CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN (27)
Soon they hit the road again.
The rest of the journey passed in tense silence.
Reyna was exhausted.
Her body ached from the long ride, and her eyes felt heavy, but fear and uncertainty kept sleep far away. Everything that had happened since leaving Prince Damiel's Castle replayed endlessly in her mind.
Damiel noticed.
He noticed everything.
The way her shoulders remained stiff.
The way she sat quietly.
The way she seemed lost in thought.
He couldn't risk anything happening to them, his men and.... Her.
Not here.
Not now.
Without saying a word, he urged his beast forward, increasing its speed.
This time, Damiel rode at the front while Kael, Roan, Zaiel, and the others followed behind.
The cold night wind whipped past them, as the break of dawn slowly approached.
As the beast surged forward, Reyna found herself leaning back against Damiel's chest once more. The speed made it nearly impossible to sit upright on her own.
Damiel said nothing.
But he didn't move away either.
Her warmth seeped through his clothing.
And despite himself, he found comfort in it.
A dangerous comfort.
One he should not have been seeking.
Hours later, the towering walls of the Northern Border finally came into view.
Massive stone fortifications stretched across the landscape, standing like an unmovable shield protecting Avalon from the dangers beyond.
Torches burned atop watchtowers.
Despite the view the distance stretched far, Damiel urged the creature forward as they rode faster, as they rode quickly, it was midday when they got to the gate of the towers.
The moment the guards recognized Prince Damiel approaching, alarm bells rang through the night.
"Open the gates!"
"Prince Damiel has arrived!"
Signal fires were lit immediately.
The guards stationed atop the walls waved down to the soldiers below.
Huge wooden gates reinforced with black iron slowly began to open.
The sound echoed through the night.
Damiel rode through first.
The others followed.
Once inside the border city, the pace of the creatures slowed considerably.
The streets were nearly empty due to the recent attacks.
The sound of the bell attracted the demons as they came out to greet prince Damiel, the legendary god of war.
Their eyes lit with relief and excitement, while their gazes were fixed on Damiel, others looks at Reyna with confusion.
The moment the beast slowed, Reyna instinctively shifted forward, creating distance between herself and Damiel.
The warmth disappeared instantly.
Damiel felt the absence immediately.
And he hated how much he noticed it.
"My Prince."
A deep voice interrupted his thoughts.
A demon general approached personally.
If it was someone else, few commanders would have greeted them instead.
But this was Prince Damiel.
Leader of Avalon's armies.
The kingdom's greatest warrior.
No sensible officer would remain indoors when he arrived.
The general dismounted immediately.
His creature knelt.
Then the general dropped to one knee.
One fist pressed firmly against his chest.
His head lowered respectfully.
"Welcome to the Northern Border, Your Highness."
Damiel gave a small nod.
The general's eyes briefly shifted toward Reyna.
Only for a second.
Then at his men, as he bowed wit a fist on his chest, as they did the same.
The general moved his gaze back to Damiel.
The man was smart enough not to ask questions about Reyna.
"This is hardly the place for discussion," the general said carefully. "Allow me to escort Your Highness and His companions to their Royal chambers."
Damiel studied him for a moment.
The general understood protocol.
He knew what manner and how to speak.
And how not to.
"Hm." Damiel said with a small nod.
The general immediately turned and mounted his creature.
"Follow me."
They continued through the city.
As they rode through the city, signs of recent trouble were everywhere.
Several buildings showed signs of repairs.
Barricades had been constructed at strategic points, fields destroyed.
Extra guards patrolled the streets.
The aftermath of previous attacks still lingered.
"The people remain shaken by the recent incidents," the general explained while leading them through the city, as the demons who saw them bowed deeply to show their deep respect.
"They know the attacks have stopped for now, but uncertainty remains." The general said.
"Hm."
That was all Damiel said,as he looked around marking the territory they entered, and where they stopped.
Eventually they arrived at a large fortified manor near the center of the border settlement.
Though it lacked the overwhelming grandeur of the royal castles in Avalon, it was still impressive.
Built from ancient black stone, the structure had stood for centuries.
Tall towers rose into the night sky.
Iron lanterns illuminated the outer walls.
Massive wooden doors reinforced with metal bands guarded the entrance.
Carvings depicting ancient victories of Avalon decorated the stonework.
Banners bearing the royal crest fluttered gently in the night wind.
The building carried the weight of history.
A fortress disguised as a noble residence.
Everyone dismounted.
Servants hurried forward to take the creatures.
The general bowed.
"This way, Your Highness."
They entered.
Long corridors stretched ahead.
Stone pillars lined the halls.
Ancient tapestries hung from the walls, depicting old wars, kings, and legendary battles.
The atmosphere was quiet and respectful.
