Once Betrayed Never Forgotten

Chapter 107: Dinner Table Plotting

Oh my

by GOD. The sudden realisation blazes through my mind like a comet lighting up the sky, and I almost whoop for joy.

I’m a Blood Wraith now, a million times stronger than a weak, fragile human. Which means….

Aleksandr and I can finally have sex. So far we’ve held back due to the fact that his cock, and even his semen, could literally kill me. So we’ve just been exploring each other’s bodies, pleasuring each other with our hands, our tongues, like starving diners trying to satisfy themselves with just the entrees, without ever getting to enjoy the main course.

We can do everything now. We can finally be together, completely.

1 wonder if Aleksandr has realised this development yet? Probably.

I look up and search his icy blue eyes as we walk, but he’s deep in thought, no hint of where his mind’s at.

I’m broken out of my thoughts by a delicious fragrance. The scent of cooking dinner wafts through the air, tantalizing my senses–the rich aroma of roasting meat mingling with the earthy fragrance of root vegetables, the spicy warmth of mulled wine lingering on the breeze. The faint scent of wood smoke drifts from the castle’s towering chimneys, mingling with the evening air.

“Seems Kieran’s putting on quite the show,” Aleksandr remarks, his voice tinged with a wry edge. ‘Ever the showboat, always trying to impress.”

I stifle a laugh, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Well, it’s working, at least on me,” I admit, my gaze drifting over the castle’s imposing silhouette. The ancient stones glisten in the twilight, bathed in a red and orange glow, their weathered surfaces gleaming like a fiery relic of a bygone era.

We ascend the castle steps, the grand wooden doors creaking open before us. Stepping into the entrance hall, we End Bloodhane and Pyra, their eyes alight with wonder.

“Bloodbane, Pyra!” I call out, a smile breaking across my face.

Bloodbanes gaze shifts to us, his expression unreadable, though a flicker of tension tightens the corners of his mouth. “Arianna,” be greets, his voice tinged with relief.

Aleksandr’s icy blue eyes narrow,

», his posture stiffening as he regards them, arms crossed over his chest.

I take a deep breath, my gaze shifting between them. Aleksandr, this is Bloodbane and Pyra. They’ve saved my life on numerous occasions,” I say, my voice steady. They’re good people… er… wraiths.”

Aleksandr’s face softens slightly, a nod of acknowledgment dipping his chin. Then you have my thanks,” he says, his voice sincere, though guarded.

Pyra’s golden eyes widen, her gaze darting between Aleksandr and me, her expression one of awe. “This realm, she breathes, her voice tinged with reverence. “It’s beautiful–so full of life and color. I’ve never seen so much green in all my life.”

Bloodbane nods in agreement, his crimson eyes scanning the lavish entrance hall, the tapestry–draped walls, the ancient suits of armor. “It’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” he admits, his voice quiet.

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I smile, my heart swelling at their wonder. “Let’s head to the dining hall, I suggest, gesturing down the hallway. “I have a feeling Kieran’s waiting for

07:39

We make our way down the corridor, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows over the stone walls. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses echo through the hall, drawing us into the grand dining room. The long table is laden with a sumptuous feast, roasted meats, steaming vegetables, and pitchers of mulled wine crowding its surface. Kieran’s ragtag squad of aristocratic bohemian human guests have already helped themselves, their plates piled high, glasses filled to the brim.

A murmur of gasps and whispers ripples through the room as Aleksandr steps inside, the human guests‘ eyes widening in recognition. Their gazes Dicker between us, their mouths hanging open, gossip spreading through their ranks.

Kieran sits at the head of the table, swirling a glass of red wine, his expression contemplative. As we enter, his gaze lifts, a smile spreading across his lips. “Ah, my esteemed guests, do sit,” he beckons, gesturing to the empty seats, Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

We take our places at the table, my gaze shifting uneasily to the humans in attendance. They seem to avert their eyes, their conversations quieting. until Kieran clears his throat, turning to address them.

