IMPRESS.

Chapter Seventy-Six: The Broken Pieces.

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"Won't people be curious as to why I am unharmed, considering how long we've been in here together for?" I worriedly questioned, suddenly overthinking and feeling a pang of gut-wrenching guilt in the pit of my stomach at the thought of Pres.

I was numb and disgusted in myself but I knew something was wrong... Deep down I knew my heart had chosen Preston, wholeheartedly I wanted to be with him no matter what. But, as if my fate was already written for me and as if the 'said' prophecy was fighting against my true feelings, something just kept bringing me back to the Prince instead.

The prophecy had to be the only reason why I was lying on top of the future King of Asten naked, and not on the King of the Shadowlands. It was either that or Prince Zachary himself had me under his compulsion. Whatever it was that was trying to stop me from giving Pres my whole heart, it was scarily strong... because the more I wished to stop lusting for the prince and his touch, the more the feeling intensified.

I pulled my top lip down between my teeth and anxiously bit down on it whilst peering at my naked body which was wrapped around the prince's torso on the cold chamber cell floor. I squeezed my eyes shut and shamefully sighed.

"Natalya my love, you should free your mind of worry. Have you not yet recognised the power I hold to control the minds of others, I can enter, read and manipulate the thoughts of others until satisfied." Zac pridefully bragged and I fluttered my eyes up at him. "Trust me, I've got a plan and it involves one big ole crazy illusion."

Zac tightened his arm around my body and pressed me further against him. I yawned in response to the comfort of his chest and kept my head rested on him. The Prince was cold-blooded but he somehow kept me warm.

As he softly stroked my arm in circular motions, I launched my head up at his plan. "An illusion?" I quizzed, confused at what he was suggesting.

The Prince chuckled at me for having underestimated his powers for so long. Honestly, I don't even remember the last time I witnessed him actively use his powers on anyone but me... and even when he would enter my mind, he always said he could never read my thoughts and feelings, only create new ones that would linger in my mind.

Something has been telling that all this time the reason he could never read my thoughts was my emerald pendant.

It was a protection charm after all which makes sense why my cousin Todd told me to never take it off.

"Let's just say... I am going to make it 'seem' like I punished you, by creating a bloodied image of you in everybody's mind when in reality you are perfectly fine," he easily explained and I hummed in understanding.

The black witch had performed a similar illusion in everyone's minds the time that I was still a competitor of IMPRESS, and everyone including myself thought I had really drowned in a glass tank of water.

"Good idea," I said sitting up and then sighed again. "But what am I going to tell Preston? He is going to hate me."

"He won't hate you, Natalya, he will only hate me a lot more than he already does," Zac responded in an unusually cool manner which made me even more nervous. "He is scared of losing you to me, he won't let something like this drive a wedge between the two of you."

"No Zac he is going to hate me a lot more, you're not the one who promised to be faithful to him, are you?" I snapped burying my face in my hands.

I didn't mean to snap at the prince but I had to prepare myself for the worse and face reality. Pres was not going to want me anymore. I had failed to fight the force that pushed me to the vampire prince.

Once again.

"Hey," Zac crawled from his position behind me until he was kneeling in front of me, he reached for my hands and gently pulled them down from my face. "If it's stressing you out this much then how about you don't tell him?" he suggested whilst bringing his own hand up to caress my cheek, "I don't mind keeping what happened here a secret if it means seeing you smile again."

I hated the idea of lying but I did not want to lose Preston, and so in a situation like this it seemed like a good idea. "You promise to keep this between you and me?"

Zac nodded with extra emphasis like I was being silly. "Yes Natalya, I promise. For as long as you accept my invitation to sit through the rest of IMPRESS."

I easily shrugged, "Easy... deal."

We shook hands.

There was sudden pounding at the chamber cell door, knocking that startled both Zac and I and had us flinging ourselves all over the place trying to get our clothes back on.

