Chapter 74

The next morning began in solemn silence. The group slept in the woods, out in the cold though the new lady prepared a fire. No one really slept, except for Azazel who was probably very exhausted from his first fight. They were all quiet, lost in their own thoughts and Katrienair tried as much as possible not to groan in pain. The morning sun only woke their senses. The laid who cradled Katrienair throughout the night asked if she was awake and feeling better.

"I should be fine, right?" Katrienair winced. "The wounds are closing up already."

"What about the pain?"She asked.

 "I don't know."She helped her up. Julian and Azazel left to tend the horses. The lady stared at Katrienair, worry written all over her face.

"I'll be fine. It's just..sad that..."She trailed off. It's sad that she has become ordinary all of a sudden. What sin has she committed to deserve this? She feels like she's lost herself completely. It's a shame!

"That you lost your powers? Right?"I nodded.

"You don't need to worry. Like the prince said, it'll come back later."She paused."My powers, I never felt them until yesternight. I practically lost them but I wasn't bothered. I was just a slave and all I had to do is avoid trouble and no one would notice. Thanks to you..."

She stifled a cry. "When I saw you. I knew deep down that you'll save us. I feel so guilty. Guilty for being the cause of this. I'm so sorry."

"No no."I patted her back. "It's not your fault at all. It's not about..."

She then remembered she never got her name. "You never gave me your name."

"Claire."She smiled. "I'm Claire. I'm sorry I was too harsh. What about you? Your name?"

"Katrienair"I smiled back."you must have heard them say it yesterday."

"Ka-tri-nair..." She pronounced her name as if remembering something. She cupped Katrienair's face in her palm, staring intently into her eyes. "You...you..."She muttered in shock.

"you're from that..." She swallowed. "Oh my...you know Alistair. You know Alistair right?"

"Yes I do."

Claire swore beneath her breathe."She's your sister. You know that right?"

Katrienair nodded.

"She swore. We swore to her that if we ever find her sister, we'll keep her safe. She was my closest friend. Alistair loved you so much."She swallowed. "I should have known. You're her carbon copy. Oh my god! What have I done?!"She cried.

"C'mon, you've done nothing." Her cries were awkward to her.

"I made you lose your immortality..I made you vulnerable Katrienair!"

"No! I'm the stubborn one here. It's my fault not yours." Katrienair sighed. "Calm down and listen to me. Stop the tears c'mon."

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. " how did you know she's your sister? You never saw her. She is still caged."

"I saw her. Alistair is safe now. You'll meet her when the time comes."

Oh my geez! She gasped. Her mind was racing very fast. She just hoped...

"How did you get Alistair? Did you take the...oh my god!" She shrieked. "You took the mark!"

She stopped, not wanting to make Katrienair feel bad.

Katrienair already understood, the mark. She always knew that was the worse decision she's ever made. She had questions but she just could not bring herself to speak.

"Why is the demon prince with us?" She gestured to Julian. "Do you trust him that much?"

"I...I..."Katrienair licked her dry lip."I... I should..."

"Do you know what the demons have done to us in the past? You should not trust any of them. Oh my...how could you?!"

Katrienair winced. she wished she could explain. She longed for her powers. If she had them, she'd have explained easily with her thoughts.

"You don't understand Claire. I wish I could explain."

She hissed. "You're not even on good terms with him."

Katrienair arched a brow. What does she mean by `good terms`?

"What do you mean?"

She pursed her lips. "You act like you hate him. Just an observation."

"I don't..."Katrienair trailed off. That got her wondering if she did meant what she was about to say.

"Well, it's just a little misunderstanding. He's just my assistant. I became the army head of the demonic territory and he's my assistant."

She screamed like she's just seen a ghost. "Oh my fucking god!"

Azazel walked over, Julian by his side. They were done with tending the horses.

"Master, how're you doing today?"

"I'm doing well Azazel" She smiled at him. Julian glared at her and she sent back her glare.

"Julian."Katrienair called out. She felt like she was too harsh on him. He tried, he really did. He's been her knight. "Thank you."

Julian just smiled and nodded his head.