“You lot can get lost,” he declares, his voice dripping with disdain.

Chapter 107 Dinner Table Plemtingi

A chorus of protests erupts from the humans, their faces contorting in indignation.

“Why don’t we have our meeting somewhere else?” I suggest, my voice tinged with unease.

Kieran shakes his head, his smile twisting into a smirk. “Oh no, lass. I do my best thinking at the dinner table,” he says, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light. These are important affair, not fer the silly human hangers–on to witness. Leave us now.”

Reluctantly, the humuni

rise, gathering their plates and glasses, grumbling as they shuffle towards the door. Kieran lifts his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the heavy wooden doors slam shut behind them, sealing us in the dining hall

“Now, let’s get down to business,” he announces, his voice taking on a darker, more serious tone.

by in my chest, my eyes darting to Aleksandr, then to Bloodbane and Pyra, the tension in the room tightening like a vice.

My heart beats heavily

Kieran leans forward, his hazel eyes gleaming as he sets his wine glass down. “Arianna, when ye arrived this morning, you said that the fire angel Fontaine had tasked ye with finding her sister, the long lost Earth angel, Verde. As much as I wish I could say I’m surprised, I was half expecting this, for a while now. Or something like it”

“What do you mean, exactly?” Aleksandr asks icily, narrowing his eyes at Kieran

“It’s part of my clan’s lore, but I never knew what it meant until now,” he says. “It’s said that in the early days of our clan, there was one amongst my anceston who had a special connection to the Earth angel. By placing her hands over the Earth gem, she could see visions, sent by Verde herself. She was slain by a human, of all creatures. My people said that her spirit, her power, was attached to the bloodline of that human man who slayed her. Passing down through the generations, until a girl would be born–a girl who would become first a master over blood, and then a willing servant of blood. A girl who would die three times. A girl who would bring balance to the realms.”

A trickle of anety runs down my spine.

“And you think that I’m that girl?” I ask, baffled.

Kieran just nods, so 1 look around the table, to Pyra and Bloodbane and Aleksandr, looking for confirmation that they agree with me.

“That’s ridiculous though,” I say, but everyone else seems to be considering the idea

“I mean, like, the bit about me dying three times…I start protesting, realising as the words leave my mouth what they mean

-you were burned at the sacrificial pure as a witch in Father Codrin’s village, dying, if not dead, when I found you,” Aleksandr says thoughtfully. “And when you transformed from human to Blood Wraith in the Fiery realm, that human you were, she girl died again, shedding her mortal coll to become

something new”

“And the third time?” I ask, and his eyes grow dark, full of shadows.

“When you touched the sword’s hilt earlier, did ye feel anything, lass?” Kieran asks, trying to shift the conversation in another direction.

I nod, remembering the surge of calming earthy energy, a sort of presence.

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Kieran’s lips curl into a knowing smile. “You’ve been entrusted with the Earth Angel’s sword,” he says, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. 1910 suspect that may give you a unique connection to her.”

07:30 I blink, the weight of the sword at my hip pressing against me, its presence a constant reminder. “A connection,” I murmur, the words echoing through my mind.

“Yes,” Kieran continues, his eyes gleaming “A connection that might help us find her. You may be able to tap into her essence, gain insights, visions

even.”

A nervous thrill courses through me, my gaze dropping to the crimson scabbard at my hip. The emerald embedded in the sword’s hilt seems to pulse faintly, its green light gleaming through the crimson leather. “L… I don’t know if I can.”

Aleksandr places a reassuring hand on my arm, his touch cool and steady. “You can,” he says, his voice firm, his blue eyes burning into mine. “But only if you want to. The choice is yours.”

I nod, swallowing hard, my gaze shifting to Kieran, then to Pyra and Bloodbane. Their eyes ase fixed on me, a mixture of hope and determination gleaming in their gazes. I take a deep breath, my hand drifting to the hilt of the Earth Angels sword.