"Who is there?!" Zac angrily marched over to the cell door once we'd put our cloth back on.

"My prince, is it a reasonable time to speak with you? I have an order from the King and Queen to do with the Ascelyn girl," an unfamiliar guard urgently spoke behind the thick metal door of the cell.

"Fine, open up..." Zac sternly said tapping on the partition that had been slid across the bars of the door to prevent bypassers from peaking into the cell.

Whilst King Creon's guard jingled through a bunch of keys trying to get through the many security locks of the cell door, Zac sped back over to me and instructed in a hushed whisper, "all you have to do to make this illusion seem real is fake a limp. I will take care of the rest."

Zac slid his hand to the back of my head and leant down. When I thought he was going to kiss me on the lips, I was ready to move back, I did not intend to cheat on Pres twice in a row... But Zac surprised me... he kissed my forehead.

That was such a Harrison thing to do and he was my best friend?

When the guard entered after eventually getting the cell door to open, before his eyes found Zac, they lingered over me first and slightly widened to what I think was the illusion Zac had already managed to create in his mind, an unpleasant image of my body bloodied head to toe.

"The King requests to see the Ascelyn girl, my prince," the guard bowed to Zac before looking back at me. "He would like to speak with her alone."

My mouth fell ajar at this. Why does the King still want to speak to me alone?

Zac looked up at me the same way I did him. I was worried and he was concerned.

I swallowed nervously whilst Zac tried to reassure me by slightly nodding his head but it didn't work. I wasn't prepared for whatever the King had to say, especially after I had seen what he had done to my brother. I might need someone to hold me back from harming him.

"Okay then," I cleared my throat, trying to rid my mind from the worst that could happen. I readied my limp. "Take me to the King."

***

Cathryn's POV~

"I know it's not much but you're already starting to look a little healthier," I mumbled quietly, watching as Alaric tore and sucked at the second blood bag which I had snuck down into the dungeons for him.

"I wish I had tried harder to prevent this Ric but it was almost impossible, my father would not listen to either me, Alexander or even Zac," I could not even look at him, I felt sick at the fact this was done by my own father. "I'm so so sorry, you put your trust in me and I failed you," I hung my head low, kneeling in front of him ashamed to stare into his pained eyes.

Alaric had been beaten to the pulp by my father and I had failed to do anything about it.

"Cathryn, it's fine," Alaric put his numb, paled hand on mine and could barely speak above a whisper, "you're a princess, your responsibility isn't to care for me..." he suddenly began to cough out and winced at a pain that struck in his gut.

It hurts to see someone you love, hurting.

"Yes it is, Ric," I corrected his way of thinking, "I owe you so much, you don't even understand. You have always put me first, keeping me safe at any means possible so, therefore, it's my turn."

I sandwiched Alaric's hands between mine and faintly smiled. "Thank you, Cath," Alaric responded with a small smile that still wasn't enough to rid me of guilt.

"If you're wondering why Zac hasn't visited you down here yet, it's because only one of us could come to see you with father's permission, the same rule applied for Natalya... So, whilst Zac jumped at the opportunity to be alone with your sister, I jumped at the opportunity to be alone with you... Only thing is, I feared you might hate me."

"Cath, you know I could never hate you," Ric reassured me, "we've been through a lot of shit with each other, more than Zac and my sister have. We just do a far much better job keeping our affairs and secrets concealed unlike those two."

I giggled softly and fluttered my eyes up to meet his, "I can't believe nobody has found out yet."

"Neither can I," Alaric smirked. "I'd like to keep it this way until the war blows over. We'll be safer if we keep everyone in the dark, even Natalya."

I vigorously nod absolutely agreeing with him, "you're right. If any of those witches find out you're my weakness then it's game over. I can't stand the thought of living without you."

Ric and I intensely stared each other in the eyes for an eternity before our lips finally came intact. It had been ages since we'd kissed like this, so having his lips move against mine after such a long time was nothing but intoxicating.

