"I’m fine Danette"
"Lord Cedric and I have been looking everywhere for you, you have gone missing for hours"
Just like a cue to his name, Cedric walked towards us, I turned as our eyes jammed, he came with an emotionless expression that sent shivers to my spine.
He came to a halt in front of us, not breaking gaze with me and neither did I. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but his green eyes were darker than usual just like last time. Was he angry again?
"Lady Danette," he said in a cold tone.
"Take Sylvia back to the tent, I will meet you guys shortly"
"Yes Lord Cedric" Danette said with a slight bow.
"Let’s go, Sylvia," she said, holding onto me as we moved, as we did my gaze fell on Cora until we left.
¤●¤
Cora sighs looking away, she rubbed her forehead... that young Silver-haired was a mystery, her past, present, and future were in cracks, she couldn’t explain why and worst she was married to Magnus, how on earth was that possible? The last time she heard, he disappeared.
"You must be the old sprite, the one who sees", the handsome young man’s voice came to her.
She turned to the gentleman before her, she rose to her feet using her stick to support her stance.
"Forgive me..." she began with a smile, seeing him and his clothing he must be one of the ambassadors.
"You’re?"
He walks closer to the swamp, one hand in his pocket.
"Lord Cedric Hartford..." he said.
"And the woman you were sharing your visions with, is my wife".
Cora’s eyes slowly went wide, her body paralyzed where she was.
"Magnus," she said his name in fear, she hadn’t realized.
Cedric turns to her, his features unreadable.
"Now tell me... what delusional things have you told my wife?"
Her lips quivered, but she stood her ground.
"Delusional... my visions may not be subjective but they tell the truth".
A ghost smile flashed his lips.
"Careful Cora... I will not ask again?"
"Last I heard you disappeared and now here you are... an ambassador, these things are beneath you, why?"
"Personal reasons... now I believe I asked a question you’re so helplessly trying to ignore"
She gulps.
"I only told her what awaits her... she’s married to the most dangerous being on earth, I warned her to be wary of you"
He chuckled, it was cold and twisted, Cora shivered at the sound of it, her fist clenched more against her stick, she was alert and cautious, she shouldn’t let her guard down.
"Careful where you set your roots at Cora, I’m not known to be gentle," he said with a deadly look.
With that he walked away, as he did he raised his hand above his head, with a slight twist, the swamp turned to ice.
Cora turned to it gasping as her stick fell off her hand, the entire swamp was now frozen.
¤●¤
When we arrived back at the garden where the picnic was held several eyes fell on me along with whispers.
But thankfully I was back to the Hartford tent.
"Look at you... wandered off too far I see" Camille said, coming into view, eyeing me up to down.
I took the time to look at my gown and it was a mess, dirty under, and my hair was off the bun, let down and messy, when I dance with the butterflies I messed up my looks, I didn’t need a mirror to see how unkempt I was, and now society must have surely got a glimpse of this, word will surely spread.
Mother was gonna kill me if she heard of this.
"Cami, please don’t make a scene," Danette said with pleading eyes.
"A scene has already been made" A harsh voice came, I recognized it, it was Dalton, I was now at the mercy of him too. Dear Lord help me!
He walked towards us.
"Look at you," he said in disdain.
"Wander off far into the garden..." he leans close.
"An embarrassment" he hissed.
I jolted a bit at his raised voice.
"Lord Dalton please" Danette pleaded on my behalf.
He shot her a look to keep quiet.
I scoffed at his attitude, he even treated his wife as such.
"Might I have a word with lady Sylvia, both of you back to your tents!" he ordered.
They did as they were told, as Camille left I caught her smirk.
Dalton eyed my looks up to down.
"Unfit to marry, untrained... when will you learn"
My fist tightened on my gown, my eyes never left him.
He ticks his tongue.
"How long will you keep staining the house of sorcery with your wild behavior," he said in an unpleasant tone.
"Something of your kind is better off left in outside the walls... silver-haired are gracious, you taint that name, the laws should not be defiled"
SUCH LAWS!!! And then I lost it.
"I. Will. Not. Be. Belittled. By. A. Man. Like .You," I said back, staring him in the eye and it was by far a big disrespect, I didn’t care anymore I was already damned for and I should know better no one was coming to my rescue.
Dalton’s frown grew deeper as his dark brown eyes turned a dark shade.
Before I could blink he raised his hand, I quickly shut my eyes waiting for the impact but it never came, taking deep breaths I slowly opened my eyes, Cedric was now suddenly beside me, his hand holding onto Dalton’s hand that almost slapped me.
I gasp turning to him with wide eyes, in the realization of what he has just done.