"Prince Julian?"Claire asked. "You're prince Julian?"

"Yeah"

"You should not..."Claire began her attack but Katrienair stopped her just in time.

"Claire please!"She yelled."I'll explain later, c'mon."

She then addressed Julian whose expression was rather numb.

"Julian, can I see you...in private?"I stood up. We trotted into the woods. When we were a bit far away, I began to talk.

"I'm sorry for... yesterday. I overreacted."

"It's okay. I understand."He said.

"Alistair told you I'd lose my power and she didn't tell me. Why? "

"It wasn't necessary...maybe."

"Really?!"She questioned. "She trusts you? Why? Why Alistair?"

He was quiet.

"I thought she was thinking in a similar was with me. It's painful that she never warned me. I'm messed up and I ain't prepared."She cried. Julian walked over and embraced her. He noticed she's lost flesh. She felt so lean and sick. Katrienair didn't reject him. She held on to the warmth that she's craved for all her life.

"You really do not know how I feel Joel..I'm ordinary. I can't get anywhere. Ill be fighting beings, immortals. It won't last. I'm scared. "

"Remember what Alistair told you the last time." He said. "And what you say all the time. Don't be scared Katrienair. You're still the one."

"Joel, tell me what I did wrong?"I

She questioned."it has something to do with the mark right?"

"Forget it."

"No, talk to me!" She yelled at him.

"You'll get your powers back, as long as the mark leaves. That's all I know."

"You're not going to tell me the truth. I won't force you." She withdrew from his hold. "We should join them."

He stopped her from leaving. "Hei wait!"He dragged her back toward himself. "You know that we need to talk and I know that you have not called me here to say that."

Katrienair was quiet. There was nothing to say.

"Your mood swings. What's wrong?" He asked. "You know what I'm talking about."

"It's not...mood swings. It's real. I won't deny how I behave and I've got solid reasons."

"What?"

"You're a demon Julian!" She yelled. Why can't he just understand?!

Julian sighed, blinked continuously, trying to process all he's hearing.

"Don't do this to me." He muttered. "I get confused when you do this to me. Please don't."

"You're confused?"Katrienair challenged. "All I say is the truth. The truth is bitter but we've got to accept."

"What truth?"Julian was disappointed. He doubted if she truly liked him.

"The truth. "Katrienair paused, licked her lip. "I wish I could tell you exactly how I feel. But these days, things scare me. Look at me. I'm suffering the consequences of accepting a damn mark. I know there's more to come. You have to understand that all I'm trying to do is to avoid another. You're a demon Joel, we can't allow ourselves to do this please."

"What?"He looked shocked, or rather lost in some thoughts. That only got Katrienair more enraged.

"Hei listen!"She snapped her fingers, crossed to wake him up from his trance. Gush, he's behaving like a weakling. She has never seen him this weak. 

"Maybe, we should have this talk. Since you won't understand and I dread the awkward silence that is always between us. We should talk!"

She paused to catch her breathe. "You know my parents right?"

"Your parents? No" he said.

"Well, I'll tell you. My parents, my father, he was the heir, a demon. It's glaring he was betrayed by his brother, your father. And my mother, she was a witch, a king. You know what their love caused the world?"

His face fell. There was emptiness in his eyes and another emotion that wasn't discernible.

"You always say I'm the one..I'm sure I'm not here to cause more havoc. We ain't going anywhere. The consequences, I'm not scared but I'm concerned. The world would suffer it."

"No wonder, Claire doesn't want to see you. Not one of us should trust you."

"And you..." He muttered. "And you Katrienair, you don't trust me?"

Katrienair closed the distance between them, she gently touched his temple, felt the silky hair between her fingers. "My love, I trust you with my life but you have to listen to me. It hard for me too. I might look strong. You especially should learn not to believe my facial expressions. You'll have to let go. I can't repeat my parents mistakes."

He embraced me. He was really broken he held on to my waist like he'd never let go.

"Katrienair, I'll protect you. I promise." He said.

"You're my assistant. That's not I want to hear."

"You're crazy" his breathe teased her scalp.

"Oh I am" she chuckled.