Of course, before we could get carried away, one of us had to be the first to break away. Since I was already wary of the guards that guard the dungeons and could potentially be passing by, I had to be the one to put out the sparks that flew when we kissed.

"We best stop, we need to be careful remember," I smirked, "I don't want you to get into any more trouble than you're already in," I whispered looking over my shoulder to check if anyone was eavesdropping or peering into the cell.

Alaric reached over and caressed my cheek, "just make sure Natalya doesn't get hurt any more because, at the end of the day, you and I both know if it comes down to it, I would die for my sister."

I sniffed up and tried to hold myself back from crying at the thought. I never cried. But, hearing Ric speak with cracking in his voice as if he was speaking to me for the last time pained me so much. "You're the most selfless person I know so yes, of course, I'll look after your sister, I know how much she means to you."

"Thank you," Ric lifted my hand and gently kissed my fingertips. "Oh and Cath, I know its a shock to you that Natalya and I are the great-grandchildren of the late Andrea Driarco, but believe me we are not a threat to your family or the crown. Whatever happened between our mother and your father does not concern us, so let your brothers and the King and Queen know that there is no bad blood between us."

"I know Ric, don't worry, you can trust me," I assured him.

Back to Natalya's POV~

"Natalya Aseclyn," the guard dropped me to the ground in front of King Creon and Queen Melisandre but he did it very carefully, which made me wonder...

Were the wounds that Zac had created on my body that realistic? Because ever since the guard had laid his eyes on me down in the dungeons, he had been nothing but gentle with me. It was either that or Zac had compelled him? But when would he have gotten the chance to do that?

I am never sure with myself when it comes to Prince Zac and his ability. But, I am certain he said any kind of magic didn't work in the west wing dungeons...

"The one and only, yes." I confidently looked up to the King after hearing his authoritative voice call my name, and struggled up to my feet as I bowed. "Your majesty, I hear you wanted to talk with me... Alone?"

As my eyes wandered off and met the Queen's, I clutched my stomach as if I pained and tried to make the bloodied illusion that Zac had created for everyone, convincing. I had to make his mother and father see that he had done the job he'd promised he would do on behalf of the law.

"Fiesty one, aren't you?" The King commented before nonchalantly turning his head over to his wife, "Queen Melisandre was actually just about to leave."

Melisandre was caught off guard by this order and questioningly cocked her head to the side, blinking. I guess she wasn't planning on leaving at all but maybe the King knew I would not answer any of his intrusive questions with other company in the room.

"My love, what difference would it make if I stayed?" The Queen purposely eyed King Creon with an innocence that was undeniable, and a pout that broke hearts.

I merely rolled my eyes but the King... he was completely fooled by her charm. Creon barely looked over his shoulder and was face to face with his Queen in an instant, cradling her face with the palms of his hands. "Your grace is immeasurable my darling, but the Ascelyns are of no concern to you. This is a conversation that I need to have with the human alone."

With her face resting in the hands of the King, Queen Melisandre sent me the deadliest glare known to mankind and swallowed uneasily. I just stared back her blankly. I couldn't show hesitation nor could I show a sign of fear. They would only use the weaknesses I display, against me.

"As you please, my King." The Queen was hesitant to leave but after looking between her husband and I, she came to her senses, sighed heavily and left the room without another word spoken.

The second the throne room doors shut with a booming thud, the King and I were left looking at each other fiercely, and because of this, a scary silence overcame the room.

"You look just like her, you know," King Creon slowly stepped down the stairs that led up to the one thing every mortal and immortal dreamt of... The Throne.

I straightened my back and adjusted my posture until I was upright, "Who... My mother?" I bluntly spoke.

"- No, not your mother, I am talking about Andrea. You look just like her," Creon made it to the bottom stair and abruptly stopped. He wanted to keep a certain level of power over me by remaining tall, towering over me so I would seem small to him.

