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Eve's P.O.V
Once I was sure Azreal was stable, I decided to leave and find Lucca. Luckily, unlike before, he had given me the symbols needed to summon the Enchanted House of Ramah.
I stood before the gates and carefully drew the symbols on the ground. Just like he said, the whole mansion appeared before me, shimmering into existence.
At the door, Lucca stood, arms crossed over his chest, watching me with a playful glint in his eyes. As I approached, he took my hand and gently planted a kiss on the back of it.
"My lady, you called," he said, his deep, magnetic voice sending a shiver down my spine. I bit my lower lip, reminding myself not to fall for his tricks.
"Lucca, I need your help to get into Zoar."
"I'm guessing this is for Erica," he said, and I caught a hint of disappointment in his tone.
"Yes. Will you help?" I asked, meeting his eyes and silently pleading.
He gazed at me, then pulled me closer, holding my hands tightly. His gaze was so intense it felt like he could see right into my soul.
"You know I would do anything for you, Eve. There's no need to doubt," he whispered, before leaning down and capturing my lips in a kiss. It was domineering, yet passionate, making me feel like I could lose myself in him.
But the thought of Erica — still trapped and suffering — gave me strength. I struggled and broke free, gasping for air, then gave him a serious look.
"She's not in Zoar. She was kidnapped, and the magistrates are still looking for her."
"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he exclaimed.
"Relax, Eve. You need to trust Erica. I'm sure she can take care of herself," he said.
"Then why hasn't she been found?" I snapped through clenched teeth, before turning and walking away.
---
Lucca watched as I stormed off angrily.
"When will you be mine?" he muttered under his breath before stepping outside.
The mansion disappeared into thin air behind him.
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Azreal's P.O.V
I sat on my throne, my gaze sweeping across the faces gathered before me, finally landing on the old woman.
There was a heavy silence, and I could smell the fear in the air.
"What brings you here?" I asked lazily, not even bothering to sit up straight. I closed my eyes, uninterested.
"Azreal, where is my niece? We know you have her. Bring her out!" Christopher boldly accused.
I opened my eyes and looked at him. At my cold gaze, he immediately took a step back, the boldness vanishing from his face.
"And what proof do you have?" I said, voice low. "You know you can't accuse your king without evidence. Otherwise, I have every right to punish you."
Immediately, my men surrounded them, weapons drawn.
"You don't have the right!" Christopher argued.
I chuckled darkly. "Need I remind you whose territory you're standing on?"
"I'm not afraid of you. We found your kingdom's crest at the scene — along with this sword," he said, holding it up. "And we have a witness — Erica's aunt. Shall we continue?"
I raised a brow, amused. "Ah yes, those items are ours. But the old woman should not have survived."
"What do you mean?" Christopher demanded, voice raised.
"Use that brain of yours. My men don't leave survivors. The scratches on her body are minor and self-inflicted. If we had attacked, there would be no face left to recognize."
I stood up, ready to leave. Christopher dared to grab my shoulder.
"Why are you still so arrogant, Azreal?" he growled.
I turned to him slowly, my icy stare making him retreat.
"Better leave now," I said quietly, "or you won't live to see the daylight."
With that, I left the hall.
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Erica's P.O.V
I was tired of staying cooped up in the room. I was curious about who this man was — and why he knew so much about me.
Driven by the hunger for answers, I rose and headed for the door.
"My lady, where are you going? You can't go out alone," Thomas said, worried.
"I'm just taking a walk. You can rest — I'll come back."
"No, my lady. I've been tasked with staying by your side," he insisted.
"Alright," I said.
We picked up fire torches and stepped outside. The tunnel beyond was dark and winding.
As soon as we passed through, the door slammed shut behind us, locking us in.
"Well, no going back," I said, gripping the torch tighter.
Strange noises echoed around us, and the ground trembled like an earthquake. We took different paths, trying to escape the sounds, following tunnels that showed glimmers of light — only to find ourselves returning to the same place each time.
"This is weird," Thomas muttered. "We didn't take the same path."
"I think... the tunnels are changing," I said, frowning.
"The noises, the vibrations, the fact that we keep ending up here — it all fits."
"So what now?"
"We stop following the tunnels with light at the end. We go toward the ones with darkness... and noise."
"Are you sure it'll work?"
"There's only one way to find out," I said, leading the way.
After some time, we emerged into a vast, torch-lit hall. In the center was a large pool, and within it — a man.
"You found your way here, just like your mother," he said in a voice that tugged at my memories.
He stepped from the water and turned.
I froze.
"Father!" I cried, tears blurring my vision.
"My darling baby girl. I missed you," he said, opening his arms.
I ran to him, collapsing into his embrace.
For the first time in years, I felt truly whole again — like I had found the piece of my heart I thought was lost forever.
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