Even the servants lowered their heads as Damiel passed.
They eventually arrived at a dining hall.
"Your Highness, supper has already been prepared."
Damiel barely glanced at the room.
"Show me to my chambers."
"I'll eat there."
"Of course, Your Highness."
The general immediately changed direction.
Reyna looked between Damiel and the dinning hall, quietly thinking if she should follow or stay put and help the servants prepare, after a brief seconds thought she finally decided to follow Prince Damiel, afterall she was his slave.
Eventually they stopped before a massive black door.
Ancient runes and carvings covered its surface.
Dragons.
Demons.
Warriors.
Scenes from centuries-old conflicts.
The craftsmanship was remarkable.
"This chamber has been prepared for Your Highness."
"Hm." Was Damiel response.
The general bowed.
Then his gaze shifted carefully toward Reyna,who stood two steps behind the two demons, with her head bowed.
"What shall be done with her, Your Highness"
The question was cautious.
Respectful.
Damiel had brought the girl himself.
That alone made her important.
Damiel didn't hesitate.
"She's with me."
The answer was simple.
Final.
The general immediately understood.
"Of course, Your Highness."
He bowed once more.
Then turned and left.
Reyna stood frozen outside the door.
Unsure.
Should she enter?
Should she wait?
Before she could decide—
"Get in here."
His voice carried from inside.
Reyna immediately obeyed.
She stepped into the room.
And froze.
Damiel had already removed his outer garments.
His military coat was gone.
So was his shirt.
Reyna's eyes widened.
She had seen him like this before.
But somehow she still wasn't prepared for it.
The broad shoulders.
The flawless skin.
The powerful build earned through countless battles.
She quickly looked away.
Damiel noticed immediately.
"Are you going to stand there," he asked calmly, "or do your duty?"
Reyna jumped.
"Y-Yes, Your Highness."
She hurried forward.
Doing her best to avoid looking directly at him.
Every now and then her fingers brushed his skin while helping him change.
Each accidental touch sent an unfamiliar sensation through Damiel.
Something stirred inside him.
Something he couldn't explain.
And frankly—
Didn't want to examine too closely.
After changing into more comfortable clothing, a knock sounded at the door.
Reyna hurried over.
A young servant stood outside holding a tray.
"His Highness's meal."
Reyna accepted it.
The servant's eyes briefly wandered past her shoulder.
Curious.
Excited.
Wondering if Prince Damiel was truly inside.
Reyna quickly closed the door and carried the tray to the table.
She arranged everything neatly.
Then stepped back.
Damiel sat down and began eating.
As Reyna moved to stand behind him, his voice stopped her.
"Looks like you enjoy making me repeat myself."
Reyna blinked.
Confused.
"What do you mean, Your Highness?"
Damiel looked up slowly.
"If I have to remind you again, there will be consequences."
Realization hit her.
She remembered.
When they were alone, she was supposed to eat with him.
Quickly, she sat down.
Picked up an extra plate.
And began eating.
After a few bites, Damiel stood.
Reyna looked up.
"Finish up" he said calmly.
He walked toward the door as he reached for the door knob,
He paused.
"And don't do something stupid like waiting for me to return."
Reyna opened her mouth.
But he continued.
"Do not leave this room for any reason."
Before she could respond, he was gone.
The door closed behind him.
Reyna stared after him.
Then looked at the food.
Her stomach growled loudly.
With a sigh, she resumed eating.
This time without restraint.
Meanwhile, Damiel walked through the corridors of the manor.
The moment he reached the end of the hallway, he found Kael, Roan, Zaiel, several officers, and the border general waiting.
Without slowing, he spoke.
"Let's go."
The group followed.
Minutes later, they entered the war room.
A large map of the northern territories covered the center table.
Wooden markers indicated villages, patrol routes, and recent attack locations.
Everyone took their seats, The General, the commanders, Prince Damiel men.
The room fell silent.
Damiel remained standing.
His gaze swept across the gathered soldiers.
Then he spoke.
"We were ambushed on our way here."
Murmurs immediately spread throughout the room.
Several soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
"It was too coordinated."
Damiel's voice remained calm.
Cold.
Controlled.
"As if the attackers already knew our route."
The whispers grew louder.
The border general frowned.
"You believe someone informed them?"
Damiel's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I believe something is directing these attacks."
Silence fell again.
The soldiers listened carefully.
"There is intelligence behind these movements, not something the werewolves or some rogue demons could do."
He placed a hand on the map.
"They strike too precisely, as if they were targeting something or someone."
His gaze hardened.
"As if someone more powerful is controlling them."
The room grew noticeably colder.
And for the first time that night—
The officers began to realize the situation at the border might be far worse than anyone had imagined.
And this was only the beginning of a greater war.