuse us,” Xavier said and followed Zel out of the room.
Now alone, Eldrich leaned into Lela. “Everything about this place is odd. Have you noticed that everything is red?”
“How could I not? And whose prisoner is she? And that story he’s telling.”
“I went too far. I shouldn’t have gone so far from Barmoth,” Eldrich said, sighing.
“It’s not your fault,” Lela said.
“I suspect they want something from us. And the way he looks at you as if he’s familiar with you.”
She implored her face not to give anything away to Eldrich. She should have told him about her encounter with Xavier. Her confessing now would only anger him. And what’s more, he would probably think she kept it from him because she had indulged with Xavier. She was doomed.
Xavier and Zel returned carrying bowls and spoons which not surprisingly were also red.
After filling each bowl with some of the stew, Zel said, “I hope everyone likes it.”
Eldrich brought a spoonful to his lips. “Please forgive me,” he said, putting the spoon down. “I’m not very hungry.”
Lela’s heart sank. “I told you not to eat all of that bread,” she said, chuckling. “He stuffed himself with bread not even two hours ago,” she said to Zel.
“What about you, Lela?” Xavier asked. “Did you also eat too much bread?” he asked, grinning.
She swallowed down two spoonfuls and then said, “I’m starving.” She was not lying. Although the stew was not the least bit tasty, she was glad to be eating something other than fruit.
Lifting her bowl, Zel said, “Well, here’s to more stew for the rest of us!”
Xavier stared at Eldrich who was fidgeting in his seat. Human food, particularly aromatic cooked food, disgusted vampires and Lela was sure Eldrich was doing all he could not to vomit.
“We need your help,” Xavier said.
Lela swallowed a last spoonful and wiped her mouth, her eyes on both Xavier and Eldrich.
“We desperately need your help,” Zel said.
“In what way?” Eldrich asked.
Xavier glanced at Lela. “Meeting you on the river bank was not an accident,” he said to her. “I sought you out.”
Lela coughed. She did not dare look at Eldrich. She could feel his eyes on her.
“You know him?” Eldrich asked.
She nodded.
“Look at me,” he said.
Coughing and silently pleading with the Gods to take her, she timidly moved her stare to him.
His eyes near-bleeding, he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Did you lie with him?” he asked, tears coming down his face.
He was breaking her heart.
“No, I would never…” she tried to take his hand but he brushed it away.
“You kept it from me. What am I supposed to think?”
“She did not lie with me,” Xavier said. “I swear it.”
Eldrich exposed his fangs. Zel screamed. Xavier stood, spreading his wings. Yes, Lela had been right. Her life was about to change again.
“You’re a vampire,” Xavier said.
“And you’re an angel, which explains why I couldn’t detect your scent. Despite your shameful past, your creator still protects you from us.”
“I’m not to blame for what my ancestors did,” Xavier said.
“Yet, you’re cast out from the Heavens, nonetheless,” Eldrich said. “I should drain you right here and now.” He took a step forward.
Xavier didn’t budge. “And you think I will let you kill me? Try and we shall see who wins.”
Eldrich laughed. “Ah yes, I had forgotten how vain and overly confident fallen angels are. It’s been two hundred years since I’ve come across one. And how appropriate that you preside over a place named the Kingdom of the Lost. Is this where all fallen angels sought refuge after the war with my kind?”
Lela didn’t know what to do. She had never heard of angels, fallen or otherwise. They weren’t even mentioned in storybooks. Not only did they exist but they had been in a war with vampires. Her head was spinning and her stomach ached. At this moment, she was sure she was the dumbest girl in all the kingdoms. Truly, what was she doing? She was a princess for blessed Gods’ sake and instead of helping her father take care of the people of Barmoth, she had run away to live with a vampire and was now in a tower in a land unknown to her and what’s more, an angel was asking her for help. Just another day in the forest!
“Please, hear us out,” Zel said, moving between Xavier and Eldrich.
Eldrich retracted his fangs. “Speak,” he said.
“I’m imprisoned in this tower for all eternity, only able to leave it at night. And even then, I’m not allowed to venture too far. A witch took me from my parents when I was born and has kept me prisoner my entire life.” She sighed.