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.
“You poor thing,” Lela said. Oh the pain Zel’s parents must have felt when their infant daughter was ripped from them and Zel…Lela couldn’t imagine a worse life.
“She caught my father stealing spices from her garden. My mother craved spices when I was in her belly and the witch’s garden had an abundance of unique spices. When the witch caught my father stealing, she cursed him and told him he would have to give up his unborn child or refuse and watch both my mother and me die.” She wrapped her arms around Xavier’s waist. “I have lived in this once roaming, invisible tower all my life. I thought I would remain alone forever until,” she looked up at Xavier, “he found the tower. For an unexplained reason, the tower stopped moving and became visible that day. I believe in my heart that my parents somehow found a way to help me…to make the tower appear and stop wandering aimlessly. When I sensed someone outside that day, I let down my hair. I had to know who it was that had found the tower.” She gathered her hair and then let it go. It fell past her ankles, carpeting the length of the room.
Lela held her hand to her mouth. Eldrich did not move or say a word.
Xavier kissed the top of Zel’s head and said, “Tell them the rest.”
“Xavier used my hair to climb to my window.”
“Why didn’t you fly?” Lela asked.
“The hair was so beautiful and golden. I was drawn to it, captivated.”
“When the witch found Xavier with me, she pushed him out of the window, thinking that he would fall to his death. And when he didn’t fall and instead flew, she tried to cast a spell which would make the castle invisible again. No spell she cast worked. Xavier confronted the witch and knowing she was somewhat defeated and now in the Kingdom of the Lost where her spells were not as powerful she consented to letting me out at night. However, if I wander too far, her spell brings me back. Despicable, evil hag won’t let me go.” Zela covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
“What does your predicament have to do with us?” Eldrich asked, harshly.
“The same witch who cursed you, cursed Zel,” Xavier said.
“You know about me?” Eldrich said, exposing his fangs again.
“Settle yourself,” Xavier said. “I only know because the witch told me. She’s a wretched soul. She will let Zel go only if,” he looked at Lela, “if she lies with me.”
“No!” Eldrich said.
“You can’t be serious,” Lela said, nearly bursting into laughter.
“We’re not lying to you. We need your help,” Zel said, sniffling.
“The witch wants to hurt you,” Xavier said to Eldrich. “I’m sorry we’re asking this of you. I love Zel with every part of me. And I cannot save her alone. Please help us.”
Lela approached Eldrich. “Let’s go right now.”
Tears in his eyes, Eldrich said, “I love you.”
“Do you believe me?” Lela needed to know that Eldrich trusted her and that he did not believe she had lied with Xavier.
“You have chosen him. I can see it in your eyes. How long have you loved him? You tricked me into bringing you here. He is the reason you asked me to take you deep into the forest away from Barmoth.”
She moved in closer to him. “I love you. Your distrust is making my heart ache,” Lela said.
“You have broken mine,” he said, his brow wrinkled.
“Please believe me. I knew nothing of Xavier before today. I’m in love with you and only you.”
Eldrich looked at Xavier. “If you hurt her, I will kill you.” Then he dashed to the window and jumped from it.
Lela ran to the window and screamed, “Eldrich!”
He was gone.
“Will you help us?” Zel asked.
Lela turned and pounced over to Zel, ready to strangle her.
