Madeline watched the two House members who continued to speak to Calhoun even after they stepped out from the room and it looked like it was a serious discussion. Weasley was the one who was speaking the most while Calhoun occasionally replied. In no time, Theodore joined them and Lucy as if on cue took her leave from the corridor by excusing herself.
The High house members bowed at the King and started to leave, walking in the direction where Madeline had been standing. Weasley was speaking something to Reginald, busy in the discussion when the silver-haired man’s eyes met hers, and she noticed a faint smile on his lips. He offered her a bow, and she did the same. For a priest, he looked too pleasant thought Madeline to herself.
Her eyes continued to trail at the two people until she felt a finger below her chin that turned her head to see Calhoun standing in front of her, “Were you waiting for me?” his eyes looked deep into her brown eyes.
“What were the High House members doing here?” she inquired, and Calhoun let go of her chin.
“The other High House members are trying to pick dirt on me. Dimitri, Luther, Lilith and some others because it seems Rosamund has submitted some evidence against me. Not about the past but the recent murders and the werewolf incident,” Calhoun said in a casual tone, “Luther and Lilith are siblings. They want to cast me away from the throne.”
“Is it possible?”
“Not until I am here,” Calhoun seemed barely fazed, “Helena already mentioned about a meeting that will be taking place. The King from Warring will be the one to address the issue, and Luther hopes that Sebastian will agree to stand against me. We’ll need to see how it goes. Also, since it’s the King’s wedding, the High House members will be attending it.”
They started to walk down the corridor, their footsteps slow-paced as they didn’t any place to be at right now, “Aunt Mary said my cousins and my uncle will be arriving here in two days.”
“More trouble?” Calhoun joked, and Madeline didn’t have an answer to it. Everyone appeared normal until their intention was revealed. “No worries. I think your aunt has dropped the idea about you being a dark angel for now. So you can be at ease.”
The wedding decoration had already begun in the castle, and the servants had turned more occupied than before. Soon the guests would arrive to attend, and the days for the wedding wasn’t far.
As they continued to walk, Madeline wondered who else would be visiting the wedding. With four days that had passed, she had now started to share the room with Calhoun. And as promised, he hadn’t kissed or touched her in a way to entice her. Not that it was easy. Two days ago, when she had woken up from her sleep, Calhoun had only finished his bath and had come out from his bath stark naked with water dripping down his chest. She had closed her eyes immediately to pretended that she was asleep only to be greeted with a kiss on her forehead.
Returning back to the present, Madeline looked at Calhoun.
“How is my bride to be doing?” he asked, the back of their hands brushing against each other as they continued to walk in the corridors of the castle.
“Nervous,” she replied. She wondered if things would change further or if it would continue to remain the same as what had to be changed had been done. Except for the fact that she would need to control her abilities, “How are you doing?” she threw the question back at Calhoun.
“Wonderful. Mm,” Calhoun said, as if remembering something, “Weasley said one of the village men caught sight of James.”
“Where did they see him?” it was good to know that James was still breathing in his human form.
“It was near one of the villages that isn’t too far away from where the High House is located. He’s turned to be quite a famous man,” Calhoun omitted the part where picture of James’ face was nailed to most of the trees, “Weasley said he will try to get James back at the castle. Try being the word here.”
“That is very kind of him,” she whispered, glad that someone was helping. And she then asked, “Do you think I will be able to heal him? Without the antidote-“
“I don’t want you to,” came the firm words from Calhoun.
It seemed like every time Madeline’s powers tried to awaken itself, she ended up in pain, and he wasn’t sure if her body was trying to adjust or if something was happening, “Even if one day something happens to me, you shall not try to ‘fix’ it.”
Madeline’s lips set itself in a thin line, “You want to be dead?”
Calhoun rolled his eyes, “What am I going to do if you aren’t here, you dummy.”
The thought of Calhoun covered in blood crept in her mind, but Madeline pushed it away, “Wouldn’t you do the same for me?” she asked.
“I am a selfish bastard. Why do you think I would do that?” asked Calhoun, turning his gaze away from her, and Madeline didn’t know if it was alright to smile. “You should expect less from the man who stole you away from the world.”
“Right,” agreed Madeline, “A man who steals a little girl’s four cloverleaf.”
“You can have it if you want,” offered Calhoun, looking at her from the corner of his eyes. Madeline was about to reply to him when she saw her mother and aunt appear from the other side of the hall, speaking to each other.
“My King,” both the women bowed in greeting. Madeline’s aunt turned to her and she said,
“I wanted to give you something earlier. At first I thought I will give it when your uncle arrives, but I think it is alright.” She fished something in her pocket to pull out a chain that Madeline was familiar with. It looked similar to the one which her grandfather had given to her mother in the past for Beth and her to wear.
Aunt Mary stretched her hand, ready to give it to Madeline without putting it in a box. But before Madeline could take it, Calhoun caught hold of the chain, and he brought it in front of his face, “This is a stunning piece. Where did you get it from?” he asked in an oblivious tone.
A sudden look of displeasure came to pass in Madeline’s aunt’s eyes. The smile on her face tightened, “This chain has been passed down in our family.”
“An heirloom you mean? How interesting. Why does it feel like I have seen this before?” hummed Calhoun.
“Elizabeth has one. Madeline lost it when she was little,” Mary replied, wanting the King to hand over the chain to Madeline so that she could wear it. Even though she behaved as if she had given up on the idea about her niece being a dark angel, there was still a part of her that hoped Madeline was one. The chain had the property to emphasize the kind of creature one belonged to when worn around the neck.
Calhoun looked up at Mary, the charming smile broadening on his lips, he said, “It is a beautiful gift, but you don’t mind her wearing it later, do you? I have a gift for Madeline myself. Excuse us,” he put his hand on Madeline’s back before ushering her from there.
