DUSK'S POV
"How do I look?" He asked, extending his arms. I tore my eyes off the black flower immediately and stared at him.
"Wow. I wish I could capture this moment forever," I said. He started to talk, but I found it hard to pay attention because I knew I could save Lucius, and every second was wasting.
"So, would you tell me the gifts they have?" I asked. He sat on the grass, patting a spot next to him. I sat next to him, and he used his hand to brush a strand of hair away from his face.
"Okay, I don't know their names, but I know what they do. This pink one is for beauty. Take a petal, turn it into a potion, and drink it. The next morning, your beauty would be unmatched," he said, and I looked at him.
"Although, I doubt I'll be as beautiful as you," I said, and he laughed.
"I'm definitely keeping you by my side. So the red is for love. Anyone falls in love when they drink that potion. The yellow is for peace. The gold is for strength," he said, and told me the use of each of the glowing flowers until his eyes came to rest on the dark flower.
"That ugly flower over there is the only remedy for an ancient poison that's rare to find," he said, and I sighed in relief because that was enough confirmation.
~
"I found the flower," I said to Dalia the moment we locked the door of the room given to us. Her eyes widened.
"Where? How? When?" She asked.
"The Prince. He took me there," I said.
"Are you sure it is the right flower?" She asked, and I nodded.
"He confirmed it by telling me its functions," I said, and she gave a sigh of relief.
"So when can we take it and get out of here?" She asked.
"Tonight will be too risky. There are guards there, and I'm guessing it's because of the party," I said, and she nodded.
"They didn't let me in the garden either. Maybe tomorrow the guards will reduce," she said, and I bit my lip.
"But do we have enough time?" I asked myself.
"We still have a little time left. I think returning safely is the best thing because how can we save the Alpha if we get ourselves killed?" She asked, and I gave it a thought.
We had to tread carefully.
The fact that we were strangers also meant there were going to be lots of eyes on us, and I knew those men didn't trust us like the prince did. It meant their eyes would be well opened for us.
~
The next day, Dalia and I were summoned to the Prince's chambers. Dalia picked out clothes for him while I sat trying to draw his face.
He interrupted so many times, asking if I was done, and I feared he'd get mad and throw us out because what I had drawn didn't look a bit like him.
"Is this the Prince?" A lady who seemed intent on picking on Dalia and me said.
I didn't reply to her. I looked at Prince Sloan and continued to paint.
When I was done, I gave him the painting, and even Dalia looked scared.
"I love it!" He exclaimed, and our heads shot up to look at him.
I turned to Dalia, and she shrugged.
"Sylvanus, hang this up on the wall for me," he said, and one of his men took the painting from him and hung it on a wall.
~
Dalia and I were allowed to leave the Palace as we had requested, but we were under close supervision. Guards followed us as though we were important people. We weren't able to discuss further plans. However, when I got back, I received news that didn't sit well with me.
The Alpha had called for me, and that got me scared because it brought back unwanted memories of Lucius' father.
"Lead the way," I told the messenger, and he led the way to the Alpha's chambers.
"Alpha Conan, she is here," he announced.
"Bring her in," the Alpha said, and I was led to stand in his presence.
"She is beautiful!" He exclaimed with a laugh, and I looked up.
I saw Prince Sloan next to him, smiling proudly.
"Well, Dusk, do you agree to be a mistress to Prince Conan?" He asked, and I bowed my head.
I didn't have the time for that. I had to get back to my own Kingdom, but at the same time, I couldn't decline, or the real problems might start.
"Alpha, do you really mean this? How can an ugly creature like me be a mistress to your angelic son?" I asked.
"See?" Prince Sloan said, and Alpha Conan laughed.
"I like her already," he said. "Raise your head," he said, and I raised my head.
"Do you wish to be his mistress?" He asked, and I went to my knees.
"With all my heart," I said, and they laughed.
"It is done."
"But I have a request," I said.
"Let's hear it," Prince Sloan said.
"I request that you give me until tomorrow to prepare myself and look my very best for you," I said, and they laughed once more.
"You may do so," the Alpha said.
~
Once they let me go, I informed Dalia of the emergency of the situation, and we made preparations for the night.
Immediately it was night, we sneaked out to the garden, and with beating hearts, proceeded into the secret garden.
Dalia was stunned by the beauty of the flowers.
She went to a certain glowing tree and admired it.
Then she turned to me.
"This is beautiful. They have all these to themselves?" She asked, and I nodded and plucked three petals of the plant. Immediately I did, a scream filled the air.
Dalia and I were alarmed.
We didn't know where the scream came from.
"I think it's an enchantment!" Dalia exclaimed, but before she could say more, something horrible happened.
Lots of axes from behind whizzed past me towards her, and for a moment, she was pinned to the tree, bloodied, before she fell to the floor in chopped pieces.