AUTHOR'S POV
"It is… to trap soul travelers in.", Galen chuckled exuberantly at Helena, who's seemingly stunned with the special magic that was uniquely prepared for her. "So Helena, darling, welcome to the rest of our lives! Our happily ever after starts now", Galen glinted an immense sense of excitement and decisiveness that gave Helena shivers down her spine. He slowly stood on his feet, without removing his lingering gaze at her, while she clasp on her coat in a fist. "Remember what I told you? I have ways to keep you on a leash", he patiently admired Helena at a distance as she stand out above all shining embelishments surrounding them. Her eyes, despite fuming in definite rage, looked like diamonds glistening in the dark, keeping the young king obsessed.
"No way… you're out of your mind", Helena scowled as she look over the doorway where she entered, with a hope that Galen might just be bluffing. However, knowing how frighteningly deluded Galen is, Helena eventually realized what she got herself into. She was clouded with menace that she overlooked the King's crafty schemes.
"Absolutely crazy about you…", Galen clicked his tongue with a loud sigh. "There's no way out now, my love", he felt a heightening exhiliration that pounded his chest as he find enthusiasm in the fear written across Helena's face. He got a satisfying thrill filling his heart… that finally, the cat have cornered the mouse.
Helena didn't attempted to test Galen's claims. Calmly, as far as possible, she stood there with only their breathing filling the quiet room. She tried to read between his lines. 'There's got to be a way out', she thought anxiously.
Galen continued to pin his eyes on her, as if Helena is the only thing he could see in there. He couldn't contain his growing delight, along with his curiosity about what would Helena do now. He gazed at her with eyes full of desire. Each step he takes closer to Helena, she takes a couple of steps back… like repelling magnets of same poles.
In every step Galen take, he debated with his intrusive thoughts if he would test his patience a little bit more or would he let his stirring ardor for Helena prevail this time. He longs to feel her silky skin, and maybe, taste her sweet luscious lips. The closer he gets, the more of her alluring scent makes him go wild. When he looked down on her hands still clutching tightly on her coat, he wondered how it would be like to hold them when the aura blade of her sword comes out? Curiosity got to him if he would look good in the bluish glow that it emits. He shall be known as the only Celestial King known in all history of Nether. His eyes dimmed a little with all the thoughts running in his head.
He went closer…
And closer…
Until Helena's back hit an emerald floral cushioned chair, slumping down on the seat at Galen's advances. Just then, a soft knock resounded in the room. The door creaked open unhurriedly, and a woman in a peach tunic slowly entered with her head down. She sauntered gracefully but in careful manner with her hands clasped together by her front.
"Ah Celeste! Perfect timing as ever!", Galen greeted in sarcasm. He irked evidently at her presence, displeased for interfering his beautiful alone moment with Helena. "My love, you know Celeste, don't you? I'm sure you aren't particularly fond of her.", Galen grinned at how Helena dropped her jaw to the floor. He could instantly feel the growing tension Helena is giving off as she stare at Celeste from head to toe without batting an eye.
"Celeste. . ."
… the woman who dirtied her hands with the blood of the innocent
… the sorceress who brought about the annihilation of an entire clan of witches
… the one who skillfully used a forbidden dark power and made quite a ruckus destroying the peace in this kingdom
… the name of the person who successfully tracked the soul travelers and brought them back
'How can I forget that name', Helena thought. There was like a long deafening tone that rang in Helena's ears when she heard Celeste's name. She remained seated like a stone, frozen in shock seeing an old nemesis. The damned witch survived through it all, and has been hiding in the shadows of the King. No wonder Freya's magic have always been blocked everytime she attempts to use her spells, Helena thought. Then, she took a good look at the form Celeste took over. The sorceress was radiantly oozing with a youthful glow, and as expected, she is veiled with a very dark power. She elicited an overwhelming sense of dread despite the gentleness and innocence that her facade show. Helena is completely engrossed with the greatness that Celeste posseses which surpasses all ordinary expectations.
"Why am I not surprised to see you alive?", Helena found the strenght to rise as she keep her eyes on Celeste. The sorceress didn't answered, and didn't even took time to look at her.
"Oh dear, hold your horses", Galen caressed Helena's shoulders and pushed her down the seat. "You won't be jealous of this woman I suppose", he said as he walk towards Celeste. Then, to Helena's much astonishment, Helena furrowed her brows in confusion watching how Galen reach for the young sorceress. The seemingly close relationship of the two erupted when Celeste hungrily kissed Galen's hand like a dog.
There was like a sort of pleasure in the light of Galen's eyes, and clear domination on the proud smug on his face. He was welcoming towards Celeste, yet there's a condescending vibe that he sends off. "Alright back away, have some respect. My betrothed is here", Galen ordered with distinct arrogance, as he disgustingly push Celeste away. Celeste flinched at the word of the King. Meekly, she stood aside like a puppy scolded by its master. Helena wondered if this was really the Celeste who played fire in the palm of her hands.
The unexpected scene that Helena witnessed led to her muddled thinking. However, as clear as the night sky, Helena easily understood the one-sided affinity between Galen and Celeste.
When did these two became close?
Helena noted no close encounters or secret meetings between the two. Absolutely no stealing glances… not even rumors. "I didn't know that you two are very well acquainted. I don't like to disappoint you but don't expect me to like this woman because she almost killed me. Plenty of times.", Helena gritted her teeth looking at Celeste tamed and motionless beside the King.
"Apologies, my love. I have no words. Greet Her Majesty, Celeste, and apologize for threatening her life", Galen ordered. "It's all a game, darling. Nothing personal, certainly", he told Helena sincerely.
Celeste submissively curtsied at Galen's command. She walked towards Helena, and instantly knelt at her feet. "Her Majesty", she uttered, keeping her head down. "I implore you, please see past my mistakes and find forgiveness in your merciful…", Celeste looked up and smiled at Helena, then she suddenly paused as if something have struck her. "…heart", she continued while staring closely with her eerie smile slowly vanishing.