Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 32

Valeri

The city became a blur as the train zoomed through the city. The interior design wasn’t extravagant in the slightest. Cold gray metal filled the inside, slate and red stripes covered the seats, the floors were black and firm. Two seats to every row are positioned frontward.

Each of my pod sit next to one another, leaving me in the far back of the cart by the window. My breath clouds the cold window as I watch the snow cascading the ground. The sun peeks through the gray clouds. Central City must be renowned for its colossal buildings, because they were in an abundance. Glass towers glimmer with the frost of winter. Far down below, people walk briskly to and fro destinations, pegasi saddled with carriages, vehicles beep in a mad dash of rush hour, and nearby transit trains squeal as they pass us by.

The train travels to a rather stunning tower. The sky high building curved inward, each floor held a balcony. Balconies are decorated with greenery, and the windows are blue tinted. We pull onto a compact drop off point at the center of the tall building. I was relieved when we got off the train. My legs grew stiff from riding dragonback and the train ride.

We walk towards two automatic doors. They open to a rather grand entrance way. White marbled floors flecked with gold were candescent, blue tinted windows prevented the sunlight, and the opal and gold front desk was free of guests.

A cobalt blue toned woman greets us with a pointy grin. “Greetings, Prince Adeyemi. Would you like the Zephyr Suites again?”

Adeyemi saunters up to the front desk. “Yes, please. Four suites.”

The front desk clerk hands him several keys. “I hope the rooms are up to your liking. Enjoy your stay at Etorius Gardens!” she says with an overenthusiastic smile.

Adeyemi turns to us with a nod “Let’s go.”

He leads towards a set of light cerulean elevator doors with mottled gold. They open to an aurous interior. Once inside, we are jutted sideways. I grip the railing behind me, so as not to lose balance. A chuckle sounds from my left and I glance over.

“I thought bloodsuckers had more grace than that.” Cassius remarked, his eyes possessed unveiled malice.

“And I thought mutts obeyed their masters’ every whim?” I said with a bite.

Adeyemi intervenes. “Alright, alright. That’s enough children. We are all a little irritable from our travels,” his eyes landed on each of us before continuing. “Be mindful. Just because we are preparing for Sacrum Solstitium, doesn’t mean we can relax our guard.”

I roll my eye at this. Who wouldn’t remember the missing victims? The families pray to whatever god will listen for their loved one’s safe return.

The doors open to a tranquil, but extravagant room. Gray marbled floors lead to a cemented birdbath fountain with gurgling clear water. Greenery surrounds the entrance hall and birds chirp within them. I gasp in wonder as I see various species of finches and button quails fluttering in and out of the conifer and deciduous plants.

The entrance hall opens to a spacious living room and kitchenette with a few blue tinted windows. Five doors are to the back of the wall. Adeyemi takes the middle door, Eros takes the one on the left with Daxter next to him. Cassius takes the one opposite of Eros, and that leaves me with the room on the far right.

Walking in, the room was actually a suite. Dove gray walls were decorated with paintings of gray ocean storms and wooden ships sailing against them. To the left is a king size canopy bed draped with light silver bed curtains. To the right is an ignited granite fireplace, a set of cream colored couches are in front of it with a marble coffee table. A white door stands next to the fireplace. I assume it leads to the bathroom.

“You can sleep on the couch, if you want.” I say suggestively.

Stanley nods his head in compliance. I set down my bag and removed my necklace. Walking into the bathroom, it was like stepping into a fantasy. At the center was a ceramic alcove sink, to the left was a walk-in shower, to the right side was a porcelain corner bathtub. A marbled mosaic was placed in front of the bathtub. The mosaic held an image of two snowy-white swans with their necks curved towards one another in a lovers caress. They are on a reflective lake and a tall weeping willow at a distance. The sky was periwinkle swirled with inky blue. Stars dot the sky, and emerald green grass danced with the wind.

Wait, it’s moving?

Not only was the grass and weeping willow reacting to nonexistent wind, I could hear the gentle waves lapping against the shoreline, the swans ruffling their wings, frogs croaking and crickets chirping. I replace myself stepping into the bathtub and touching the mosaic art. The wall ripple under my fingertips. I wanted to fall into this scenery that held me in a trance.

A knock at the door snaps me out of my reverie.

“If you are hungry, you know where the fridge is!” I shout out to Stanley.

“It’s Cassius.”

I huff in annoyance. “Give me a second.”

I hear his retreating steps and I mentally reach out to Stanley. “Where is he, Stanley?”

“He’s sitting on the couch.”

“Shit! Will you pass me the necklace?”

“Yes mistress.”

He soon knocks softly at the door and I open it slightly. He slides the necklace to me and I quickly shut the door.

“Thanks.” I say with gratitude.

“You’re welcome, Mistress.”

I put on the necklace and step into the suite. Cassius sits in the center of the sofa, his arms spread out on top of the sofa with his right leg over the left. Cassius’ eyes take in my body before viewing my face.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I ask sardonically.

“I came to warn you: Do not go to Sacrum Solstitium.”

“What?” I sputtered

“You heard me. I don’t care how you do it, just don’t go.”

“And, if I do?”

Cassius stands up, sauntering towards me. I can smell the wintry pine trees from him. “You don’t want to replace out…You’ll regret it.”

My stomach drops at the low octave in his voice while my cunt betrays me. Cassius‘ nose wrinkles in disgust. He grabs my wrist, but I yank it out of his grasp. He jerks it again and places a small vial of glaucous liquid in my hand.

“Take it. It will make you sick, so your lie can be convincing.” he ordered.

“Tuh. And what makes you think I’d obey you? No matter what mark you left, you are no mate of mine.”

I ignore the crumbling feeling in my chest as I take the vial and toss it into the fireplace. It crackles and the flames turn viridescent fumes. A light, acidic, almost fruity scent wafts my way. Fiery rage fills my mind and all I see is red. I try to take a deep breath and take hold of Cassius’ bicep. I’d laugh later on at the mental image I conjured up. A five-foot-three female hauling a six-foot-even male.

“Get out.”

He tried to escape my grasp, but my anger allowed me to have an iron grip. When we approached the door, I swung him around to face me again.

“You’ll have to do better than that if you want to be rid of me. I’m not as dumb as you think I am.” I snarled before throwing him out.

Cassius doesn’t say a word, but his eyes sent a chill down my spine. I close the door and lock it immediately. After I take a pleasant bath, I lay down for the night. But my mind wouldn’t settle.

He tried to kill me…. Cassius really tried to kill me.