Looking up at him with cold eyes, I rose my eyebrows. I can't help but believe anything that leaves his mouth is a lie. "Really? That's funny, a lot of people would say I resembled my mother," I doubted whilst challengingly tilting my head at him.

The King smirked and spoke up again, "that's because a lot of people never got to meet Andrea. I, myself, was young but I can vaguely remember what she looked like and how powerful she was. I can also remember how crazily in love my grandfather who you may know as the Mad King, was with her."

I took a good step back when the King leaned his face down dangerously close to mine. "Your majesty, why did you really call me up here? Wasn't the talk- or should I say the beating you gave my brother enough for you?!" I spitefully spat.

The King was someone in this castle who I had never really had a one to one conversation with, so this was definitely strange. It felt wrong for us to be in the same room alone, knowing the fling he had with my mother when she was my age and knowing how important he was.

"Lady Ascelyn, I apologise for the agony that I put your brother in but it was in the heat of the moment. I was beyond furious upon hearing the news and your brother, being the only one close by connected to the situation was the only person I could vent my anger on. I have no hard feelings against Alaric, in fact, I will release him as soon as we are done. He is a good boy who has served me well for quite a long time now."

Was the King genuinely apologising to me right now? No way.

"If you are so sorry for what you did to Ric, then why did you send your son down to do the exact same thing to me?" I disgustedly squinted my eyes at him.

King Creon amusedly smiled, stepping down from the last stair that led up to the throne and walking over to me until there was a reasonable space between us. "Because I knew he wouldn't do it."

Wait, what? Could King Creon not see the illusion that Zac had created with his ability... I looked down at my body, confused.

"What do you mean-"

"-No need to be alarmed. But, all my children share the same royal blood as me, which means I can see through whatever magic act they try to pull on me. Which is how I know that my son created an illusion that would make it seem like he harmed you when really, you are untouched and merely grazed."

Wow. It completely crossed my mind. The royals could not use their abilities on each other. How could Zac forget such important detail?

"I-"

"-You don't have to explain yourself, Lady Ascelyn. My son has recently made his feelings for you very clear to us all..." Creon uncomfortably said, "Which is the reason why I wanted to speak with you alone."

I nodded quickly. "I understand."

I'm guessing the King was fully aware that we were the children of Isabella Valentine. He hadn't asked me a single question about it yet. My brother may have denied the truth, but it must still have been quite obvious to him. Especially if what he said was true and I did look like my great-grandmother, Andrea Driarco.

Question is... Did he also wonder if I had abilities like her too?

"I have just had a heart to heart with your husband to be, Lady Aseclyn," King Creon insincerely smiled as he started stepping towards me, "he is a very troubled man, but what can I say, every man deserves to know love, right?"

"Yes, your grace," I agreed.

I need to remember where I am and who I speaking to. The King is a powerful man, I would hate to cross him with smartass replies like the ones I give to Zac or Alexander.

"He expressed his feelings for you Ascelyn, he told me he loves you dearly," Creon chuckled, "it was strange hearing a demon like him confess his love for you with such passion when demons are known as chronic liars... You know, he said if anything was to happen to you, he would lose his sanity."

Why would Preston say something like that to the King? Knowing full well that I could be used as a weakness against him if anything was to go wrong. I mentally facepalmed.

"He said you were his breaking point," Creon finished as I kept my eyes focused on the ground, following his footsteps until he came to a halt and I saw just how close he had gotten to me.

My eyes were stripped from the ground the second I felt a foreign finger under my chin, a finger that made my body freeze up. What the- why is the king touching my face like that? I uncomfortably swallowed as he lifted my head until my scared eyes were softly staring at his.

"What are you doing?" I hesitantly asked.

The expression on his face was unreadable, I didn't know what his intentions were. "She broke my heart, your mother did. When I used to stare at her like this, she would melt under my touch and I would fall in love with her